Spring Newsletter Edition - 2026

Car Seat Alternatives:

What’s Safe, What’s Portable, and What You Should Know

Keeping kids safe in the car is always the top priority—but we know that travel, carpools, taxis, and rideshares don’t always make it easy to use a traditional car seat or booster. Here’s what you should know about portable car seat alternatives before choosing one.

Click here to read more.

Car seats: New or Used?

That’s an important question with some things to consider. Our friends with Buckle Up For Life offer these tips when considering buying a new car seat or opting for a used one. If you do choose to go the “used route”, remember to never purchase these at a second-hand store or from a person you don’t know. Knowing the crash history is important and a seat purchased from a thrift store does not allow you to obtain that information. Buying it from someone you don’t know poses the danger that they may misrepresent the car seat’s history. If choosing a used seat, be sure it is from a trusted friend or family member and follow these tips below.

Learn about Natalie's "Aha" Moments here!

E-Bike Aware

Have you thought about purchasing an e-bike for your kid? Did you know that you can reduce the speed an e-bike can go?

Wait...What?!?

E-bikes that are commonly for sale are made to top out at a speed of 20 mph (Class I & II max out at this speed; Class III e-bike can go up to 28 mph). At that speed, the assistance from the motor is shutoff. An e-bike works by having an electric motor assist in propelling the bicycle either while pedaling or by turning a throttle on the handlebar (pedaling is still required). A key point is that the e-bike must be able to be propelled by turning the pedals. But more on that later. 20 MPH is pretty speedy to be going on a bike...especially for younger kids. An average adult while pedaling a regular bicycle can typically go at a pace of 10-14 mph - with some effort. Kids typically average about 6-8 mph once they have mastered the act of bicycling.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

If you or someone you know has had a traumatic brain injury and would like assistance with managing the after affects, or you are a caregiver to someone who has had a traumatic brain injury and would like support, please contact the North Dakota Brain Injury Network at ndbin.org.

Move Over It's the law!

When a vehicle with flashing lights is stopped on or along a North Dakota roadway, drivers are required by law to slow down and move over when it is safe to do so.

Help protect law enforcement, first responders, roadway workers and your loved ones by moving over.

North Dakota Move Over Law

On the interstate system or on a multi-lane highway outside of city limits, when any vehicle is parked or stopped and displaying a flashing, revolving or rotating light, the driver of an approaching vehicle must slow down and move over to the other lane - as safety conditions allow.

The fine for not moving over is a $20 fine.
The fine for not moving over or slowing down to the other lane for an authorized emergency vehicle (or DOT maintenance vehicle) is a $50 fine.

View the applicable ND Century Code here.

May 1 is National Heatstroke Prevention Day

Do you know about the dangers of children in hot cars?

Would you know what to do if you see a child alone in a car?

Are you aware of how quickly cars heat up?

As the warmer months approach, the risk of children being exposed to hot cars rises sharply. Whether a child climbs into an unlocked vehicle on their own, is accidentally left behind, or an adult decides to “run a quick errand” that lasts longer than expected, the danger is the same. Hot cars can become life‑threatening in minutes. A child’s body overheats three to five times faster than an adult’s, making them especially vulnerable. Inside a parked vehicle, temperatures can climb 40 to 50 degrees higher than the outside air, even on days that don’t feel particularly hot. That rapid rise can create a deadly environment far more quickly than many people realize.

The National Safety Council offers a FREE on-line training course that is excellent for parents, caregivers, grandparents, nannies, driving-aged siblings and professionals. The class takes about 20 minutes to complete and offers great insight into heatstroke dangers. It is offered in both English and Spanish.

To find out more, click here!

The training can be found at:

Child Passenger Safety Learning Portal

You can also scan this QR code to be taken to the registration page:

National Automated Vehicle Day - May 31

Let’s face it. . . . A flying car piloted by the Jetson family seemed like something we may only see in cartoons and yet in this day and age, we are celebrating “National Automated Vehicle Day”. As the advent of driverless care becomes a routine sight in many parts of the country, it seems crazy to think of getting into a vehicle in which you sit in the back seat and get some work done, while there is no driver up front. Advances in motor vehicle safety are coming about rapidly and while most of us don’t have cars that drive themselves, there are features in vehicles that parents and caregivers should be aware of to make their rides safer. If you are in the new car markets or are interested in safety features offered as aftermarket add-ons, here are some ideas for you.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

SAFEKIDSGF.COM/WATERSAFETY

DOES YOUR LIFE JACKET FIT?

How To Properly Fit a Life Jacket

By Nat Henderson

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

Boating season seems like it’s a long way off, but you want to make sure your kids are ready BEFORE you get the boat out of storage.

Kids grow FAST, so you want to check if their life jackets are in good shape and fit properly every time you go out on or near the water. Kids under age 10 are required by law (in Minnesota) to WEAR a life jacket. Everyone SHOULD always wear it!!

Here are a few checkpoints:

● Does it fit properly? See below for how to check them. A life jacket that is too big or too small will not save a life.

● Do all the buckles snap and unsnap easily?

● Does the zipper zip up and down with ease?

● Don’t forget to check the crotch strap if it has one.

● Is the material sunfaded or torn?

● Is the foam soft and bendable?

A faded, torn, or stiff life jacket could fall apart on impact. These must be replaced. Don’t just throw the old jackets in the trash. Cut them apart so someone else can’t use it.

Outgrown jackets can be passed on to a smaller family member, neighbor, or you can donate them to the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. Many areas have loaner life jacket programs where you can borrow a child’s life jacket for free. (Duluth and Warroad, MN are two examples).

More information is available at www.boatus.org or https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/life-jacket-wear-wearing-your-life-jacket.php

Click here to be a volunteer!!

Baby Product Recalls

To view all on a PDF, click here.

Playground Safety

Is the playground in your yard or your local playground safe for children to be playing on?

Playground safety plays an important role in supporting children’s physical development and well-being. By staying informed and mindful of safety, we can help minimize preventable injuries.

Find out how to keep your kids safe on playground equipment here.