Safe Kids South Central PA

08/27/2025

Welcome to PA! And a shout out to your promotion of the Clifford Takes a Walk book. Our coalition loves this fun way to teach kids and parents pedestrian safety 😃

08/25/2025

Be sure to use the Right Seat on Every Ride!

Did you know that 58% of caregivers say their child rides with another driver at least once a week? But 30% of carpool drivers admit they don’t always follow safety rules, like using seat belts or the appropriate car seat or booster. And 80% of caregivers have noticed others doing the same.

No matter who's driving, no matter how short the car ride, make sure every ride is a safe one. Everyone in your car should be buckled up, using the right car seat, booster seat, or seat belt for their age and size.

08/21/2025

Be Safe - Be Seen!

Back-to-school season has arrived! (It felt fast to us, too.) If your kids are walking to school this year, please take a few minutes to cover some tips on how to stay safe. ⁠ ⁠

🚶It sounds elemental, but remind kids to always look left, right, and left again before crossing the street, and keep looking until they’re safely on the other side.⁠ ⁠

📵Teach kids to put phones, headphones, and devices down while crossing the street; it’s especially important to reinforce this message with teenagers.⁠ ⁠

🚸Use sidewalks or paths whenever possible and cross at street corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.⁠ ⁠

⬅️If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as you can.⁠ ⁠

🛑Kids younger than 10 should cross the street with an adult if at all possible. Most kids can’t judge the speed and distance of oncoming cars until that age.

08/19/2025

Kids move from elementary to middle to high school only when they’re ready. Car seats work the same way! Children go from rear-facing to forward-facing to booster seats before using a seat belt alone.

Yet, our study found that 4 out of 5 parents move children out of booster seats before they are ready. Keep your child in their current seat until they reach the maximum weight or height limit listed on the label.

To learn more: https://www.safekids.org/safetytips/field_risks/booster-seat

08/15/2025

A new school year is right around the corner! We're here to help parents and caregivers be as prepared as they can be for these overwhelming and exciting times. Preventable injuries are the number one cause of death among children ages 1-19 in the U.S., and millions more are injured in ways that can affect them for a lifetime. Throughout the school year, we'll be providing tips to keep your kids safe from the first day of school to the last. Check out our Back-to-School Blog: https://www.safekids.org/blog/back-school-blog

08/06/2025

We also teamed up with our lead agency, WellSpan Health, at the National Night Out event hosted by Emory H. Markey Middle School. A special thanks to Hanover Borough Police Department, Penn Township Police Department, and West Manheim Township Police Department!

08/05/2025

We joined York Area United Fire and Rescue to share home and fire safety tips with families tonight at Springettsbury Township Police Department’s National Night Out!

07/23/2025

Before hitting the road, take a moment to check your back seat and trunk. It’s best to secure loose objects because they can be tossed around the vehicle, causing injury to occupants during a crash or sudden stop.

Choose soft toys for your child during car rides, and make sure any other objects in the car are safely secured.

07/19/2025

Parents, caregivers, and kids are familiar with the "You Must Be This Tall to Ride" signs used for rollercoasters and other rides. We know that height and weight requirements are important to keep children safe. You wouldn't rush to buckle your child into a ride that can't properly protect them. Similarly, there is no need to rush on to the next car seat. Use your current car seat until your child reaches the maximum weight or height limit listed on the label. Each seat is designed for maximum safety at specific weights, heights and ages.

07/10/2025

This year, 14 children have died in hot cars from pediatric vehicular heatstroke. Children are at great risk for heatstroke because a child’s body heats up at a rate 3 to 5 times faster than adults. Most parents and caregivers believe it could never happen to them, but in most cases, the child is left behind unknowingly.

For heatstroke prevention tips, visit: www.safekids.org/heatstroke

07/03/2025

Fourth of July celebrations are filled with family,
friends, food, and fireworks!
Safe Kids PA strongly encourages families to leave the
fireworks to the professionals by attending a
public fireworks show instead of using at-home
fireworks and sparklers that pose as fire
hazards.

07/01/2025

In 2022, children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 28% of firework related injuries. With the 4th of July right around the corner, it’s best to leave the celebratory light shows to the experts. Whether its sparklers or firecrackers, kids should not play with or ignite fireworks. Swap sparklers for glowsticks and head out to your local firework display for some family fun!