Legislation introduced today by U.S. Reps. Mike Rogers, R-MI-08, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-FL-20, focuses on reducing the number of children’s unintentional deaths and injuries that occur in the United States every year.

“Accidents are the number one cause of death among children 18 and younger,” Rogers said. “Nothing can be more painful for parents and a family than losing a child. Any effort that prevents death or life-changing injuries is crucial.”

“Children, particularly young children, are dependent upon us as adults to protect and educate them of the dangers present in their daily lives,” said Wasserman Schultz. “More often than we’d like, however, adults themselves are not aware of potential dangers to children.  This resolution seeks to raise awareness so that we can save children from preventable injury or death.”

The Rogers/Wasserman Schultz resolution designates 2009 as the “Year of the Safe Child,” commends the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, World Health Organization, United Nations Children’s Fund, Safe Kids Worldwide, and other supportive organizations for their efforts to promote awareness about preventing and reducing unintentional injuries among children in America and around the world.

“Safe Kids USA is pleased that Congress is working with us and the Centers for Disease Control (to draw much needed attention to the leading killer of children in the country,” said Alan Korn, Director of Public Policy, Safe Kids USA.  “National Safe Kids Week is April 26 to May 3 and we believe there is no better time to introduce this resolution declaring 2009 as ‘The Year of the Safe Child.’

“Far too many of our children are injured or die each day due to unintentional injury.  In fact, 12 children are seriously injured each minute and every 101 minutes a child dies.  Each injury or death is preventable.”

The Rogers/Wasserman Schultz resolution also encourages the private sector, the public health community, health care providers, advocacy organizations and federal, state and local governments to work together to increase education and awareness about the prevention of childhood injuries; and urges national and community organizations, businesses, individuals, and the media to use “The Year of the Safe Child” to promote awareness of this important public health problem.

The measure also requests that President Barack Obama issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the “Year of the Safe Child” and to make every effort to prevent childhood death or injury.