Saving lives, one Snap Wrap at a time

Far Rockaway native David Hess, creator of the Shmira Wear line of apparel, is on a mission.

With his new line of safety products, including reflective coats, belts and wrist wraps, he hopes to save lives by educating people about the dangers pedestrians face as they walk on dark roads every day. In fact, Hess believes that even our youngest children are ready to understand vital facts about pedestrian safety and he addressed a group of approximately 60 preschoolers at a Safety Fair at the JCC of the Greater Five Towns in Cedarhurst on Oct. 29.

“We do safety fairs all over, bringing in all kinds of safety equipment, things that kids are familiar with,” said Hess. “Bike helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, they all understand that. From there we moved on to protective gear worn by firemen and construction workers to protect themselves and we explained to them that they need to be protected as well.”

Each participant received a Snap Wrap, a colorful metallic bracelet that circles the wrist, a modified, safer version of the slap bracelets that were all the rage years ago. Coated in the reflective tape that adorns every Shmira Wear product, Snap Wraps are versatile enough to fit on small children, adults, strollers, wheelchairs and walkers.

“We gave each child a mini flashlight,” reported Hess, “so that when they flash the light on their friends, they see how the reflective tape works. When kids do something hands-on, they retain it better and we want them to understand how Shmira Wear will keep them safe.”