The International Safety Village Conference continues through May 4 at the Cobb County Safety Village with 20 delegates from all over North America, including Canada and California.
Since May 2, they have been in Cobb to learn innovative ways to keep their communities safe, according to a county statement.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary on the evening of May 4, the safety village is a state-of-the-art facility where participants are learning about many topics such as cyber security and adult senior programs and experiencing interactive shows and programs.
After years of research and planning, the Cobb Board of Commissioners approved the safety village project in 2007 and a groundbreaking ceremony was held in February 2008 at 1220 Al Bishop Drive, Marietta.
Every year, more than 20,000 local children are taught vital safety information “in a way that makes things learned easier to retain,” according to county officials.
Over the past decade, the safety village has helped educate 308,500 students through its programs.
Adults and seniors also take classes on topics including home security, cooking safety, identity theft and using fire extinguishers.
To families in need, about 4,200 free car safety seats have been given.
Also, the safety village hosts 35 events annually, including Family Fun Safety Days.
Known as the most comprehensive and unique safety training environment in this region, the 27,500-square-foot facility includes four classrooms for children, two adult classrooms, a multipurpose room and a 127-seat theater.
A main feature inside the facility is Sparky’s House - an interactive house that simulates fire and smoke for a real-life demonstration and complete learning experience.
Behind the facility is a child-size representation of Cobb County - complete with a locomotive, school bus and scaled-down models of buildings with signage, streets, pedestrian crossings and traffic lights.
Mini-cars and bicycles are used to teach roadway and pedestrian safety by engaging children in a realistic environment.
Information: SafetyVillage@CobbCounty.org.
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