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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature has designated April as Child |
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Safety Month in the State of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, Children and adolescents are at high risk for many |
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injuries that can lead to death or disability; in 2002, |
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unintentional injury was the leading cause of death among young |
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people aged 1 through 19 and the sixth leading cause of death among |
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infants; and |
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WHEREAS, The most common causes of fatal injuries among |
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children aged 1 to 14 across the United States in 2002 were motor |
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vehicle accidents, drowning, and fire, respectively, with |
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poisoning and falls also ranking high on the list; among children up |
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to 14 years of age, it is estimated that traumatic brain injuries |
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annually cause more than 2,500 deaths, some 37,000 |
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hospitalizations, and approximately 435,000 visits to an emergency |
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room; and |
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WHEREAS, It is vital that adults who care for children |
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understand children's vulnerability to accidents and take measures |
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to remove or avoid potential threats; many lives can be saved by |
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such commonsense measures as the use of smoke alarms, seat belts, |
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bicycle helmets, and safety and booster seats, and by not leaving |
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children unattended in vehicles or around even shallow water; as |
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children grow older, in addition to being guarded from harm, they |
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need to be taught how to look out for their own safety; and |
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WHEREAS, Child Safety Month provides an excellent |
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opportunity to raise awareness about a crucial public health issue, |
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and efforts to promote child safety in the Lone Star State are to be |
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commended and encouraged; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby recognize April 2009 as Child Safety Month in Texas. |