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Child Safety Day
By the Daily Gate City
The lives of six Tri-State Area children who lost their lives in fires earlier this year were not forgotten as the Keokuk Kiwanis Club and several agencies held a Child Safety Day on the grounds of Keokuk High School Sunday.
The four-hour event focused on fire safety, although other programs were presented on auto safety, encountering strangers, bicycle safety and animal safety.
Ninety-six fire extinguishers were given away one per household while the supply lasted. In addition, drawings were held every half hour for 25 bicycles, which were registered at no cost to the recipients.
Ten of the bicycles were donated by Tim Peevler of Keokuk; the other 15 by the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison.
“It was very informational. I really enjoyed the animal safety tips,” said Kim Guthrie, who attended the event with her husband and two children ages 6 and 3. “We got the flier (about the event) in school and my son was adamant about coming.”
After the opening ceremony, participants were able to pick up fire extinguishers and check out the city's newest fire truck; Keokuk Police Department, Lee County Sheriff's Department and Iowa State Patrol cars; a Lee County EMS ambulance; and a helicopter provided by AirEvac.
The Iowa State Patrol presented a program for adults on car seats and auto safety, followed by the Keokuk Fire Department's program on fire safety.
Fire Chief Mark Wessel urged the parents present to get smoke detectors, which cost as little as $3 apiece.
“Change the batteries twice a year when you change your clocks or every six months,” Wessel said. “Parents, it's your responsibility.”
The fire chief advised parents to keep matches and other potentially hazardous items away from their children.
“It's your responsibility, parents, to keep these things away from them. It's your responsibility to keep those kids safe.”
The children present for the program were told to “stop, drop and roll” if their clothing caught on fire. When the children were asked what number to call in case of an emergency, they shouted, �.”
The Keokuk Police Department and Lee County Sheriff's Department presented programs on what children should do when they meet strangers. Two older youths, Austin Parrish and Kenny Howell, donned shin guards as the younger children were allowed to kick them and scream for help.
The Iowa State Patrol gave another program on bicycle safety, and the Friends of the Keokuk Animal Shelter conducted a program on animal safety that featured Mike Kline of Keokuk and his dog Max.
The Kiwanis Club's second Child Safety Day was a hit with the participants as well.
“The turnout was fantastic. I think we had a bigger crowd than last year,” said Marie Austin of AAA, which also provided a program for children. “I had 100 coloring books (to give out), and I could have used more.”
Several grand prizes were given away. Madison Schwab received a $50 savings bond from State Central Bank of Keokuk. Betty McKay won a hover disc. Violet Cook was given a box of Kiwanis peanuts. Jessica Hornung received a lunch for two with the Kiwanis Club. Carmalitta Moody was presented a one-year paid membership with Kiwanis.
In addition, AAA gave away a smoke and fire alarm, a fire extinguisher and a carbon monoxide alarm.
Hy-Vee of Keokuk provided food and drinks, and County Market of Keokuk supplied ice and ice water. The Salvation Army also brought its canteen to the site.
Several non-Kiwanians helped, including Peevler, Noel Brown, Jim Worrell, Vickie and Megan Conover, and Jackie and Chelsee Mason.
The Keokuk Kiwanis Club meets at noon on Monday at the Hawkeye Restaurant. Most of its fund-raising and activities are aimed at improving the lives of area youth in keeping with Kiwanis International's goal of “changing the world one child and one community at a time.”
Founded in 1915 in Detroit, Mich., there are now about 8,000 Kiwanis Clubs in 96 countries.
The four-hour event focused on fire safety, although other programs were presented on auto safety, encountering strangers, bicycle safety and animal safety.
Ninety-six fire extinguishers were given away one per household while the supply lasted. In addition, drawings were held every half hour for 25 bicycles, which were registered at no cost to the recipients.
Ten of the bicycles were donated by Tim Peevler of Keokuk; the other 15 by the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison.
“It was very informational. I really enjoyed the animal safety tips,” said Kim Guthrie, who attended the event with her husband and two children ages 6 and 3. “We got the flier (about the event) in school and my son was adamant about coming.”
After the opening ceremony, participants were able to pick up fire extinguishers and check out the city's newest fire truck; Keokuk Police Department, Lee County Sheriff's Department and Iowa State Patrol cars; a Lee County EMS ambulance; and a helicopter provided by AirEvac.
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Fire Chief Mark Wessel urged the parents present to get smoke detectors, which cost as little as $3 apiece.
“Change the batteries twice a year when you change your clocks or every six months,” Wessel said. “Parents, it's your responsibility.”
The fire chief advised parents to keep matches and other potentially hazardous items away from their children.
“It's your responsibility, parents, to keep these things away from them. It's your responsibility to keep those kids safe.”
The children present for the program were told to “stop, drop and roll” if their clothing caught on fire. When the children were asked what number to call in case of an emergency, they shouted, �.”
The Keokuk Police Department and Lee County Sheriff's Department presented programs on what children should do when they meet strangers. Two older youths, Austin Parrish and Kenny Howell, donned shin guards as the younger children were allowed to kick them and scream for help.
The Iowa State Patrol gave another program on bicycle safety, and the Friends of the Keokuk Animal Shelter conducted a program on animal safety that featured Mike Kline of Keokuk and his dog Max.
The Kiwanis Club's second Child Safety Day was a hit with the participants as well.
“The turnout was fantastic. I think we had a bigger crowd than last year,” said Marie Austin of AAA, which also provided a program for children. “I had 100 coloring books (to give out), and I could have used more.”
Several grand prizes were given away. Madison Schwab received a $50 savings bond from State Central Bank of Keokuk. Betty McKay won a hover disc. Violet Cook was given a box of Kiwanis peanuts. Jessica Hornung received a lunch for two with the Kiwanis Club. Carmalitta Moody was presented a one-year paid membership with Kiwanis.
In addition, AAA gave away a smoke and fire alarm, a fire extinguisher and a carbon monoxide alarm.
Hy-Vee of Keokuk provided food and drinks, and County Market of Keokuk supplied ice and ice water. The Salvation Army also brought its canteen to the site.
Several non-Kiwanians helped, including Peevler, Noel Brown, Jim Worrell, Vickie and Megan Conover, and Jackie and Chelsee Mason.
The Keokuk Kiwanis Club meets at noon on Monday at the Hawkeye Restaurant. Most of its fund-raising and activities are aimed at improving the lives of area youth in keeping with Kiwanis International's goal of “changing the world one child and one community at a time.”
Founded in 1915 in Detroit, Mich., there are now about 8,000 Kiwanis Clubs in 96 countries.
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