Public Health

Childhood Injury Prevention

Contact

(509) 962-7515
publichealth@co.kittitas.wa.us

Washington Poison Control

The Washington Poison Center (WAPC) provides immediate, free, and expert treatment advice and assistance on the telephone in case of exposure to poisonous, hazardous, or toxic substances. All calls are confidential.

OUR MISSION: To prevent and reduce harm from poisoning through expertise, collaboration, and education.

Every year, around half of all poison exposure cases involve children six years of age and under

Child Car Seats Save Lives!

Using the correct car seat for your child’s age and size every time your child is in a motor vehicle significantly reduces risk of serious injury or death.

Picture of car seats, booster seat and seat belt being used correctly. Contact the Kittitas County Public Health Department at (509) 962-7515 to review using the age-and size-appropriate car seat of booster seat for your child.

Haga clic aquí para ver la imagen en español

Washington State requires car seats and booster seats

In January 2020, Washington State updated their child restraint laws to require that:

  • Children up to age 2 must be properly secured in a rear-facing car seat.
  • Children ages 2-4 years must ride in a car seat with a harness (rear or forward facing).
  • Children 4 and older must ride in a car or booster seat until they are 4’9″ tall.
  • Children over height 4’9” must be secured by a properly fitted seat belt (typically starting at 8-12 years old).
  • Children up to age 13 must ride in the back seat when possible.

Click here to view the current Washington Child Passenger Restraint Law (RCW 46.61.687).

Water Safety

Swimming, boating, or splashing in the water are all fun summer activities. Make sure you and your family are prepared for whatever body of water you will be visiting. Supervise children closely. Swimming abilities and conditions are variable, so stay alert or assign responsible adults to be on lookout duty. The CDC recommends that all children wear lifejackets for all activities while in and around natural water.

https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-swimming/safety/index.html

Kittitas Valley Memorial Pool offers swimming lessons for children year-round. For more information you can visit https://ci.ellensburg.wa.us/831/Memorial-Pool-Fitness-Center

Do you need a car seat or booster seat?

Through the generous support of the Kittitas County Law and Justice Council, the Kittitas County Public Health Department has a limited number of car seats and booster seats available for families who are not able to purchase one on their own.

For more information, including to request a car seat or booster seat, please contact the Kittitas County Public Health Department at 509-962-7515 or by emailing. For assistance installing or checking the installation of your child’s car seat you can call the Ellensburg Police Department at (509) 962-7280 or contact them using this form.

Riding Safety

Facts & Figures

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

  • Motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among children in the United States.
  • In the U.S during 2020, 607 children ages 12 years and younger died as occupants in motor vehicle crashes, and more than 63,000 were injured.
  • Proper car seat use reduces the risk for injury in a crash by 71-82% for children when compared to seat belt use alone.
  • Booster seat use reduces the risk for serious injury by 45% for children aged 4-8 years when compared with seat belt use alone.
  • Child restraint systems are often used incorrectly. An estimated 46% of car and booster seats (59% of car seats and 20% of booster seats) are misused in a way that could reduce their effectiveness.

Resources & Links