FPS staff report
May 6, 2008

Malvern Rotarian Randy Smith (standing at left) and Jen Burns of Carroll County Safe Kids are pictured with Griffen, 6, and Gracie Bagozzi, 3, children John and Jamie Bagozzi of Carrollton.  Griffen and Gracie already have their personalized multi-sport helmets which will be given to the first 50 children attending Saturday's Summer Safety Kick-Off at Malvern School.

Help make it a Safe Kids summer by bringing the family to the Summer Safety Kick-Off, Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Malvern School.

Pre-school and elementary age children will receive a free t-shirt and a special gift for Mom.

This year Safe Kids USA and Safe Kids Worldwide are celebrating 20 years of preventing unintentional injury and saving children's lives.  More than 350 U.S. coalitions and chapters including Carroll County Safe Kids are holding activities to commemorate this success as well as educate families on keeping their children safe.

One of Saturday's activities will be “Protect your Brain” with children learning to protect themselves from brain injury when riding their bike, skateboard, scooter or rollerblades.

The first 50 kids to participate will receive a multi-sports helmet which they can personalize.

Another educational activity will be a “Smoke Alarm Relay” and participants will take home a free smoke detector.

Numerous organizations will have interactive and educational safety stations where children and parents can have fun learning about safety at home, in the water, while boating, on an all-terrain vehicle, with food and while walking.  They'll learn how to "Spot the Poison" and child identification kits will be available.

The Carroll County YMCA will have an obstacle course for both children and adults.  They will distribute information on making everyone's home a Healthy Family Home.

Kids can get up close and personal with Carroll County fire trucks and learn hands on about fire safety in the home.

Sponsors for the event include Malvern Rotary, Carrollton Rotary, Sheckler Excavating, Gordon's Printing, Dorsey's Country Pride Foods, Fox Salvage and Auto Parts, Woods Grocery, Rinkes Insurance, Village Florist, the Carroll County YMCA, Gary Willen, John Campbell, Patti Oyer, Leroy Van Horne, Bill Wohlwend, Ed Warner, Tom Wheaton, Phil Pavik, Jeff Yeager, Dr. Mandal Haas, Sean Smith and Doyle Hawk.

The 2008 Summer Safety Kick-Off will be held rain or shine.  For more information, contact the Carroll County YMCA at 330-627-9622.