While it may be tempting to handle fireworks on the Fourth of July, researchers & doctors say the injuries can be life-altering. More than 3,000 children under the age of 15 are sent to the ER each year because of fireworks. Research from Harborview Medical Center found that injuries from mortars & shells tend to be more severe than injuries from other fireworks & at times would result in amputations & permanent blindness. Among teens, injuries from homemade fireworks or modified fireworks, such as sparkler bombs, are more common.

To avoid injury by fireworks, follow these helpful Safety Tips:

• Attend public firework displays—leave lighting fireworks to the professionals & watch safely at a distance
• Keep ALL fireworks away from children—make sure children stay are a safe distance away from a lit firework
• Instead of sparklers, give children glowsticks—sparklers can heat up to more than 1,200 degrees & are dangerous for young children to handle
• If you use fireworks, use ONLY (legal) consumer-grade fireworks & sparklers
• Use outdoors
• Wear protective eyewear
• Keep a bucket of water handy to extinguish fireworks
• Keep your pets at home

Open windows help take advantage of nice weather, but they also pose a fall risk for young children. According to Chief of Pediatrics and HIPRC associate member, Brian Johnston, M.D., “Harborview Medical Center sees about 40 to 50 children per year injured by window falls”.

Window screens are designed to keep bugs out, but are NOT strong enough to keep children in.
Helpful safety tips include:

• Window stops & window guards should be placed on windows above the first floor
• Locks & guards should be easily removed by an adult in case of a fire
• Window stops & window guards can be found at your local hardware store & online (cost ranges from $5 to $100)
• Placing climbable furniture away from windows & keeping play areas away from windows & doors

Learn more about how to prevent window falls >> VIEW OUR RESOURCE GUIDE & VIDEO

The Washington State Drowning Prevention Network (DPN) encourages people of all ages to learn about the layers of Water Safety & Drowning Prevention & to share vital information & resources with their families, friends & networks.

• Drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4
• Drowning is silent—a child can drown in less than 1 inch of water & in less than 1 minute
• Children should be watched by a designated Water Watcher when they are in or around water & kept within arms reach
• Children under 5 years old should always wear a well-fitted, Coast Guard-approved life jacket or vest when in or near water
• Everyone should wear life jackets on open water such as lakes, rivers & oceans—even if they know how to swim

Experts say that life jackets should be worn at all times—not just available—as there may not be enough time to grab them during an emergency. On every life jacket, remember to check that it is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, fits properly & does NOT show any damage.

LEARN MORE about Drowning Prevention & Water Safety at Seattle Childrens & Safe Kids Worldwide.

As cyclists take to sunny streets, remember to suit up with a properly fitted helmet. Helmets play a significant role in protecting cyclists from head/brain injuries & the law requires them to be worn while biking in Seattle.

LEARN MORE about these FREE bike helmet fittings & giveaways for yourself and your family!

Campfires are our nation’s leading cause of children’s camping injuries & primary catalyst for damaging forest fires.

LEARN MORE about Campfire Safety & First Aid tips from injury prevention experts.

Staying Safe in Hot Weather

Being TOO HOT for TOO LONG can become problematic at any age—too much heat is not safe for anyone!

It is even riskier if you are older and/or have health problems. It is important to get relief from the heat quickly. If not, you might begin to feel confused or faint. Your heart could become stressed & stop beating.

To keep heat-related illnesses from becoming a dangerous heat stroke, remember to:

• Get out of the sun & into a cool place—air-conditioning is best.
• Drink fluids, but avoid alcohol & caffeine. Water, fruit or vegetable juices are healthier choices!
• Shower, bathe, or sponge off with cool water
• Lie down & rest in a cool place
• Visit your doctor or go to an emergency room if you don’t cool down quickly

Older adults may be more likely to have heat-related health problems. Being hot for too long can cause hyperthermia — a heat-related illness. Share this infographic to help spread the word about staying safe in hot weather.

LEARN MORE about conditions heat can cause & what to do in case of a medical emergency.

Heading out on a road trip, or just running out for a quick errand? Make sure all passengers are in the right restraint system to keep them safe during every ride.

For kids under height 4’9″, usually around age 8-12, that means they should be in a car seat or booster seat. Older children, teens & adults should all wear seat belts, which helps set an example. These aren’t just good ideas—they’re the law in Washington state.

LEARN MORE at Boosterseat.org.

Download these FREE family-friendly activities & resources to print & share:

• Safe Kids Worldwide Family Safety Activity Book (English/Spanish)
• Safe Kids Worldwide Parent’s Guide to Childhood Safety (English/Spanish)
• Safe Kids Worldwide Heatstroke Facts & Prevention Tips (Infographic/Video)