WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. — The Safe Kids Wayne County Coalition, coordinated by Shelley Willis of the Department of Children and housed at The Partnership for Children, is actively recruiting new community partners to expand its comprehensive child safety initiatives throughout Wayne County. The Safe Kids Wayne County Coalition invited the community out to dinner at Mimmo’s Pizza & Pasta, on Tuesday to educate residents on the importance of child safety and how The Safe Kids Wayne County Coalition offers that for the community.
Diverse Community Partnerships Drive Safety Mission
The coalition brings together representatives from various organizations including the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, GoldsboroDailyNews, Wayne Community College, First Presbyterian Church, Wayne Pregnancy Center, and local businesses. This diverse membership enables the organization to reach multiple sectors of the community with critical safety messaging.
Coalition representatives explain that the organization brings together diverse groups with knowledge and connections that reach into all aspects of the community. The organization emphasizes that participation can be as simple as attending bi-monthly meetings or sharing safety information through existing networks.
Car Seat Safety Program Addresses Critical Need
One of the coalition’s flagship programs focuses on child passenger safety, with four certified technicians providing free car seat installations and safety checks. The intensive four-day certification process ensures technicians understand crash testing, proper installation techniques, and the nuances of different car seat models.
Crystal Heath, a resource specialist at the Partnership for Children, recently assisted elderly caregivers whose car seats had been removed by a dealership for liability reasons. The program serves first-time parents, connects with pregnancy centers, and educates families that best practices often exceed state law requirements.
Program coordinators explain that while state law may permit forward-facing car seats at certain ages, best practices recommend keeping children rear-facing until they reach the maximum harness weight for their individual seat.
Heat Stroke Prevention Campaign Demonstrates Dangers
With summer temperatures soaring, the coalition has intensified its heat stroke prevention efforts through eye-catching demonstrations. In a recent experiment that gained attention on social media, staff successfully cooked an egg in a vehicle that reached 136 degrees Fahrenheit, illustrating the deadly conditions that can develop inside cars.
The portable heat stroke display can be set up at businesses and agencies throughout the community, providing a self-running demonstration that captures parents’ attention and distributes educational materials about the dangers to children, pets, and elderly individuals.
Operation Medicine Drop Removes Thousands of Doses
The coalition’s Operation Medicine Drop program, conducted in partnership with the State Bureau of Investigation and local police departments, collected over 50 pounds of expired medications last year—equivalent to approximately 38,000 doses. The program typically holds three to four events annually across different areas of the county.
Program organizers emphasize that removing expired medications from homes where children cannot access them accomplishes the program’s primary objective.
Button Battery Safety Emerges as New Priority
A newly launched battery safety campaign addresses the dangers of coin-sized button batteries found in household items. During a training demonstration, a button battery burned a hole through ham in just 30 minutes, illustrating the potential for serious internal injuries if ingested by children.
The coalition now offers battery recycling services, providing collection boxes and disposal bags to remove these hazards from homes. The program includes educational materials about proper storage and the deadly risks associated with battery ingestion.
Swimming and Water Safety Education Expands
Beyond pool safety, the coalition addresses water hazards as shallow as one foot, educating parents about bathroom supervision, toilet lid security, and the importance of designated water watchers during any aquatic activities. The organization is working to establish partnerships with local water recreation facilities to extend its reach.
Bicycle Safety Programs Adapt to Changing Needs
The coalition’s bicycle safety initiatives include helmet fittings and bicycle rodeos featuring courses with stop signs, yield signs, and railroad crossings. Many participating children have never ridden bicycles due to neighborhood safety concerns or lack of access, with some teenagers requiring training wheels.
Through grants from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the program provides properly fitted helmets to participants, ensuring children can safely continue cycling after events.
Community Involvement Opportunities Available
The Safe Kids Wayne County Coalition welcomes participation at various levels, from attending meetings to hosting safety demonstrations. Organizations can request informational sessions on topics ranging from toy safety to fire prevention, with materials provided by Safe Kids Worldwide.
Coalition members stress that everyone in the community needs to advocate for child safety and protection. Those interested in joining can sign up for newsletters, attend meetings, or simply share safety information through their existing networks.
The coalition meets every two months and maintains active social media presence to share monthly safety topics and resources. For more information about joining or requesting safety demonstrations, community members can contact the Partnership for Children.
