PORTLAND, Ore. -- As the school year ends, many kids look forward to more playtime and freedom, but it’s also the time when accidents involving kids increase.

kgw.com/Oregon Zoo

Meadow, a pygmy rabbit at the Oregon Zoo.

That’s why the Oregon Zoo is holding its eighth annual Oregon Safe Kids Day on Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., sponsored by the Portland Metro Safe Kids Coalition.

This year's theme is "Gear Up for Safety." Exhibits and hands-on activities focus on teaching "tweens" (ages 10-13) and their families about safe behavior like wearing bicycle helmets, life jackets and seat belts. Studies show that children are at greater risk for all kinds of injuries during summer, and simple safety measures can reduce the risk.

"We're partnering with Portland Metro Safe Kids again this year, because it's critical we educate parents about the importance of summer safety,"

says Krista Swan, zoo event coordinator. "Oregon is famous for its summer recreational opportunities, and we want children to have a safe and fun summer."

Oregon Safe Kids Day provides parents, caregivers and children the opportunity to learn about safety through interactive exhibits, prizes, safety tips and hands-on activities.

Stations around the zoo make up a "safety safari," providing tips in areas such as water safety, poisons, transportation safety, helmets and fire safety. Everyone who completes the safari receives a safety-related prize.

At the water safety station, kids learn the importance of wearing life jackets around rivers and streams. Ocean safety is also covered, as kids learn about the dangers of "sneaker waves" and logs, and why they should always keep an eye on the ocean.

Each summer, more than 2,500 children across the U.S. die of preventable injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes, drowning, bike crashes, pedestrian incidents, falls and other hazards. These tragedies peak during the summer when children are supervised less, have more free time and engage in more outdoor activities.

The Portland Metro Safe Kids Coalition is part of Safe Kids Worldwide, which is dedicated to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury.

Oregon Safe Kids Day is free with regular admission. The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown Portland, just off Highway 26.