Child Safety in the Car in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Keeping children safe in the car is critical for families in Grand Rapids, especially with busy commutes on US‑131, I‑196, and I‑96, and changing Michigan weather. Using the correct child car seat or booster seat every single trip greatly reduces the risk of serious injury in a crash.

This guide explains Michigan child passenger safety laws, age‑appropriate restraints, heat safety, and local Grand Rapids resources to help you keep your child safe on the road.

Michigan Child Car Seat Laws

In Michigan, child passenger safety is governed by state law (MCL 257.710d and 257.710e):

  • Children under 4 years old

    • Must ride in an approved child safety seat (rear‑facing or forward‑facing, depending on age/size).
    • Must ride in the back seat if the vehicle has a back seat.

  • Children 4 to 7 years old

    • Must ride in a properly fitted booster seat until they are at least 8 years old or 4'9" tall (145 cm), whichever comes first.

  • Children 8 to 15 years old

    • Must wear a properly fastened and adjusted seat belt in all seating positions.

  • All passengers

    • Must be properly restrained in a vehicle.

Failure to follow these laws can result in fines and court costs, and, more importantly, increased risk of serious injury to your child.

For the most current legal details, visit the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning or Michigan State Police websites.

Why Proper Child Restraints Matter

When installed and used correctly, child restraints are highly effective in protecting children during a crash. A correctly fitted car seat or booster seat:

  • Spreads crash forces over the strongest parts of the body
  • Keeps the child securely in place
  • Reduces the risk of head, neck, and spinal injuries
  • Prevents ejection from the vehicle

In the Grand Rapids area, major hospitals like Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health all see preventable injuries every year related to improper restraint use.

Never Leave a Child Alone in a Car in Grand Rapids

Heat and Cold Risks in Michigan

Even though Grand Rapids has long, cold winters, vehicle temperatures can become dangerous in any season:

  • In summer, interior car temperatures can rise 20–30°F within 10 minutes, even on mild 70°F days.
  • In winter, a car can become dangerously cold very quickly, putting infants and young children at risk of hypothermia.

Children are more vulnerable than adults because:

  • They overheat faster
  • They lose fluids quickly, leading to dehydration and heat stroke
  • Their bodies can’t regulate temperature as effectively

Never leave a baby or child alone in a car, even for a short time, regardless of the season.

If you see a child alone in a vehicle in Kent County and believe they are in danger, call 911 immediately.

General Safety Tips for Using Child Restraints

Whether you’re driving to downtown Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Wyoming, or Comstock Park, follow these steps every trip:

Harness and Tether Checks

  • Make sure the harness and top tether have no twists.
  • Place your child’s arms correctly through the harness straps.
  • Perform the “two‑finger test”:
    • You should be able to fit no more than two fingers between the harness and your child’s collarbone.
  • Confirm that all buckles “click” into place.
  • If your seat uses ISOFIX/LATCH, ensure the connectors are fully latched and indicators show they’re locked.

Booster Seat Belt Positioning

When using a booster seat:

  • Use the booster’s belt guide to position the shoulder (sash) belt:
    • Across the middle of the shoulder, not the neck or face.
  • Ensure the lap belt:
    • Sits low over the upper thighs and hips, not across the stomach.
  • If the booster has a top tether, attach it to the correct anchor point and tighten.

Age and Stage: Choosing the Right Car Seat

Babies: Birth to at Least 6 Months (Often Longer)

  • Must ride in a rear‑facing infant car seat or rear‑facing convertible seat.
  • Rear‑facing is the safest position because it supports the baby’s head, neck, and spine.

Safety tips:

  • Keep your baby rear‑facing as long as possible, until they reach the height or weight limit of the seat.
  • Each trip:
    • Check the harness is snug and flat, not twisted.
    • Adjust the shoulder straps so they are at or just below the baby’s shoulders (for rear‑facing).
  • If using a blanket:
    • Strap your baby in first, then place the blanket over the harness.

Toddlers: About 6 Months to at Least 4 Years

Use either:

  • A rear‑facing convertible car seat (preferred as long as they fit), or
  • A forward‑facing car seat with an internal harness and top tether.

Best practice in Michigan and nationally:

  • Keep children rear‑facing as long as they are within the seat’s size limits.
  • When forward‑facing:
    • Use the harness slot at or just above the shoulders (no more than about 1 inch / 2.5 cm below).
    • Ensure the top tether is attached and tightened.
    • Check the vehicle seat belt or LATCH holding the seat is tight (the seat should move less than 1 inch at the belt path).

Children About 4 to at Least 7 Years

  • Use a forward‑facing harnessed seat until your child outgrows it by height or weight.
  • Then move to a high‑back booster seat (preferred) or a backless booster if the vehicle has good head support.

Key points:

  • Do not rush to move to the next stage.
  • Many booster seats are suitable for children up to about 10–12 years old, depending on size.
  • Booster cushions (without back or side protection) are not recommended because they offer poor protection in side impacts.

When Is a Child Ready for an Adult Seat Belt?

An adult lap‑sash seat belt is designed for people who are at least 4'9" tall (145 cm) and have the right body proportions.

Use a 5‑step test to see if your child is ready to ride without a booster:

  1. Can your child sit all the way back against the vehicle seat?
  2. Do their knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat?
  3. Does the lap belt sit low across the hips and upper thighs, not the stomach?
  4. Does the shoulder belt cross the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck or face?
  5. Can your child stay seated correctly for the entire trip (no slouching, leaning, or putting the belt behind their back)?

If you answer “no” to any step, your child should continue using a booster seat, even if they are older than 8.

Children 12 years and under are safest in the back seat, especially in vehicles with front airbags.

Where Children Can Sit in the Vehicle

For families driving around Grand Rapids, Ada, Walker, or Kentwood:

  • Back seat is safest for all children, especially under 13 years.
  • In vehicles with multiple rows of seats:
    • Children under 4 should ride in the back seat in a proper child safety seat.
    • If all rear seats are occupied by younger children, follow your vehicle and car seat manufacturer’s instructions before placing a child in the front seat, and never place a rear‑facing seat in front of an active airbag.

Always check your vehicle owner’s manual and car seat manual for specific guidance.

Children with Disabilities or Reduced Mobility

Children with disabilities or complex medical needs may require specialized solutions for safe travel.

Families in the Grand Rapids and Kent County area can:

  • Speak with an occupational therapist, physical therapist, or rehabilitation specialist at:
    • Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (Corewell Health)
    • Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids
  • These professionals can:
    • Recommend or prescribe special‑purpose child restraints
    • Advise on adaptive equipment or accessories
    • Help determine whether your child qualifies for medical exemptions or special accommodations under Michigan law

Do not modify a car seat yourself. Any changes should be made only under professional guidance to ensure safety and compliance.

Car Seat Rental and Fitting Help in Grand Rapids

While Michigan does not have a single statewide hire program, families in the Grand Rapids area can:

  • Ask local hospitals (Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health) about:
    • Car seat safety checks
    • Community car seat inspection events
  • Contact the Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health for:
    • Information on low‑cost or free car seat programs
    • Referrals to certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs)
  • Check with:
    • Local fire departments, police departments, and family resource centers
    • National resources like Safe Kids Worldwide for nearby inspection stations

Certified CPSTs can help you:

  • Choose the right car seat for your child and vehicle
  • Install the seat correctly
  • Adjust the harness and tether for a proper fit

Travelling with Children: Practical Tips for Grand Rapids Families

Whether you’re driving to Lake Michigan beaches, visiting family up north, or commuting through winter snow:

  • Set clear rules: Explain that the car does not move until everyone is buckled.
  • Praise good behavior: Reward children for staying buckled and sitting correctly.
  • Keep them engaged:
    • Talk, sing, or play audiobooks or music
    • Play simple games like “I Spy” (without distracting the driver)
  • Plan for long trips:
    • Take breaks every 2 hours to reduce driver fatigue and kids’ restlessness.
    • Offer water and healthy snacks (especially in hot or very dry winter car air).
  • Manage multiple children safely:
    • If you have a toddler and a baby, remove the baby from the car first, then help the toddler.
  • Secure loose items:
    • Store toys, bags, and other objects so they cannot become projectiles in a crash or sudden stop.

If flying out of Gerald R. Ford International Airport or taking a train or bus, consider bringing your child’s car seat or booster when possible, especially for use in rental cars or rideshares.

Pets Should Also Be Restrained

Unrestrained pets can:

  • Distract the driver
  • Become projectiles in a crash
  • Injure themselves or passengers

Use:

  • Pet harnesses that attach to seat belts
  • Crates or pet carriers secured to the vehicle

Never leave pets alone in a car, especially during summer heat or winter cold in West Michigan.

Avoid Heat Stroke and Cold Stress

In Grand Rapids, temperatures can swing from sub‑zero winters to hot, humid summers. Regardless of the season:

  • Never leave a child or pet alone in a parked car
  • Even with windows cracked, the interior can:
    • Reach life‑threatening temperatures in minutes in summer
    • Become dangerously cold in winter

Teach children to:

  • Exit the car on the curb side whenever possible
  • Wait for an adult before crossing parking lots or streets

Local Resources for Child Car Safety in Grand Rapids, MI

If you need help with child car seats, laws, or safe travel:

  • Corewell Health – Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (Grand Rapids)
    Offers pediatric expertise and may host car seat safety events.
  • Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
    For children with disabilities or special mobility needs.
  • Kent County Health Department
    Information on public health programs, possible car seat assistance, and local safety initiatives.
  • Grand Rapids Public Health / City of Grand Rapids
    Community safety and family health resources.
  • Local Fire and Police Departments
    Many participate in or can direct you to car seat check events.

You can also search for a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) near Grand Rapids through national organizations (e.g., Safe Kids Worldwide).

Using the right car seat or booster seat, installed and used correctly every time, is the single most effective way to protect children in a crash. For families in Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, combining proper restraints with seasonal awareness and local support resources can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury on the road.