Safe Kids and Kohl's Celebrate Safe Kids Week
Jacksonville, Florida, April 28, 2008 -- Safe Kids Northeast Florida, Wolfson Children's Hospital and Kohl's will host a Family Water Safety Fair at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens on Saturday, May 3, 2008, from 10 am until 3 pm.
In celebration of Safe Kids Week, April 26-May 4, the fair is part of a nationwide week of events that have taken place every year since 1989. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Safe Kids USA, whose mission is to reduce accidental injuries in children 14 and under, the leading killer of children in this country. The theme of Safe Kids Week 2008 is "Twenty Years of Preventing Accidental Injury/Gear Up for Safety."
"The prevention of drowning is the focus of the annual Family Water Safety Fair. Drowning is the number-one killer of children under five in the state of Florida, and the second leading cause of injury death in children five to 14 in the nation," says Safe Kids Northeast Florida Coordinator Cynthia Dennis, RN.
"With all of the wonderful opportunities for water-related recreation in our community, parents and caregivers must be vigilant about supervising their children around any body of water," Dennis explains. "Children who accidentally fall into the water don't make a big, loud splash and don't call out for help. An adult should be watching at all times when children are swimming or playing near water.
"Certainly all Florida children four years of age and older should take yearly swimming lessons from a qualified instructor, but that does not take the place of adult supervision," adds Dennis.
The Play Park at the zoo will feature exhibitors and educators from 12 community organizations hosting booths on pool and spa safety, ocean safety, boating and recreation in natural bodies of water, sun safety, CPR for infants and children, and swimming lessons. Parents will have the opportunity to register their children for swim lessons at a variety of swim school locations throughout the Northeast Florida region. Children's activities will be conducted by Jax4Kids.com, and Ronald McDonald and other costumed characters will pay a visit.
Prize drawings will be conducted at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm, and emceed by Ronald McDonald and special guest First Coast News anchor Deanne Fené. Children and adults participating in the Water Safety Fair will have the chance to win a variety of fun summertime gear and other prizes, including Kohl's gift cards, a zoo membership and tickets for a family of four to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, and gift cards to Winn-Dixie.
The Family Water Safety Fair is free with each paid admission to the zoo. For more information, log onto www.wchjax.com.
