OGDEN -- During the first hour of Safe Kids Day, more than 6,000 people learned how to keep themselves out of harm's way.
Saturday's event was held to educate parents and kids on how to prevent injuries, be prepared for emergencies, stay healthy and still have fun.
"We really want people to be able to get all of the information they need to keep their families safe," said Jann Fawcett, an injury-prevention specialist who is the Safe Kids and Safe Community coordinator for the Weber-Morgan Health Department.
"This is so exciting because so many people are coming out to learn more and to support the event."
Kirk Call brought his two daughters, Halee and Aimee, to the event.
"I want to take care of all of my kids, and this is a great way to learn more about different ways of keeping them safe," said the Roy resident.
"If we can teach them how to stay safe, then that will help them, not only today but in the future."
Allison and Lauren Filtz, of Layton, said they attended the event to support their mother, who was fitting helmets for kids. They were also excited to learn more ways to keep themselves safe.
"I've come to this for two years, and I think it's just really important to learn how to be safe," said Lauren, 12. "Like if you ride a bike without your helmet and you fall and hit your head, you could get a concussion."
Allison, 10, said she liked the idea of parents being involved because they learn to be safe and also learn to keep their children safe.
Nearly an hour before the event started, hundreds of people were lined up outside the doors at the Golden Spike Arena. Free T-shirts were given to the first 500 people. Another 100 got a free bike helmet.
Dr. Jason Hadley, a dermatologist at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, was on hand to talk about summer safety, particularly when it comes to the sun.
"Half of all sun damage occurs before the age of 18," Hadley said. "If you will just wear sunscreen and take precautions, you can prevent a lot of hurt, damage, skin cancer and wrinkles."
He said it's important to educate children early and to keep talking to them as they enter the teenage years.
"It's really important to communicate to kids that there are repercussions for baking in the sun and tanning beds are terrible. The World Health Organization has stated that tanning beds are as dangerous as asbestos and smoking," Hadley said.
"Use spray-on tanning or embrace your natural skin color."
Terry Kohler, with Identity Theft Shield, said more and more children are having their identity stolen. He was talking to parents and kids about ways to protect themselves from all types of identity theft, including medical and financial theft.
The event also included topics such as lawn mower safety, seat belt safety and even safe pets.
Kids participated in jump rope contests and potato sack races and had the opportunity to talk with fire and police officials. A bike rodeo, earthquake simulator and TumbleBus were also part of the fun.
"Everything is free," Fawcett said. "We want to keep it that way. We started in the parking lot of the health department, and now we've moved to the Golden Spike Arena because it's gotten bigger and better each year."
Safe Kids Day was sponsored by the Weber-Morgan Health Department, the Standard-Examiner, Ogden Clinic, Zero Fatalities and Weber-Morgan Safe Kids Coalition.
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