Safe Kids Paulding Works to Prevent Unintentional Childhood Injuries

From City of Hiram

The Hiram Police Department announced Wednesday the formation of the Safe Kids Paulding to fight the number one killer of children ages 14 and under, preventable injuries.

The coalition will work to reduce the number of children who die from motor vehicle and pedestrian injuries, bike crashes, fires and burns, drowning, poisonings and chokings, unintentional shootings and falls. Each year, nearly 6,300 children ages 14 and under die and more than 120,000 are permanently disabled each year from unintentional injuries.

Every year, preventable injuries kill and disable more children in Paulding County than kidnapping, drugs and childhood diseases combined.

“In the year ahead, we hope to reduce injuries from improperly restrained children, falls and poisonings as they are currently our biggest areas of injuries” said Officer Stephen Johnston,who will serve as coordinator of the new coalition.

Safe Kids Paulding is seeking other organizations and volunteers as well. Groups or individuals should call(770) 943-3087 or email sjohnston@hiram-ga.gov for more information.

Safe Kids Paulding works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading killer of children 14 and under. Its members include Hiram Police Department. Safe Kids Paulding is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing accidental injury. Safe Kids Paulding was founded in 2014 and is led by the City of Hiram Police Department.