Preventable childhood injury is the leading killer of children ages 14 and under in the United States - taking the lives of more than 5,000 kids every year.
Motor vehicle crashes claim the lives of around 2000 children. In 2008, 35,000 children ended up in the emergency room from pedestrian-related injuries and another 98,000 for fire or burn injuries.
It doesn't have to be this way.
Parents, grandparents, neighbors, and teachers - everyone who cares about kids can help by committing to keep kids safe. Take the pledge:
The Pledge
I pledge to help keep kids safe. To that end, I believe
* That every child has a right to a car seat
* That playgrounds should be safe
* That visits to the emergency room are not a right of passage - they can be prevented
* That homes can be injury free
* That no child should be without a safe place to swim
* That every kid has a right to a bike helmet
I believe in a world without preventable injuries, and I will join the fight to protect kids. Because all kids deserve to grow up safe, healthy and injury free.
