t’s every parent’s worst nightmare: A child is trapped in a burning house, found floating facedown in a swimming pool or thrown from a car. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for American children younger than age 14. That’s why children’s hospitals are taking the lead to ensure all children have active but injury-free lives.

Nearly all (94 percent) children’s hospitals engage in injury prevention advocacy, according to a NACHRI survey of member hospitals. Through educational activities, such as safety fairs, school visits and community classes, children’s hospitals provide families with information on injury prevention, including motor vehicle safety, drowning, burn and poisoning prevention, and avoidance of sports and play injuries. They also teach parents and caregivers how to keep children with disabilities safe.

Children’s hospitals work with local and state legislators to improve child safety laws and to increase funding for programs that help protect children from childhood injuries. Many hospitals provide free or discounted protective equipment, such as bike helmets and booster seats, to families who need them and also supply educational materials in different languages.

To help support children’s hospitals’ injury prevention efforts, NACHRI and Dorel Juvenile Group USA launched “Get on Board with Child Safety,” a nationwide injury prevention campaign. The campaign Web site — www.getonboardwithsafety.com — provides injury prevention information for families and free copies of the Essential Home & Travel Childproofing Guide in both English and Spanish.