LEXINGTON, Ky. — Golisano Children's Hospital, Safe Kids Fayette County and local community partners will host a free family event focused on preventing childhood injuries on Aug. 22 at Cardinal Valley Park, 2077 Cambridge Drive, Lexington. The event, called Safe Kids Day, will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Families will participate in hands-on safety activities and demonstrations, including bike helmet fittings with free helmets while supplies last, gun safety and free gun locks, car seat inspections, pedestrian safety education, water safety training on personal flotation devices, and child identification card services. The event will also feature snacks, games and giveaways. The event is free and open to the public and will be held rain or shine.

"These events are a great opportunity to meet families where they are and talk about everyday ways to prevent injuries," said Kelly Grayson, coordinator for Safe Kids Fayette County. "Keeping kids safe is a shared responsibility, and when families, schools and communities work together, we can help protect children while they enjoy being kids."

Preventable injuries are the leading cause of death for children and adolescents in the U.S. In 2023, 377 children died as pedestrians in motor vehicle crashes, and 595 children died as passengers. Fatality rates are even higher for older children.

Safe Kids Fayette County is led by Golisano Children's at UK, which provides staff, operational support and resources to implement evidence-based safety programs including car-seat checkups, safety workshops and sports clinics. Among preventable injuries, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4.

For more information about Safe Kids Day, call Safe Kids Fayette County at 859-323-1153. Based on source material from University of Kentucky News.