Ohio law requires children between the ages of four and 15 to be properly restrained by either a child seat, booster seat, or seat belt any time they are being transported by a motor vehicle. (This doesn’t apply to children riding in taxicabs or public safety vehicles.)

Drivers who violate this law face a misdemeanor charge and at least a $25 fine.

If you’re in the market for one, you can shop online for a child car seat at any time. When ordering, be sure the car seat matches your child’s height, weight and age (as described below).

Weight and Height Specifics

• If your child is under 1 year and under 20 pounds, he must be in a rear-facing child seat.
• If your child is at least 1 and weighs more than 20 pounds, he can ride in a forward-facing seat until he grows out of that seat.
• If your child weighs over 40 pounds, he must ride in a booster seat. Boosters properly position the seatbelt. Use a highback booster if the car’s backseat is below the top of your child’s ears.
• Your child must use the booster until he is 8 years old, or is at least 4’9″ tall.

Children under age 12 should ride in the backseat to prevent airbag injuries and fatalities. The airbag deploys in an angle that will injure or kill a child, so if your child must ride in front, be sure you have an airbag turnoff switch.

Leaving a Child Unattended in a Vehicle

If you leave a child unattended in a vehicle, especially during periods of extreme heat or cold, it could be considered child endangerment. Under Ohio law, this is when a parent or guardian decides to act recklessly by disregarding a substantial risk.