Maryland’s child safety seat law requires that all children under age eight be secured in a federally approved child safety seat according to the safety seat and vehicle manufacturers’ instructions, unless the child is 4 feet, 9 inches or taller. The child restraint must be right for the child’s size, age, and weight.
Child safety seats include: infant seats, convertible seats, forward-facing seats, booster seats, or other safety devices federally approved for use by children in motor
vehicles.
If you’re in the market for one, you can shop online for a child car seat at any time. Before ordering, be sure to read our article on How To Buy a Child Safety Seat.
How To Install a Child Safety Seat provides handy information, and Maryland’s Project KISS (Kids in Safety Seats) helps families who can’t purchase child safety seats. For additional help, contact the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (410) 767-6016 or (800) 370-SEAT.
NOTE: Maryland’s child safety seat law does not prohibit front seat riding. The lone exception to this comes into play when placing a rear-facing child in a front seat with an active air bag.
Unattended Children and Pets
Children
It’s no secret that leaving a young child unattended in a motor vehicle is dangerous. It puts the child’s life at risk (especially in extreme hot and cold temperatures) and, because of a child’s curiosity with buttons, pedals, and gears, it puts others’ lives at risk, too.
The MVA recommends contacting your local law enforcement if you feel a child is in danger due to being unattended in a motor vehicle.
Pets
It’s unsafe to leave a pet unattended in a motor vehicle for the same reasons that it is unsafe to leave a child unattended. In fact, unless the animal is working with the police or is in an animal control officer’s custody, it’s illegal.
If you do leave a pet unattended, a number of people are allowed to use reasonable force to remove the animal from the vehicle, including law enforcement officers, public safety employees, and animal control officers.