Be a Superhero in Your Home Health and Safety Fair in Alexandria, VA

Kids gathering around table for NIPAW 2014

Posted March 25, 2014

National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week 2014: Be A Superhero In Your Home Event

In recognition of National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week, the Alliance for Consumer Education hosted a Health and Safety Fair at Dunbar Alexandria-Olympic Boys and Girls Club in Alexandria, VA. The event was cosponsored by the City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities, the City of Alexandria Police Department,Superheroes for Kids, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria, INOVA and the Consumer Aerosol Products Council.

On Friday March 21st, more than 100 students arrived at the Alexandria Boys and Girls Club, to learn how they could be superheroes in their homes. The students, ranging from Grades K-12, rotated through the following 8 stations:

Station #1: Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Events: Students learned to recognize the yellow and black Safe Place signs they see around town as indications of locations that any young person can enter and ask for help. They learned that some of these locations include Recreation Centers and Fire Stations, as well as the fact that if they need help they can call 703.746.5400 or text SAFE plus their current location to 68966, at any time. Older students talked about issues that affect many teens such as abuse, neglect, bullying and family conflicts. The students learned that Safe Place locations can be there for immediate help in these types of situations.

Station #2: Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria and Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy: Students learned about the dangers of alcohol, other drugs and early sexual behavior. They took turns spinning a wheel to answer a question and receive a prize, upon answering correctly.

Station #3: INOVA: In partnership with the Northern Virginia Healthy Kids Coalition (NVHKC), INOVA taught the students about the 95210 for Health program, the recipe to beat childhood obesity. The students learned that every day they should aim for: 9 hours of sleep, 5 servings of fruit and vegetables, 2 hours or less of screen time, and 1 hour of physical activity.

Station #4: Alliance for Consumer Education:
Students in Grades K-5 Poison Prevention: Safe to Taste: Students learned that there are many products in the home that serve great purposes, however, not all of them are meant to be tasted. Students looked at a variety of pictures to determine which items are safe to taste and which ones are unsafe without first asking an adult. Afterwards, they discussed how to prevent accidental poisonings at home, allowing young students to develop the knowledge to question before tasting something.

Students in Middle and High School: Inhalant Abuse Prevention: Students discussed the pressures and stress they experience in their everyday lives. They learned about the dangers of substance abuse before working together to come up with ways to say no to inhalants and other substances. Finally, they created a list of reasons why saying no is important to them.

Station #5: Alliance for Consumer Education: Disease Prevention: Students participated in interactive activities to learn how germs spread and how they can prevent them. They learned about proper hand washing and other healthy habits. Older students were challenged to answer questions testing their current knowledge about different germs such as bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Station #6: Distracted Driving: At this station students learned about distracted/impaired driving and the importance of taking on only one task at a time. The students talked about the dangers of driving and riding with someone who is impaired or distracted by another task. Then, each student got a chance to experience distracted driving by attempting to maneuver a small car through a maze of cones while wearing goggles that stimulated what it feels like to be impaired or distracted.

Station #7: Consumer Aerosol Products Council: Recycling: At this station students learned about which household products are recyclable. Students participated in relay races, choosing recyclable products from a pile of household items. Discussion then, revolved around reading labels to see if products are recyclable, and learning that many unexpected products can be recycled, including aerosol cans.

Station #8: Snack: The students were provided with water and a healthy snack to help them refuel and reenergize for the remaining stations. Snacks were graciously provided by Giant Food.

After completing the stations, students had the opportunity to meet Batman in a small group setting. Batman showed off his Batmobile, talked about the healthy habits the students had been learning about and explained why he is a Superhero in the Home!

Safe Assured – Child ID Program: Parents also had the opportunity to participate in the Safe Assured-Child ID Program. A free service offered by Alexandria Police Department that provides families with all the vital information needed by law enforcement and the media to immediately broadcast information unique to a missing child. For more information how to participate click here.

All of the students had a great time and walked away with new knowledge about inhalant abuse and poison prevention, as well as disease prevention and healthy habit forming. Every student received an Goodie Bag, which included informational materials for parents and students. For more pictures, please visit ACE’s facebook page here. Also, for more information on NIPAW and inhalant abuse prevention please visit www.inhalant.org/NIPAW.

Category Blog

Alliance for Consumer Education

Be a Superhero in Your Home Health and Safety Fair in Alexandria, VA

Posted March 25, 2014

National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week 2014: Be A Superhero In Your Home Event

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