Safe Kids Tusca presents Be Safe Little Valentine Basket to the first baby born on Valentines Day
February 22, 2013
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Safe Kids Tuscarawas has partnered with Union Hospital to celebrate Valentines Day in a very special way for the last 15 years. Each year, Safe Kids Tuscarawas gives a basket of safety items and a car seat to the first baby born on Valentines Day at Union Hospital in Tuscarawas County. This year a beautiful baby boy, Carson John Ferrell was born at 1:56 p.m. on Feb. 14 and weighing 7 pounds 8 ounces to parents Kayla Ferrell of Strasburg and Chris Koon. Carsons middle name John is in honor of his maternal grandfather and maternal great-great grandfather.
Safe Kids Tuscarawas is dedicated to the prevention of unintentional injuries in children, and the Be Safe Little Valentine Basket is one way to remind parents to always use car seats, and to make safety a priority for their children. The contents of the basket included safety tips and fun items from 4-H and the Ohio State Extension office; a book from New Dawn Child Care Center; an afghan and other items from the Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps (BCMH); safety items and parenting books from members of the Safe Kids Tuscarawas Coalition .
Safe Kids and The Tuscarawas County Health Department want to remind parents to keep children rear-facing as long as possible; up to the highest rear-facing weight of convertible car seats of 35 pounds or more and 24 months. Always place children in a car seat or booster seat until they pass the seat belt fit test:
Sit with their back flush against the vehicle seat back
Completely bend their knees over the front of the seat without slouching
Have the shoulder harness ride across the middle of the shoulder, not on the neck
Most important have the lap belt ride across the hip bone or upper thighs not the stomach.
This is usually when the child reaches 4 feet 9 inches tall or is 8 to 10 years old. Ohio law requires children to ride in booster seats up to 4 feet 9 inches tall if not yet 8 years old. If you are interested in more information on child passenger safety, call Safe Kids Tuscarawas at 330 343-5555 ext. 137.
