Safe Kids Worldwide is a nonprofit organization working to help families and communities keep kids safe from injuries. Preventable injuries are the #1 killer of children in the United States. 1 million children die each year due to preventable injuries, making it a global epidemic. Safe Kids Worldwide provides resources for road safety, home safety and sports & play community programs. Safe Kids Worldwide has more than 400+ coalitions in the U.S., 14 in California and partners in over 30 countries. All coalitions work together to prevent childhood injuries.
San Benito County has its own local coalition, Safe Kids Coalition of San Benito County. The coalitions’ mission is to prevent accidental death and injury to children 18 and under, with collaboration efforts of its community partners. The coalition strives to educate adults and children, create safe environments, use evidence-based child injury prevention practices and advocates for effective injury prevention laws. Safe Kids Coalition of SBC follows a strategic plan to ensure child health is advanced in San Benito County. The coalition has partnerships with local agencies and organizations: California Highway Patrol, City of Hollister Fire and Police Department, San Benito County Library, City of Hollister Recreation Department, YMCA, Youth Alliance, R.E.A.C.H., Council of San Benito County Governments, County of San Benito Health and Human Services Agency and Public Health Services.
Safe Kids Coordinator, Ofelia Toledo-Prieto, has contributed to preventing child injuries & death here in San Benito County for the last 7 years. The Safe Kids Coalition has participated in many community events providing car seats, helmets, medication, and water safety education. The coalition hosts various events throughout the year aside from also providing education. The coalition provided earthquake and bleeding control safety to 2nd and 3rd grade students at Rancho Santana and Hollister Dual Language Academy in October of last year. Over 200 students at R.O Hardin School rode their bike to school for Kid’s Day on May 3rd to promote road safety. The coalition also provides car seats free of charge for those in need during their annual car seat check events. There are two events held each year. An event was held on May 26th and over 50 car seats were distributed. The coalition plans to host a second event later in the year. Parents/guardians in need of a car seat can call Public Health Services to schedule an appointment. Safe Kids Coalition SBC also hosts the annual Kids at the Park Event. Kids at the Park is an event that is held to educate children about safety and learn about the participating agencies. This year, Kids at the Park took place on June 15th at Dunne Park. The event had 26 participating agencies and over 900 children attended.
“It is our job as health educators to teach and enable children, so they can grow up and do great things, safely” said Ofelia Toledo-Prieto.
Safe Kids Coalition of San Benito County is located within the Public Health Services Department. The coalition meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Membership is open to health and safety professionals, agencies, groups, businesses, and individuals concerned with the health and safety of children. For further information please contact, Ofelia Toledo-Prieto at (831) 637-5367.
References
Safe kids worldwide. Safe Kids Worldwide. (n.d.). Retrieved July 21, 2022, from https://www.safekids.org/
Comments