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Third-graders get important safety lesson
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield Police Department School Resource Officer Steve Garstka visited Kara Mikolich’s third-grade class at C.H. Campbell Elementary School for Seatbelt Safety Day on May 17.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield Police Department School Resource Officer Steve Garstka demonstrated how to properly wear a seatbelt to C.H. Campbell Elementary School third-grade students during Seatbelt Safety Day on May 17.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.With the help of a volunteer, Canfield Police Department School Resource Officer Steve Garstka showed C.H. Campbell Elementary School third-graders the importance of wearing a seatbelt by using a hard boiled egg during Seatbelt Safety Day on May 17.
By ABBY SLANKER
C.H. Campbell Elementary School third-grade students received a very important message during Seatbelt Safety Day, led by Canfield Police Department School Resource Officer Steve Garstka, on May 17.
Officer Garstka showed the students a short educational video featuring Bill Nye, demonstrated the proper way to wear a seatbelt and demonstrated seatbelt restraint using eggs.
“The Bill Nye video is great at explaining the science behind seatbelts and showing the kids things I couldn’t, and seeing the eggs crack is a fantastic way to really show the importance of wearing a seatbelt,” Officer Garstka said.
After the video, Garstka asked for a volunteer to help him demonstrate the correct way to wear a seatbelt.
“If a seatbelt is worn incorrectly, it can be very dangerous. The seatbelt is designed to help protect your organs in case of an accident, and it is really important to wear it properly to reduce the risk of significant injury,” Garstka said.
Garstka then asked for another volunteer to help him with his demonstration of seatbelt restraint using hard boiled eggs.
“We’re going to run this car down the ramp with the egg strapped in like a driver with his seatbelt on, and then we are going to run the car down the ramp without the seatbelt for the egg and we will see what happens,” Garstka told the students.
On the first run, the car rolled over at the end of the ramp, but the egg stayed in the car.
“The egg has a few little cracks by the seatbelt, but it is OK,” Garstka told the students.
On the second run without the seatbelt on the egg, the egg fell out of the car at the bottom of the ramp and sustained many cracks.
“This time without the belt, the egg has lots of cracks. With the belt around it, the egg did not get as hurt as it did without the belt. So the lesson I want you to take away here is always wear your seatbelt. It will protect you and it is very important that you wear it properly,” Garstka told the students.
Garstka also visited Hilltop Elementary School’s third-graders with the same seatbelt safety message.