Each year in the Valley young children are subject to injuries and fatalities tied to accidental fire and drowning. The biggest tragedy of all is that most of these accidents are preventable. Valley of the Sun United Way is partnering with Maricopa Integrated Health System, Association for Supportive Child Care, and Phoenix Children’s Hospital on several injury prevention measures for children throughout Central Phoenix including drowning and fire fatalities. The Partnership will address home safety, crib/safe sleep, scald burn and fire prevention, family motor vehicle safety and water safety. Through funding provided by First Things First (Central Phoenix Regional Partnership) Valley of the Sun United Way will distribute 300 smoke alarms and 15 pool fences in the upcoming fiscal year. Families must have a child between birth and five years old residing in their home in order to qualify for services.

The Injury Prevention program, which supports Valley of the Sun United Way’s community objective of improving the health and safety of neighborhoods, is currently funded for FY2009-10, with the potential of receiving additional funding for two more years based upon success and available resources. Neighborhood walks, a community outreach activity which serves to identify potential program recipients, are tentatively scheduled for October (smoke alarms) and April (pool fences). Valley of the Sun United Way partners with the United Phoenix Fire Fighters Association and the City of Phoenix to provide smoke alarms and pools fences across Maricopa County. If you would like more information, or if you would like to volunteer, please contact Marin Davies, mdavies@vsuw.org or (602) 631-4843.