Springville — Free glucose screenings, body mass index checks and hormone balance testing were just a few of the free health stations set up at Spring Valley Baptist Church’s first annual Health Fair and Kid’s Safety Expo.

This Springville based church invited neighbors from all over St. Clair County to join them in taking part in a family event to promote total wellness.

Event Chair/Coordinator and Spring Valley member Jamie Hacker is a nurse who wanted to share his knowledge with locals.

“Today the hot button issue is preventive health. We wanted to focus on an event for the whole family where they could learn about total wellness,” said Hacker.

Nevine Cassels, a Senior Customer Care Representative with Alabama Power, was on hand conducting safety presentations.

Instructing children and their parents on the rules of electrical safety, Cassels showed a video called The Shocking Truth.

Providing lessons like “water and electricity don’t mix” along with “electricity’s goal is to find the easiest path to the ground,”

Cassels moved on to her electrical safety in house presentation.

Demonstrating ways to avoid getting shocked or electrocuted, Cassels said, “Use it properly and follow simple safety rules. Electricity is safe if you use it right.”

Educating people on bicycle safety, Tom Fox advised cyclists to wear bright colors and helmets.

“Approximately 500 people die each year from bicycle accidents. We’re trying to get people thinking,” said Fox. “I don’t ride without my helmet and I don’t let my grandkids ride without theirs.”

Attendees also lined up to help Spring Valley reach its goal of 25 blood donors giving blood for the day while others participated in the car seat safety check and Springville Fire and Rescue’s “Exit Drills in the Home” presentation.

K-9 Patrol Officer Love and his six-year-old dog Hans conducted a mock search.

“As a part of the bomb squad we train him with explosives for at least three months,” said Love.

Pleased with the turnout and the draw this type of event brought to Springville, Chesley Payne, an attorney at Massey, Stotser & Nichols, PC in Leeds said, “An annual event like this is a great thing to have in our community.”