Health Tip of the Month

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Warm weather is near -
and so is Safety Camp

Kids will have so much fun at the Backus Hospital Safety Camp they won't even realize they are learning about safety.

The event, which typically draws hundreds of people, will be Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the parking lot outside the Backus Medical Office Building.

Visitors will be able to check out fire trucks and other emergency response vehicles as well as the LIFE STAR helicopter, while learning about safety from firefighters and emergency medical technicians. Free bicycle helmets are fitted and given to children, along with safety tips for biking.

Each year the event welcomes new exhibits and demonstrations. This year the American Red Cross will present a session on water safety, including pool safety. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than 3,500 fatal drownings a year in the United States - that's about 10 deaths per day. More than one in four fatal drowning victims are children 14 and younger. For every child who dies from drowning, another four received emergency care and may suffer long-term disabilities. Yantic Fire department will be on hand with a smoke house to demonstrate how children can escape from a burning or smoke filled room quickly and safely. Safe Kids reports fires and burns are the third leading cause of accidental injury-related death among children ages 1-14 but children ages 5 and under are at the greatest risk from home fire-related death and injury.

"This is a great opportunity for families to come out and learn about safety," said Fred Potter, EMS Coordinator for Backus. He said the event is usually well attended and grows in popularity each year.

This is the fifth year Backus Hospital has hosted Safety Camp, which coincides with Trauma Awareness Month, Emergency Medical Services Week, Safe Kids Week and National Hospital Week. The event is free and open to the public.

 

Participants include:

American Ambulance
Norwich Fire Department
Yantic Fire Co.
Taftville Fire Dept.
Laurel Hill Fire Dept.
East Great Plain Fire Dept.
American Red Cross-Water Safety
Lifestar
New London County Safe Kids
Uncas Health District
Salvation Army Canteen 1
Norwich Department of Public Utilities
Mystic Fire Department Smoke House