Prepare for Your Road Trip
Safety is a top priority for families, whether you are on the move or at home. As you prepare for road trips this spring, be sure to familiarize yourself with Ohio car seat regulations that are designed to ensure a child’s safety on the road.
Purchasing the right car seat and installing it properly is one of the best ways to keep your child safe.
Ohio Child Passenger Safety Laws:
- Infants and young children must ride in a safety seat until they are 4 years old AND weigh at least 40 pounds. Infants must not face forward until at least 1 year of age and weigh 20 pounds.
- Every child age 4-8 who is no longer in a car seat must use a booster seat until they reach 4’9″ tall.
- Children and teens age 8-15 who are not in booster seats must use adult seat belts.
Recommendations from the Ohio Department of Health:
- For best protection, infants and toddlers should be in safety seats facing the back of the car until age 2 years of age, or until reaching the maximum height or weight of their convertible care seat (seat that can safely be positioned forward or rear facing)
- Children who have outgrown their rear facing car seat should use a forward-facing seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat
- Children whose height or weight is above the forward-facing limit should use a booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly.
- Children younger than 13 years of age should be restrained by using a lap and shoulder belt in the rear seats of the car for optimal protection.
- Bulky clothing should not be worn underneath the harness of a car seat. Dress child in thin layers and cover the child with a blanket while strapped in the seat.
- Check the expiration date on all seats.
- The best way to teach your child the proper passenger safety habits is by practicing them every time you drive or ride in a vehicle.
Additional Resources:
- The Ohio Buckles Buckeyes (OBB) Program offers free car seats to eligible families in all 88 counties of Ohio. Contact your local county Health Department for eligibility requirements and more information
- Dressing your child for car seat safety.
- Find suggestions for what type of car seat is best for your child.
- Police stations and organizations offer free car seat checks. Find your local site here.
Community Events:
- Lebanon Public Library: Sensory Circus: March 9 from 10-11 a.m.
- Hop Into Spring: March 16 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Easter Egg Hunt at Young’s Jersey Dairy Farm: March 31 at 2 p.m.
Learn Through Play Calendars: March
Help children learn through play by using one of the following age-specific monthly calendars that feature daily activities.
Creating Safe Environments for Foster Children
Caring for foster children comes with a unique set of challenges, but with compassion you can provide a child with the support they need. This support sets the foundation for each child’s future and well-being.
4C’s Children Services Hub Foster and Adoptive Family Liaisons can help you get connected to an agency today and start the foster parent process. For more information or support, connect with us via email at hub@4cforchildren.org or 513-758-1482