Car Seat Program
Car Seat Program
Protecting Our Youngest Passengers — Every Ride, Every Time
Keeping your child safe while traveling is one of the most important things you can do. At Miami Township Fire & EMS, we want to make sure families are informed and compliant with Ohio’s Child Passenger Safety Laws to help prevent injuries and save lives.
Ohio’s Car and Booster Seat Law
(Ohio Revised Code 4511.81)
Effective October 7, 2009, Ohio law requires:
Children under 4 years old or under 40 pounds must ride in a child safety seat that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Children under 8 years old, unless they are at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall (57 inches), must use a booster seat.
Children ages 8 to 15 must use either a booster seat or a seat belt, depending on their size.
1. Rear-Facing Car Seats
Required by law until at least age 4 and 40 pounds.
For best protection, keep your child rear-facing until at least age 2, or until they reach the maximum height or weight limit of their car seat.
2. Forward-Facing Car Seats
Children can transition to a forward-facing car seat after outgrowing the rear-facing seat (typically at age 2+).
Must be at least 1 year old and 20 pounds to face forward.
Remain in a harnessed forward-facing seat until reaching the seat’s height or weight limits (usually 40–65 pounds).
3. Booster Seats
For children age 4+ and at least 40 pounds.
Required by law until the child is 8 years old or 4'9" tall — whichever comes first.
Both high-back and backless options are available — choose based on your child’s needs and the vehicle’s seat design.
4. Lap and Shoulder Seat Belts
Children can safely use adult seat belts when they reach 4’9” tall.
Required by law for all children ages 8–15 to wear a seat belt or be in an appropriate child safety seat.
Everyone in the vehicle should buckle up — every seat, every ride.
