Healthy Communities spearheaded the formation of Safe Kids Volusia/Flagler in 1996 in response to the incidence of pediatric drowning and near drowning victims seen in the emergency department at Halifax Medical Center. Today, Safe Kids Volusia/Flagler is comprised of more than 40 community agencies and is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent accidental childhood injury, a leading killer of children ages 14 and under.

Safe Kids Programs

Water Safety Instruction Program:
A top priority of the Coalition since its inception has been the provision of basic water safety instruction for economically disadvantaged children in an effort to reduce the number of drowning and near drowning incidences. The Water Safety Program is comprised of two components:

• Basic swimming instruction is available to families for a $5 per child registration fee at area YMCAs and pools that have agreements with Healthy Communities.
• The Beach Camp program is held once each year for area PAL programs through a partnership with Volusia County Beach Patrol.

Wheel and Pedestrian Safety:
Safe Kids Volusia/Flagler provides free bicycle helmets to children at numerous community events and at the Healthy Communities office. When worn correctly, helmets are effective in reducing the risk of bicycle-related death and injury, and lessening the severity of head injury when a crash occurs.

A number of bike rodeos are held each year, providing children with hands on instruction in collision avoidance, safe bike operation and helmet safety.

Child Car Seat Safety:
Car seats reduce the need for hospitalization after an accident by 69%. Yet, many parents who use child restraint systems are not receiving the full protection the systems can provide because they are not using them correctly. Car seat checkup events are held at varying locations throughout Volusia and Flagler Counties to ensure car seats are safe and correctly installed. Call Healthy Communities for dates, times, and locations.

Car Seats are available for a donation at the check-up events to families who can not afford to purchase one. Free booster seats are also available.

Firearm Safety: Gunlocks prevent unintentional firearm deaths. Gunlock kits are made available at various community events in an effort to promote firearm safety education and prevent firearm injury.

For more information, please call 386.323.0000 or toll-free at 800.236.0785.

The National SAFE KIDS Campaign website is www.safekids.org