what are Ohio’s Laws for children in car seats?

Children ages 0 to 4 

Any child either less than 40 pounds of less than 4 years old must be properly secured in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions in a child restraint system that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards.  

Children ages 4 to 8 

Any child who is less than 8 years of age and less than 4 feet 9 inches in height must be properly secured in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions on a booster seat that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards.  

*It is recommended that children who may be 8 but less than 4 feet 9 inches in height remain in a booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly. 

what is a Certified Child Passenger Technician?   

The National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training Program (CPS certification program) certifies people as child passenger safety technicians and instructors. CPS technicians and instructors put their knowledge to work by conducting child safety seat checks, where parents and caregivers receive hands-on assistance for the proper use of child restraint systems and safety belts. This certification training program is held by Safe Kids Worldwide. For more information, you can visit their website here.  

You can contact our current child passenger technicians by emailing injuryprevention@childrensdayton.org.

what happens during a car seat check?

During a car seat inspection (check), your car seat will be checked for recalls and expiration dates. Then the technician will work with you to make sure your car seat is properly installed in your vehicle. Most car seat checks take 30 to 45 minutes.  

how do I set up a car seat check by a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician?  

There are nearly 30 locations across the Dayton region that will do a full car seat check for free. Whether you live in Montgomery County or a surrounding county, certified car seat techs are ready and willing to make sure your child is riding in safety. 

Use this map to find a site nearest to you to book an appointment. 

Dayton Children’s also conducts periodic car seat checks by appointment and occasionally has car seat check events in the community throughout the year. 

To schedule a car seat check appointment, please visit our booking site to schedule online or call 937-641-3700.

*Please note, bookings may not happen every month, so check back periodically to get your appointment scheduled.

Where can I get a car seat or booster seat if I can’t afford it?  

The Ohio Department of Health’s child passenger safety (CPS) program, Ohio Buckles Buckeyes (OBB), provides child safety seats and booster seats to eligible low-income families in all Ohio counties. 

Dayton Children’s manages the Miami Valley region for the OBB program. In order to receive an OBB seat, a family’s income must be within WIC guidelines although the recipient does not need to be enrolled in WIC.

If eligible for this program, families can call the OBB site coordinator located in their county and schedule an appointment to attend an educational class provided by trained by the OBB coordinator. In these sessions, the parent/caregiver(s) receive important education on how to properly use the car seat for their child, and they are instructed on how to correctly install the car seat in their vehicle.

Families can use this map to find your local OBB site.

what other information about car seats and safety do you have?

We know that car seats are ever-changing and it’s hard to keep up with the constant changes in rules, regulations and recommendations. If you have any questions related to car seats or booster seat safety, please call 937-641-3700 and talk to one of our certified child passenger safety technicians!  

There are nearly 30 locations across the Dayton region that will do a full car seat check for free. Whether you live in Montgomery County or a surrounding county, certified car seat techs are ready and willing to make sure your child is riding in safety. 

Download this map to find a car seat fitting station near you. 

Dayton Children's conducts periodic car seat safety checks and car seat fittings . Click the button below to see if there are any upcoming appointments or if any new slots have opened. 

book a car seat check

Ohio Buckles Buckeyes

The Ohio Department of Health’s child passenger safety (CPS) program, Ohio Buckles Buckeyes (OBB), provides child safety seats and booster seats to eligible* low income families in all Ohio counties.  Dayton Children’s manages the Miami Valley region for the OBB program.

If you have questions about the OBB program, contact our Occupant Protection Regional Coordinator at  937-641-3700 or captainl@childrensdayton.org. 

*income must be within WIC guidelines although the recipient does not need to be enrolled in WIC
Requirements for the OBB Program

In order to receive an OBB seat, families who are income-eligible may be required to attend an educational class provided by trained local CPS staff. In this session, the parent/caregiver(s) receives important education on how to properly use the car seat for their child, and they are instructed on how to correctly install the car seat in their vehicle.

If you're ready to get started, use this map to find an OBB fitting station near you.