There is a reason Friday’s event in Healy is called the “Health & Safety Fair” from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Tri-Valley School gymnasium. Experts will be there providing tests to gauge your personal health and others will offer some hands-on skills training for your personal safety.
As part of the Alaska Health Fair, this is the place to come for affordable blood tests, and well as free vision tests and free bone density scans, from 8 a.m. to noon.
A roomful of exhibitors will also be there to provide information and services in all things health and safety related.
Public health nurses will provide information on child health, nutrition, and immunizations. They offer expired pill disposal and Narcan rescue kits.
The American Red Cross will tell you about its “Sound the Alarm” program and host a free smoke detector installation sign-up.
Denali Borough will have information on emergency preparedness and applications of the borough’s new addressing system. Alaska State Troopers will share drunk driving education and prevention information. Neighbor to Neighbor has Medicare expert Jean Trainor coming to share her expertise on signing up for Medicare. The Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys will have radon test kits available. Bintel Inc. will share the community wildfire protection plan.
Denali National Park will share information on hiking safety in the backcountry. The state Department of Health will collect and share information on child care needs and solutions. Aurora Denali Plus Health & Wellness will offer information about dental health, hygiene and services. Kids In Motion provides sign-up sheets for families to join the North Star Imagination Library. Railbelt Mental Health & Addictions offers tobacco cessation resources and suicide intervention information. Play My Way offers summer recreation opportunities sign ups. Tri-Valley Volunteer Fire Department has information and signups for its annual ambulance plan and offers disposal of outdated prescription medications.
Alaska Forestry will share information about the spruce bark beetle, which is devastating spruce forests south of the Denali Borough. RESPEC will share information on the Denali Area Airport Planning Study.
Both Clear Fire Department and Holland America Princess host a hands-on fire extinguisher dispensing practice outside in the parking lot. Denali National Park hosts hands-on practice using bear spray — also outside.
Kids might want to participate in the bike rodeo and obstacle course from 1-3 p.m. They will learn about helmet safety and there will be both used and new bicycles for sale. Kids are encouraged to bring their own bicycles and helmets if they have them. Just a few will be available for loan.
This Health and Safety Fair is sponsored by the Alaska Division of Public Health, GVEA, Usibelli Coal Mine and HAP/Alaska-Yukon. It is hosted by the Denali Borough, Denali Borough School District and Alaska Health Fair.
