Safe Kids Pennsylvania Raised Injury Prevention Awareness at 2012 Pennsylvania Farm Show

Fun, interactive exhibit reminded caregivers how to keep kids safe at home, at play and on the way

Safe Kids Pennsylvania exhibited at the 2012 Pennsylvania Farm Show to reach thousands of parents and caregivers with information about preventing childhood injuries. The games for children, engaging activities, curricula for teachers and resources for parents offered a multifaceted experience to increase awareness for child passenger safety, poison prevention, sport safety, fire and burn prevention, safe sleeping habits, toy safety, fall prevention, gun safety and much more.

“Educating parents and caregivers is vital to preventing accidental childhood injuries and the Farm Show is a great way to reach thousands of families and deliver important awareness messages in fun and interactive ways,” said Allyson Fulton of Safe Kids Pennsylvania.

A large display of poison look-alikes—medications and household products that resemble common food and beverages—reminded parents to keep potentially poisonous items locked up and out of children’s sight and reach. Children played a special Safe Kids safety game and received take-home activity books.

“There’s no substitute for active supervision, but childproofing your home provides extra protection and peace of mind,” said Fulton. “It’s easy to eliminate the most obvious hazards — and it doesn’t have to involve a lot of expensive equipment.”

Certified safety technicians were available during all shifts throughout the week to answer questions about car seats and what types of child passenger safety seats should be used as children grow, and show proper installation.

Visitors even brought their own helmets for fitting by a safety expert, or purchase a bike helmet at the booth for ten dollars. “Kids should always wear helmets when they snowboard, ski, sled, play hockey or ride a bike,” said Fulton. “Make sure your child’s helmet meets federal safety standards and have an expert check that the helmet fits correctly so it won’t come loose at a critical moment.”

During the eight days of fun, Safe Kids volunteers and CSC staff answered over 600 questions related to car seats, booster seats, and seat belts; fitted over 250 bicycle helmets to cyclists of all ages; played the safety game with thousands of children; interacted with children and families at the household poison displays; and distributed almost 5000 ABC’s of Safe Kids Activity Books.

“The Safe Kids Pennsylvania booth was one of the most popular again this year thanks to 52 amazing volunteers,” Fulton said.