Valley Park Safety Fair

Home Alone Rules by State At what age can children stay home alone by law? Here's a state by state list that tells you when it's legally okay for kids to stay home alone.

Thank you to everyone who came to the Valley Park Safety Fair ! I think it went well and I hope you had a great time! I’d also like to thank Valley Park School District for partnering with us, and my family, the volunteers,and contributors that helped make today happen!!!

Come see us tomorrow!!! 🩷💜🩷

Valley Park Safety Fair Event Organizer and Great Aunt of Casey Williamson, Della Steele, joins the show to to talk about the Valley Park Safety Fair. The event will occur on Saturd...

It's almost time for the
Valley Park Safety Fair!
Hope to see everyone on Saturday!!

Less than one week! I hope I see so many people we have to buy more hot dogs!!! Come on out to see us!

Check out this page from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. There are many good lessons and activities about avoiding abduction here. Empower children with knowledge.

301 Moved Permanently

Please read! For all of the huge gatherings with people parked in fields and parking lots. Maybe you’re staying all day, or maybe everyone is going to leave at the same time. This press release is full of things to be aware of!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2024

Beyond Fireworks: Prevent Backovers and Frontovers During July 4th Celebrations, Urges Kids and Car Safety
As families across the nation prepare to celebrate the July 4th holiday weekend with fireworks and festivities, Kids and Car Safety (KACS) is reminding adults to be extra vigilant to prevent backovers and frontovers.
According to data documented by Kids and Car Safety, July 4th was the deadliest holiday weekend in 2023 for children in terms of nontraffic fatalities. Last year, at least four child fatalities occurred due to backovers and frontovers during the July 4th weekend.

Every year, thousands of children are hurt or killed in driveways and parking lots. Backovers and frontovers, where children are injured or killed by vehicles because the driver couldn't see them, are preventable. Children age 5 and younger are the most at risk due to their small size, impulsive nature and little understanding of danger.

Frontovers and other pedestrian deaths have grown significantly due to changes in vehicle designs and the popularity of large trucks and SUVs, which have larger blindzones. Every vehicle has a blindzone where small children cannot be seen by the driver. Most drivers have no idea that a child could be standing directly in front of their vehicle and not be seen by the driver.

“During celebrations, it can be very easy for a child to slip away undetected and for adults to become distracted. These situations can lead to a number of tragedies like drowning, a child being run over because the driver couldn’t see them, a child getting into a parked car on their own and becoming trapped, firework related injuries and more. Every year during holiday weekends like the Fourth of July, we see an increase in the number of children run over and killed. Now is the time to bring awareness and safety tips to the public so that families can remain whole and children can celebrate safely,” said Amber Rollins, Director of Kids and Car Safety.

Kids and Car Safety is urging families to follow a few important safety tips:
1. Ensure children are directly supervised by a responsible adult at all times. Be especially cautious at gatherings as it is easy to become distracted with a lot of people around and tragedies can happen very quickly.
2. Install childproof door k**b covers on all outside doors of the home and pair them with stick-on door alarms to be alerted if a child attempts to sneak out of the house.
3. Secure fence gates so young children cannot exit on their own.
4. Ensure children are directly and actively supervised any time you are nearby where parked vehicles may start moving.
5. Always carry toddlers or use strollers or shopping carts in parking lots or near vehicles, as children under age 5 are the most at-risk for frontover and backovers.
6. Be aware that every vehicle has blindzones in front, on the sides, and behind it, where small children cannot be seen by the driver, even when using mirrors correctly.
7. Never leave a child alone inside a vehicle, not even for a minute.
8. Keep vehicles locked and keys/fobs out of reach of children at all times.
9. Teach children it is never safe to enter a vehicle without an adult.
10. If a child goes missing, check the inside, floor board and trunk of all vehicles in the area immediately even if they are locked.

Remember, during the July 4th holiday weekend, when families gather for celebrations and activities, the risk of backovers and frontovers is heightened. Kids and Car Safety emphasizes the importance of remaining vigilant and implementing preventive measures to protect children from these preventable accidents.

For more information, safety tips, charts, statistics, and child stories about frontovers and backovers, please see the links below or contact us for interviews.

Frontover Educational Videos:
Frontovers and Driveway Safety
Parking Lot Safety (15 seconds)
Frontovers and Parking Lot Safety

Backover Educational Videos:
Driveway Backing Dangers
62 Children Behind SUV, Driver Can't See Any of Them
Backovers and Parking Lot Safety

Frontover Resources:
Frontover Facts

Backover Resources:
Backover Facts

Memes charts, graphics, child stories, and other frontover resources https://www.kidsandcars.org/frontovers/charts-data-and-visuals

Memes charts, graphics, child stories, and other backover resources https://www.kidsandcars.org/backovers/charts-data-visuals

Kids and Car Safety is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping young children and pets safe in and around vehicles.

# # #

Kids and Car Safety | 17153 W 170th Street | Olathe, KS 66062 US

Backovers: Charts, Data, Visuals - Kids and Car Safety Discover downloadable KACS charts, data, and graphs related to backovers. These resources are perfect to share, print, copy, distribute, or enlarge.

Something to consider, and I will always share this, but I like this one because it shows the pool and the lake!

Did you know, the color of your child's swimsuit can make a significant difference in what you can clearly see under the water?

Neon colors, especially neon orange, are the most visible under water – either in a pool or open water like Lake Kampeska. Think bright & contrasting – wear a color that contrasts the most with either the bottom of the pool, lake, river, or ocean.

As helpful as a neon swimsuit may be, adult supervision continues to be the most effective way to keep children safe in the water - remember to designate one responsible adult to watch swimmers at a time. Take turns throughout the day and encourage children to take periodic swim breaks to give everybody time to relax and recharge.

For more summer swimming safety tips, click the link below to read our new Health & Wellness Blog post:

https://www.prairielakes.com/health-wellness-blog/summertime-swimming-safety-tips-12539.html

Just bumping up in case anyone wants to pre register.

Important Link:
https://classes-events.bjc.org/wlp2/bjc/classes/info/K0P001HC/Helmet-Check-Valley-Park-Safety-Fair

St. Louis Children’s Hospital will be at the safety fair. You can bring in your child’s helmet to be professionally fit, or receive a free one (while supplies last) if they need a new one. Here is the registration form if you would like to reserve a time. Walk-ins are welcome and will be worked in as soon as possible.

So scary.

I literally watched it happen.

It was absolutely silent, just like I’d read.

It was completely inconspicuous, just like people say.

There was no thrashing or panicked shouts or anything that would have drawn my attention if I hadn’t already been looking.

She was swimming with a pink pool noodle—the same one in this picture I took of her less than an hour before—and the noodle somehow got away from her.

She was righhhht on the edge between the shallow end and the deep end—all it took was one small step in the wrong direction. All it took was one small step to put herself in a dangerous situation.

She started bobbing up and down frantically on her toes, tilting her face up to get air. Small, subtle movements as she fought to keep her chin above the water.

That was it.

There were at least three other adults by the pool.

No one caught it except me.

Thank God she has been in survival swim lessons since last summer.

Thank God her training kicked in and once she realized she was in trouble she immediately lifted her feet up and floated on her back. Then she rolled over and swam toward the shallow end.

Thank God I was watching. Even though I didn’t end up having to interfere.

Here’s your reminder, again—noodles and floaties are not a substitute for adult supervision. And adult supervision does NOT mean just being there.

It does NOT mean passively sitting by the pool on your phone or chatting with a friend.

Don’t feel like a nag if you have to remind the other adults with you of this. Actually it’s necessary you do.

Because it should be abundantly clear that if you are in charge of supervising swim time, that is the ONLY thing you should be doing—watching the pool.

That is your ONLY job.

And if it’s not clear WHOSE job that is? Have a system. Maybe you tag each other in and out, or have the designated pool watcher hold a specific whistle or pool toy.

Just make sure someone is watching the pool and only the pool at all times.

Today I’m so grateful for survival swim lessons.

But even more than that, I’m thankful I was watching.

Because no amount of training can ever replace full, undivided adult supervision.

** This is a repost, but an important share with the July 4th holiday coming up!

Listen to the fire department!

This is why we don’t leave kids or animals in the car!

Things to consider!

Ameren, St. Louis Fire Department warn of summertime electrical hazards that could cause injury and fires Whether you are hosting a backyard party, enjoying a pool day or just doing some yard work, there are a few things to keep in mind to stay safe.

This!!! Kids are kids, and sometimes their curiosity gets them in situations. Drowning is the number 1 cause of death for children age 1-4.😢 Come let your kids learn about water safety from Aaron Bean. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer and Father of boys!!!

Because this day could have been dramatic, never underestimate children's resourcefulness when they want to see something. As the summer season begins and we open our pools, be more than VIGILANT, an accident can happen in the blink of an eye!

Some pics from last year in case you’re wondering what the safety fair is. Hope to see you there!

Important Link:
https://classes-events.bjc.org/wlp2/bjc/classes/info/K0P001HC/Helmet-Check-Valley-Park-Safety-Fair

St. Louis Children’s Hospital will be at the safety fair. You can bring in your child’s helmet to be professionally fit, or receive a free one (while supplies last) if they need a new one. Here is the registration form if you would like to reserve a time. Walk-ins are welcome and will be worked in as soon as possible.

https://www.facebook.com/share/TwdFZScGFiisXDth/
Looking for something to do today? Stop by this event and support one of our own. Ron McCabe has been, and continues to, battle colon cancer with all of his might. This man has always been committed to his community as a leader in the Lion's Club and a volunteer firefighter.
He has spent many hours at our safety fairs working with kids to teach them about fire safety.
Let's show him and his family the love and appreciation today.

Send a message to learn more

Throw these away!

Parents Urged to Throw Away Water Beads Made by Jangostor and Tuladuo - Consumer Reports Federal regulators urge parents to throw away water beads made by Jangostor and Tuladuo after tests found they contain high levels of the toxic chemical acrylamide.

As everyone is planning for summer, please mark your calendars!!!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/dYsh7X8LpCrkuTea/?mibextid=QwDbR1

https://oli.org/media/see-tracks-think-trainr-kids-transit-safety-psa-30

Valley Park has a railroad right through the middle as does many nearby areas. So happy to have material for the kids on railroad safety at the safety fair! Sending a big shout out to Operation Lifesaver and Union Pacific railroad!

See Tracks? Think Train!® Kids Transit Safety PSA :30 | Operation Lifesaver

Let’s help
Get it done!

Hot Car Letter to Congress Members - Kids and Car Safety Letter to congress members to move the hot car federal rule forward

https://www.facebook.com/share/UnipgRJCj6QKyRTn/?mibextid=QwDbR1

Graco Seats & Strollers Perfect fit for every stage.

Save the Date!
Held at Valley Park School, One Main St., Valley Park, MO 63088

Good explanation! Stay safe!

Understanding the difference between a watch and a warning is crucial as we head into spring storms!

Think of a watch like having all the taco ingredients ready, but the taco hasn't been assembled yet. Whereas a warning means the taco is ready to eat! Stay informed and stay safe.

I know it’s hard to shut the door on the children, but it could save their life.

A closed door can make a 900 degree difference.

1,000 degrees in the hallway VS 100 degrees in the bedroom.

Sleep with your bedroom door shut.

Thank you to everyone who came out to the safety fair! I’m so thankful when other people take pictures because I always forget!!!

Bring the kids out tomorrow for a day full of fun and learning! I promise your kids will learn something that will help keep them safer! And they will have fun while they are doing it!

🩷💜🩵🧡 Registration Table!!! 🩷💜🩵🧡