A day of safety for children

From bicycles and boats to automobiles, every day the potential for accidental childhood injuries is out there.

To celebrate the strides Safe Kids Worldwide has taken in the effort to protect children over the past 20 years, Safe Kids of Caldwell County hosted its inaugural Community Fun Day Saturday in the Avery Dennison parking lot.

Cheryl Whittington, Safe Kids of Caldwell County coordinator, said the goal is to not only promote child safety but also to make it second nature.

“I hope parents as well as children will learn about the importance of safety,” Whittington said. “We want them to know about wearing a bicycle helmet, changing the batteries in the smoke detectors, buckling up and how that will make them so much safer. I hope everyone enjoys their summer activities - safely.”

During the event children and their parents had the opportunity to travel to various stations to learn more about car, wheel, fire and water safety.

Adam Sterken and Steve and Connie Strange volunteered their time at the wheel safety station where they gave tips about avoiding harm while riding a bicycle.

“We're telling children that every time they ride a bike they need to wear a helmet to protect themselves,” Steve Strange said.

One of the most important aspects of wearing a helmet, according to Sterken, is making sure it fits.

“You have to get one that is the right size,” Sterken said. “(Also) a helmet cannot do its job if it isn't worn properly. We're instructing children and their parents about the correct way it should be worn. The two pieces on the side need to be at chin level, and the strap should be around the jawbone.”

Chief Keith Davenport, of Lovelady Rescue volunteered at the water safety station, where children took part in drills to practice putting on life vests.

“They have anywhere between 30 seconds to a minute to get the life vest on and secure,” Davenport said. “It's good education to show them how to put one on because if your boat is sinking, that is not the time to learn about it.”

Christy Bumgarner, Beka Triplett, Chris Robinson and Tim Marley volunteered at the car safety station where children learned how to avoid danger in automobiles.

“We want children to see that it is important to wear their seat belts,” Bumgarner said. “But we also want them to know why they need to stay buckled up.”

At this station children took part in a drill called “spot the tot” where they ran around a parked car to make sure there were no obstacles or people that potentially could be harmed.

“They've done a great job,” Bumgarner said. “We hope this helps to keep everyone a little safer.”

Upon the successful completion of activities at each station, children were awarded a medal for their efforts.

Traci Whiteside was in attendance with her son, Jackson, 4, and sister Stephanie Webb, 16, and said there was something at the event for everyone.

“I learn as much as (Jackson) does,” Whiteside said. “As a parent I'm ultimately responsible for teaching him safety techniques, but I think it helps for him to hear about it from someone else besides his parents. Jackson is very much a hands-on learner so it really helps to have the visuals and learn in a different way, which is not something we can take the time to do at home.”

Whiteside said the event also gives her son the opportunity to develop a relationship with safety leaders in the community.

“I (also) like for him to build a rapport with police officers and firemen so he can understand what they do and that they are people he can count on,” she said. “If he were ever lost, I want (Jackson) to know that they would be who he should look for instead of a stranger.”

Lenoir Police Department Public Information Officer Lt. Sam Smith said fire safety also is important.

“We are out here promoting fire prevention and Exit Drills In The Home (EDITH),” Smith said. “We give parents literature and teach children to not be afraid of firemen. Sometimes when they are in full gear, firemen can look a little intimidating, and we want to let (children) know that we're here to help.”

Jesse Reeves, president of Kiwanis Club, and Jim and Peggy Smith volunteered their time at the event to help promote the protection of children.

“The focus is on the children,” said Reeves. “This (event) is about keeping children safe, and whatever we can do to help, we will do.”

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