2024 Public Policy Platform - Safe Kids Kansas

2024 Public Policy
    Platform

Our Mission

           Our mission is to prevent
              childhood injuries.

                Our Coalition

        Safe Kids Kansas is a coalition
  of partners and local coalitions across the
 state dedicated to preventing unintentional
childhood injury. Safe Kids Kansas is a 501c(3)
    charitable organization and a member of
            Safe Kids Worldwide.

                  Our Vision

Together we can give all children the chance to
grow up and become whatever they can imagine.

Unintentional injury is the leading
cause of death for Kansas
children. When a child dies or is
seriously injured, families and
entire communities suffer.

Now imagine if the tragedy could
have been prevented.

Safe Kids Kansas
and our coalitions
across the state
support proven
policies to protect
kids where they
live, learn and play.
Policies can expand prevention
education and make
environments safer.

The Safe Kids Kansas Coalition’s multifaceted approach to injury
prevention includes annually adopting a policy platform and priorities.
These policy initiatives endeavor to influence the laws, regulations and
institutional policies that affect childhood safety and increase funding
support for injury programs and research.

This brief outlines key injury risk areas and includes this year’s
priorities. The full public policy platform and priorities are available at
www.safekids.org/public_policy.htm.

Traffic Safety
Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of unintentional
injury death. Policies, education and enforcement supporting proper
child restraint and seatbelt use are critical to save lives and prevent
serious injuries. Laws addressing safe driving behaviors, including
graduated drivers licensing, distraction and impairment can make
significant impact on the safety of Kansans on our roadways.

Poison Prevention
Many common substances can be potentially poisonous for children,
including cleaning products, cosmetics and medications. Policies
supporting safe use, storage and disposal of medications and
chemicals are key to preventing poisonings.

Water Safety
Pools and other bodies of water can be dangerous to children if not
appropriately designed and protected. Policies addressing pool safety
including four-sided fencing and standards for ladders, pumps, drains
and filters help reduce the risk of drowning.

Sports and Recreation Safety
Participation in sports and recreational activities offer social,
emotional and physical benefits to children. Education and
protocols for prevention and treatment of concussions, proper
safety equipment including helmets, and restrictions related to
off-road vehicle use can help keep children safe while playing and
doing the fun things they love.

Falls Prevention
Falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries for children.
Playground safety, standards for shopping carts, and window-stops
or guards can go a long way in making sure that play and
exploration don’t result in serious injury.

2024 Policy Priorities

•   Provide education to policy makers on the importance of
    strengthening the state child passenger restraint law to
    require children to ride rear-facing up to the age of 2.

•   Educate policy makers on the important role of nationally
    certified child passenger safety technicians and sponsoring
    organizations who act in good faith and within the scope of
    their training. Work to develop “Good Samaritan” legislation
    protecting technicians from civil liability regarding the
    services and education they provide for the inspection,
    installation or adjustment of a child safety seat.

•   Support policy requiring vehicles to move over when possible
    and proceed with caution when passing any stationary
    vehicle displaying hazard warning lights.

Fire & Burn Prevention
Burns are some of the most common childhood injuries. Implementing
strong smoke detector laws, restricting child’s access to lighters,
limiting fireworks use by children and installation of fire sprinklers are
all proven to save lives.

Home Safety
Making our kids safer in the home involves a partnership of families,
the private sector, the healthcare community, and public safety
educators. One example of the role of government plays in creating
safer homes is protecting kids from dangerous or defective products.

Childcare
A large percentage of Kansas children are in childcare each day.
Parents should be able to trust that the childcare provider they choose
to care for their child receives pre-service and ongoing training and
adheres to recognized safety standards to keep children free from
preventable injury.

Healthcare
Parents seek support from healthcare providers in making decisions
about their child’s wellbeing. Trained providers who can provide
education on unintentional injuries may sway behaviors and access to
size appropriate medical equipment can influence injury outcomes.

Data
Data is essential to injury prevention as it identifies the magnitude of
the problem and allows for priorities to be set. Policies that support
better, more reliable data can lead to more informed decisions as well
as increased effectiveness and efficiency.

Funding for Injury Prevention
Sufficient and stable funding for injury prevention is critical to help
families have the education and resources they need to make sure
their children can grow up healthy and safe.

Why Prevention?
No parent should have to endure the loss of a child and all children
should have the chance to grow up and become whatever they can
imagine. Prevention is cost-effective. For example:

•   On average, a $64 child safety seat generates $2,855 in benefits to
    society.
•   On average, a $15 bicycle helmet for ages 3-14 years generates
    $751 in benefits to society.
•   On average, $54 battery-operated smoke alarm generates $1,048
    in benefits to society.
•   The average call to a poison control center costs $55 and saves
    $440 in medical costs.

Help make every kid a safe kid.

         @safekidskansas
      www.safekidskansas.org