The historic wildfires in Southern California continue to affect lives, destroy homes, and impact communities, including those served by Safe Kids Worldwide.
As an organization dedicated to keeping children safe at home, at school, at play, and on the way, we are devastated by the loss of life and property. Families have been left without safe sleep environments, car seats, and funding to support other efforts around preventing childhood injuries.
The Eaton and Palisades fires have displaced more than 100,000 people, burned an estimated 12,000 homes and structures, and claimed at least two dozen lives. Just as no water system in the world?could have effectively fought?these blazes, no amount of work to protect children and families could have helped prepare for, or prevent, a disaster of this magnitude.
But we can remain present and engaged to assist our networks today and in the weeks and months ahead. This is our pledge. Our mission remains unchanged: To provide lifesaving tools and education to all children and families.
As our coalitions and community partners in Southern California continue to assess the evolving needs of their communities, I am proud to report that we have created the Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Relief, and Resiliency Grant to help support their efforts. In addition, we are issuing automatic three-month extensions for all Child Passenger Safety Technicians and Instructors in the affected counties, which will provide flexibility as they respond to the additional demand for child passenger safety services that are sure to come.
In the meantime, on behalf of the Safe Kids team and of the children and families we serve, we extend our gratitude to all those working to contain the fires and keep families and communities safe. We are holding the families affected by this devastating tragedy in our hearts.
