Car seats should be replaced anytime you are in an accident or if they have reached their expiration date. Camille Graham, MD CLC FAAP, chair of pediatric council at Mercy Health Physicians, recommends having the car seat checked in the car by a certified passenger safety technician (CPST) before the baby is born.
She also recommends getting “car seat checks when you get a new car seat, a new car, if you think your child has outgrown the current seat, or when you transition from rear-facing to forward-facing.”
So when are your kids ready to make the big switch from rear to forward facing, or booster to riding in the front seat of the car? According to the Ohio car seat law, kids are required to use belt positioning booster seats once they outgrow their child safety seats until they are 8 years old, unless they are at least 4 foot 9 inches tall. In addition:
- Children younger than 4 or 40 pounds must use a child safety seat meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.
- Children younger than 8 years old — unless they are at least 4 foot 9 inches — must use a booster seat.
- Children ages 8 – 15 must use a child safety seat or safety belt.
INSPECT YOUR CAR SEAT:
LOCAL CAR SEAT FITTING STATIONS (greater Cincinnati); cincinnatichildrens.org/service/c/ccic/safety-resources
SAFE KIDS COALITIONS; safekids.org/safe-kids-coalitions-united-states
HEALTHY CHILDREN; healthychildren.org
A resource developed for parents by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
NATIONAL CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY PROGRAM; cert.safekids.org/get-car-seat-checked
Get connected with a certified tech to ensure your child’s safety.