Safe Communities/Safe Kids Coalition

  Who We Are...
 
  The Safe Communities/Safe Kids Coalition of Fairfield County is a collaborative group consisting of law enforcement, health care, child care, public schools, fire & EMS, parent organizations, traffic safety, and health representatives. New members are always welcome to attend the monthly planning meetings.

  Why We Exist...

  The mission of the Safe Communities/Safe Kids Coalition of Fairfield County is two-fold. In conjunctions with the Ohio Department of Public Safety we strive to reduce traffic crashes a well as injuries and fatalities resulting from those crashes. As part of the National Safe Kids Campaign we strive to prevent unintentional injuries in children ages birth to 14 years.

  The blending of these two initiative creates a strong coalition that strives to reduce the leading cause of death between the ages 4-33 --
  traffic crashes. 

  Risk Areas That Are Targeted Locally Include:

• Bicycle Safety

• Burns

• Child Passenger Safety

• Choking

• Drowning

• Falls

• Farm Injuries

• Fire

• Firearm Injuries

• Impaired Driving

• Pedestrian Injuries

• Poisoning

• Traumatic Brain Injuries

• Seatbelt Safety

  What You Can Do...

A Car seat safety check could save your child’s life

    Did you know that your infant or child car seat may not be installed correctly?  Incorrect installation may mean that your child is not properly protected in the case of a sudden stop or accident.  The Fairfield Department of Health provides free of charge car seat checks to help parents make sure their children are as safe as possible on the road.  In fact, in 2006 Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians completed 550 car seat checks here in Fairfield County.

About 90 percent of all car seats are used incorrectly.  Through car seat checks, Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians are able to help parents learn to use their car seat so that their child is properly protected.  These specially trained technicians also provide parents with the most reliable up-to-date safety information available about car seats, including recall information.  It is important that parents direct their questions about car seats to a Certified Car Seat Technician.  Salespeople or even police officers may not have current information about car seat safety.

   Additional car seat information is available by calling the car seat information hotline at 740-653-4489 ext. 176.  A recorded message provides car seat guidelines and a current schedule of car seat check up events.

   To make an appointment for a car seat check or for more information about the car seat program in Fairfield County call 740-653-4489 ext. 177. 

Tips for Safe Driving in Winter (printable brochure)

      Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs cause half of all crashes.  If you’re drinking, don’t drive.  Designate a sober driver, call a friend, or stay where you are.

  The Safe Communities/Safe Kids Coalition of Fairfield County was formed in 1992. The Coalition is a non-profit, charitable organization which survives on donations, in-kind services, grants, and the hard work of community volunteers. The Coalition continues to grow in membership, strength and
accomplishments. If interested in contributing to the Safe Communities/Safe Kids Coalition of Fairfield County, please contact Kelly Hurst, Coalition Coordinator.

  Donations support the purchase of child safety seats, bicycle helmets and other safety devices for families in need, as well as educational materials for students to encourage safe, responsible driving and vehicle passenger safety.

  Funding provided in part by the:
 
  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  Federal Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  Ohio Department of Public Safety

  Governor's Highway Safety Office

  Safe Kids Worldwide