Safety first

PORT CLINTON - Port Clinton Fire Department had its annual Safety Town last week."We love Safety Town," Kent Johnson, fire chief said, "the kids get lessons on prevention in all areas."The lessons ran from Tuesday to Thursday. Regular lessons of safety included water, stranger danger, riding bikes, seat belt and road signs among others."We included a couple new safety lessons this year," Johnson said "we decided to include illegal drugs and hand guns. Basically a don't touch and tell."Each day the 25 children received a different safety lesson with visits from departments including ODNR Division of Watercraft, North Central EMS, Port Clinton Fire, Port Clinton Police, meet and greet with Port Clinton K-9 Spike and special appearance with Teddy from the Ohio State Highway Patrol."It's a good start for the kids," Shane Zender, Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper said "it teaches them where to sit in a car. It also teaches kids not to be afraid of police. We don't ever want them to be afraid to come to an officer."Safety Town concluded with the children graduating on Friday with family and friends in attendance followed by a small luncheon.Graduating were Cohen Armstrong, Eli Bazar, Raegan Case, Micah Cuevas, Kanon Culbert, Maxon Fluckinger, Kaleb Franks, Marina Gonzales, Mario Guerra, Chloe Hatt, Eli Hatcher, Reef Hilton, Branson Kirk, Keari Lanier, Ethan Leis, Trevor Mares, Berkeley Misener, Ari McDougall, April Osborne, Oakley Schierberg, Parker Schimming, Lacey Shiffert, Charlotte Smith, Kennedi Wainwright and Charlee Whiting.More photos can be viewed at sanduskyregister.comPort Clinton Police Officer Rich Vance explains the importance of street signs to the students of Safety Town at the Port Clinton Fire Department on Thursday.Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Shane Zender demonstrates some of the items he carries in his truck to the students of Safety Town on Thursday at the Port Clinton Fire DepartmentPort Clinton Police Officer Rich Vance explains the importance of street signs are to Safety Town student Branson Kirk on Thursday at Port Clinton Fire Department.Port Clinton K9 Spike says hello to Safety Town student Keari Lanier on Thursday at the Port Clinton Fire Department