A Kansas City nonprofit group is building a house that its leaders hope will help save the lives of young children.
The Charlie’s House Safety Demonstration Home on Hospital Hill aims to provide a model for making a home safe for young children – everything from securing furniture to storing firearms.
“We believe that people learn by seeing and learn by first-hand,” says Cindy Mense, a board member of Charlie’s House, which is based in Kansas City.
When completed, the home will offer free childproofing training and products, including furniture-securing straps and cabinet locks.
Charlie’s House was founded in 2007 by Brett and Jenny Horn in memory of their son, Charlie, who died when he was two after a dresser fell on him.
Minse says the house, at 951 E. 24th Street, is the culmination of a decade of work promoting child safety. Charlie’s House broke ground on it today.
“It was always our dream to build this house where parents, caregivers, grandparents can learn firsthand how to keep their children safe in their home,” Mense says.
The home will also host childcare training and classes, including babysitting and infant CPR.
It is slated to open in summer 2019.
Alex Smith is a health reporter for KCUR. You can reach him on Twitter @AlexSmithKCUR
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