Car Seat Program

HomeCar Seat Program

Ohio Buckles Buckeyes (OBB) Program

In partnership with University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s and Ohio Buckles Buckeyes (OBB), Geauga Public Health provides car seats to income-eligible families in Geauga County.

The overall goals of this program is to increase the availability of child safety seats for families who could not otherwise afford them and to increase the proper installation and use of child safety seats. 

To be eligible for the program, you must:

  • Show proof of Geauga County residency.
  • Meet income guidelines (income must be within Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Program guidelines, although the recipient odes not need to be enrolled in the WIC program).
  • Have, or be the legal guardian of a child within 5 and 65 pounds for a convertible car seat or between 40 pounds (and be too tall for a convertible) and 100 pounds for a booster seat.
  • Attend the educational class provided by Child Passenger Safety Technicians and complete necessary paperwork (about 30-60 minutes long).
  • You must have an appointment.

For more information or to make an appointment, call our Child Passenger Safety Technician at 440-279-1944.

Find a Child Passenger Safety Technician

Car Seat Checks

Car seat checks are available at no cost for ALL families in Geauga County who would like a certified child passenger safety technician to check for correct use and secure installation. Please call (440)-279-1944 to schedule an appointment.

Ohio Car Seat Law 4511.81

  • Parents and caregivers are required by Ohio law to obey the following safety practices:
    • Infants and young children must ride in a child safety seat until they are 4 years old AND weigh at least 40 pounds.
    • Every child ages 4-8 who is no longer in a car seat must use a booster seat until she reaches 4’9” tall.
    • Children and teens ages 8-15 who are not in booster seats must use adult seat belts.
Ohio Car Seat Law ORC 4511.81

Is your car seat registered?

Car Seat Recalls and Registration

Occasionally, a manufacturer recalls a car seat because of a defect that could harm your child. When you purchase a new car seat, be sure to mail the manufacturer’s owner information card provided with the seat. By registering your car seat, you are giving the manufacturer information on how to contact you in the event your car seat is recalled or if they have safety notices.

Can’t find your registration card? You can just as easily complete a quick registration on the manufacturer’s website. Visit the link HERE to register your seat online.

Curious if your seat has a safety recall? Visit NHTSA’s website HERE to check your child restraint for any recalls.

Register Your Child Restraint NHTSA Check For Recalls

Car Seat Recommendations

  • Select a car seat based on your child’s age, height, and weight.
  • Keep your child in the proper car seat as long as the child fits within the manufacturer’s height and weight requirements.
  • All children under 13 should ride in the back seat.
  • Follow the car seat manufacturer’s instructions and your vehicle owner’s manual on how to install.

Rather than hastily transitioning children between the stages—rear-facing, forward-facing, booster and seat-belt—parents and caregivers are advised to maximize the longevity of each seat type. Using the weight and height limitations of the car seat is a safer and more accurate measure to figure out when it’s time to progress to the next stage.

The Ultimate Car Seat Guide How to Choose a Safe Car Seat (NHTSA)

Why rear-facing?

Use a rear-facing seat until age 2 or more

In a collision, a rear-facing child is cradled by the shell of their car seat, protecting their head, neck, and spine. When forward facing, the shoulders, neck, and head are thrown forward due to tremendous crash forces that can cause severe injury and even death. It doesn’t take much force to cause devastating injury to a developing body, and rear-facing allows the car seat to absorb more force away from the child.

Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible. It’s the best way to keep him or her safe. Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer.