Car seats are meant to prevent injuries to babies and infants in transit, but the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that 46% of car seats are installed incorrectly, leading to unnecessary injury or even death.
The realization that many parents are unaware of the child safety resources in their community inspired Jon Colon, father and political science major at BYU-Idaho, to organize the Child Safety Day.
Colon is working to involve various community organizations such as the Family Crisis Center, the Idaho Safety Division and a local Civil Air Patrol squadron. Colon shared how his vision for the Child Safety Day developed as more parties wanted to contribute.
“That's what I really wanted the focus of this event to be,” he said. “I wanted to connect families with the local resources that are in the community, but I also wanted it to be fun. So, I wanted small businesses in the area to participate as well … that's when the idea really started to come together.”
Colon believes that providing wholesome recreation for young kids is an essential way to keep them adequately involved with peers. There will be various games at the event, giving children several opportunities to play to win free tickets for the carousel.
The Child Safety Day is scheduled for July 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Porter Park in Rexburg. Families can expect to learn about an assortment of child safety resources and activities for children. Updates will be posted here as the event gets closer.