DA Ryan Names Campers from the Boys and Girls Club of Assabet Valley Her Summer Safety Ambassadors

MAYNARD -- Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Maynard Chief of Police Mark Dubois visited the campers of the Boys and Girls Club of Assabet Valley this month to give them useful information about summer safety. The program raises awareness to help children make the right decisions while they enjoy swimming, biking and playing outside in the summer.

Approximately 80 kids participated in the program where they also had the opportunity to share their experiences and learn about laws, traffic signs and what to do in case they -or someone else- need help. Middlesex District Attorney Ryan spoke to campers about water, car, window, bike and fireworks safety; highlighting important tips for children including: never swim alone, call 9-1-1 or notify an adult if you see a lonely child in a car, never play near open windows, always wear a bike helmet and never play with fireworks or sparklers. At the end of the session, the campers played Jeopardy, demonstrating what they have learned and becoming Summer Safety Ambassadors.

The visit was part of the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office’s county-wide summer safety initiative which focuses on averting preventable deaths of children by informing children, parents, guardians and caretakers about ways to keep children safe during the summer. Three of these priorities include: reminding parents to actively supervise children around water, to never swim alone and to learn to recognize the signs of drowning; highlighting that preventing falls out of windows is as important as learning how to exit through one in an emergency; and raising awareness about  how to keep children safe in and around cars, parents and caregivers should never leave children alone in a parked vehicle even when they are asleep or restrained and even if the windows are open. More information and resources can be downloaded here: http://middlesexda.com/prevention/safe-babies-safe-kids.php