Car Seats

Need a car seat? Infant, convertible, and booster car seats are available at no cost to certain PrimeWest Health members.

• Infant car seats: If you are a PrimeWest Health member who is at least 6 months pregnant, had a baby in the last 6 months, or your child is a PrimeWest Health member age 6 months or younger who has not already received an infant or convertible seat, PrimeWest Health will provide an infant car seat at no cost.
• Convertible car seats: If you are a PrimeWest Health member who is at least 6 months pregnant, had a baby in the last year, or your child is a PrimeWest Health member age 24 months or younger, PrimeWest Health will provide a convertible car seat at no cost.
• Booster car seats (high-back or backless) are available at no cost to PrimeWest Health members ages 3 – 9.

Contact your county Public Health office to find out how to get your car seat. To get the phone number of a Public Health office in your county, call PrimeWest Health Member Services at 1-866-431-0801. TTY users call 1-800-627-3529 or 711. These calls are free.

Use a car seat whenever your child is in the car and contact Public Health to make sure your car seat is properly installed. 

Did you know that 4 out of 5 car seats are used incorrectly? Follow these guidelines to make sure your car seat provides the protection your child needs to stay safe:

• Take time before your baby is born to learn how to safely install the car seat and keep your child safe (follow both the car seat manufacturer’s recommendations and your car owner’s manual). Your local public health agency can check if you’ve installed your car seat correctly and make any needed changes at no cost to you.

• Use a car seat every time your child is in the car. Get a car seat before your baby is born so they have a safe ride home from the hospital.

• Obey these Minnesota laws:
  • Children from birth to at least age 2 must use a rear-facing infant or convertible child safety seat
  • Children who are at least age 2 and who have outgrown a rear-facing seat with internal harness by height or weight must sit facing forward in a car seat with an internal harness
  • Children who are age 4 and who have outgrown a forward-facing seat with internal harness by height or​ weight must use a belt-positioning booster seat using the lap belt and shoulder belt
  • Children age 9 or children who have outgrown the booster seat and who can pass the five-step test that shows how the seat belt fits correctly must use a lap belt and shoulder belt secured correctly on the vehicle seat
  • Children under age 13 must sit in the back seat, if possible
  
  
   
• Do not use a car seat if you don’t know its history or if it has been involved in an accident. Car seats can be unsafe and not work properly if they have been involved in an accident.


• Do not use a car seat that is more than 6 years past the manufacture date. Most car seats have an expiration date printed on them.

PW_07-17_258
DHS_Accepted_02/03/2026
Updated_02/04/2026