NAA giving away kid carrier safety videos

By: Mark Fitzgerald by Mark Fitzgerald

In the first industry-wide campaign specifically aimed at safeguarding paperboys and girls working their routes, the Newspaper Association of America (NAA) is distributing a safety instructional videotape free of charge to all member papers.
"Newspaper Carrier Safety: It's Your Business. Be Safe. Be Cool" was originally developed for use by the Leader-Telegram in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The tape, which runs about 20 minutes, uses MTV-style editing and features actual Leader-Telegram carriers and other local teenagers giving advice about avoiding dog bites, dressing for bad weather, avoiding harassment, staying safe while working in the dark and around traffic.
In a letter to member papers accompanying the video, NAA's vice president/circulation marketing, John P. Murray, suggests making the tape part of a youth carrier orientation program or in contract sessions between carriers and district managers.
"Carrier safety is a serious concern in communities all over the nation," says NAA President and CEO John F. Sturm. "Local newspapers are concerned about helping to keep youth carriers safe as they deliver their routes. This videotape is a useful training tool the help educate youth carriers on the importance of safety as they deliver newspapers."
Some child labor law advocates have been critical of the newspaper industry for not doing more for carrier safety. But Sturm says the issue "is addressed most effectively in local communities."
NAA bought copies of the tape from its producer, TeleVideo Productions Inc., a sister company of the Leader-Telegram, and is sending one complimentary copy to circulation executives at member newspapers. The association also has arranged for its members to purchase additional copies from TeleVideo at 10% off the regular price of $49.95.
The package includes a related safety brochure that can be reproduced and distributed to carriers. Original art for the brochure is available for download at NAA's Web site, www.naa.org/circulation.
"Since you were a little kid," the brochure says, "you've been warned to look both ways before crossing the street, not to pet strange dogs, and never to take candy from a stranger. But now you're older, wiser and you've taken on the responsibility to be a newspaper carrier ? You'd be surprised at how many of those basic rules you learned as a kid are important now as you work your route.
"Some of the obvious things you need to be aware of are dogs, weather extremes, creepy people, and traffic."

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