Booster Seat Laws
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Child Passenger Safety Week: Ohio Car Seat & Booster Seat Laws Parents Must Know

ByZaber Law Blogs

Every year, the third week of September marks Child Passenger Safety Week, a national initiative to raise awareness about the importance of using the right car seat and ensuring its proper installation. In 2025, the campaign runs from September 21 through 27, culminating in National Seat Check Saturday on September 27, when parents and caregivers are encouraged to have their car seats professionally inspected—often for free—by certified technicians.

For Ohio families, this awareness week is a vital reminder to make sure every child is not only in the legally required restraint, but that it’s the safest option for their age, height, and weight.

Why This Week Matters

  • Across the U.S., young passengers face significant risk: in 2023, an average of two children under age 14 were killed each day, and 345 were injured in traffic crashes—many while improperly restrained.
  • National studies show that car seats reduce fatal injury risk by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers.
  • Yet, shockingly, nearly half of all car seats are misused or installed incorrectly.
  • In Ohio, nearly 80% of families move children out of booster seats too early, unaware that children should remain in boosters until they’re at least 4′9″ tall.

Ohio’s Child Passenger Safety Laws

Here’s what Ohio law requires:

  • Rear-Facing Seats: Children under 4 years old and under 40 pounds must be secured in an age- and size-appropriate car seat, typically rear-facing.
  • Forward-Facing Harness Seats: Once they outgrow the rear-facing seat, children can move to a forward-facing seat with a harness. Ohio law encourages staying forward-facing until up to around 40–65 pounds or until reaching the seat’s height limits.
  • Booster Seats: Children aged 4 to 8 years who weigh at least 40 pounds but are shorter than 4′9″ must use a federally approved booster seat.
  • Seat Belt Only: Children can transition to using only the adult seat belt when they are 8 years old or taller than 4′9″ and when the belt fits properly—crossing the chest mid-shoulder and the lap belt low on the hips.
  • Ohio law requires all children under 15 to be secured in a child safety seat or seat belt.

Ohio law clearly underscores both age and physical development requirements as the deciding factors in selecting appropriate restraints.

Best Practices Beyond the Law

Following recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and NHTSA helps parents optimize safety:

  1. Keep children rear-facing as long as possible, at least until age 2 or until reaching seat limits.
  2. Use forward-facing harness seats as long as the child fits, often up to age 5 or 6.
  3. Maintain use of booster seats until the child passes the “5-step test”—including proper belt fit and sitting still.
  4. Keep children under 13 in the back seat for maximum safety.
  5. Never rush transitions, whether from rear-facing to forward-facing, to booster, or to regular seat belt use.

How Zaber Law Supports Safety

At Zaber Law, we’re committed to family safety—from legal support after accidents to helping parents stay informed:

  • Awareness: We help Ohio parents understand and follow child passenger safety laws to avoid tragic injury.
  • Resources: We encourage participation in National Seat Check Saturday (Sept 27), where experts inspect car seats for free
  • Advocacy: If a child is injured in a crash and restraints weren’t properly used, legal consequences may follow—and families deserve guidance in these sensitive situations.
  • Education: Through blog posts like this, we aim to help families confidently choose and install the right car seat or booster.

Final Thoughts

Child Passenger Safety Week (September 21–27, 2025) is more than just a calendar event—it’s a critical reminder that every ride can and should be safe. Ohio law provides a strong framework, but combining it with best practices ensures that children are protected throughout transitions—from infancy to adolescence.

If you’re unsure whether your child is in the right seat or have questions after an accident, Zaber Law is here to help. Let’s work together to keep Ohio’s youngest passengers safe—and legally protected—on the road.

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