News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Michigan State Police Alpena Post Community Service Trooper Jason Kunath demonstrates how to put a booster seat in the rear seat of a vehicle.

ALPENA — As of Wednesday, new child restraint laws in vehicles took effect in Michigan.

The new law includes safety standards for children from birth through 12 years old.

Children must ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 2 years old, or until they outgrow the rear-facing car seat’s height or weight limit of their convertible or all-in-one car seat, according to a pamphlet/handout from Safe Kids Greater South Haven.

From 2 to 5 years old, children must ride in a forward-facing car seat with an internal five-point harness until they are at least 5 years old, or until they outgrow the height or weight limit of their forward-facing car seat in harness mode.

Children must ride in a booster seat secured with a lap and shoulder seat belt until they are at least 8 years old, or until they are four feet, nine inches tall (57 inches).

Children younger than 13 years old must be restrained in the vehicle’s rear seat, unless all rear seats are occupied by other children, or the vehicle does not have rear seating.

“These new standards, along with following manufacturers’ guidelines, will ensure children are safely secured in their car seats and better protected if a crash occurs,” said Katie Bower, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, in a March 25 press release. “We encourage parents to recheck all their car seats and booster seats to make sure they meet the necessary requirements and are fitted properly for each child’s height and weight.”

For information on child passenger safety recommendations, including car seat check locations, visit the Highway Safety Planning office’s child passenger safety web page at Michigan.gov/carseats.

“It’s really about keeping kids safe,” Michigan State Police Alpena Post Community Service Trooper Jason Kunath said.

Children’s bodies are much more susceptible to harm since they are not fully developed.

The law would not be changed without research showing that these safety standards are effective, Kunath said.

Kunath is a certified car seat safety technician and can help anyone who wants their child’s car seat or booster seat adjusted properly. Deputy Fire Chief at the Alpena Fire Department Andy Marceau is also certified, Kunath said.

Questions about the new laws or car seat safety can be directed to Kunath at the MSP Alpena Post, and he said he would be happy to help.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.