ASHVILLE – The Chautauqua Children’s Safety Education Village is hosting its annual “Open to the Public Day” today from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. This opportunity is to give families whose children or grandchildren have not been able to attend classes with their school, a chance to participate in important fire, traffic and bike safety education offered at the Safety Village.

Why is safety education important for children? Injuries are the leading threat to a child’s health. There are more preventable deaths to children from bicycle accidents, automobile accidents, fires, burns, drownings, falls, choking and poisonings than from all contagious diseases combined. Locally in 2003, the lives of three children were tragically taken when there was a house fire in Falconer. Their mother, Penny Echard, firmly believes that if her children had the opportunity to attend the Children’s Safety Village training classes, they would still be here today. As parents and grandparents, we have the responsibility of teaching our children how to keep themselves safe in a variety of situations in order to help them grow into educated, healthy adults.

Children who register for Open to the Public Day will have the opportunity to practice what they learn throughout the entire miniature village. They will experience a full fire escape in the mock home that is equipped with simulated smoke and a custom made door that heats up to 106 degrees allowing them to see what a door feels like with fire on the other side.

Children climb down an escape ladder from the bedroom window and rush to their meeting place. They hear a call made to the 911 operator, followed by a call made to the fire department to dispatch the firemen. A volunteer fireman will be present to show the children their turn out gear, air pack and mask that gives them clean air to breathe. Children also learn and practice doing Stop, Drop and Roll.

Traffic Safety will be another exciting lesson for the children. Those ages 4 year through second grade, will learn about Sign Recognition, Rules of the Road, Pedestrian Safety and crossing the street at the four-way stop light. Then, they get the opportunity to drive miniature cars throughout the Village as they demonstrate their knowledge of street signs, allowing pedestrians to cross in front of them, and stopping at the railroad tracks to look and listen for a train. Children under 6 years of age may also take the Traffic Safety Course but will be passengers only in the cars.

Children, third-sixth grade, will demonstrate their knowledge of bicycle safety as they ride throughout the village, using their hand signals, maintaining balance while scanning over their shoulder and following the same Rules of the Road as cars.

Children may bring their own helmet to have it fitted properly to their head or may use one of the many helmets donated to the Safety Village by Real Estate Advantage. Bicycles with training wheels are available for children who are not completely confident to ride on their own.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity, even if your children have been to the Safety Village but you would like to attend as a family. The class size is limited and registrants will be taken on a first come first serve basis. The cost is $7.00 per child and goes directly to support the Safety Village’s programs. All students must register by calling 716-338-0170 or online at www.childrenssafetyvillage.com.

The Safety Village, located at 2695 Route 394 in Ashville, next to BOCES, is a not-for-profit organization which was formed in 1996. The DFT Communications Educational Facility, where classes are held, is surrounded by a child-sized village, complete with a business district, paved roads, a railroad station, street signs, sidewalks and everything you would find in an actual village. It is one of only 14 children’s safety villages throughout the entire United States. The purpose of the classes is to educate children in the areas of Traffic, Bicycle and Fire Safety. The goal is to decrease the number of unnecessary injuries and unfortunate fatalities of children in our community by educating them through hands-on safety training that they will remember for a lifetime. This unique village offers training grounds that are as real to life as possible.

The Safety Village also offers training and certification (both on and off site) for First Aid, CPR & AED through the American Heart Association for ages 12 years through adults. Courses are offered throughout the year and are open to individuals, businesses, healthcare professionals and other organizations as well. In addition, the Safety Village offers a full Babysitting Course which includes an American Heart Association Certification in First Aid, CPR & AED. The next babysitter training class is on Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Information on all classes can be found on our website at www.childrenssafetyvillage.com, by calling 338-0170. Also, become friends with Chautauqua Children’s Safety Education Village on Facebook and see pictures of past classes and events, as well as posts of upcoming events.