Safe Kids Marathon County

12/25/2025

Sending everyone holiday cheer and a few laughs. 😀🎄

12/24/2025

Did you know that you can call the NORAD Santa Tracker to hear Santa's latest location? Kids are also welcome to ask questions about Santa's travels and ETA at your location, speed of the reindeer, etc. Dial: 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723). We HIGHLY recommend having the first phone on speaker and using a second phone to take video of the kids' asking questions and their reactions! There are also videos and games on the www.noradsanta.org website. Happy Christmas Eve!

12/23/2025

GRANDPARENTS - This one's for you!! As a grandparent, you bring love, wisdom, and joy to your grandchildren’s lives. You already have years of experience caring for children, but many safety guidelines have changed since you raised your own kids. Whether your grandkids are coming over for a holiday meal or spending a few nights, these updated/current safety tips are here to support you!

Coming Soon!]

12/23/2025

Keep your travels by road safe this holiday season and all winter long:
🚘💡TURN YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON!
📵Put your phone down!
⚠️Slow down!
❄️Allow extra travel time and extra distance between vehicles when roads are slippery or visibility is impacted by winter weather conditions.
🚫No puffy/fluffy coats or snowsuits should be worn underneath the harness of a car seat. Here's why: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Winter-Car-Seat-Safety-Tips.aspx?

12/22/2025

Ice on natural bodies of water is never 100% safe. ‼️🛑Early season conditions can make travel or recreation on ice extremely dangerous, particularly with variable snow cover and fluctuating and higher-than-average temperatures like we'll have this week.

Learn more ice safety tips from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources here: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/Education/OutdoorSkills/IceSafety

12/22/2025

You are not alone this holiday season. 💙

If you're feeling anxious or overwhelmed, struggling with grief, going through a tough time, or are worried about a loved one, the 988 Lifeline is here for you 24/7. Whether you call, text, or chat, compassionate support is always available. https://988lifeline.org/

12/21/2025

Whether gifting a new device for the holidays or worried about your teen spending extra time on social media or online gaming during winter break, here are some great resources for families:

Information on parental controls and setting safe & healthy media limits from the American Academy of Pediatrics: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/parental-controls-for-kids-setting-safe-and-healthy-media-limits.aspx?

Tipsheets on topics such as social media safety, sexting, online gaming safety, and asking for help geared towards teens and parents from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz/resources

12/20/2025

Unsure what type of helmet for which activity? Check out: https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/sports-fitness-and-recreation-bicycles/which-helmet-which-activity

12/19/2025

Any other procrastinators doing holiday shopping this weekend?🙋‍♀️Before heading to the stores, watch this video for quick safety tips to keep in mind when buying toys and gifts for kids of all ages.

Thinking of purchasing an item from Facebook Marketplace, etc.? Check if the item has been recalled first by visiting: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls

Send a message to learn more

12/17/2025

Traveling with a baby this holiday season or having loved ones with an infant coming to visit? Plan ahead to make sure baby has a safe place to sleep. Brush up on safe infant sleep in just 30 seconds by watching this video:

This is "What Is Safe Sleep" by Charlie's Kids Foundation on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

12/16/2025

Tis the season for decorating with lights and candles. Safely deck the halls with these tips:
✨ Always turn off decorative lights before leaving home or going to sleep. Regularly check lights for exposed or frayed wires and loose connections to avoid fire hazards.
🕯️ Lit candles should be placed at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn and never leave them unattended. Remember to blow candles out when you leave the room or go to sleep. As always, keep matches and lighters away from children.
🎄💧 Keep live trees well-watered daily and at least 3 feet from all heat sources.
🚨 Test your smoke alarms to ensure they’re working properly, with one on every level of your home and near sleeping areas.

For more holiday fire safety tips, check out: https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/winter-holidays

12/09/2025

🎄Holiday hustle reminder: Before you hit the road for holiday festivities, take an extra minute to double-check your child’s car seat.

~ Is the seat installed tightly enough? Do the inch test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyqsCYA4Bwk

~Are the shoulder straps in the correct position for the direction the child is facing? Straps should be at or below the shoulders for rear-facing OR at or above the shoulders for forward facing. Review your car seat manual for instructions on how to adjust the straps, if needed.

~ Are the straps snug enough? Do the pinch test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnQRvuRlOks

~ Is the chest clip at the armpit level and buckled?

Any questions? Schedule a free car seat check before those holiday road trips! A certified Child Passenger Safety Technician helps ensure your car seat is installed correctly, fits your child’s current size, and meets the latest recommendations. Schedule here: https://www.aspirus.org/safe-kids