Hollister
– If she ever gets caught in a house fire, 10-year-old Alex
Galiotto is confident she would know exactly what to do.
Hollister – If she ever gets caught in a house fire, 10-year-old Alex Galiotto is confident she would know exactly what to do.
On Wednesday morning, Alex crawled through the smoke of a simulated house fire, staying close to the ground and searching for an emergency exit.
Initially, she was scared when smoke filled the room, but she said it helped to know what the real thing would be like.
“They teach us what it’s like to be in a fire,” Alex said. “It’s important because if you don’t know, you’re going to get into trouble.”
Learning fire safety was just one part of the 14th annual Kids in the Park Day held at Dunne Park. It’s aimed at providing children with a fun summer activity while teaching health and safety.
This year, the main focus was on health and nutrition. Organizers chose it because of the problem with childhood obesity in San Benito County, Hogeman said.
Children were provided with healthy snacks, and many of the events encouraged the kids to be active in the outdoors.
“Every booth has an interactive activity. It’s really focused on kids getting out and having fun,” said health education associate Suzi Hogeman, who planned the event sponsored by the San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency.
Various local agencies ran more than 30 booths, each dedicated to a different aspect of health or safety such as teaching kids correct methods for brushing teeth or dangers of smoking.
Ana Sandoval, who works at Emmaus House, had attracted a crowd of young children around her booth as she addressed the kids about risks of talking to strangers.
She offered the kids a scenario, in which she approached them when they were by themselves and asked for help in finding her cat.
Many of the kids agreed they would help with her search, but Sandoval pointed out that it would not be safe.
“We never, ever talk to strangers,” she said. “It doesn’t matter how nice they look.”
Sandoval said she was happy to come out and talk with the kids because it’s important for them to know how to stay safe.
“It’s for the good of the kids,” she said. “We need to inform the children about what types of facilities are available in our community.”
Most of the kids left the park with more information about safety than when they came.
Jenna Rizzo, 10, and Rosemarie Bargas, 11, discussed what they had learned while they waited in line to get their faces painted. Jenna explained she hadn’t realized you needed to brush your tongue and not just your teeth to get rid of all the germs. Rosemarie was particularly interested in the booth about poison.
“They use activities to help you learn more,” Jenna said.
John Ryan Phillips, 11, learned the importance of emergency preparedness.
“When you call 911 you need to know your address and you need to have a meeting place planned in case (of a fire),” he said.
Hogeman said she was hopeful the event would continue for many years to come.
“The whole community comes out and many donate their time and energy,” she said.
