Families across Chatham-Kent are being invited to the John D. Bradley Centre on Sept. 14 for what organizers say will be the largest Children’s Safety Expo ever hosted in the community.
Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers announced the event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with free admission for all. The expo is designed to provide both education and entertainment, giving families the opportunity to learn about child safety and protection while also enjoying interactive activities and live demonstrations.
“This year’s Children’s Safety Expo is the biggest one that Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers has held. We have so many partners joining us to make this an educational day that is also a lot of fun,” said Erica McIntosh, Crime Stoppers coordinator. “This event is open for everyone and is free. I can’t wait to see all of the families and kids coming out to have a blast. After all, it’s not every day you get to see a car rollover, watch a vehicle be ripped apart, or even try out a fire extinguisher.”
Organizers say local emergency services will be on site to deliver demonstrations, including the use of fire extinguishers, the Jaws of Life, and a rollover simulator that shows the impact of crashes on passengers and vehicles. Families will also have access to clinics such as car seat inspections, run by staff from Linck, and a kids fingerprinting program that provides parents with digital records for identification purposes. Crime Stoppers emphasized that no personal information is stored.
Beyond safety programming, the expo will feature games, activities, food vendors, and appearances by live PAW Patrol characters. Children will have the chance to climb inside emergency vehicles, including an armoured tank, police motorcycles and ATVs, fire trucks, ambulances, a mobile command trailer, and meet members of the K9 unit.
First responders and safety experts will also share practical advice on issues ranging from stranger awareness to online safety, with the goal of giving parents and caregivers tools to feel more confident about protecting their children.
The Children’s Safety Expo is being held in collaboration with community partners and emergency services. McIntosh said the event reflects the mission of Crime Stoppers to strengthen communities by providing resources and fostering positive connections.
“Keeping children safe is everyone’s responsibility,” she said. “Events like this bring the community together in a positive way, showing kids that First Responders are not only there to protect them but to connect with them, too.”
More information about the expo and registration for the car seat clinic is available at www.ckcrimestoppers.ca.
