Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota tours The Great Safety Adventure® during National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month. The Great Safety Adventure continued its tour around the country this September, traveling to New York, Minnesota, Illinois and Kentucky. The tour, which displayed National Preparedness Month banners, distributed disaster preparedness materials to adults and children to help raise awareness on how to take simple steps to increase home safety.

As always, the GSA welcomed a number of guests. While visiting the Minnesota State Fair August 31st, our Safety Rangers received a surprise visit from Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. Pawlenty toured the exhibit and met with local children and Rover the Home Safety Hound.

Also visiting the fair were Nina Schwartz, Legislative Correspondent from the office of Betty McCollum (D-MN 4th), and John Halverson, Regional Affairs Director for Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN). Before touring the exhibit, Halverson thanked the Home Safety Council for its efforts in improving home safety.

At the New York State Fair, Eric Schenk, staffer from Rep. Jim Walsh's (R-NY 25th) district office, joined the kids on a tour of the GSA. "I was impressed by the Great Safety Adventure," said Schenck after touring the exhibit on September 2nd. "It entertained the kids and got them actively involved in being educated about home safety."

While the exhibit was visiting the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Joliet, IL. September 22nd, Sandy Archambeau, Caseworker with Representative Jerry Weller's office (R-IL 11th), toured the GSA. Archambeau, a member of the Joliet school board, was very impressed with the exhibit noting that kids will spread the message of home safety to siblings and caretakers at home.

"The Great Safety Adventure allows children the opportunity to learn of various safety projects and procedures in an interesting, safe and fun way," said Archambeau. "At the same time, the children learn and share this information with other siblings and parents without realizing that this exhibit was actually an educational opportunity."

For more information on The Great Safety Adventure, and to find out when it will be in your area please visit: http://www.greatsafetyadventure.org and www.coderedrover.org.

"Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty met with Rover the Home Safety Hound and GSA Safety Ranger Nicola Crim at the Minnesota State Fair"

"John Halverson (center), Regional Affairs Director for Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), joined the children for a tour of the GSA"

"During September, the Great Safety Adventure displayed National Preparedness Month banners, and distributed disaster preparedness materials to adults and children"