Training Project with Magic 93
and the American Red Cross
HKQ
Kids spokeswoman Attorney
Michelle Quinn and Magic 93
deejay Frankie Warren promote a
sports safety training program
for area coaches Aug. 5, 2007. WATCH
TV SPOT (Windows
Media Player)
Every year, more than 3.5 million children under the age of 14 are injured playing sports.
But many common injuries and sports-related illnesses like heat exhaustion can easily be avoided by training coaches to identify and address problems before they cause injury.
As part of its mission to help keep the children of Northeastern Pennsylvania safe from accidental injury, the Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn, PC, Foundation for Children’s Advocacy, also known as HKQ Kids,
held a FREE safety certification program for area coaches in scholastic and community-based sports programs. The training session
was held Sunday, Aug. 5,
2007, at the American Red Cross, 256 N. Sherman St., Wilkes-Barre.
The program, which was conducted by the Red Cross,
was limited to 50 coaches. Graduates received a three-year certification in Sports Safety Training and one-year certification in Adult and Child CPR from the Red Cross. HKQ Kids
underwrote the entire cost of the program.
“We believe sports programs provide a valuable growth opportunity for kids, but we strongly encourage coaches to get trained to recognize and address problems before a serious injury or illness occurs,” said Attorney Michelle Quinn, spokeswoman for HKQ Kids. “The program being offered by HKQ Kids and the Red Cross is a small investment of time and money that could save lives.”
As practices for the fall mini-football and soccer programs
got under way during the summer, Attorney Quinn said, there is a danger of heat exhaustion and numerous other injuries. Every year since 1995, an average of three football players ― high school, college or pro ― died because of heat stroke, she said.
The Red Cross program taught youth sports coaches how to recognize the signs of illnesses that can be brought on by exertion and how to treat those conditions; how to treat a variety of common sports injuries; how to administer CPR and First Aid; and how to handle critical emergency situations.
