Safe Kids Columbia Coalition

05/27/2026

10 gulps of water for every 20 minutes of play no matter the sport or activity. This will keep kids hydrated and reduce their risk for heat-related illnesses.

Did you know that kids are at a higher risk for dehydration and heat illness compared to adults? It's easy for kids to forget to stop and drink water when they're having a great time playing outside on a hot and humid day. Be sure your kids drink water every 15-20 minutes during play!

05/26/2026

The 100 Deadliest Days of Summer. We talk about it every year. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, there are lots of risks. Please be safe. The preliminary reporting from the Missouri State Highway Patrol for the Memorial Day Counting Period (beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, May 22, and ending at 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 26):
8 fatalities
99 injuries
234 traffic crashes
4 boating crashes investigated
This is up from 2025:
3 fatalities (up 5)
92 injuries (up 7)
203 crashes (up 31)

05/26/2026

A set of photos from the Roll & Read in Fayette on May 2nd that we missed.

05/26/2026

Between May 19th and 20th, 3 children died in hot cars. Please be safe and look before you lock. A change of routine could be all it takes.
1) The inside of a vehicle heats up VERY quickly
2) Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a car can reach 125 degrees in minutes.
3) 80% of the increase in inside temperature happens in the first 10 minutes.
4) Cracking the windows does not help slow the heating process OR decrease the maximum temperature.
5) Children have died from heatstroke in cars when outside temperatures were as low as 60 degrees.
https://www.kidsandcars.org/2026-child-hot-car-deaths
Data from Kids and Car Safety

Since 1990, at least 1,177 children have died in hot cars in the United States and at least another 7,500 survived with varying degrees of injury according to data compiled by Kids and Car Safety. Below are the fatalities that have occurred this year. 

05/23/2026

Families. This is an important message from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Be safe in and around all bodies of water. That includes pools, lakes, ponds, creeks, rivers and oceans. Life jackets save lives.

Heading to the water this weekend? Wear your life jacket and designate a sober boat operator. Safe boating starts with you.

05/23/2026

We had a good day at Ashland Optimist Club from 10-12 today helping fit kids with multisport helmets. 22 kiddos received helmets and were fitted appropriately.
They were able to go through the obstacle course and sign up to win a new bike and helmet.

05/22/2026

This past Wednesday, we were able to help 8 kids with their car seats at our Check-Up Event. Do you know the BEST safety tips for car seat installation and harnessing? Safety

Each year, thousands of young children are killed or injured in car crashes. Correctly using car safety seats helps keep children safe. The type of seat your child needs depends on several things, including your child's age, size, and developmental needs.  Read on for more information from the Ame...

05/15/2026

Most swimming pools open Memorial Day weekend which is 5/22 - 5/24. Make sure you know how to stay safe in the water at the pool or in open water. 💦☀️🚣‍♀️🛟

Boating safety tip: Choose a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket that is right for your child’s weight and water activity.