HKQ Kids To Sponsor Free Sports
Safety Training for Area Coaches

Foundation established by area law firm will underwrite cost of program

WILKES-BARRE − 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, will sponsor a FREE safety certification program for all area coaches in scholastic and community-based sports programs. The training session will be held Sunday, Aug. 5, at the American Red Cross, 256 N. Sherman St., Wilkes-Barre.

The program, which will be conducted by the Red Cross from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., will be limited to 50 coaches, and registrations will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Graduates will receive a three-year certification in Sports Safety Training and one-year certification in Adult and Child CPR from the Red Cross. HKQ Kids will underwrite 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 get under way this 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 will teach 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.

Coaches can register for the FREE training certification program by calling (570) 287-3000 or by emailing sgreenfield@hkqpc.com. 

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HKQ KIDS - Keeping Our Kids Safe