(Salt Lake City) – In Utah, more kids ages 0-19 die each year from preventable injuries than from any other cause. Between 2011-2013 there was an average of 78 deaths each year among kids 0-19 in Utah. Nationwide, more than 8,000 families will lose a child to a preventable injury this year; and worldwide, more than one million families will suffer the same tragedy. Millions more children will be injured in ways that will affect them for a lifetime.
Safe Kids Utah is participating in a nationwide celebration during April and May that includes more than 175 events nationwide aimed at promoting safety and preventing injuries. Here in Utah, Safe Kids coalitions across the state will participate in several events focused on preventing injuries and saving lives. Utah’s events will focus on preventing head injuries through helmet use and education on how to recognize the signs of a brain injury.
“Safe Kids Day has one simple, but critical goal: working together as a community to raise awareness about preventable injuries so kids can grow up to do all the great things kids were meant to do,” says Cambree Applegate, Coordinator of Safe Kids Utah. “These events are a time to celebrate kids and make learning about preventable injuries fun.”
Events will be held:
• Wednesday, April 22 – Community Safety and Grandparents Event from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Castleview Hospital (300 Hospital Drive, Price)
• Thursday, April 23 – Car Seat Checkpoint from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Redwood Recreation Center (3060 Lester Street, Salt Lake City)
• Saturday, April 25 – Safe Kids Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Newgate Mall in Ogden (36th St. and Wall Avenue, Ogden)
• Saturday, April 25 – Safety Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at La Verkin City Park (300 North State Street, La Verkin)
• Saturday, April 25 – Safe Kids Recycling Round-Up from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Harmon’s South Jordan (10507 South Redwood Road, South Jordan)
• Saturday, May 2 – UTA Bike Day with the Mayor of Springville City starting at 9:30 a.m. at Springville Civic Center (110 South Main Street, Springville)
• Saturday, May 2 – Safe Kids Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Davis County Legacy Events Center at the county’s fairgrounds (151 South 1100 West, Farmington)
• Friday, May 8 – Car seat checkpoint from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Mt. Nebo Market (965 North Main St. Nephi)
• Saturday, May 9 – Smithfield Health Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Forrester Acres (100 North 500 West, Smithfield)
• Saturday, May 9 – Safe Kids Health and Safety Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Southfield Park (1200 West Midway Lane, Heber)
• Saturday, May 9 – UTA Bike Day with the Mayor of Orem City from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Palisade Park (850 North Palisade Drive (1300 East))
• Saturday, May 9 – Car Seat Checkpoint from 10 a.m. to noon at Mountainlands Community Health Clinic (589 South State Street, Provo)
• Tuesday, May 12 – UTA Bike to Work Day in Provo City from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Historic County Courthouse west lawn (University Avenue and Center Street, Provo)
• Wednesday, May 27 – Safety Day from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at South Summit Elementary School (535 East 300 South, Kamas)
• Saturday, May, 30 – Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Safety from 10 a.m. to noon at Weller Recreation (936 West Highway 248, Kamas)
• Saturday, June 6 – Tooele Health and Safety Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Macey’s (972 North Main Street, Tooele)
• Saturday, June 13 – Community Health Fair from 9 a.m. to noon at Riverton Hospital (3773 West 12600 South, Riverton)
For more information on preventing head injuries and other accidental injuries go to http://health.utah.gov/vipp.
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