Jacksen Cole, age 4, shows her agility on the obstacle course set up by the Lakeland Youth Center during Kids Safety Day Saturday in Syracuse.

SYRACUSE – Safety is an educational process that needs to be taught beginning with childhood ages. Saturday at the Syracuse Community Center for four hours, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and service clubs gathered for the third annual Kids Safety Day hosted by the Syracuse Parks Department.

Tyler McLead, program director for Syracuse Parks Department, noted the event is educational in nature and for the most part is safety related, though there were games and other fun activities available. He added it is a good opportunity for several agencies to get together in the same location to promote what they do.

Syracuse Police Department provided a fingerprinting clinic and ID kits. McGruff the crime fighting dog also made an appearance. Syracuse Fire Department brought its training smokehouse used to teach kids what to do in case of a fire. The department also brought some of its equipment such as trucks and ambulances.

Indiana State Police provided a K-9 demonstration. Wawasee Kiwanis Club and Syracuse-Wawasee Trails promoted bicycle safety. Indiana Department of Natural Resources provided information about boating safety. Kosciusko County American Red Cross demonstrated the proper use of life jackets and also promoted disaster safety.

Syracuse Lions Club provided first aid kits, while the Lakeland Youth Center had an obstacle course set up designed to test agility in a timed format. Kosciusko County Safe Kids gave information on the proper use of car seats and Camp Mack was also present giving demonstrations and information about its programs and events.

The event was free to the public and the weather cooperated this year, McLead noted.