Children learn street smarts
Video teaches what to do in an emergency
Siobhan Burns, Alberni Valley Times Published: Thursday, May 12, 2011
Toss your backpack when in danger. It may save your life. That is the message the Kinsmen of Port Alberni and Street Smart Kidz are relaying to students worldwide through the back pack toss video they created last year. "Eighteen months ago, Port Alberni Kinsmen and Street Smart Kidz came together with a common goal, and that goal was safety," Street Smart Kidz managing director Steven Baird said. "You guys have reached over 2,000 schools and daycares. I am proud to work with you."
Baird made a special trip to Port Alberni on Tuesday night to present the Port Alberni Kinsmen with an award of recognition, and to thank them in person for sponsoring the project.
The video, which can be viewed on the Street Smart Kidz website and YouTube, teaches children what to do when a stranger approaches them.
"You take the back pack off. You take one step away from the car while you undo one zipper. You take another step away from the car while you undo the next zipper, then the last step away from the car, undo the last zipper," Baird said in the video, reminding students to keep their eyes on the vehicle's door handle.
"As soon as you see that door handle open, do the toss."
Baird said the next steps are very important.
"Now remember, when you're throwing, make sure that you hang onto the bottom of your backpack. You fire everything out, then you drop your backpack last, and you run away in the opposite direction that the car is going."
The back pack, pile of gym clothes, text books and school supplies scattered on the ground is a sign that someone is in danger.
The video is posted on hundreds of websites and is shown regularly at 211 daycares in Canada and the U.S. as well as several schools across the country, Baird said.
"This is your video. This is what you guys have accomplished." Street Smart Kidz was formed in November of 2004 "with a goal to give kids the tools to be able to think their way through dangerous situations." The group is currently working on its next video project, which will focus on what happens when someone is arrested. "Kids have to know there are consequences for their actions."
Port Alberni Kinsmen vice president Brian Hartt was instrumental in setting up the sponsorship. "Any tools or information we can give our kids to help prevent something from happening makes it safer for them," Hartt said.
To view the video, visit www.streetsmartkidz.ca and select safety videos. It can also be found on YouTube by searching the backpack toss.
SBurns@avtimes.net
© Alberni Valley Times 2011