By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Kids found the most exciting display at Saturday’s annual Safe Kids Day on the lower level of Marion’s Sports and Aquatics Center.

An inflatable fire safety teaching tool made its debut, to the exhilaration of squealing kids, who rushed through it learning how to safely escape fires.

Marion fire department got the inflatable fire house through a grant from Orsted, operators of a wind farm south of Marion.

The house has instructions for exit drills and other safety procedures, but Saturday’s visitors could take no time to stop and read the information. They were too busy making passes through it as fast as their legs could carry them.

Marion assistant fire chief Eric Hardey, who arranged to purchase the fire house to give safety presentations at Marion Elementary School, decided all five county fire departments should have use of it.

Kids got free life jackets and bicycle helmets paid for by a grant to the Safe Kids program.

They also picked up child-safe gun locks at a sheriff’s office booth.

Kids did hands-on activities, and caregivers got other information as well.

They learned about healthy snacks, dog safety, and a plethora of safety information.

The annual event, sponsored by Safe Kids of Marion County, Chisholm Trail Extension District, and Marion County Health Department, is for children in elementary school and younger.