Lima Kiwanis promotes child well-being through support of Safety Seat Program

LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Having the right safety seat and knowing how to use it could save the life of a child if they are in a car crash.

The Lima Kiwanis Club has been supporting the Safety Seat Program at the Lima Fire Department since it began in 2022. So far this year, Kiwanis has given out a total of 150 convertible, infant, and booster seats. 93 of the seats went to families that came to the fire station with unsafe seats. Just in 2024, the Lima Kiwanis Club has provided over $3,500 to buy 47 infant seats.

"It's been amazing to partner with Kiwanis. This program is not provided anywhere else in the county, with the infant seats. And I have had people reaching out from other counties and other states. There is not many place that offer this, so Kiwanis has made this possible to provide this program," says Emily Bowsher, Lima paramedic.

The program also offers training and information on how to properly use the seats, which goes a long way to keeping your child safe. 

"So, we will get a lot of parents who maybe have had children before, but they didn't have this education part before and they'll say 'I didn't know that or I didn't know how to adjust this or how to install that. So, I have gotten really good feedback from the parents and caregivers about that," adds Bowsher.  

If you would like more information about the Safety Seat Program or get an application for a seat, go to https://www.limaohio.gov/744/Child-Safety-Seats. You can text 234-759-0660 if you would like to schedule an appointment to get an inspection.