LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – Ohio law requires that children of specific ages and weights be properly secured in a child safety seat while traveling on the state’s roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crashes remain one of the leading causes of death for children ages 1 to 13.
Officials emphasize the importance of choosing the correct car seat and using it properly every time a child is in a vehicle.
Locally, the Lima Kiwanis Club is working to support that effort by aiding the Child Car Seat Program at the Lima Fire Department. The initiative began after club members learned about a family who couldn’t bring their newborn home from the hospital because they didn’t have a properly working car seat.
“That made us realize that there are people out there that don't have a seat that is considered safe, because when you buy one at a garage sale, you don't know that it's been recalled or whether it's one that is recommended, and we wanted the babies to ride safely,” said Millie Hughes, Car Seat Project Chair for the Kiwanis Club.
To raise money for the program, the Kiwanis are selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a pair of Ohio State football season tickets. The raffle is part of a larger effort led by the Columbus Kiwanis Club, but $3 from each $5 ticket sold by Lima Kiwanis members will go directly to the local child car seat project.
Tickets are available through any Lima Kiwanis member. You can also contact Bev Beery at (419) 228-4000 and tickets can be picked up at Beery Insurance located at 2575 Breese Road Monday - Thursday 9 am to 1 pm. Ticket sales end August 1st.
For more information on the local car seat project, visit the City of Lima's website.
