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NEWS RELEASES
The Center for Childhood Injury Prevention Offers Resources to Families and Communities
HOUSTON, Texas – April 27,
2009 – Accidental injury is the number one cause of death in the
United States among children ages one to 14 – despite the fact that
most injuries are preventable. National Safe Kids Week kicked off on
April 26 to raise awareness of the dangers children can face and how
they can be avoided.
Spring and summer are known by emergency personnel as “trauma
season” because serious childhood injuries increase dramatically
when the weather gets warmer and children are out of school. In
anticipation of the sometimes-perilous summer vacation and in
recognition of National Safe Kids Week, Texas Children’s Hospital
and Safe Kids Greater Houston will host a Safe Kids night during
"Free Family Night” at the Children's Museum of Houston on April 30
from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., as well as a car seat check-up event at
Willowbrook Mall on May 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
“Texas Children’s Hospital is committed to
teaching parents how to
protect their children – and children how to protect themselves –
from injuries and accidents,” said Seema Patel, manager of the Texas
Children’s Hospital Center for Childhood Injury Prevention. “Most
accidents are preventable. While it is incumbent on parents to do
what they can to keep their children safe, we believe the entire
community has a role in helping to reduce child injury and death due
to accidents.”
As a leader in child health and safety, the Center for Childhood
Injury Prevention offers year-round education and support. The
Center features innovative educational resources that empower
families and communities to provide a safe environment for all
children. Programs include:
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Car seat checks help parents ensure they are installing and using
child car seats correctly
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Bike safety program teaches children under 14 the rules of the
road and the importance of wearing a helmet
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Outdoor safety education raises awareness of pedestrian, bicycle
and water safety issues and services available to help address them
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Home safety program helps families reduce potential hazards around
the house
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Safe sitter classes teach safe and nurturing child-care techniques
to children ages 11 to 13 years who might look after younger
siblings or other children
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Water safety education program focuses on the importance of adult
supervision and safety devices such as life jackets (which the
program also lends to families) not only at the pool or beach, but
also in bathtubs and around the house
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“Alex the Astronaut Gets a Boost!” features a puppet show to
educate families about appropriate use of booster seats by children
ages four to eight years
For more information about programs offered by the Texas Children’s
Hospital Center for Childhood Injury Prevention, call (832)
828-1308. Parents can visit
www.texaschildrenshospital.org/injuryprevention
for tips on how to keep children safe. Information also is available
from Safe Kids Greater Houston (
www.safekidsgreaterhouston.org ), a
coalition of more than 50 local organizations with an interest in
child safety.
.
About Texas Children’s
Hospital
Texas Children's Hospital is committed to a community of healthy
children by providing the finest pediatric patient care, education
and research. Renowned worldwide for its expertise and breakthrough
developments in clinical care and research, Texas Children’s is
ranked in the top ten best children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World
Report. Texas Children’s also operates the nation’s largest primary
pediatric care network, with over 40 offices throughout the greater
Houston community. Texas Children’s has embarked on a $1.5 billion
expansion,
Vision
2010, which includes a neurological research institute, a
comprehensive obstetrics facility focusing on high-risk births and a
community hospital in suburban West Houston. For more information on
Texas Children's Hospital, visit
www.texaschildrens.org.
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