YORK COUNTY — Registration is open for the 30th edition of Safety Town, set to take place throughout July for incoming kindergarteners.
Safety Town, a collaborative effort between government and community partners, is an initiative aimed at teaching young children various aspects of safety. Water safety, traffic safety, bike safety, outdoor safety, bus safety, fire safety, playground safety, stranger safety, and more are covered throughout the week. Classes are taught by first responders and community leaders.
Incoming kindergarteners are also exposed to emergency vehicles in the county.
“The fact that we are setting young kids up, right from their 4- and 5-year-old age, for life safety skills. Kids at that age are often so impressionable. They talk about doing exit drills in the house … kids like that, they share it with their parents when they get home. Sometimes they have a huge encouraging way in getting their parents to learn safety skills as well,” explained Stephen Kopczynski, York County Fire and Life Safety Chief.
At the end of the week-long class, students earn a certificate and a new bike helmet and backpack. Also on Fridays, program graduates get a chance to ride their bike through a fake town and practice what they have learned.
“It’s a really positive way for them to learn. Seeing these young kids, they are so cute on that day that they get their certificate and their parents are so proud of them. These kids are going to be going into Kindergarten in the fall and through this program, they’ve already learned a little bit about safety before that first day of school even comes. If we can instill just the littlest idea about being safe, maybe it will stick with them for the rest of their life,” Kopczynski said.
Registration for York County residents begins today and is $40 for the week. Non-York County residents can begin to register on May 12 for $55 for the week.
Four week sessions are planned, running July 7-11, July 14-18, July 21-25, and July 28-Aug. 1. The program will be held at Yorktown Elementary School and will run from 9-11:30 a.m.
For more information on registration, visit yorkcounty.gov/Safety-Town.