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Important Health Education and Community Partnership Links
Information believed accurate but not guaranteed. The Union County Health Department disclaims liability for any errors or omissions. Contact the Union County Health Department at 937-642-0801 or toll free 888-333-9461 or email at HC@uchd.net. |
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Car Seat Distribution Program
Ohio has a law designed to protect children in traffic crashes. For Ohioans, it is a primary offense, meaning drivers can be cited under the car seat law even if no other traffic offense has occurred.
Ohio’s law states that any child who is not yet BOTH 40 pounds and 4 years old must be in a federally approved safety seat. This means a 5 year old who weighs 38 pounds and a 3 year old who weighs 43 pounds must be in safety seats. Children with disabilities and medically fragile children must also be in an appropriate child restraint device.
Anyone who violates this law (including -friends, relatives, neighbors, and drivers for vehicles for day cares or kindergartens) is subject to a fine of $100 for a first offense and $250 plus a potential jail term for a second offense. Fines will no longer be waived upon proof of purchase of a car seat.
"If car seats were used all the time, they could
prevent approximately 53,000 injuries and save approximately 500 lives each
year in the U.S."
National Highway Safety Administration and Children’s Safety Network,
Economics and Insurance Resource Center.
Infant Car Seats
A convertible safety seat is a combination of both an infant and toddler car seat. Typically, they accommodate children from birth to 40 pounds or 40 inches tall. They are not usually the best choice for very small infants when an infant car seat is available. Parents need to be aware that weight and height limits vary among different convertible seats.
Car Seat Programs
Operation
Baby Buckle
Sponsored by the Ohio Department of Health & the Safe
America Foundation
You will receive a free child safety seat
if you meet the following guidelines:
Child must
be 5-40 pounds and 19-40 inches
Union County
resident
Qualify under
the following income guidelines:
(See the Trained & Restrained Program below if you don't
meet the income guidelines)
| Family Size | Annual Wages | Approximate Monthly Income |
| 2 | $19,623 | $1636 |
| 3 | $24,661 | $2056 |
| 4 | $29,693 | $2475 |
| 5 | $34,725 | $2894 |
| 6 | $39,757 | $3314 |
| 7 | $44,789 | $3733 |
| 8 | $49,821 | $4152 |
Trained
& Restrained Program
Sponsored by the Transportation Research Center Inc.
For families that do not meet the income criteria described
above, seat costs range from $0.00-$40.00 on a sliding fee scale based upon
family size and income.
Additional Resources
Easter Seal Society of Central Ohio
Injury Prevention Services Division
Car Seats for Children with Special Needs
740-374-8876 or 800-933-2783
Auto Safety Hotline
National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration - Child Passenger Safety
Information on recalls, consumer products
800-424-9393
Center
for Injury Prevention
Educational materials, training & consultation
800-344-7580
Children’s
Safety Network
Informational resources
703-821-8965
Help Me Grow - Ohio Department of Health
Information on safety seats & Ohio’s law
800-755-4769
Union County Health Department
Recalls, educational materials, presentations
937-642-2053 or 888-333-9461 (toll free) or email
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Safety
Tips for Infant Carrier Seats: Safety Alert
Child product safety information
800-638-2772 or 800-638-8270 TTY
