Children learn to be safe
COSHOCTON – Emily Hardesty enjoyed making friends with the children who attended Safety City and was glad she could help them learn important lessons.
“It’s great seeing the kids in the community and teaching them what they need to know to be safe,” she said.
Hardesty was one of several volunteers who helped out at last week’s Safety City, which is hosted by the American Red Cross of Coshocton County. The program teaches children a variety of lessons that help prepare them for kindergarten.
“I love being with the kids,” said Kelbie Johnson. “They get so excited and they are fun to interact with.”
Attendees learned about bike, traffic, home, stranger, fire and animal safety. Agencies such as Coshocton County Emergency Medical Services, the Coshocton County Sheriff’s Office and the Coshocton Fire Department also gave presentations.
“I wanted the week to be interactive,” said Rachel Benedetti, who coordinated this year’s program. “It’s not fun to just sit in a classroom. I wanted to make sure they had hands-on experiences.”
On Thursday the children learned the ABCs of fire safety from Andy Collins of the Bladensburg Fire District, toured a fire truck from Coshocton Fire and got to see firefighters dressed up in their full gear.
Collins showed the children a video that taught lessons such as remembering to pay attention to fire alarms, have smoke detectors in their homes and how to escape a fire.
“Remember these lessons not just for when you are at home, but when you are at school, church or even the grocery store,” he said. “You always want to know more than one way out of a building.”
Collins also reminded them not to play with matches, candles or lighters and to never go back into a burning building.
“There is only one of you,” he said. “Don’t ever go back in after a baby doll, toy truck, book or anything.”
The Safety City students received a t-shirt, book bag, color book and crayons and pamphlets about various safety issues to share with their parents.
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
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