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Vendors offer lessons, tips at Safety Day in Boardman
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
BOARDMAN
Community members had a chance to learn a variety of safety tips at Boardman United Methodist Church’s first Safety Day.
About 12 vendors offered tips Saturday on computer safety, bike safety, home and car safety and more. A firetruck, police car and school bus were on site. The event also included free children’s eye screenings by the Lions Club and a tour of the church’s preschool, as well as free refreshments, face painting and crafts.
“We’re gathering family and neighbors to learn about different things that affect our safety and wellness,” said Pastor Pam Buzalka. “We see that as a very important role of the church and the community, to keep everyone well.”
She added, “We’re just so excited to be able to do this.”
There is a need for this type of event in the community, said Lee Monit, chairman.
“We’ve looked around, and there’s a need to enhance the awareness for safety issues in the community,” he said. “We thought it would be a great opportunity for the church to minister to our community.”
Andrea Neuman-Taddei, injury-prevention coordinator for Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley and Safe Kids Mahoning Valley Coalition, agreed there’s a need.
“We like to participate in as many community events as we can to just get the word out not only about child safety restraints but anything [about] injury prevention in our local area,” she said.
About three out of four car seats are installed incorrectly, Neuman-Taddei said. “So the more we can get out and educate parents and educate grandparents about it, the better,” she added.
At the BUMC Safety Day, she discussed child-safety restraints, including the different types; Ohio laws regarding them; and American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations.
“We’ve had some really good questions,” she said.
Tracey Petuch of Boardman brought her 2-year-old daughter and 4-month-old son to the event.
“We thought it would be good to learn about safety and see part of the community,” she said.
Petuch recently relocated to the area.
Cadence Petuch, 2, had fun gluing pieces of paper together to make a fire dog picture. She also saw a firetruck. She wore a toy fire helmet given to her at the event.
Tracey’s father-in-law, Jim Petuch of Boardman, said the event was nice.
“We really enjoyed it, the crafts and everything,” he said. “Cadence is having a good time. So it’s very nice that they do this.”