• Water safety
• Motor vehicle occupancy (car seats)
• Bicycle safety
• Choking
• Falls
• Playground and sports safety
• Burns-  fire, scald or electrical
• Poisoning
• Firearm safety (advocate gun locks)

To do this we have handout materials for parents and children in many of the above injury areas as well as conduct classes in certain injury areas.

What we have found is that the majority of injuries that occur could easily be prevented if proper supervision was used.  Many of the things we teach are common sense and don't cost anything to do. For example: buckling up your child and yourself every time you get in your vehicle.

Additional areas of activity:

• Public Policy changes.   SAFE KIDS initiated the City of Yuma Bicycle Helmet ordinance making Yuma only the second city in Arizona to have such an ordinance.  We are constantly looking for advocates that can help modify existing or initiate new laws for the protection of children. For example: a state-wide child safety seat law.
• Membership and awards committee.  Thanking members and the community as well as bringing in new people is something that keeps a coalition happy and healthy.
• Statistics & Surveillance committee.  By reviewing local data, we can see how we are doing and how we compare with the state and nation.  This is also a requirement to be affiliated with the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. 
• Plus we have special event projects that need assistance each year. For example: the National SAFE KIDS Week celebration, our Annual Bike Rodeo, May Day-Splash Day, Walk your Child to School, Operation Buckle-Up, etc. 

What are the rewards?

• Well, none of our volunteers get paid, except in knowing their efforts may have just saved the life of a child.
• Getting to know and network with some really great community leaders.
• Our local coalition does try to assist members in obtaining injury prevention information or training if requested.
• Plus - Each year we try to send a couple of members to the National SAFE KIDS Leadership Conference in Washington, DC.  This gives members the opportunity to get ideas that have been successful with other coalitions, meet the real movers and shakers in SAFE KIDS, get revitalized and ready to pass on what they have learned to the rest of the coalition.

If this sounds like something you might be interested in being part of, please call or attend a meeting and check us out.  We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you into our organization.