Comprehensive Children's Injury Center

Injury Prevention Tips | Car Seat Safety

Interested in becoming a Child Passenger Safety Technician? Find out more information.

• We typically conduct two, 3 1/2-day trainings a year (in May and September) to certify individuals as car seat technicians.
• Locate the closest course to you and sign up.
• The course fee is $85 to Safe Kids and $85 to Cincinnati Children's.

Already a Child Passenger Safety Technician?

• The National Child Passenger Safety Board has a wide variety of resources available for technicians as well. Check out their site for all your child passenger safety needs.

Infant

• Rear-facing only
• With or without a base
• Upper weight usually about 22-35 pounds
• Child's head must be at least 1 inch below top of seat
• Harness straps should be coming out of the slots at or below your child's shoulders
• Check manufacturers' instructions for weight and height requirements

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends children remain rear-facing until they reach the upper weight or height of their rear-facing car seat.

Convertible

• Rear-facing to a certain weight limit (usually from 5-30 pounds, sometimes higher)
  • Child's head needs to be 1" below top of seat
  • Harness straps should be coming out of the slots at or below your child's shoulders
• Forward-facing starting at a certain weight limit until an upper weight limit
  • Child's shoulders should not be above top slots
  • Child's ears should not be above top of seat
  • Harness straps should be coming out of the slots at or above your child's shoulders
• Check manufacturers' instructions for weight and height requirements

Combination

• Forward-facing only
• Can be used with an internal harness up to usually 40 pounds or more
• Can be used as a belt-positioning booster seat up to 100 pounds or more
• Check manufacturers' instructions for weight and height requirements

Booster Seats

• Belt-positioning booster seats can be used from 40 pounds to upwards of 80-120 pounds and the height of 4'9"
• Must use a lap-and-shoulder belt
• Check manufacturers' instructions for weight and height requirements

Sometimes, traditional car seats won't meet the transportation needs of a child; therefore, a special needs car seat may be necessary. Here at the CCIC, we have staff trained and certified to help you determine the best device or way for your child to ride safely and securely in the car.

To discuss your transportation options, please call 513-803-RIDE today!

Did you know there is a place within Cincinnati Children's where you can go and purchase car seats at discounted prices? Our Family Resource Center is where we sell all of our car seats, helmets, and home safety products for patients, families, and staff.

Call today at 513-636-5009, or stop by to see what they have to help keep you and your family safe!

Sometimes, it can be difficult to get your child's car seat installed into your vehicle securely and correctly. Check out these great videos from Buckle Up For Life to ensure your child's seat is properly installed.

If you have any doubts, locate the nearest fitting station, or call us at 513-803-RIDE to schedule an appointment!

In the State of Ohio, there is a program called Ohio Buckles Buckeyes, which helps low-income families acquire a car seat for their child. Located in each county, there is an agency or organization that can help a family get a seat. The family must be WIC eligible, live in the particular county, attend an educational training, and get the seat installed.

To find the nearest OBB site, please see this list .

Ohio

• Any child, either less than 40 pounds, or less than 4 years old, must be properly secured in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions in a child safety seat that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards.
• Any child, who is less than 8 years of age, or less than 4 feet 9 inches in height, must be properly secured in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions in 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 seat belt fits properly.
• All children younger than 13 years of age should be restrained in the rear seats of vehicles for optimal protection.

Kentucky

• Any child less than 40 inches tall must be in a child and/or infant seat.
• Any child, who is under 7 years of age and is between 40-57 inches tall, must be in a booster seat.
• All children over 7 years of age or over 57 inches tall must be secured in a seat belt.

Indiana

• Indiana law requires all children under the age of 8 to use a child restraint system in accordance with the child restraint system manufacturer's instruction, which is based upon the child's height and weight.
• All children under the age of 16 must be properly restrained either by using a seat belt or a child restraint system, which includes a booster seat.