With school out, kids from around Minnesota made their way to Como Zoo in Saint Paul for Safety Safari. While checking out the zoo’s lions, tigers, monkeys, and giraffes, many children took part in the special passport program. The annual Safety Safari is sponsored by AAA Auto Club of Minnesota, the Traffic Safety Foundation, Safe Kids Minnesota, the Minnesota Safety Council, and the Saint Paul Fire and Police Departments. Each kid who received and completed a safety passport earned themselves a Dairy Queen ice cream cone.

 

With sunny June skies, kids of all ages picked up their safari passport and made their way around the safety stations. Each station covered educational safety tips from riding a bike, to what to watch for when around traffic, and things to watch out for at home. Here are some of the stations on the Safety Safari this year:

The Safety Safari Seat Belt Challenge

At this station, the Minnesota Safety Council helped parents and guardians determine when a child is tall enough to use only the seat belt when riding in a vehicle.

 

Splish Splash!

Kids gained some ideas on best practices for water safety throughout the summer at this station.

 

Home Safe Home

Safety passport attendee’s were asked to spot things that are not safe in the home here.

 

 

What’s Cookin’?

At this station, a kitchen fire was set by the Saint Paul Fire Department each half hour throughout the day to demonstrate the dangers of a grease fire and why you don’t want to use water to put out the flame.

 

 

Test Your Street Smarts

Children had a chance to spin the wheel and learn the safest way to get across the street, signal a turn when riding a bike and using lights for better visibility at this station.

 

Bike Safe, Bike Smart

At the Streets Smarts Station, kids tested their knowledge of hand signals and other bike safety topics.

AAA Minnesota Bike Helmet Central

Each Safety Safari participant turned in their passport and picked up a new bike helmet. Kids were sent to the second to last station to learn how to fit their helmet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Helmet Fittings

With the help of the Minnesota Brain Institute, each child’s helmet was adjusted to fit firmly on their head. When properly adjusted, it was pointed out that when the bike helmet is buckled the straps should be snug, but not so tight that you can’t get two fingers to slide in between the buckle and your chin.

 

Stay in the Game, Make The Right Choices Ahead

With helmets sized for proper fit, the children move on to the final station to receive a citation (coupon) for a free Dairy Queen ice cream cone from a Saint Paul Police Officer.

Happy Safety Safari Participants

Continue the Safety Safari™ at safe-a-rooni.org

Safe Kids Minnesota is led by Minnesota Safety Council, which provides a dedicated and caring staff, operation support, and other resources to assist in achieving a common goal: keeping kids safe. Sponsored by AAA Auto Club, this event is based on the needs of the community. This coalition implements evidence based programs, such as car seat checkups, safety workshops, and sports clinics that help parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries.