São Paulo - The "Safe Kids" NGO's "Safe Kids Worldwide" has arrived in Brazil. Known as "Semana Criança Segura" it was launched this week with the objective of making everyone aware of the need to keep children safe from accidents. The Brazilian version of the program is partly sponsored by Johnson & Johnson of Brazil and will be active in São Paulo, Recife and Curitiba.

The program already exists in South Africa, Japan, the United States, Canada, Germany, Uganda and Australia.

The Brazilian Ministry of Health reports that in 2001, there were 7,000 deaths of children from accidents, with another 40,000 who had serious injuries. The program says that 90% of those accidents, most in the home, could be avoided. Since the beginning of the program, in 1987, in places where it is active there has been a significant reduction in child accidents. In some places such accidents are down 40%.

(Translator: Allen Bennett)