Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

1,800 Children Per Year Fatally Injured at Home

Thursday - Dec 28, 2006

Safe Kids Champaign County urges parents to childproof homes

Champaign - Each year in the United States, more than 1,800 children ages 4 and under die from accidental injuries in the home, and more than 3 million children ages 14 and under are treated in emergency rooms for accidental injuries occurring at home. Most fatal injuries at home are caused by suffocation, fire and burns, drowning, choking, falls, poisoning or firearms discharged unintentionally.

Safe Kids Champaign County urges parents and caregivers to check their homes at least once a year for basic safety precautions. "Make it your New Year's resolution," says Susan Butler, Safe Kids Champaign County coordinator. "It's easy to eliminate the most obvious hazards - and you don't need a lot of expensive equipment."

Read the full press relase. (PDF)