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Welcome to Charlie's House

Charlie's House Our Mission: To prevent accidents and injuries to children in and around the home.

Unintentional injuries remain a crucial public health concern as they persist as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children. More than 9.2 million children are treated in emergency departments for nonfatal injuries. Sadly, accidents and injuries claim the lives of 12,000 children and adolescents yearly. Unfortunately, it can happen to anyone, anywhere, and in a matter of seconds.
There is a solution.

Charlie on swing

Our Story

On November 1, 2007, Charlie Horn, a 2-year-old Kansas City boy, was killed when he attempted to climb a 30″ dresser in his home. It was through this tragedy that Charlie’s House was born.

Brett and Jenny Horn, Charlie’s parents, turned their tragedy into a mission. The Horns began a movement to reduce in-home accidents through increased public awareness and education. Through this effort, Charlie’s House was established and served as a resource for families seeking information on safety and injury prevention. The mission to prevent accidents and injuries to children in and around the home is fulfilled through increased awareness, public education, and the distribution of safety devices.

Learn More About Us

Our Core Beliefs on Safety Education

We believe safety is attainable for anyone.

No matter who you are, where you live, or how much money you have, there are always steps you can take to increase safety.

We believe keeping things safe is a continuous process.

We believe that safety requires frequent evaluation to look for new hazards and new ways to improve.

That’s why we provide educational resources and safety devices to make your home safe for children.

View Charlie's Checklist to find out more about how to increase safety and prevent injury in and around the home. 

Our 5 Safety Focus Areas

Home: Nursery, Bedroom, Kitchen, Laundry, Staircase, Poison, Garage, Window, Gun

Fire: Fireplace, Fire escape, Stove, Candles, Electrical, Smoke Detectors

Water: Pool, Bathtub, Water Temperature, Toilet, Slips & Falls

Vehicle: Car seat, Seat belt, Texting, Cross Walk, Visual Field, Heat suffocation

Seasonal: Winter, Summer, Christmas Tree, Halloween, Fireworks

Home

Your home should be a safe place for children. But each year thousands of children are injured or worse due to accidents in the home. Take time to conduct a careful review of each room in your home, spotting potential dangers. Always remember, safety is an ongoing process.

Water

Children are naturally attracted to water, whether it’s a swimming pool or bathtub. Toddlers are at particular risk. The most dangerous room in your home is the bathroom. Prevent water tragedies by safety-proofing your home. The risk is just too high.

Fire

Every year families lose their homes to fires. Does your family have an evacuation plan? The most frequent fire in the house is in the kitchen. Would your family know what to do in case of a fire?

Vehicle

Safety in and around a vehicle involves properly securing your child in their car seat. Buckle-up extends beyond seat belts.  Another safety consideration is always being aware of where children are around your vehicle as well as others. You may be able to see your child near a car, but others may not be able to see what is in your sight. 

Seasonal

Each season brings joyful opportunities for families and a chance to create memories. But while you’re busy decorating for the Holidays or planning a July 4th celebration, safety should be on your agenda. Prevent tragedy by being a proactive parent or caregiver.

Our Impact

1.1
Million Dollars Raised

After raising $1.1M through a capital campaign, the Charlie's House board of directors broke ground in fall 2018 on the nation's #1st Safety Demonstration Home, located near Hospital Hill and Children's Mercy Hospital campus. The facility is designed to look like a home and features a room-by-room tour with interactive features to communicate the importance of childproofing a home.

8,000
Households Reached

In 2021, Charlie’s House reached over 11,000 households, through public events, programs, services, and tours of our Safety Demonstration House. 

8
Safety Supplies - at no cost

Charlie's House offers 8 different safety supplies to help begin the child proofing of your home for no charge. All you have to pay for is shipping. 

Thank you so much for this resource! We are on a tight budget and want to keep our baby safe."

Additional Educational Resources

Check out Charlie's Demonstration House!

Order your Safety Supplies!

Stay up-to-date with the latest Recalls!

Watch our Safety Videos!

Thank you to our Education Partners!

Get Involved

Become a Volunteer

Whether it’s helping out on one of our Advisory Committees, or at one of our various Charlie’s House events & Fundraisers, we’ve got the perfect place for you!

Donate

Make a gift to Charlie’s Angels Giving Fund and become a Charlie’s Angel to help us reach more families to increase their awareness of how to prevent unintentional accidents in their home.

Contact Us

To contact us for more information or to sign up for our newsletter use the link below.