Big Sky Times

The Safe Kids Fair, presented by the Safe Kids Missoula Coalition, educated families on how to safeguard and curb child injuries.

The event was held at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Community Medical Center Campus. It is an annual event that brings together Western Montana families and community safety specialists. 

“The good news about preventable injuries is that they are preventable,” Kevi Berger, Safe Kids Missoula Coordinator, told NBC Montana. “That is why the fair is so valuable. It allows us to educate the community in a fun way and provides an opportunity for families to connect with community organizations and resources available to them.”

Through various activities, the community met safety advocates, such as members of law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical technicians, and learned how to shield kids from avoidable accidents at home, on the road and during play.

One of the more than 400 Safe Kids coalitions operating around the country, Safe Kids Missoula aims to raise public awareness of and access to important safety information. The child fatality rate from unintentional accidents has decreased by approximately 60% since Safe Kids Worldwide was founded in 1988. One of Safe Kids Missoula's main initiatives to include the local community in safety and preventive education is the Safe Kids Fair, which is free to attend.

The event also included tours of large vehicles, such as the Mountain Line bus and fire trucks, an appearance by Smokey the Bear, a photo booth and face painting, free giveaways and prizes, healthy snacks and a scavenger bingo hunt.

The National Safety Council reported, "In the first year of life, suffocation is the top cause of preventable death. After the first year of life, top risks shift to drowning and motor vehicle incidents."