Child restraint laws in Kansas have four key components:

• Children must ride in a rear-facing child safety seat until they are at least one year old and 20 pounds.
• Children between the ages of one and three must ride in forward-facing child safety seat.
• Children between the ages of four and seven must ride in a booster seat unless they weigh more than 80 pounds, are taller than 4 feet 9 inches, or are traveling in a vehicle where only a lap belt is available.
• Children between the ages of eight and 13 must be wearing a seatbelt whenever the vehicle is in motion.

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.

If you need help making sure your child safety seat or booster seat is correctly installed, visit one of the many free fitting stations located throughout the state. If you can’t afford a child safety seat or booster seat, the fitting stations also have information on programs available to assist low-income families in obtaining this important piece of safety equipment.

In addition to being aware of child restraint laws, parents should also remember that Kansas law also forbids children under age 14 from riding in any part of a vehicle not intended for passengers, such as the bed of a pickup truck.