Jacksonville, FL, December 1, 2010 – Each year, an average of 2,096 children ages 14 and under die as a result of a home injury in the United States, and many more sustain injuries that require a trip to the emergency room. Safe Kids Northeast Florida, led by Wolfson Children’s Hospital is addressing the issue in its Kohl’s Gear Up 4 Safety program, by providing a series of home safety fairs in the community.
Saturday, Dec. 4, Safe Kids will conduct a fair at Zion Hope Baptist Church, 2803 Edgewood Ave., West, in Jacksonville. The free event is open to the public from 11 am – 1 pm. Partners from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department will participate.
Parents, grandparents and children will learn how to keep kids safe from accidents involving fire, falls, poisoning, motor vehicles, and even toys by means of video, games and prizes, exhibits, and demonstrations. Free bike helmets will be available for children under fifteen who attend, accompanied by an adult, while supplies last. Five lucky winners will receive a door prize, and refreshments will be served.
The Kohl’s Gear Up 4 Safety program is funded by a Kohl’s Cares grant provided to Wolfson Children’s Hospital for conducting children’s injury prevention programs through Safe Kids Northeast Florida. This year $99,849 was donated to the project. For information on a fun way to help, visit http://www.wolfsonchildrens.org/ways-to-give/Pages/kohls.aspx.
For more information on preventing accidental childhood injury, visit http://www.wolfsonchildrens.org/programs-services/programs/safe-kids/Pages/gearup4safety.aspx.