In Iowa, parents are required to make sure their children are properly restrained in a car seat when riding in a motor vehicle. The law states:

• A child under 1 year old who weighs less than 20 lbs. must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system.
• A child under 6 years old must be secured in a safety seat or booster seat. A seat belt alone is not appropriate.
• Children ages 6-11 must be secured in a child restraint system or by a safety belt.

If you’re in the market for one, you can shop online for a child car seat at any time. When ordering, be sure the car seat matches your child’s height, weight and age.

To learn more about Iowa’s car seat laws, you can download a free guide from theDepartment of Public Safety website.

Although Iowa has no laws regarding leaving children unattended in vehicles, this practice is highly discouraged. During the summer months, the temperature in a car can reach 125 degrees Fahrenheit in just 20 minutes, even if the windows are cracked. A young child may also accidentally put the car in motion, causing a potentially life threatening situation.