Daren Lewis of Flotilla 76 is in the thick of the action, helping children try on PFD's at the USCG Auxilialry display at theannual OMSI ( Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) Safety Safari. (ID# 028)

For the fifth straight year, Division 7 of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was represented at the annual OMSI/Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation’s annual “Safety Safari,” Oct. 16-17. OMSI is the acronym that stands for the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

The USCG active duty teams up with the Auxiliary each year at the “Safety Safari.” They provide an outdoor display featuring a trailered boat that kids are able to climb aboard, explore and enjoy.

With more than 30 safety organizations offering information under one roof, “Safety Safari” is the Portland Metro area's largest health and safety festival for kids and families. “Safety Safari” includes such exhibit favorites as: emergency vehicles, simulated mountain rescues, a fire safety house, disaster and emergency preparedness, and numerous booths presenting one-on-one education.

The Auxiliary is also represented inside the OMSI facility with a standard show booth at which members from several flotillas provide safety handouts, stickers for passports, and coloring books. Safety instruction is also provided to the youngsters and their parents. An emphasis is placed on water safety and proper selection and wear of PFD’s.

The Auxiliary booth also included static displays of a Mustang exposure suit and emergency safety equipment, such as flares and survival gear.

SK3 Michael Gibson and BM3 Justin Knight of USCG Station Group Portland assist child to view the new DHS patrol boat on display during the OMSI Safety Safari.. One little girl decides to take a closer look with binoculars. (ID# Boat 3)

At the Safety Safari, youngsters were able to learn the “survival” skills they need to brave the “jungles” of common safety dangers. Children and parents, led by local safety experts, were able to explore hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and demonstrations.

“This is an excellent opportunity for the USCG active duty and the Auxiliary to gain valuable public exposure on the importance issue of boating safety,” said Tom Traver, one of the Auxiliary organizers. “The local newspapers had numerous accounts of small children and non-swimming adults who drowned this past summer. We are hoping that through this exhibit we might be able to prevent needless tragedies on our water ways,” he said.

According to OMSI event coordinators, the event this year was attended by over 7,200 individuals, an increase of over 2,200 over the previous year. This trend, towards increasing participation by the public, indicates that more and more families are becoming aware of the valuable safety information and fun available at the annual event.

Each participating child was able to collect stamps from exhibitors for their passports, earning a special “treasure” at the end of their “Safari.”

The “Safety Safari” also offered simulated calling of 911 for children, water safety precautions, infant safety, and plenty of special instruction on how to protect children from a variety of dangers. Parents also took home their child's official FBI identification packet for use in the event of a missing child.

SO/VE Matthew Epstein from Flotilla 73 provides a slide panel safety show for children on water safety at the exhibit. (ID Matt)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 10 million children – including 33,000 from Oregon – are treated in emergency rooms each year for preventable injuries ranging from car and bicycle crashes to burns, near drownings and poisonings. “Safety Safari” takes aim at preventable injuries by offering important, basic safety education to families in a fun, interactive atmosphere.