LOS ANGELES, June 29, 2007— According to child safety experts, summer is the time of year when children are most at risk for preventable fatal injuries. To increase awareness about potential summer hazards and ways to prevent these, First 5 LA will host a FREE Summer Safety Funfest on Saturday, July 7, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the EPICC/ Los Angeles Swim Stadium located at 3980 S. Menlo Avenue, in Los Angeles. Safety experts will address attendees and media at 10:15 a.m.
At the event, First 5 LA will launch its summer campaign "They Go Where You Go," which emphasizes the importance of keeping children ages 0-5 under close supervision at all times, especially while participating in summer activities. Event-goers will enjoy a day of family fun while participating in interactive safety workshops like car seat and basic CPR training, as well as water, fire, and bike safety classes.
Statistics show that five of the most common causes of children's accidental injury deaths in the summer are: drowning (increases 89 percent in the summer over the monthly average); biking (increases 45 percent); falls (increases 21 percent); motor vehicle passenger injuries (increases 20 percent); and pedestrian injuries (increases 16 percent).
Children left unattended in cars during the summer also face many serious health hazards. From 1998 to 2004, an average of 33 children died from heat stroke each year after being left unattended in a car. Although no such incidents were reported in California in 2006, this year two children have died in parked cars. "Children can be in danger when left in a closed vehicle even when the temperature outside is only 60 degrees," said Evelyn Martinez, Executive Director, First 5 LA. "It only takes minutes for a tragedy to occur."
This year also marks the fifth year that Kaitlyn's Law has been a citable offense in California. The law was named after six-month old Kaitlyn Marie Russell, who died after being left in a van by her babysitter. Many of these tragedies occur when stressed parents are on their way to work or rushing to run errands and simply forget to take their children with them. The temperature inside a closed vehicle can rise up to 20 degrees within the first ten minutes, while a child's body temperature increases three to five times faster than that of an adult. This combination can be lethal.
Parents need to know that it is their responsibility to provide their children with proper safety devices and adequate supervision. While most parents know summer is a dangerous time for children, kids aren't as aware. Safety experts say children can't evaluate risk until the age of nine, and should remain in adult-supervised situations until that age. "First 5 LA is dedicated to ensuring families are equipped with the information and skills needed to protect their children from summertime accidents," said Evelyn Martinez. "We will continue to make summer safety a priority and are looking forward to this event as an opportunity to reach Los Angeles families with this important message."
Summer Safety experts will be available at 10 a.m. and will feature: Evelyn Martinez, Executive Director, First 5 LA; Evangelina Ramirez Stockwell, First 5 LA Commissioner; and Los Angeles City Fire Department. The event will be held 9 a.m. to 12 Noon at Exposition Park Intergenerational Community Complex (EPICC)/ Los Angeles Swim Stadium, the largest recreational facility in the City of Los Angeles.
TIPS FOR PARENTS
Five tips to ensure children have fun while being safe:
• Always take your child with you when you leave the car. Put the child's diaper bag or backpack in the front passenger seat with personal items that you will be taking with you, or put your purse or briefcase near the child in the back seat.
• Children need to wear a helmet on every bike ride, no matter how short or how close to home. Many accidents happen in driveways, on sidewalks, and on bike paths, not just on streets. Children learn best by observing you. Whenever you ride, put on your helmet.
• Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The SPF should be at least 15.
• When around water, keep rescue equipment, such as a long pole with a hook on the end, and a life preserver within reach.
•At the playground, make sure children cannot reach any moving parts that might pinch or trap any body parts.
They Go Where You Go!
About First 5 LA
First 5 LA is a unique child-advocacy organization created by California voters to invest tobacco tax revenues in programs for improving the lives of children in Los Angeles County, from prenatal through age 5. First 5 LA champions health, education and safety causes concerning young children and families.
Statistical Sources: The Safe Kids U.S. Summer Safety Ranking Report, American Academy of Pediatrics Statistical Sources and R Kids Sake
For more inforamtion, please contact:
Monica Novoa, Hershey|Cause at (310) 656-1001 or via email at mnovoa@hersheycause.com
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