Children and their parents may learn about the latest safety trends during the free “Safe Kids Are Cool Kids” this Saturday (7/30/11) at the Center for the Arts at 110 West College Street. There are two separate seminars, one for younger children and the other for pre-teens through age 17. 

Rutherford County Sheriff's Community Service Unit Sergeant Jimmy Cassidy said, "The center staff and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office will sponsor the event for children ages 6 to 10 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and for children 11 to 17 from noon to 2 p.m. We want to prevent children from becoming victims of crime and senseless injury,” Cassidy said. “Education is the best step in prevention.”

This will be a good opportunity to educate children of all ages about current safety trends, Cassidy said. For example, the ever-growing issue of teenagers using bath salts and ingesting plant foods will be discussed. Also, the older students will learn about dating safely.

Security issues for younger kids will include “Eddie Eagle” gun safety and how to deal with strangers,” Cassidy said.

Children will receive index cards to write questions down for the question and answer session.

The center asked parents to register their children by Friday afternoon by calling the center at 904-2787. The DNJ is co-sponsoring this event with the sheriff's office.