Nov 18 is National Injury Prevention Day

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly has proclaimed Tuesday, Nov. 18, as National Injury Prevention Day in Kansas. This day highlights the efforts of safety advocates across the state, working together to educate families and community leaders about ways to create and support safer environments.

This is the seventh year for this annual observance, which shines a light on the importance of injury and violence prevention.

"Approximately every two minutes a preventable injury-related death occurs in the U.S.," Cherie Sage, Safe Kids Kansas, said. "Fortunately, many of these injuries and deaths are preventable by using safety practices, products and smart policies."

On Saturday, Nov. 14, injury prevention partners will host a family safety fair at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library in the Learning Center from 10 a.m. to noon.

This year's theme is "Super Heroes for Injury Prevention." To celebrate, child-size superhero capes will be given away free to the first 100 participants. Participating partners include Safe Kids Kansas, Safe Kids Shawnee County, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Shawnee County Health Department, the Kansas State Fire Marshal and Shawnee Heights, GraceMed, Operation Lifesaver and the Kansas Poison Center.

When the sun goes down on Nov. 18, the Stormont Vail Health campus in Topeka and Flint Hills campus in Junction City will light up green to support these efforts. We appreciate their commitment to a safer Kansas and invite others to join us in raising awareness of injury prevention.

Safe Kids Kansas is a non-profit coalition of partners and local organizations across the state dedicated to prevention of unintentional childhood injuries. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment serves as the coalition's lead agency. Safe Kids Kansas is part of the Safe Kids Worldwide network. For more information, visit http://www.safekidskansas.org or follow @safekidskansas on Facebook and Instagram.