Michigan’s updated car seat law, which requires children under the age of 2 years old to be in a rear-facing car seat, will go into effect April 2. Previously, only children under the age of 1 had to be rear-facing.

Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death for children under the age of 13, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Each year, 325 children under 5 years old are saved by car seats.

What to know

Starting next month, children have to remain in a rear-facing child car seat until they’re 2 years old or have reached the height and weight limits determined by the car seat’s manufacturer.

The state will require that children between the ages of 2 and 5 be in a forward-facing car seat with an internal harness, with straps that go over the shoulders and around the hips. Previously, the car seat requirement covered children up to the age of 4.

Children under 8 years old or are no taller than 4 feet 9 inches must remain in a belt-positioning booster seat.

When can my child sit in the passenger seat? 

Kids who have outgrown their booster seat are still required to sit in the rear seat until they are 13 years old.

Finding the right seat

A child’s car seat should be custom to their weight and height. Generally, the harness should be snug without slack and the chest clip should be at armpit level.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has tips on how to find the perfect car seat, recommendations, and instructions on how to install car seats. Many fire departments offer inspections to ensure the car seat is properly installed.

NHTSA recommends that drivers register that car seat so that they can be notified about recalls and safety notices.]

This article is being republished through a syndication agreement with Bridge Michigan. Bridge Michigan is Michigan’s largest nonprofit news service and one of the nation’s leading and largest nonprofit civic news providers. Their coverage is nonpartisan, fact-based, and data-driven. Find them online at  https://www.bridgemi.com/.