Safe Kids USA

Injury Facts

• Accidental injury is the leading cause of death for U.S. children from one to 14 years old. In  2002, 5,305  children died from accidental injuries.

• The leading causes of death from accidental injury were motor vehicle occupant injury, airway obstruction, drowning, pedestrian injury and burns. 

• In 2002, injuries to children ages 14 and under resulted in 233,000 hospitalizations, more than 2.3 million visits to hospital outpatient departments and 17 million visits to physician's offices.

• Injuries are the second leading cause of hospitalization and the leading cause of emergency room visits among children under 14. 

• The annual cost of child injury deaths in United States is an estimated $34.5 billion (U.S. Dollars).

Who We Are

Safe Kids USA works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading killer of children 14 and under. More than 300 grassroots coalitions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico bring together health and safety experts, educators, corporations, foundations, governments and volunteers to educate and protect families. 

Safe Kids USA is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing accidental injury. Safe Kids USA was founded in 1987 by Children's National Medical Center with support from Johnson & Johnson.

What We Do

Wherever we are active, Safe Kids raises awareness and teaches families about prevention of all major causes of accidental childhood injury. The accomplishments of the dedicated coalition members who work to combat these risks are truly amazing. The commitment of our coalitions is matched only by that of our generous corporate sponsors, including Johnson & Johnson, General Motors and Chevrolet, FedEx Express, and Bell Sports among others.

Where are we now? (May 2006 - Recent Programs)

National Safe Kids Week 2006

National Safe Kids Week, May 6-13, highlights the importance of pool and spa safety through the theme "Safe Pools for Safe Kids." A national press conference involving Safe Kids Worldwide, Founding Sponsor Johnson & Johnson , James A. Baker, III, Secretary of State under former President George Bush, daughter-in-law Nancy Baker and U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) kicked off the week on May 2 in Washington, D.C.

Poison Prevention Campaign

Safe Kids Worldwide and the Cardinal Health Foundation introduced a new national poison prevention campaign during National Poison Prevention Week, March 19-25, 2006. This campaign, featuring an animated pill bottle, is designed to educate parents and caregivers about the risks of medication-related poisoning to children.