Lorain County Car Seat Program

The Lorain County Car Seat Program educates parents and guardians and provides low-cost high-quality car seats to Lorain County residents who qualify:

• Meet income requirements
• Attend a brief education session

Seats are $25.00 each, but no one is denied due to inability to pay.

Call to check eligibility and to sign up for a class:

440-322-6367 to sign up for a class at:

• Lorain County Public Health: 9880 S. Murray Ridge Rd., Elyria
• Elyria Fire Department - Arson and Fire Prevention Bureau: 330 East Broad St., Elyria

440-233-1047 to sign up for a class at:

• Mercy Resource Mothers Program: 1957 Cooper Foster Park Rd., Amherst
• Lorain Fire Department: 1350 Broadway Ave., Lorain

Ohio car and booster seat law: 

• All children must ride in an appropriate car seat until they are 4 years old or weigh at least 40 pounds
• Every child under age 8 must ride in a booster seat or other appropriate car seat, unless the child is 4”9” or taller
• Every child ages 8-15 who is not in a booster seat must be buckled in a seat belt

Keep rear-facing until age 2 or until child reaches the seat’s weight max (check the label).

Use forward-facing until the child outgrows the seat (check the label). Use the harness.

Booster seat - for children who have outgrown a harness. Always use a seat belt across the top of the thigh and from shoulder to hip (not behind the head/back). Use until child is 8 years old or 4’9” or taller.

Is your child ready for a seat belt only? Yes, if they can…

• Sit with back against seat back.
• Legs bend naturally at edge of cushion.
• Lap belt fits low on upper thighs; shoulder belt across to hip.

Read more car seat safety tips:

• How To Find the Right Car Seat
• Car Seat Recommendations for Children
• Car Seat Recalls
• To have a car seat checked, find a Child Car Seat Inspection Station near you-- click here

The Lorain County Car Seat Program is conducted through Lorain County Public Health, in coordination with Mercy Resource Mothers Program, Mercy Regional Medical Center, University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center, Elyria Fire Department, Lorain Fire Department, and in-part through the Ohio Buckles Buckeyes Program and funding from the Community Foundation of Lorain County.