For the third consecutive year, the city of Glendale this month is launching a campaign designed to reinforce safety messages during the summer with residents; entitled Operation Safe Summer, kicking off in conjunction with Heat Safety Awareness Day on May 22. The campaign will feature a public event at Westgate Entertainment District on June 19, as well as a bottled water drive throughout the city.

There are several departments that will offer programs and events to remind residents of their mission: to keep the city’s residents safe with an outstanding quality of life. These departments include the Police and Fire Departments, the Transportation Services Department and Parks, Recreation and Library Services.

With a dedicated website and logo, the campaign features a different safety message each week, covering timely summer topics such as kids out of school for the summer, children being home alone and out riding bicycles more often, heat-related issues, vacation and travel safety, BBQ and fireworks precautions, and of course, water and pool safety. Information will be distributed through public facilities in Glendale and at certain events, as well.

The public event will be held on June 19,  6:30-8:30 p.m., called “Surviving the Summer,” at Westgate Entertainment District, 6770 N. Sunrise Blvd. Held in the shopping center’s Fountain Park, this free event will feature a variety of agencies and vendors to educate residents on water and sun safety and much more.

In addition, donated water bottles will be collected at all Glendale fire stations throughout the city, as well as the Glendale Visitor Center in downtown Glendale. The water donation drive will run through the Glendale CVB’s Christmas in July event on July 18. Water will be distributed through Maricopa Association of Government’s (MAG) Heat Relief Regional Network, to the most vulnerable populations in the region to stay hydrated and healthy. MAG’s program offers both hydration stations and refuge locations throughout Maricopa County. For more information on this program, visit http://www.azmag.gov/heatrelief.

For more information on the event and the Operation Safe Summer campaign, including great tips and resources you can take advantage of, visit www.glendaleaz.com/safesummer.