Representatives from the Florida Department of Health (DOH), Safe Kids Florida Coalition and Denny's restaurants came together today in Port Charlotte for a free kid's hurricane safety fair. The Florida Department of Health and Safe Kids Florida provided fun, educational games and activities designed to teach kids and parents how to stay safe during and after hurricanes and other severe weather.
The event marked the introduction of the fourth phase of Denny's "Kid's Safety Zone" program which offers families across the state free child safety materials when dining at their local Denny's. During the hurricane safety phase of the yearlong program, Denny's restaurants are offering families free activity books that discuss post-hurricane safety tips in a fun, interactive format.
"In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Charley, it has become evident that post-hurricane preparedness needs to be addressed," said Bob Eadie, J.D., Deputy Secretary for the Florida Department of Health. "The damage and debris left behind by severe storms can be very dangerous, and by working together with Denny's and other community partners, we are providing Florida's families with valuable safety information that can help prevent illness and injury."
Today's event featured an array of participants from Port Charlotte, an area still recovering from Hurricane Charley, who addressed safety topics ranging from the risks of downed electrical wires and basic first aid to the potential hazards of standing water.
"Denny's is enormously proud to be working with the Florida Department of Health and Safe Kids to bring our communities vital information about post- hurricane safety that could help save a child's life," said Craig Herman, Senior Vice President, Company Operations, Denny's, Inc. "Hurricanes are a very real threat to Florida's residents and this program can help families learn how to safely deal with any post-storm damage, debris and health risks."
During the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, 165 accidental post-hurricane fatalities occurred. As a result of the storms, hospitals and Disaster Medical Assistance Teams reported increases in motor vehicle-related injuries, falls, carbon monoxide poisonings and insect and animal bites from cats, dogs, snakes, spiders and other insects. Also, Florida poison control centers received 129 reports of carbon monoxide poisonings due to improper use and ventilation of portable, gasoline-powered generators in the aftermath of the 2004 hurricane season.
Denny's statewide "Kid's Safety Zone" program launched in October 2005 and thus far, the campaign has addressed drowning prevention, child passenger safety and issues related to strangers and crowds.
About Denny's:
Denny's is America's largest full-service family restaurant chain, consisting of 543 company-owned units and 1,023 franchised and licensed units, with operations in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Guam, Mexico, New Zealand and Puerto Rico. The company's stock is traded under the ticker "DENN" and additional information is available on Denny's website at http://www.dennys.com.
About Florida Department of Health via the SAFE KIDS Florida Coalition:
SAFE KIDS Florida's mission is to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading killer of children 14 and under. The Florida Department of Health, Office of Injury Prevention, is the lead agency for SAFE KIDS Florida. For more information, please visit the DOH website at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Workforce/InjuryPrevention/safekids.html or http://www.safekids.org. "
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