MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marine Corps Family Team Building and Exceptional Family Member Program hosted their first Child Safety Day Event aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2015.
The event taught kids a variety of safety tips from how to properly hold a baby and the correct way to wear a backpack, to bicycle safety and household hazards.
“As an elementary school teacher, and as a mother, I know how important safety is,” said Meagan Coronado, a MCFTB trainer aboard station. “I thought it would be fun to put something on for the kids while putting safety in the forefront of their minds.”
While the event focused on children, parents also learned a few safety tips to teach their kids. The occupational therapy booth demonstrated what a proper fitting back pack for children is and how to correctly organize books inside for a safe and healthy fit. Another activity taught participants how to properly hold and support a baby and the consequences of shaking a small child.
“Safety is one of those things kids need every day in their lives,” said Coronado. “We can’t plan for the unexpected, so we need to teach them what to do in case those things happen.”
According to Coronado, the event took some pressure off the parents by letting the experts have those safety conversations with the kids in a fun and interactive way.
Children and parents crowded around several safety vehicles on display for the event. The kids had the opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat of firetrucks, a police cruiser and an ambulance, while blasting the sirens, honking the horns and talking over the loud speakers. Safety personnel inside each vehicle shared safety tips with the children and demonstrated what is done in an emergency.
“I learned that ambulance is spelled backwards on the hood of the vehicle so drivers can read it correctly when looking in the rear view mirror,” said Amaryah Gilbert Delarosa, a participant at the event.
Amaryah said sitting in the ambulance, honking the horn and turning the sirens on was the most exciting part of the event.
“Today was a great day to start those safety conversations, keeping it fresh in our minds as we go back to school,” said Coronado. “This event could not have happened without all the volunteers that helped out. We hope to make it an annual event.”