(Berkeley, CA) May - September, 2010 –
Habitot Children's Museum, the East Bay's hands-on discovery museum for young children, is kicking off a four month-long Early Childhood Safety Campaign to educate families about preventing injuries among children. From May to September, Habitot will offer car seat inspections on the first Saturday of every month, two Choke Saving Skills events, a Helmet Safety event with free fitting and decorating of toddler helmets, an Earthquake Safety event featuring a speaker from the American Red Cross, a Childproofing Your Home event, and a Toxic-Free Home event featuring staff from the Berkeley Public Health Department.

All events include free admission to Habitot Children's Museum. The campaign is intended to help reduce unintentional accidents, “the biggest threat to the life and health of children one to six years old”, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Habitot will collaborate with the Berkeley Police Department and other technicians to provide inspections and proper installations of car seats. Habitot also will work with the Berkeley Public Health Department and Children's Hospital Oakland to offer safety information. The campaign is underwritten by State Farm Insurance Companies. Information on individual Safety Campaign events to follow.

About Habitot:

Habitot Children's Museum is the East Bay's award-winning hands-on discovery museum for young children, recently nominated “Best Museum” in the Bay Area in Nickelodeon’s ParentsConnect.com’s 2009 Parents’ Pick Awards. In 2008, Habitot won “Best Museum for Little Kids” in the San Francisco Bay Area in the same contest.

Through early childhood learning, parenting education, and community outreach, Habitot helps parents and caregivers raise curious, creative, and confident children. More than 850,000 people have enjoyed Habitot’s interactive exhibits, art programs and classes since the museum’s opening in 1998. Habitot ensures its accessibility for all Bay Area families with its Family and Community Partnerships Program, which brings more than 10,000 low-income and at-risk children into the museum every year through scholarships, subsidized memberships and free admissions days. For more information please visit http://www.habitot.org