Safetyville USA facts for kids
 Signage on street in front of Safetyville, USA on Bradshaw Road in Sacramento, California. |
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| Founded | 1984 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Safety Center Incorporated |
| Type | 501(c)3 |
| Focus | Child health and safety education |
| Location |
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| Origins | Safetyville USA Children’s Safety & Health Education Programs |
| Website | www.safetycenter.org |
Safetyville, USA is a special miniature city located on over 3 acres of land in Sacramento, California. It's a unique program designed to teach young children about safety in a fun, hands-on way. This tiny town has small versions of real buildings, like the California State Capitol and other businesses, plus streets just like in Sacramento.
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Welcome to Safetyville, USA!
Safetyville, USA is part of the non-profit Safety Center, Inc. It opened in 1984 as a children's safety program. This amazing one-third scale town has real sidewalks, crosswalks, and streetlights. It even has miniature police, fire, and sheriff stations. You can also find tiny versions of familiar businesses, just like in a real city.
In June 1998, a famous broadcaster named Dick Cable became the Honorary Mayor of Safetyville. He was the first person from Sacramento broadcasting to win an Emmy award.
Learning Safety in a Tiny City
The main goal of Safetyville is to help prevent injuries and even deaths in children from accidents. Instead of just listening to lessons, kids get to learn by doing. They have an interactive experience that helps them remember important safety rules.
Trained volunteer guides lead children, usually from preschool to third grade, through the miniature city. They teach about health, fitness, and many different safety skills.
Important Safety Skills
Children learn about:
- Fire safety
- Bicycle safety
- How to be a safe pedestrian
- Electrical safety
- How to handle "stranger danger"
- Railroad safety
By 2009, over 200,000 children from Northern California had visited Safetyville. About 10,000 children tour Safetyville, USA every year.
Interactive Safety Lessons
The hands-on experience at Safetyville is very engaging. Kids learn to look both ways before crossing the street. They use working streetlights and crosswalk lights.
At the "fire station," children watch a video. Before and after the video, the guide asks questions and gives a fun "quiz." There are lots of chances for kids to ask questions and even help out during the tour.
Children also learn how to make a real 911 call. They practice dialing the number and talking to an operator. During the fire safety part, they practice the "stop, drop, and roll" technique right there on the spot.
Fun Events at Safetyville
Safetyville, USA hosts many exciting events throughout the year. These include "Halloween Haunt," the "Safetyville Family Health and Safety Expo," and "Taste of the Little City." In October 2012, they even hosted an annual "Fire Fighter Chili Cook-off."
Safetyville has a child 'Mayor of Safetyville' who helps lead the "Halloween Haunt" and the "Safetyville Family Health and Safety Expo."
Halloween Haunt: Safe Trick-or-Treating
"Halloween Haunt" is an event that helps promote a safer Halloween. It offers face-painting, magic shows, and mazes. While it's great for younger kids, everyone is welcome. Children can "Trick or Treat" in a safe place. They can also join costume contests, play games, and win prizes. Safetyville celebrated its 21st "Halloween Haunt" in October 2012.
Health and Safety Expo for Families
The "Safetyville Family Health and Safety Expo" happens every year. It gives families information about health and child care. They learn about local crisis centers and child immunizations. Families find out how and where to get help if they need it. Kids often get free gifts at the expo. These gifts have included coupons for child ID kits, first aid supplies, pencils, and dental hygiene tools.
Taste of the Little City Fundraiser
Safetyville celebrated its 12th annual "Taste of the Little City" event in May 2013. This popular event helps raise money for Safetyville's programs. It features top restaurants and wineries from the Sacramento area. Guests can also meet local media celebrities.
Supporting Safetyville
Many companies and small businesses help Safetyville, USA. They can sponsor the miniature buildings in the city. Some of the organizations represented in Safetyville include the California Highway Patrol and the California Department of Motor Vehicles. You can also see miniature versions of the Sacramento Metro Fire District, Sacramento City Fire Department, Sacramento Police, and Sheriff Departments.
Images for kids
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Miniature Sacramento Police Department
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Miniature Sacramento Fire Department
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Cityscape of Safetyville, USA in Sacramento, California
