Infants & childreN
Forward-Facing Car Seats
Forward-Facing Car Seats
Watch this demonstration of using a forward facing car seat.
Forward-facing car seats are a type of child restraint designed for children who have outgrown the height or weight limits of their rear-facing car seats. Check the weight and height to ensure your child will meet the requirements according to the car seat manufacturer. These type of car seats stay installed in the vehicle, allowing you to easily put your child in and remove them each time you use the car seat.
Minnesota law requires that you keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with an internal harness until at least 4 years old and until they exceed the height or weight limits, according to the car seat manufacturer.
When installing a forward-facing car seat, follow both the car seat manufacturer’s manual and the vehicle owner’s manual. It’s also recommended to have your car seat installation checked by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.
Car Seat Tethers
A tether strap is part of a forward-facing car seat that helps keep the seat more securely attached to the vehicle. The strap connects from the top of the car seat to a tether anchor in your vehicle (often located behind the seat, on the back of the seat, or on the rear shelf).
Check your vehicle owner’s manual to find the tether anchor location and your car seat manual for instructions on how to properly attach and tighten the tether strap.
Using the tether is important because it reduces how far a child’s head moves forward in a crash, helping lower the risk of head and neck injuries. When using a forward-facing car seat, always attach and tighten the tether strap in addition to installing the seat with the seat belt or lower anchors.
Disclaimer:
The information and materials found on this website are intended for reference and education. To ensure all passengers are using vehicle restraint systems correctly, please consult with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, as well as your vehicle’s owner’s manual and your child restraint owner’s manual.