Senator Kemp Hannon recently invited residents of the Sixth Senatorial District to his annual Family Health and Safety Fair. This year, the event was held at Island Trees Middle School in Levittown on a Saturday afternoon. Over 500 local residents attended the event, which featured exhibits with information on first aid, nutrition, home safety, bicycle safety, dental and pediatric health and more.

Two features that dozens of residents took advantage of at the fair was the opportunity to have children photographed for identification purposes and also fingerprinted. In addition, safety seat inspections were sponsored by the Nassau County Police Department in conjunction with the New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee and Nassau Safe Kids Coalition.

In addition to the above-mentioned exhibits, residents were also able to receive information on preventing identity theft, drug and alcohol abuse prevention, traffic safety, healthy recreation, planning for college, electric and fire safety, dealing with trauma and crisis, a summer reading program, the Child Health Plus insurance program, the College Choice savings plan and child care.

While adults browsed the various educational exhibits, children were able to enjoy various activities, including meeting their favorite cartoon characters. They had the opportunity to enjoy "Music with Matt," an interactive and silly sing-a-long featuring songs from Raffi, the Wiggles and Sesame Street; watching the Three Little Pigs Musical Adventure presented by Small World Puppets, which was followed by animals giveaway and face painting and were able to enjoy the All Reptile Show, presented by the Long Island Reptile Museum.

In addition to safety seat inspections and child fingerprinting and photographing, residents learned about preventing identity theft, sponsored by the Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs; viewed an electrical safety demonstration sponsored by LIPA and were able to learn about "Dealing With Trauma: What to Expect and What is Normal," a presentation sponsored by the Family and Children's Association. Toys of Hope, an organization which provides toys, clothing, books, school supplies and other necessities to underprivileged children and their families, was also featured at the fair.

Local organizations, including the Long Island Children's Museum, the American Red Cross, Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Family and Children's Association, LIPA, North Shore University Hospital, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Yours, Ours, Mine Community Center, the Nassau County Health Department, Playing it Safe, New York Dragons and many more agencies featured interactive exhibits at the fair. The New York Dragons gave away 300 tickets to football fans throughout the event.

Hannon noted that residents often enjoy the fair because it is not only educational, but also fun. He stressed that family safety is of most importance.

"I created the Family Health and Safety Fair to make it simple for parents and children to learn how to nurture and protect themselves," he said.