Car Seat Program

Free Car Seat Check-Up


Want to learn how to install your car seat properly and for free? Do you now if your car seat is expired or has recalls on it? Our trained technicians will teach you everything you need to know to make sure your car seat is fitted and installed correctly.

The Vadnais Heights Fire Department performs car seat check-ups Tuesday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. depending on staff availability. To make a car seat check-up appointment, please contact the Vadnais Heights Fire Department at 651-204-6030, or make a request online.

Minnesota Child Passenger Restraint Law


  • Office of Traffic Safety - Child Passenger Restraint Law
  • All children under age 8 must ride in a federally approved car seat or booster seat, unless the child is 4'9" or taller.
  • Safety seats must be installed and used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Infants (under 20 pounds and one year of age) must be in a rear-facing safety seat.
  • Law applies to all motor vehicles originally equipped with factory-installed seat belts.
  • Law applies to all seating positions.
  • Driver is responsible.
  • Petty misdemeanor fine for violation is $50 (may be waived if violator shows proof of obtaining a safety seat within 14 days).
  • Applies to both residents and non-residents of Minnesota.
  • Suspected non-use is a valid basis to stop a motor vehicle.

Exceptions


  • Children riding in emergency medical vehicles, when medical needs make use of a restraint unreasonable
  • Children riding in a motor vehicle for hire, including a taxi, airport limousine or bus, but excluding a rented, leased or borrowed motor vehicle
  • Children riding with a peace officer on official duty, when a restraint is not available (a seat belt must be substituted)
  • Children certified by a licensed physician as having a medical, physical or mental disability that makes restraint use inadvisable
  • Passengers in school buses with a GVWR of over 10,000 pounds.
  • Minnesota Child Passenger Safety statute - 169.685
  • This law is a minimum safety standard and does not reflect best practices for properly securing children within vehicles.

Car Seat Facts


  • Road injuries are the leading cause of preventable deaths and injuries to children in the United States. Correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71%.
  • 73% of car seats are not used or installed correctly, so before you hit the road, check your car seat.
  • Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death among children ages 1 to 19.
  • Booster seats have been shown to reduce the risk of serious injury by 45% compared to seat belts alone for children ages 4 to 8 years.
  • Children 2 to 5 years of age using safety belts prematurely are four times more likely to suffer a serious head injury in a crash than those restrained in child safety seats or booster seats.
  • When installed and used correctly, child safety seats and safety belts can prevent injuries and save lives. Child safety seats can reduce fatal injury by up to 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers (ages 1 to 4).
  • It is estimated that 284 children were saved due to restraint use in 2012 alone.
  • From 1975 through 2012, an estimated 10,157 lives were saved by child safety seats or adult seat belts for children ages 4 and under.