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A Bright Ideas Competitive Grant Award from the North Carolina Public Health Preparedness and Response Branch awarded to Dare County Department of Health & Human Services enabled over 500 first and second grade students in Dare County to learn about beach and water safety this spring.

The children participated in the assembly-style program “Smart Kids R Safe Kids” and received their own “go bag” to take home to help them prepare for emergencies, such as hurricane evacuation. The bags included a Smart Kids R Safe Kids education and activity book, crayons, water bottle, emergency whistle, hand crank solar flashlight and an emergency identification card.

During the 35-minute assembly, students were entertained with a funny beach safety skit performed by Greta Sharp, Tammy Batschelet, Gage Long and Sarah Long, which taught them basic water safety rules. In addition, they viewed a short cartoon on flood safety and participated in an activity that illustrated how to properly pack their go bags.

“With summer quickly approaching and many families participating in water activities, we want Dare elementary students equipped with safety information for the beach and prepared for hurricanes,” commented preparedness coordinator Greta Sharp, who implemented the program.

The water safety portion of the skit illustrated three ocean safety rules:

1. Ask permission before going into the water.
2. At the ocean, always have an adult within arm’s reach.
3. Never turn your back on the ocean.

For more information on Smart Kids R Safe Kids, visit www.DareNC.com/SafeKids.

CHECK OUT OUR DISASTER PREPAREDNESS GUIDE FOR 2022 HERE.

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