DATE: April 29, 2009

CONTACT: Sarah DuBose, 864-656-4049
sdbs@clemson.edu

WRITER: Diane Palmer, 864-656-4741
spalmer@clemson.edu


Clemson extension helps Spartanburg youth clubs learn safety skills

CLEMSON — Clemson University's Child Injury Prevention Program provided nine Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation Commission's Afterschool Youth Clubs materials and instruction to teach safety skills to youths. These included activity books, DVDs, educator guides and visits by community helpers from the fire department, police department and health agencies. 

More than 400 students and their families received information on child safety issues such as walking to school safely and getting on and off the school bus safely. 

Participating centers were Campobello-Gramling, Holly Springs-Motlow Elementary, Inman Elementary, Inman Intermediate, Middle Tyger Recreation Center, New Prospect Elementary and O.P. Earle Elementary schools and Woodruff Leisure Center and T. W. Edwards Recreation Center.  

Included in the Child Safety Solutions rules are: 

  • Use crosswalks and cross streets only at the corner.
  • Look left, right and left again before crossing the street.
  • Wear a helmet that fits and safety gear when riding a bike, scooter, skates or skateboard.
  • Ride or walk where it is safe and obey traffic signs and signals.
  • Swim in places that are marked for swimming.
  • Always have a swimming buddy and make sure a grownup is watching.
  • Take turns while playing on playground equipment.
  • Never wear sandals or go barefoot on playground equipment.
  • Never wear jackets with drawstrings, necklaces or other things around the neck that can get tangled in playground equipment.

The project is a collaborative effort supported by S.C. Parks and Recreation Commission Youth Development coordinators Elizabeth Hardee and Elise Gosnell, extension agent Ginger Bowen and extension specialist Sarah DuBose.

Dubose will teach a playground and personal safety workshop for the Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation Commission May 30 at Cleveland Park Center in Spartanburg.

For more information about the child injury prevention program, contact DuBose at 864-656-4049 or sdbs@clemson.edu.

END