Safety Carnival Is Popular

Steve Cox peered into the cockpit of the blue and white Medstar helicopter.

His grandson, Scott Tays, 6, was sitting inside, seatbelt across his chest, learning about how and when a medical helicopter crew helps people.

“When they fall off horses, they help. When they fall off bikes,” Scott said, haltingly. “Heart attack,” he added shyly, after a whispered prompt from his grandmother, Dawn Cox.

Whew. That over, he confidently talked about something he understood more thoroughly.

“You know that musical chairs?” he said pointing to a nearby game. “I hate those things.” Scott had apparently lost his spot to faster children.

Grandparents, moms and children mobbed the grounds of the Valley Hospital and Medical Center for Thursday’s Carnival of Safety. Lessons about bike safety, farm safety, seatbelts and more came peppered with generous doses of fun.

The event draws thousands of visitors and is staffed by hundreds of volunteers. Fire and police are always popular. Other booths were staffed by Family Home Health Care, Spokane District Dental Society, the Inland Northwest Electrical League, Operation Safety, a statewide organization that promotes railroad safety.

Lilac princesses Rochelle Largent and Amber Lewis handed out fliers promising a free bicycle helmet.

Junior volunteers Tim and Rachel - neither wanted to give their last names - had extra hot jobs, wandering the grounds dressed as Vince and Larry, the crash dummies in the television ads. Rachel, er, Larry, wore an icepack trying to stay cool under her longsleeve suit and plastic mask.

At the Lilac City Dog Training Club’s booth, a handful of dogs frolicked under their awning.

While Linda Baker was explaining why her corgi, Taz, wore sunglasses and a lifejacket - they’re mostly for the family’s weekend boating expeditions - a little boy darted toward the fence.

“If you want to touch the doggies be sure to ask,” Baker instructed.

A couple of proud dog owners pointed out happy-looking dogs that were rescued from the much-publicized Newport puppy mill.

Folks from the Brain Injury Association of Washington handed out fliers and encouraged kids and moms to fill out slips for a drawing for a free bike helmet.

One of the women at the booth told of her rocky start with the local brain injury support group. At first, the group didn’t seem to fit her needs. She had been misdiagnosed as a manic-depressive. Finally, it became clear that instead, her condition was due to repeated head injury, both as a child and in her marriage.

“I’m sure glad I started coming, because I’m not nutso,” said Donna Pockras Nilles. She flashed a big smile, a thumbs up and turned back to the next group of kids.