Families Invited to Safety Fair Saturday

From the Illinois Tollway Authority

The Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police District 15 will host the 5^th annual Family Safety Fair on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at theTollway’s Downers Grove headquarters. 

The Family Safety Fair offers kid-friendly entertainment and activities, as well as valuable resources to help keep kids safe this summer, including free identification cards for children age 3 and older and safety seat inspections for children of all ages. 

“The Family Safety Fair brings together a wide variety of activities built upon the theme that safety is an important part of summer fun,” Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur said.  “This event provides moms and dads with the practical tools and know-how to make sure that their young passengers arrive at their destinations safely this summer travel season.” 

Highlights of the Family Safety Fair activities include: 

• Parents, grandparents and caregivers will have the opportunity to create identification cards for children age 3 and older and get help with child safety seat inspections. 
• Radio Disney AM 1300 will roll in from 12:30 to 2 p.m. with its high-intensity, interactive show.  The Radio Disney Road Crew powered by JULIE Inc. will provide music, games, fun and prizes to kids and families. 
• The DuPage Children’s Museum will bring a sampling of some of its popular interactive exhibits.
• Representatives from the Chicago Bulls/Sox Academy will be on hand to talk about the facility’s year-round camps, clinics and training programs for boys and girls in basketball, baseball and fastpitch softball. 
• A touch-a-truck display will feature hands-on exploration on roadway vehicles, police cars and fire trucks used by the Illinois Tollway, IllinoisState Police and the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District. 
• The Illinois State Police also will demonstrate the importance of wearing seat belts with its Roll 15 rollover simulator and District 15’s K-9 unit will demonstrate how dogs assist Troopers. 
• Shane’s Foundation will provide information about how to prevent common household dangers to children, such as television or furniture tip-overs. 
• Jewel-Osco will offer healthy snacks and additional kids’ activities.

 As in past years, certified child passenger safety technicians will be on hand to inspect and install child safety seats and help drivers stay up to date with the latest safety seat information and educational materials. 

Properly installed safety seats eliminate a potential distraction for drivers and significantly reduce the risk of injury or greater tragedy for children in the event of an accident. And yet, 80 percent of child safety seats in Illinois are improperly installed. 

Safety seat inspections also offer a convenient way for drivers to make sure they comply with Illinois law, which requires that whenever a person is transporting a child under age 8, the person is responsible for properly securing the child in an appropriate child restraint system. 

To participate, parents, grandparents and caregivers should bring child safety seats, children and the vehicle in which the child safety seats will be installed.

“Child safety seats are critical to saving lives,” said District 15 Commander Joseph Perez.  “But, it’s important that the child safety seat is installed properly to reduce the chances of a child being injured in a car accident.” 

Specially trained professionals also will be available to take kids’ photographs and fingerprints and gather vital information to include on three personal identification cards – one for home and two for a wallet or purse.  This information will not be stored by police, but rather, used by parents and others in the event of an emergency. 

In 2011, District 15 issued nearly 400 kids’ identification cards.  More than 2,100 children – almost two children per minute – are reported missing every day in the United States. 

Law enforcement and others need proper identification that is immediately available before they can take action.  Many lost children can be located if parents immediately provide police with an accurate description of the child.