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577 OCTOBER 7, 1991 BY THE CHAIR OF THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS A PROCLAMATION On Child Health Day we reaffirm our resolve ' that all of America's children should be assured the best possible start in life and should ' be protected from hazards and risks that might threaten their life and their health. Providing a safe, secure and nurturing environment for our children is of paramount importance to us as parents and families. It must also become an imperative to which we devote the intelligence and the resources of our communities and our Nation. It is tragic that thousands of our children are dying and thousands more of them are permanently disabled because of injuries, both unintentional and intentional. In 1988, there were 22,426 deaths of children through age 19 caused by injuries. Injuries account for more deaths of children after the first year of life than all other causes combined. Many of these injuries are predictable and preventable. Research into the cause of many of these injuries has resulted in product improvements to reduce hazards, such as safety packaging for medicines and toxic chemicals. Public awareness of some of the safety issues has resulted in legislative changes to reduce hazards, such as statutes throughout the Nation requiring child passenger safety restraints. Local initiatives for requiring bicycle helmets, for fencing around swimming pools, and for playground equipment standards are making significant contributions toward injury reduction when they are adopted. Public education campaigns against drunk driving, vigorous enforcement against child abuse, and training for both children and parents to help them handle anger and reduce violence all make important contributions. We have acquired a wealth of knowledge about effective interventions that can prevent and reduce the incidence of childhood injury. Yet we continue to record the toll of children killed on the highway, on neighborhood streets, in playgrounds, and swimming pools, on the worksite, and in their own homes by injuries that could have been prevented. During this observance of Child Health Day, let us devote special attention to preventing these unnecessary deaths. Let us look in our homes and in our communities at those causes of injury which we can control--unsafe environments, unsafe products, unsafe behaviors--and resolve to remove such hazards to protect our children. NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, I do hereby proclaim. Monday, October 7, 1991, as Child Health Day in. Orange County. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this 17th day of September, 1991 VOTE: UNANIMOUS Commissioner Halkiotis asked that the Social Services Director give a report to the Board on what the County is doing to prevent child abuse.