Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center is the St. Louis-area sponsor of Safe Kids Worldwide, an organization dedicated to prevention of childhood injury. In the United States, Safe Kids has contributed to a 45 percent reduction in the child fatality rate from accidental injury over its 20 years, saving more than 38,000 children's lives. Locally, the St. Louis Safe Kids Coalition provides free car seat inspections, bike helmet fittings and education about child safety at home and in the car.

In Missouri:

• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for Missourians aged 1 to 34 years. Missouri law requires child passengers under age four to be secured in an approved child safety seat. SAFE KIDS Coalitions in Missouri have urged passage of more restrictive legislation that would require booster seats for children 8 and under.
  
  
• 70 to 80 percent of fatal bicycle crashes involve head injuries. Statistics show that bicycle helmets could prevent four out of five serious head injuries.
  
  
• More than 90,000 Missouri children were injured in 1999 as a result of pedestrian/vehicle accidents.

Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for children aged 14 years and younger. Each year in Missouri, more than 425,000 children suffer unintentional injuries that require emergency room treatment or hospitalization. The cost to taxpayers is immense, both in immediate and follow-up care. The mission behind the National SAFE KIDS Campaign urges prevention of unintentional injury through education, enforcement and engineering.

Additional Information for Parents:

• Safety Tips for Parents
  
  
• Toy Safety Information
  
  
• International Walk to School Day