Safe Kids Pennsylvania
Local Program Highlights
Statewide Meeting – June 8, 2006
Allegheny County
Tonya Shell
At first I was hesitant to respond to this because I felt our coalition had not participated in
any programming that was outstanding from the general programming that is usually
conducted. The more we thought about it the transition our coalition has been
experiencing the last six months stands out as an extraordinary accomplishment for us.
Throughout this time we continue to provide strong representation in the community
educating families on keeping our children safe. It would have been very easy for us to
disassemble after the loss of our lead agency and coordinator support, but instead various
individuals have stepped forward to share these duties as we search for a new lead
agency. We thank you for your continued support as we seek future opportunities to
spread these important messages from Safe Kids Worldwide to families in our local
communities.
Allentown-Bethlehem
Jim Carlisle
Safe Kids Week 2006(SKW2006)
-Letters to municipalities announcing Safe Kids Week and offering C.P.S.C. publications
on Safety Barrier Guidelines for Home Pools & Guidelines for Entrapment Hazards.
-Appearances on a radio & TV show about SKW2006.
-Info packets with water watcher cards & materials for retails to give to customers.
-Whales Tales presentations offered to elementary schools & care care centers.
-Safety Carnival in Allentown – about 500 adults & children attended.
-Bike Fest in Allentown- about 200 adults & children attended
-Articles in 3 newsletters and one magazine.
-Press event on May 2 -1 TV station, 4 radio stations and 2 news papers covered the
event.
-Operation Safe Ride Recognition at the May 9 Coalition Meeting
-Car seat check at a child care center in New Tripoli on May 10.
-Distribution of flotation devices & coloring book at events.
- Poster contest at participating learn-to-swim school.
Armstrong County
Crystal Vranich
Our chapter recently participated in the Children’s Fair held annually at the Belmont
Complex in Kittanning. This year the attendance has around 800 people. We were
promoting water and sun safety. Children were able to make ultra-violet key chains as
well as sign up to win personal floatation devices.
We are also planning activities for summer. This summer we are planning our 4th annual
Rural Safety Day Camp, a bounty program, activities for the county fair, and Summerfest
activities.
June 8, 2006
Highlights 1
Berks County
Cheryl Gouker
Safe Kids Berks County assembled 300 Water Watcher packets for local distribution. The
packets contain a laminated Water Watcher card that explains the importance of active
supervision of children playing in and around pools and spas. The card is suspended on a
lanyard bearing the Safe Kids Berks County name and must be worn by the supervising
adult. The packets also contain Safe Kids water safety brochures and a water safety
booklet. 100 of the Water Watcher packets – in English and Spanish - were distributed at
“Pool School”, a conference of pool and spa manufacturers sponsored by Apollo Pools
and Spas. The remaining packets will be distributed at a local AAA-league baseball
game and a safety festival at Blue Marsh Lake in May and June. Based on the
enthusiastic reception of the Water Watcher packets, we are considering creating an
additional quantity of packets for local distribution.
Blair County
Sherry Turchetta
In celebration of Safe Kids Week, our coalition conducted a Safety Fair at a local at -risk
school highlighting Pool & Spa Safety. Our booth featured a water safety display,
encouraged parents & children to play the “Water Safety” game and conducted a child
seat inspection.
A PSA was released to local media re the importance of pool and spa safety practices as
well as highlighting Safe Kids Week 2007.
Fliers outlining pool/spa safety precautions were distributed to local pool/spa dealers for
distribution to new/existing customers.
Cambria County
Donna Erickson Wehner
Cambria County held 4 bike derbies during the month of May at 2 private and 2 public
schools. A total of 1037 students participated in the event and 385 helmets were
distributed. There were many other helmets, already owned by students that were
checked for size and condition as well. Each student watched an age-appropriate video
on bicycle safety. The students also had the opportunity to ride through a bicycle
obstacle course. Thirty-eight parents were trained on how to properly fit a bicycle helmet.
The school-based event is a wonderful opportunity to reach a large number of children.
Carbon County
Susan Tyler
Carbon County Safe Kids at the present time is working on water safety and Falls
Prevention. We have now included a water safety display in our Safety Town. We
distributed water safety reading books and literature to all day cares, Head Start and
Right from the Start (after school program) in Carbon County. They read the book to
their children and distributed water safety literature to families. We have given fall
prevention training to home visitors who will take our safety message into family’s
homes.
June 8, 2006
Highlights 2
Clinton County
Laurie George
As a recipient of the Bicycle Safety grant, the Clinton County Chapter was able to offer a
variety of activities related to bike safety to children and their parents in the communities
of Lock Haven and Renovo.
Through a partnership with an established after-school program, we were able to
coordinate workshops for youth involved in the program and their parents. The
workshops focused on helmet fitting, bike maintenance and attire, rules of the road and
hand signals. Each child participating was given a new and properly fitted helmet.
Money donated by a community organization allowed us to hire a stunt team, Wheels for
Freestyle, which performed two flat surface shows in Lock Haven and Renovo. Their
performances were wonderful and highlighted helmet use and healthy lifestyles. They
gave a super great show that made the kids excited about wearing their helmets to the
bike derby scheduled to showcase all the kids had learned!
Thanks PA Safe Kids for all your support!
Dauphin County
Susan Rzucidlo
Fire Safety - We received a Safe Kids Worldwide/USFA Rapid Response Fire Kit grant.
This will allow us to provide fire safety education as well as smoke detectors/carbon
monoxide detectors to families that have suffered a fire in their home. We are partnering
with Harrisburg Bureau of Fire and the American Red Cross to distribute packets of
information to these families. Included in the packets will be Tot Finders for families
that have small children. This will allow for the fire fighters to easily locate a child in the
home if a fire does occur because this indicator will be located at the bottom of the
bedroom door. Other information will include activity books for kids so they can learn
about fire safety and information for the parents. They will receive a smoke
detector/carbon monoxide detector as well that will be installed by the Harrisburg Bureau
of Fire if they live in the city.
Franklin County
Jackie Umberger
Bike Derby - The program started on Thursday, May 11 at Stevens Elementary School in
Chambersburg. Students in the second through fifth grades met in the gym for an
assembly on Bicycle Safety. The “Jello Brain” and “Egg Helmet” demonstrations were
the highlight with the kids. Topics covered “Rules of the Road”, helmet use, pre-ride
bike inspections, and other topics.
On Saturday May 13, 2006, the Derby was held in the School parking lot. Franklin
County Safe Kids teamed with State Farm Insurance, The Chambersburg Young
Professionals, and The Family Cycling Center to sponsor a free bicycle giveaway.
Despite a rainstorm in the middle of the afternoon, 27 enthusiastic youngsters completed
the course and received a “Bicycle License” courtesy of State Farm. The “Slow Speed
Control” station was the most popular. Several of the participants came back repeatedly
in an effort to better their time. Four year old Hunter was the champion on his Big Wheel
at 63 seconds! All of the participants also had a helmet fitting and, if they did not own a
helmet, received a free one courtesy of the Bike Helmet Grant from PA Safe Kids.
June 8, 2006
Highlights 3
Greene County
Marlene Shaw
During the annual Greene County Childfest which was held 4/22, Safe Kids Greene
County had a safety display area with information, games, promotional items,
demonstrations and a table top playground model with a swimming pool. We targeted
multiple safety topics such as playground and animal safety however water safety was the
primary focus. We provided information and education for both children and parents.
Despite chilly and wet weather 176 families signed in at the registration desk and there
were a total of 335 children. Most children were between the ages of birth to 8 years of
age.
Indiana County
Amy Horell /Betty Austin
The Indiana County Chapter of SAFE KIDS has accomplished several programs over the
past three months.
May 6, 2006: In collaboration with State Police, a Bike Rodeo (from recent grant) was
successfully held. Bicycle helmets were distributed to participants. Another rodeo is
scheduled for May 20th in a more rural location.
May 3, 2006: A Safe Drivers Competition was successfully held at the local university
grounds. Twenty-three senior high students participated in the competition representing 9
school districts in the county.
March –May 2006: The chapter had implemented nine Water Safety Programs to nine
elementary schools. Six more will be implemented in the following weeks. Third
graders were the target population. It was well received by teachers as well.
March 4, 2006: The chapter participated in the Family Fun Fest highlighting Car Safety
for children. Games were used for the event. A child car seat was given away as a prize.
Lancaster County
Courtney Barry
Farm Family Safety is June 10th from 8am to 2pm. I will be able to provide an update on
attendance at the meeting.
For Safe Kids Week we had our 2nd annual Art Contest. This year participation was
much smaller. I believe this was due to the topic being so specific. We distributed 500
Water Safety packets which included fact sheets, activity books, Watcher cards with
lanyards and other safety info. They were distributed through pool companies and Toys
R Us.
Lebanon County
Jill Shoemaker
We participated in Healthy Kids Day at the Lebanon YMCA on March 13; 10 seats were
checked and 3 were replaced, 74 bike helmets were sold. We also participated with the
Lebanon Federal Credit Union for safety day; 174 bike helmets were fitted and given
away, a very busy day!! We helped with a Car Seat Check up at the Palmyra Walmart in
cooperation with a local State Farm agent on May 20, 10 seats were checked.
June 8, 2006
Highlights 4
Southeastern PA
Gina Duchossois
We completed the child safety seat checkpoint event at the Baby & Toddler Expo on
April 21 - 23, 2006 at the Fort Washington Expo Center. Once again we did not have
nice weather and had to cancel one day of the event. We checked 143 child safety seats
and gave away 10 child safety seats. A thank you goes out to all the volunteers for this
event and to Safe Kids PA and Safe Kids Blair County for the use of the skbu vans.
Susquehanna County
Beverly J. Bennett
May 10, 2006 for Safe Kids Week we had a full page article in the Mulligan newspaper
that reached 10,000 homes and address water safety. A copy was faxed to Allyson Fulton
on May 19, 2006.
On May 30, 2006 we were in the Montrose Memorial Day parade. There were children
who decorated their bikes in a patriotic theme and rode their bikes in the parade. They
were checked for correct helmet fit and if they had a helmet that didn’t fit or no helmet
they were fitted for one and given a helmet. Reflectors were also given and put on the
bikes. Children carried the Safe Kids banner in the parade. A bike was also given away
after the parade that was donated by Wal-Mart of Tunkhannock.
Wyoming County
Karen Bracey
In Spring 2005, Wyoming County Safe Kids borrowed “Safety Town” and had it set up
for one week. It was such a great success, that the chapter, under the leadership of Judy
Geary, Elementary School Nurse, decided to make their own Safety Town. With funding
from the 2005 Safe Kids New Prevention Plan grant, the project was begun. The Local
High School Tech Support and Art Department provided the skill and talent to create the
town. Community support through local organizations was also obtained and the town is
near completion. The Wyoming County Chapter is looking forward to being able to use
this wonderful teaching tool more often and in more locations, as well as lending it to
other chapters.
York County
Annalyn Saludares
Safe Kids Week - On May 5th, York Hospital nurses taught a 20 minute lesson on bike
safety to 600 students at North Salem Elementary. The event was part of a health and
safety fair that lasted throughout the day. On May 8, York Hospital nurses and
Community Health Improvement taught pool and bike safety to 150 students at
Stewartstown Elementary. Messages were delivered through a “Human Monopoly”
game, demonstrations, and discussion. On May 13, from 9:30am-4pm, the coalition ran
activity booths and a puppet show at the “Spring Happening” parks event at Lake
Redman. On May 16, a child life therapist from the coalition provided pool safety
materials and interactive discussion with community members at a Safety Fair held at
WellSpan Health’s Community Health Center.
Advocacy efforts included: 1) hanging “Hey Mom, Watch Me” posters at Toys ‘R Us,
Wal-Mart, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, 2) publishing a Safe Kids article on pool safety in
June 8, 2006
Highlights 5
WellSpan’s (lead agency) weekly bulletin, 3) submitting a PSA to stations WSBA/
WARM 103, and Oldies 96.1, and 4) forming a new partnership with a local vendor,
Yorktowne Pools.
June 8, 2006
Highlights 6