MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- With the Memorial Day holiday right around the corner, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., officials are hosting the Summer Safety Expo 2003, Wednesday from 11:00 a.m-1:00 p.m. and 4-5 p.m. and Thursday 11:00 a.m-1:00 p.m. in and around the Parris Island Lyceum.
The Expo will feature tips and information on safety for everything to do during the 101 days of summer. It will give everyone, from active duty personnel, their families and retired military personnel, information on staying safe and having fun in keeping with the theme "Preserving the Force" and summer safety.
The Expo will also feature some interactive and hands-on displays, boat inspections and free hotdogs, courtesy of Marine Corps Community Services-South Carolina.
Outdoor Recreation will have an ideal campsite set up to showcase the many different camping and outdoor products they rent, ranging from boats, tents and coolers to all the other gear necessary to camp. At their booth, Outdoor Rec will also have information about making camping and boating experiences safe.
Also providing information on camping and safety in the woods is the Parris Island Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Office, who will provide information about local poisonous plants, wild animals and the West Nile Virus. The NREAO will also team up with the Department of Natural Resources to bring information about hunting safety and signing hunters up for a safety course.
Of course, no summer party is complete without a pool, and MCCS-SC will be providing information on pool safety rules and life jacket use, as well as tips to stay safe when you're out in the sun. Among the many giveaways at the Expo will be a skin cancer risk factor screening and SPF 30 lip balm.
Naval Hospital Beaufort will have a representative to pass out information about what to do if an injury does occur this summer, such as when to go to the hospital and where to go if the injury occurs outside of the Beaufort area or away from a military hospital.
The Parris Island SMART Clinic will provide information about the proper way to stretch and strengthen backs, as well as examine running shoes to make sure they fit properly and provide runners with the proper support.
For people who prefer another method of getting around this summer, the Parris Island Safety Office will bring out their Seatbelt Convincer which will give riders a small taste of what being in an accident might be like. Also, for people who plan on driving this summer, the Substance Abuse Counseling office will offer attendees the chance to negotiate a course while driving a golf cart with the impaired vision goggles.
The Parris Island Fire Department will have a fire truck and ambulance display set up for people to climb on as well as a fire extinguisher demonstration allowing Expo attendees to put out a small fire. Also on hand with the firemen will be Pluggy the robot to teach children fire safety.
The Parris Island Provost Marshall's Office and McGruff the Crime Dog will also be on hand to provide safety information for children including tips on child identification, safety around the home and burglary prevention.
For pet safety, the Parris Island Veterinary Office will be on hand to answer any questions and provide information about keeping pets cool in the South Carolina summer heat.
Running alongside the Safety Expo will be on-site Vessel Safety Checks offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Beaufort Sail and Power Squadron. Once boaters pass the inspection, they will receive their yearly required inspection sticker. If the boat fails the inspection, there is no penalty to the boater, and a sticker will be issued once any discrepancies are corrected.
Interested boaters are reminded to make sure they have a current registration, operating navigational lights, current flares and a sound-producing device, such as a whistle. To sign up for a boat inspection, contact Gunnery Sgt. Kenneth Ewing at (843) 228- 2704. All boats must enter the inspection area on Nicaragua St. via Panama St.
For more information on Summer Safety Expo 2003, call Gunnery Sgt. Kenneth Ewing at (843) 228- 2704.