Carbon monoxide danger to be focus of SAFE night
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON - It is never too late to learn about the dangers of carbon monoxide.

The Jackson Police Department in partnership with the Jackson Board of Education, the Ocean County Prose-cutor's Office and the New Jersey State Police will hold a SAFE (Safety Aware-ness for Everyone) program at the Goetz Middle School, Paterson Avenue, from 7-9 p.m. May 9.

"This project is a service learning experience which was born out of a student death that happened last year," said seventh grade literacy teacher Carol Lawrence, who is also the service learning coordinator at Goetz. "The students wanted to know what they could do."

Lawrence said the carbon monoxide awareness idea was born at the school in the students' minds.

"We learned that the police department holds monthly SAFE nights," Lawrence said. "They chose to use our carbon monoxide awareness project and make the topic for May 'CO Awareness.' "

Lawrence said students have spent several months researching the topic of carbon monoxide poisoning.

"We wanted to make sure everyone in Jackson knows there is an issue with carbon monoxide and how to protect themselves," she said. "Our students lost a classmate. That's where it came from."

Lawrence said the students were wondering how and why the student's tragic death occurred and wanted to know what they could do to prevent others from meeting the same fate. The students worked to make informative pamphlets that have been distributed.

"We have already raised $3,700 through a volleyball game, a teacher of the year raffle, T-shirt sales and a salad bar fundraiser," Lawrence said.

On May 8 there will be a benefit talent show for CO Awareness. That event will be held at the Woodlake Country Club, Lakewood.

"On the same night as the SAFE program, May 9, the Optimist Club of Jack-son will be holding a spaghetti dinner at Goetz from 5-7 p.m.," said Lawrence.

On May 29 there will be a benefit game at FirstEnergy Park, Lakewood, to help the cause.

"We have a business directory that is being put together here at the school," said Lawrence. "Anyone can send their business card along with a check for a $20 donation and they will be put in our directory."

Several speakers will be on hand at the SAFE night, including students from Goetz, local firefighters, members of the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs and representatives from Kidde, a firm that manufactures fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide alarms.

The speakers will talk about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, what happens when someone breathes in the poisonous gas, and carbon monoxide awareness. The SAFE event is open to all adults/parents, students and children and anyone from surrounding communities is invited to attend.

Anyone who attends and remains for the session will receive free literature and a voucher for a free carbon monoxide detector, which will be distributed on June 2 at Goetz.

Refreshments will be provided by the Jackson Township Municipal Alliance.