On Friday, July 17, firefighters from Engine 29 in West Seattle were at Alki Beach handing out Safety Citations to children who were properly wearing their helmets. Each citation entitles the child to a free child-size sandwich at participating Subway locations. The program will continue through the summer at Fire Stations throughout the City. The goal of the program is to reduce the incidence of childhood head injuries.

According to the National SAFE Kids Coalition, head injury is the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes and is the most important determinant of bicycle-related death and permanent disability. Head injuries account for more than 60 percent of bicycle-related deaths, more than two-thirds of bicycle-related hospital admissions and about one-third of hospital emergency room visits for bicycling injuries. The single most effective safety device available to reduce head injury and death from bicycle crashes is a helmet.