EvergreenHealth, in partnership with Seattle Children’s, Safe Kids Eastside, LOK-IT-UP, Seattle & King County Public Health, and Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, will host a free safe gun storage event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Big 5 Sporting Goods in Kirkland.

The educational event will highlight the importance of securing firearms with locking devices, particularly in households where children or teens are present. More than 50 Washington children are hospitalized or die from firearm injuries each year – incidents that could be prevented by using a firearm locking device. Utilizing a locking device also prevents handguns from being stolen and used to commit crimes, helps prevent teen suicide and helps keeps guns off of school premises.

Event participants ages 18 and older will receive hands-on training on how to use a lock box and trigger lock, and will be provided with a free lock box or trigger lock while supplies last.

Dr. Brad Younggren, EvergreenHealth emergency medicine physician and medical director of Safe Kids Eastside, along with other representatives, will be available for interviews during the event.

For more information on safe firearm storage, visit www.seattlechildrens.org/safety-wellness/guns-in-the-home or www.lokitup.org.