Programs help children stay safe

Two 15-year-old boys were preparing to go boating on the river in White Mountain in August. One was wearing his own personal flotation device, but the other boy didn't have one. Other village kids insisted that he borrow one from the new Kids Don't Float board, which had been set up in White Mountain less than eight hours before. He did so. The two boys went boating in the river and flipped the boat. Buoyed by the PFDs, these boys survived the cold water and swift current to be rescued by Dan Haroldson, the White Mountain Village Public Safety Officer. One life saved.

Several years ago, the Homer Safe Kids chapter created the "Kids Don't Float" program, modeled off New York City's "Kids Don't Fly" program. In New York City, children are often injured or killed by falling out of the open windows of skyscrapers. In Homer, children were falling off the dock and drowning, so a life jacket rack was placed there where people could borrow loaner vests for themselves and their children. Homer literally changed the drowning statistics in its community by implementing this program.

It was so successful that the state of Alaska encouraged and supported the implementation of Kids Don't Float statewide. Drowning is the fifth leading cause of injury and death in the Mat-Su Borough, which has more than 20 Kids Don't Float loaner boards placed on various lakes and river access points. The program is being copied by Boat U.S. on a national level and boasts more than 300 sites nationwide. Alaska, with the highest rate of childhood injury per capita of any state, set the precedent for this program.

Founded by C. Everett Koop, the National SAFE KIDS Campaign shares a unique childhood injury program that involves citizens and agencies at the community level to combat the risks that cause injuries to children right where they live. There are now more than 100 state and local SAFE KIDS Coalitions in 40 states and the District of Columbia. SAFE KIDS is concerned with the top five risk areas: traffic injuries (passenger, pedestrian, and bicyclist), fires and burns, drowning, choking and poisoning, and falls.

Valley Hospital spearheads the Mat-Su's Chapter. Looking at what hurts kids locally -- motor-vehicle accidents, ATV and bicycle crashes, falls and drowning, the hospital and its partners founded the bike rodeo, snowmachine safety seminar and carseat checks to educate parents and caregivers and to provide the tools -- helmets and carseats -- that prevent childhood injury.

Anyone interested in getting involved with SAFE KIDS in the Mat-Su Valley, can call 352-2849.