Keeping kids safe in Sedro-Woolley

Ask nearly any parent, and they’ll tell you that protecting their child from pain and hurt is among their most important responsibilities.

When it comes to teaching kiddos important lessons such as “look both ways before crossing the street” and “don’t touch a hot stove,” most moms and dads have it covered.

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ometimes though, even the best of parents need some guidance and support, so that they can make the right choices to keep their families and homes safe. With this in mind, PeaceHealth United General Medical Center in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, teamed up with Seattle Children’s hospital. Their goal? Provide parents and families with the tools and knowledge to prevent a tragedy.

Consider this: In 2014, 37 children died in Washington as a result of a gun injury.

This unsettling statistic motivated Seattle Children’s to take action to help put a stop to firearm related tragedies and deadly shootings.

To date, through partnerships like the one with United General Medical Center the organization has given away 3,000 safe storage devices, and counting — including lock boxes and trigger locks — and provided invaluable education to families about safe gun storage.

Volunteers from United General Medical Center, along with several other public, private and non-profit organizations, were thrilled to be able to come together to stand behind this important community health issue. Volunteers teamed up to distribute safe storage devices to members of the community.

The partnership exists with one, simple goal in mind: Keep kids safe.

“We look at safety in the home as an important part of wellness,” Chuck Garner, a senior applications systems analyst at United General Medical Center, told the Skagit Valley Herald. “For us, that safety is just as important as getting regular checkups with your doctor.”