Fort Belvoir, Va. (June 26, 2014) - Maj. Eric Hall figured there was no sense in waiting, so he and his wife packed the kids in the car for a Family outing at the "Health and Safety Day" at the Fort Belvoir Exchange, June 21.
Hall, who is just moving into the area to begin an assignment at the Pentagon, and his wife, Makeda Hall, were looking to educate their two daughters, Mariah, 6, and Maliah, 2, about the dangers lurking all about them at home, school and other places. They figured the first Joint Installation and Exchange, Safety and Health Council Health and Safety Day was their best bet.
"It's always good to get the kids started early on this stuff," Eric said. "Especially concerning fire safety."
The Halls were hardly alone in taking advantage of the array of games, face-painting opportunities and live entertainment available in the Exchange parking lot to make the issue of safety a day of fun for their children.
A "slow but steady" stream of visitors took advantage of the presence of the Fort Belvoir Fire Department, the Fairfax County Sheriff's Department, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Army Community Service, the American Red Cross, the Installation Safety Office and many other organizations, to learn more about safety and health for home, work and school.
"The main thing is emphasizing safety, getting people to enjoy themselves while learning about safety," said Bridget Smalls, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Belvoir Safety Office, safety specialist.
The Exchange is no stranger to promoting home safety, as well as that for work, schools and other places, and has held similar events since 2008, said Karen Anderson, Exchange Safety Council chairperson.
This, however, marked the first year it had been done in unison with the Army. The idea to merge their efforts was the brainchild of outgoing U.S. Army Garrison Commander Gregory D. Gadson after visiting last year's Health and Safety Day at the Exchange, Anderson said.
Gadson was among those in attendance Saturday, joined by Col. Michelle Mitchell, the garrison's incoming commander, and Fort Belvoir's Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Guillory.
Among the many notable services available were the free inspections of baby seats required for cars. One Family that stopped by was stunned to learn that their car seat had gone beyond its shelf life age at six years and was therefore no longer valid.
That Family was given a new baby seat for free and the law enforcement officers present made sure it was installed properly.
Fire officials stressed the importance of never playing with fire or toying with electric sockets. Children were additionally instructed on the importance of knowing what to do if caught in a burning house and how to properly roll on the ground if their clothes were to catch fire.
It all made for an entertaining day for 12-year-old Jezmuel Robles.
"It's been fun," he said, "and I've learned a few things."
Social Sharing