FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – The 2011 Fort Leonard Wood Annual Safety & Health Fair will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, at Nutter Field House and the USO. This event will coincide with a Family & Children’s Safety and Health Fair to be held at the same location from noon to 6 p.m.
The fair will include hands-on presentations and demonstrations by paramedics, responsible driving experts and the Seat Belt Convincer, Medical and Dental Activity, the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Fatal Vision Goggle Course, and Morale, Welfare & Recreation.
Kids and families can enjoy interactive safety demonstrations for families such as Bully Battlemind to learn how to respond to and deal with bullying, what to include in family emergency kits, summer safety, kids fitness, pedestrian safety, stranger danger, and child ID cards by Family Advocacy.
The purpose of the fair is to provide the installation and general public with comprehensive safety and health information so that service members, civilian employees, family members, local citizens and their families can enjoy a safe and healthy summer.
Anita Dietz, safety specialist at Fort Leonard Wood commented that one of the main things that people should gain by attending the fair is an appreciation of the importance of practicing safety.
“Awareness is the key to reducing hazards that may result in injuries or fatalities,” Dietz said.
According to Dietz, “The highest risk for accidents occurs between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when personnel participate in activities that they haven’t performed in a while such as riding motorcycles, swimming or boating. It’s important to realize that accidents can happen to anyone. Everyone, even experts, can benefit from practice and occasional reminders.”
For those who work on the installation, attendance at the fair counts toward the eight hours of safety training that is required annually.
Several organizations will be making this event possible including the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Safety Office, General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, Alcohol Substance Abuse Program Office, FLW School Liaison Officers, Army Community Service, along with FLW personnel and volunteers.
This event is free and open to the general public.