Summer 2.0 Newsletter Edition - 2025

4th of July Fireworks Safety: Quick Tips for Families

Backyard fireworks might seem like fun, but they send thousands—especially kids and teens—to the ER each year. In 2023, fireworks caused around 9,700 injuries and 8 deaths, with hands, faces, and eyes being the most affected.

Safe ways to celebrate:

Watch a professional show from at least 500 feet away.
Try a laser or drone light show if fireworks are canceled due to wildfire risk or poor air quality.
Ditch sparklers—they burn at 2,000°F and cause hundreds of injuries. Opt for glow sticks or flags instead.

Even if fireworks are legal, they aren’t safe for kids. Celebrate smart—keep it fun, festive, and injury-free.

Source: HealthyChildren.org

2025 Tri-State Carbon Monoxide and Fire Safety Summit

There is lots to be learned about in the fire and carbon monoxide arena and we recently had a front row seat to the expertise of industry leaders. The 2025 Tri-State Carbon Monoxide and Fire Safety Summit drew nearly 100 fire and fire responder personnel from a three state area.

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Heatstroke Deaths Are Preventable:

Take Action as Summer Heats Up

Safe Kids Grand Forks is working hard this summer to spread the message about the dangers of heatstroke deaths from kids in hot cars. We share the simple message to Stop. Look. Lock. when parking vehicles.

2025 Driving Skills for Success

The Vision Zero Driving Skills for Success (formerly Driving Skills for Life) program will put teen driver's skills and judgement to the test. This program helps teens learn the skills they need to take personal responsibility to make the right choices every time they get behind the wheel.

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Grand Forks Event Registration - Deadline July 2, 2025

West Fargo Event Registration - Deadline July 31, 2025

Have you ever wanted to try out adaptive bikes? Try before you buy--Safe Kids Grand Forks has an adult tricycle, adult hand pedal bike, and toddler strider bikes available to loan for up to 2 weeks at a time FOR FREE! We will even fit you with a loaner helmet to keep you safe.

Upcoming Walk! Bike! Fun! Trainings

Are you a teacher in Minnesota or maybe a home-schooling parent? Help us spread the joy of teaching children how to ride a bike! The Walk! Bike! Fun! curriculum meets Minnesota Department of Education standards for Physical Education classes.

The educator training is free and sub-pay is available to reduce barriers for attending.

Dates for upcoming trainings:

June 17: Bemidji
July 15: St. Cloud

Learn more about the Educator Training, reach out to info@bikemn.org for training registration, or view the full curriculum at walkbikefun.org.

Keeping Cookouts Safe for Kids

Summertime means “grilling time” and what better meal than a juicy steak or all-American hotdog on the charcoal grill. Nothing says summer like a backyard barbeque, but while eating out this way is great summertime fun, we want to make sure that grilling season is safe for everyone. Our partners at the National Fire Protection Association offer the following safety tips for grilling safety and you can also visit our display in the Altru Clinic in East Grand Forks for some visual tips.

Make sure kids are wearing proper floatation devices and are staying safe in the water this summer, whether in the pool, at the lake, or in the backyard.

When you have a group of kids swimming, assign a "water watcher" that is actively watching them!

Community Life Jacket Initiative Launches at Maple Lake to Promote Water Safety

A new community-driven initiative has launched in Polk County to promote water safety and prevent drowning. The Community Life Jacket Initiative, a collaborative effort among Polk County Public Health, Safe Kids Grand Forks, Medica, and Win-E-Mac School, has resulted in the installation of two life jacket loaner stations at East Shore and the Polk County Park on Maple Lake.

Press Release