New York State Car Seat Laws to Change

This weekend marks the end of National Child Passenger Safety Week (September 15 - 21) and there's a pretty significant change coming to New York State car seat laws that parents and caregivers should be aware of.

According to safeny.gov

Effective November 1, 2019, the law states that all children under the age of 2 must use a rear-facing car seat. There are 3 types of rear-facing car seats: Infant Seats, Convertible Seats, and All-in-One Seats.

It is recommended that infants and toddlers ride in a rear-facing seat until they reach the weight or height limit of the seat. Most children will outgrow a rear-facing infant seat before reaching their 2nd birthday. If the child has outgrown an infant seat, it is recommended that a larger, rear-facing Convertible or All-in-One car seat with higher rear-facing height and weight limits be used. These seats should be installed in the rear-facing position until the child reaches the rear-facing weight or height limit set by the car seat manufacturer.

As it currently stands, New York State law requires that

-All children under the age of 4 ride in child safety seats
-All children ride in child restraint systems until their 8th birthday
-Safety seats and child restraint systems must be certified according to Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standard 213.

Most of the current guidelines are based around weight and height, but the upcoming changes that go into effect on November 1st are based on age, so people are being encouraged to purchase a convertible seat with higher height and weight limits.

There are plenty of local resources to help you with car seat questions and installation, check in with your local police/fire department to see how they can help.

Also, don't forget about the current car seat current trade in happening through 9/30.