What did Aubrey Thomas, 6, of Dover, learn at the 18th annual Safe Kids/Healthy Kids Day?

“It’s always important to wear your helmet, because it protects your brain,” exclaimed Thomas, as she poked a bright blue balloon sculpture in the shape of a dog into the air for emphasis.

“And stop at red lights, too!” chimed in her cousin, Hannah Locke, also 6.

The girls had just completed “riding the Big Wheels” in the Kent State Tuscarawas gym, noted Aubrey’s mother, Jamie Thomas. “My son, Zane, who is 3, liked Safe City, but he was really excited because he got to sit in a fire truck, the helicopter, and the police car outside. That is really special for little ones, because they are so fascinated with them.” The young mother noted that “we come pretty regularly to this,” and was nearing the end of the third and final hour of activities. “We went to a lot of different activities, but definitely did not get through them all. I always see lots of friends here, and we stop and visit while the kids play.”

Although there were officially 11 educational programs, 12 outdoor activity areas, 16 display booths and a bike rodeo for children ages 6 and up, the Safe Kids City for the littlest attendees is always one of the busiest spots to visit.

“Safe Kids City, where children 6 and under don helmets and drive Big Wheel trikes through a miniature safety town, has been a popular attraction for the entire 18 years of the event,” noted Deb Crank, Tuscarawas County health department educator. The setting up and tearing down of the large activity is a tremendous amount of work, but Crank knows the children are learning while they are ‘driving’ throughout the tiny town. Like Aubrey Thomas, each child participating is first fitted with a bike helmet, and then guided through the activity by volunteer students from a 4-H club, as they learn about crosswalks, intersections, and road signs.

Families could also learn about such important topics as fire survival, fitness, gun safety, first aid, poisoning prevention, bullying, and making healthy food choices.

Crank was grateful for the almost 200 volunteers who gave up a Sunday afternoon to help, noting that, “There were 375 kids, plus their parents, registered this year. We had a bit of a bumpy ride to get here, what with funding cuts, but we are so happy to have so many of our regular exhibitors here.”

The Even Start program is an example of a child focused program that is struggling with funding. Teacher Amy McNutt said, “It looks like we will be receiving funding through the summer months, but soon Even Start will be cut. We are looking at grants and other funding sources, along with a name change, to keep bringing these much needed services to mothers and their children in Tuscarawas County.” McNutt and other volunteers were applying popular temporary tattoos for children and handing out other items. “We also saw quite a few of our current and past clients here today. We promote this event so they can find out about all of the services available in the county, and so their children can learn about safety.”

“We had a lot of people stop by to talk with us today,” commented Patty Maag, an occupant protection specialist who spent the afternoon demonstrating the proper way to use seat belts, car seats, and booster seats. “Most of the questions were about the new booster laws and the booster seats that must be used.”

Meanwhile, Crank grinned broadly as she surveyed the crowded student center of the campus, with children wearing outrageous balloon hats and waving balloon swords while munching on pizza and excitedly awaiting the awarding of door prizes such as bikes, helmets, first aid kits and other safety related items.

The health educator looked tired, but happy as she commented, “What a great day!”