Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The name and location have changed but the goal is the same -Êto teach people about safety.
Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m., the second annual Family Safety Day (formerly Focus On Safety) will offers safety tips, fun and games for children and parents at Center Lake Pavilion. Last year, Focus on Safety was held on the courthouse lawn, but a bigger venue was needed this year, in part because the Samaritan Air Ambulance will make an appearance.
Although this is the second year for the event, "it feels like the first," said Jeff Rostochak, a member of the Warsaw Fire Department and one of the organizers of the event. "The name and location have changed. We'd like to get a permanent home (for the event) at this location."
The number of activities at the event increased this year as well.
The event will get a jump-start when the Samaritan Air Ambulance from Fort Wayne lands at Center Lake Park.
M.C. Axe and the Fire Crew will perform throughout the afternoon with special appearances by Kasey the Fire Dog.
"(M.C. Axe and the Fire Crew) are Indianapolis firefighters who sing songs about fire safety," said Rostochak. "They perform all over the state, but this is the first time they have been in Kosciusko County."
M.C. Axe and the Fire Crew dress as firefighter clowns during their performances.
"Kasey the Fire Dog performs tricks, like stop, drop and roll," said Rostochak. "Kasey also crawls under smoke and performs other tricks."
Riley's Hospital for Children will have an ambulance on display at the event as well. Attendees will have a chance to see inside the ambulance and ask questions about it.
From noon to 2 p.m., a Safe Kids bicycle rodeo will take place. David Morales of the Warsaw Police Department will be present to inspect bicycles and teach children from ages 5 to 13 how to properly ride their bikes. Morales also will teach children road safety and how to ride safely.
Car safety seat inspections will take place at both Center Lake and Petro's GM Showplace Saturday. Seats will be checked for safety, proper installation and possible safety recalls. The event at Petro's GM Showplace will be from 1 to 5 p.m.
The first 300 children at the event will receive KidCare ID kits.
"The ID kits were donated by the (Warsaw) Morning Optimists," said Rostochak. "The Optimists volunteered to take photos and and make out the ID cards while the kids are here Saturday."
Steve Zorn, certified safety instructor, will be on hand to demonstrate ways to prevent child abduction.
Another focus of the event centers around Halloween safety.
Local firefighters will give demonstrations about costume safety and flammability. Throughout the day, firefighters will show the flammability of many store-bought costumes by igniting them, to prove how quickly they burn. The costumes were donated by the local Salvation Army and Goodwill stores. People are encouraged to bring their own costumes to donate for the demonstrations as well.
"Some are flame resistant and won't burn, but some that are labeled flame resistant are not," said Rostochak.
Along with the demonstrations, there also will be children's games, face painting, pumpkin carving, food and prizes given away throughout the day. Displays and information will be available from many groups, including the American Red Cross, the National Weather Service, Kosciusko Community Hospital, Multi-Township EMS and the Shriners.
"We want to teach children about safety," said Rostochak. "Not just Halloween safety, but everyday safety. We want to make it fun to learn about safety."
In case of rain, the event will move into the Center Lake Pavilion.
