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LISBON - A boost to Ohio's child safety seat laws won't become enforceable until next April 7, but one safety official said she's trying to make people aware of the change now for the protection of their child passengers.

"I want all of the children to be safe," said Jacki DaLonzo, injury prevention director for the Columbiana County Health Department.

She said she's going to be out in the community doing as much education and public awareness on the topic as she can, providing cards to law enforcement and training, talking to community groups and parent groups and doing what she can to get the word out. She's already talked with some Head Start preschool parent groups.

She's also available to speak to any service organizations who want to call her to set up a time.

The existing law requiring all children up to 4 years old and up to 40 pounds to be restrained in a car seat remains a primary offense that law enforcement officers can enforce with a traffic stop.

The new booster seat law extends the child restraint law by requiring all children 4 years old to 8 years old or up to 4 feet 9 inches tall to be in a booster seat. The law also requires that children 8 years old to 15 years old or taller than 4 feet 9 inches to be restrained with a seat belt, no matter whether they're riding in the front or back.

DaLonzo explained the booster seat law calls for secondary enforcement, meaning law enforcement officers can only enforce the law after they've pulled a motorist over for another traffic violation, such as speeding. She and other booster seat advocates were hoping for a rule requiring primary enforcement, but she said this is a good first step.

"I think it's a great idea. I'm all for it because I've seen way too many children have way too many internal injuries from not being in a booster seat," she said.

Full enforcement begins April 7, with first offenses punishable by a minimum fine of $25 and a maximum fine of $75. A second offense calls for a $250 fine and 30-day jail sentence. A six-month warning period begins Oct. 7, the date law enforcement officers can begin giving warnings if children aren't secured in a booster seat.

"We've got a lot of kids out there that we need to get into booster seats," DaLonzo said.

Three different kinds of seats exist that can be used as booster seats: a combination booster seat, a high back booster seat or a no back booster seat.

With the combination seat, a five-point harness can be used for children from 20 to 40 pounds. After 40 pounds, the harness should be removed and a lap shoulder belt used to secure the child. The seat can be used up to 100 pounds.

The high back booster seat can be used at 40 pounds and go up to 100 pounds, typically in a vehicle with seats which have a low back or for a child needing head support. The no back booster seat can be used with seats with high backs or head rests, such as in an SUV, for children 40 pounds to 100 pounds.

DaLonzo estimated the costs at $15 for a no back seat, $45 to $50 for a high back seat and $60 for a combination seat.

"We do have funding. The resources are here for people to get car seats, from infant to boosters," she said, noting they can qualify depending on their income eligibility. People on the Women, Infants and Children program known as WIC or with a medical card. Funding for the seats comes from the state of Ohio and the Department of Job and Family Services. Separate funding from DJFS covers car seats for foster parents.

According to the income guidelines, a family of four with an annual income of $40,793 or less would qualify.

As for lessons or help with installation, anyone can call DaLonzo for assistance at 330-424-0272. People can come to the health department to watch a video on proper installation or if they just purchased a new car seat, whether it's for infants or a booster seat, she can install it for them at no cost no matter their income level. She also has training for special needs cases. 'I've been doing this job for half my lifetime. For any child to be hurt or killed because they weren't in a car seat or restrained would be unforgivable when I'm here and the resources are here," she said.

During a recent child seat check, 15 of the 18 seats checked were installed improperly. In many cases, she said it could be a minor fix to correct the situation.

When it comes to child safety while motoring, DaLonzo has more than a few pet peeves with companies producing what she called "after market products", such as window shades for cars, extra review mirrors or baby view mirrors, seat protectors and carrier toy bars. In a crash, she explained some of these items can become projectiles and hurt a child. A seat protector placed under a car seat can prevent a tight fit, which is necessary for the seat to work properly in a crash.

She also said it's not a good idea to put anything in the car seat or on the car seat that didn't come with the car seat because the item probably hasn't been crash-tested in conjunction with the car seat. She also frowned on purchasing used car seats because of the unknowns involved, like any recalls on parts.

After purchasing a car seat, she said it's a good idea to send in the registration card so any notices of recalls can be received.

Another safety issued she noted was seat belt entanglement. If the latch system is used for installing a car seat, the car's shoulder harness belt should be buckled and behind the car seat so the child can't play with it or get tangled in the excess.