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Buckling down to reduce childhood injuries
Mary Borges has a passion for children’s safety. As the Washington state SAFE KIDS coordinator, she definitely does her part in protecting children from their number one killer—unintentional injuries like drowning, poisoning and head injuries from bicycle and car crashes. By doing her part, she encourages people in Washington communities to do their part as well.
Injury prevention programs require teamwork. Borges works with local health departments, fire districts, emergency medical responders and SAFE KIDS coalitions to raise awareness in their communities on the importance of injury prevention.
About 5,300 children in Washington visit an emergency room each year due to motor vehicle crashes. Many of these injuries occur when child safety seats are used improperly. SAFE KIDS coalitions around the state host free annual child safety seat inspections. During last year’s campaign, approximately 3,000 car seats were inspected across Washington.
“This is my favorite SAFE KIDS event because it has such a huge turnout. You can’t help but feel good knowing how many children are safer because their car seat is properly installed,” Borges said.
For 16 years Borges has worked for a safer and healthier Washington. In the past five years Washington has grown from having SAFE KIDS coalitions in five counties to 17 coalitions in 21 counties. “I’m very happy about how responsive communities are to the work we do, and I’m very excited to see this work continue,” Borges said.
A great workforce, getting better.