We are sure that you have concerns about children's safety issues, so here is just a bit of background on the upcoming presidential and vice presidential candidates and their records. Take the time to investigate your own legislative candidate's background and feelings about children's safety issues as well.

Senator Obama has worked extensively on preventing childhood lead poisoning. Throughout his time in the Senate, he has introduced and supported legislation that if enacted would require that childcare centers be lead-safe, provide tax incentives for the elimination of lead hazards in the homes of low-income children, and require the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to eliminate lead in children’s toys. Senator Obama included a provision in the recent consumer product safety law requiring product recall notices to include specific and uniform information, including where the products were sold, who manufactured them, and how consumers can obtain a refund or replacement. Senator Obama has two daughters, ages 7 and 10. Not since the Kennedy Administration has a sitting president had such young children. Safe Kids would hope that if elected Senator Obama and his wife, Michelle, would be particularly attuned to our issues of child injury prevention.

Senator Biden has focused much of his career on ensuring that local fire departments have sufficient staff, equipment, and training to protect their communities. Senator Biden cosponsored legislation that created fire prevention program grants that were ultimately awarded to both Safe Kids Worldwide and several Safe Kids coalitions. Senator Biden has cosponsored resolutions in support of National Fire Prevention Week and National Burn Awareness Week. Biden was awarded the Congressional Fire Services Institute Legislator of the Year award in 1995. The Senator has three grown children and five grandchildren. In 1972, his wife and infant daughter were killed in a motor vehicle accident. Since the accident, Senator Biden has been a great supporter of highway safety initiatives, including child passenger safety grants and drunk driving laws.

Like his Democrat counterpart, Sen. McCain has consistently supported firefighters and fire safety efforts. Sen. McCain cosponsored legislation that created fire prevention program grants that were ultimately awarded to both Safe Kids Worldwide and several Safe Kids coalitions. The same grant program provided funds to local fire departments to hire additional firefighting personnel, improve training, and purchase new equipment. He has supported the development of science-based standards for new firefighting technology and has sought to encourage the use of sprinkler systems. Sen. McCain has also supported child passenger safety initiatives, including a 2002 law that required the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to establish performance requirements for child restraints, including booster seats, for the restraint of children weighing more than 50 pounds. The law also required NHTSA to develop a crash test dummy to simulate a 10-year-old child and required that lap and shoulder belts be installed in the back seats of passenger vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less. The senator has seven children and four grandchildren.

Gov. Sarah Palin has worked on a variety of safety issues.  In 2007, she signed into law legislation requiring that all cigarettes sold in Alaska be fire safe. She has issued a proclamation in support of Fire Prevention Month, reminding parents to keep matches and lighters out of the hands of children. She also issued proclamations in support of playground and boating safety, encouraging Alaskans to wear life jackets regardless of swimming ability. Gov. Palin has five children, ranging in ages from 4 months to 18. She is also an expectant grandmother. With such a young family, Safe Kids would hope that Governor Palin, if elected, would make children’s safety issues a priority in the McCain Administration.

We conduct Bike Safety Rodeos periodically throughout the year. There are ususally a number of stations ranging from a bike inspection station, to helmet fitting, to skills demonstrations. We may also incorporate stations related to other risk areas such as water safety, vehicle safety, pedestrian safety, etc. There is always a need for volunteers at these types of events. People are needed to man stations, help fit helmets, set-up, and assist as needed. On site training is always available. Contact your local chapter (listed on the Chapter Locations page) for more information.

A car seat check-up event is a great way to get started volunteering with Safe Kids! Although, only Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians can check the car seats, there are many other duties for volunteers to assist with. Traffic controls help ensure that the flow of traffic is regulated and minimized to reduce risk to attendees and volunteers. "Kid Wrangler" assist with entertaining children while the parents are busy learning. Scribes assist the parents and technicians with the documentation. Runners assist with tracking down needed items or individuals. These events are usually very busy and relatively short. Some may be outside, while others are scheduled at indoor locations. If you are interested in assisting with this type of event, please contact your local chapter or coalition on the "Chapter Locations" page.

Safe Kids chapters also participate in a number of other activities and events throughout the year. These events may range from Safety Fairs to Fire Safety Pizza Deliveries. All events require planning and most require set-up and take down. Even those who know nothing about children, safety, or injury prevention can help in these areas. There are so many areas in which a willing soul can help! If you have the desire to help, please contact your nearest chapter coordinator (listed on the Chapter Locations page).