Keeping Kids Safe in the Summer

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Summer is the season for fun, but the University of Arkansas Police Department wants kids to remember to stay safe while they’re having a good time. To prove you can have fun and stay safe, the UAPD is hosting its annual Discovering Safety event, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 10, at Bud Walton Arena. The event is free.

The community event aims to teach kids safety lessons in a fun environment while reminding parents of the precautions they need to take to protect their family during the summer.

Southwest Electric Power Co.’s Louie the lightening bug will be on hand, along with McGruff the Crime Dog. Life Evac will have their helicopter at the arena, and the Fayetteville City Fire Department’s fire trailer for children will show kids what to do when a room fills with smoke. Troopers of the Arkansas State Police are bringing a car roll-over simulator, and each child will have the opportunity to have his or her fingerprints and picture taken.

Discovering Safety will also include representatives from the Northwest Arkansas Safe Communities Coalition, the University of Arkansas College of Pharmacy’s Poison Control, Northwest Arkansas Rape Crisis, the Fayetteville Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Arkansas Highway Police and Cox Communication.

Food will be provided by Sodexho, Chartwells, Domino’s Pizza, Papa John’s Pizza, Tyson Foods, and the UA Pilot Prairie Poultry Processing Plant.

Door prizes include free tickets to the Shepherd of the Hills and Silver Dollar City in Branson, the Great Passion Play and Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs, the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad in Springdale, Magic Springs and the National Park Aquarium in Hot Springs, Bell’s Amusement Park in Tulsa, the Arkansas Air Museum in Fayetteville, the Marine Corps Legacy Museum in Harrison, Cosmic Caverns in Berryville, Hurricane River Cave in Pindal, as well as gift certificates from Sam’s Club.

This is the ninth year that university police have worked in partnership with community businesses and organizations to bring Discovering Safety to local families.