For Immediate Release:
September 18, 2018
Councilmember Robert White Introduces the
Babies Safe at Home Act of 2018
to Reduce Risk of Infant and Toddler Injuries
Washington, DC
–
Today, At-Large Councilmember Robert White, along with Councilmembers Mary Cheh, Kenyan McDuffie, Anita Bonds, Brianne Nadeau, Charles Allen, and Trayon White, introduced the
Babies Safe at Home Act of 2018
. This bill establishes a grant program providing up to $1,000 for low-income families to assist in baby-proofing their homes.
Nationally, more than 12,000 children die each year and more than 9.2 million children are treated in emergency rooms for accidents. More than a third of child injuries and deaths happen at home. The cost associated with baby-proofing can be substantial and often a burden for low-income families, leaving low-income children more than twice as likely to experience accidental deaths than other children. The
Babies Safe at Home Act
will provide low-income families with financial assistance to purchase products and services to keep their babies safe while at home.
Councilmember White stated, “As the father of a two-year-old daughter, I understand how it feels to worry constantly about my child’s safety and how difficult and expensive it is to baby-proof a home.” White added that, “The worst kind of infant and toddler injuries are the ones we can prevent.”
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