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3855 Trueman Court | Hilliard, Ohio | 43026
Hilliard Pediatrics, Inc. - Dr. Tim Teller, MD
It is a common question for us to be asked: what is the law in Ohio about car safety? And are the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations the same or different? As of May 2019, the following are the current Ohio laws (https://ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/site/residents/resources/car-seat-law) and the current AAP recommendations (https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx). Realize the AAP recommendations are more conservative, safety wise.
Ohio law says:
The AAP recommends:
We are commonly asked this question, so here is the question and answer directly from the AAP website:
“Q: What if my baby’s feet touch the back of the vehicle seat?
A: Your child can bend his legs easily and will be comfortable in a rear-facing seat. Injuries to the legs are rare for children facing the rear.” [www.healthychildren.org]
We recommend that you follow the AAP guidelines. You will be within the law of Ohio, but taking the extra step to be safe by following the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations.
By the way, the average child (boys and girls) does not reach 57 inches of height until they are 11 years of age. My twin sons stopped their booster seats at 12 years of age when they reached the height of 57 inches.
Be safe!
Last Updated: 05/2019