In an effort to help local families that may be in need of home childproofing and safety items as well as information, Safe Kids Pennsylvania, McKean County Partner’s Safety Item Referral Program, is still operating during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Health and human services agencies can make referrals for families to receive, at no charge, items that may include childproofing kits, plug covers, appliance locks, furniture wall straps, smoke detectors and/or carbon monoxide detectors, as well as poison prevention materials and Mr. Yuk stickers. CARE for Children, as the lead agency for the Safe Kids McKean Partnership, will take the referral and arrangements will be made for the service provider, or if necessary CARE’s social worker, to pick-up and deliver the items. CARE staff will follow-up with the referral source after 30 days to ensure the items are in use and that no additional items are needed.

Preventable (accidental) injuries are the leading cause of death for children 19 and under and, according to statistics, every year 8,000 families in the United States lose a child because of preventable injury. Nearly 7.7 million children annually are treated for injuries in emergency departments, many of which could be prevented (Safe Kids Worldwide).

For more information on the Safety Item Referral Program or other safety programs, contact CARE for Children by phone at 814-362-4621 or visit www.careforchildren.info/child-safety/.