A campaign that aims to raise awareness of the problem of children's falls, which often result in deaths, will be launched by the Association for the Promotion of Child Safety (APSI), next Monday.
With the motto "End the falls into disgrace", this awareness action aims to draw attention to this reality, whose consequences can be especially serious, when they occur from high heights, due to the lack of adequate protection in structures such as windows and balconies .
The official launch of the campaign, scheduled for 14:30 pm on November 17, at the headquarters of the Ordem dos Arquitetos (Lisbon), will include the presentation of the "Study of Falls in Children (2000-2013)", followed by a debate on issues related to child safety in built spaces, with the participation of guest entities and bodies.
The association wants to reach different audiences, namely “guardians – including parents, family members and teachers – so that they can be informed about the safety measures to be taken”.
Designers and builders will also be approached, “so that they adopt the best design and construction practices”, as well as the local and central authorities, “which must guarantee the creation of harmonized construction legislation and standards”.
"Only in this way will it be possible to guarantee that the buildings (new or rehabilitated) effectively safeguard the safety of children", defended the APSI, in a press release. Not least because, recalls APSI, "every day, nine children suffer a fall with serious consequences."
The campaign will be carried out on various media, including radio, television and the press, as well as public transport in various parts of the country, including the Algarve.
The action had the special participation of singer Maria Ana Bobone, who sings a version, “à cappella”, of Vitorino's song «Menina Estás à Janela», «which gains, in this context, a new dramatic charge».
Luís Mileu and Ricardo Henriques, authors of the solidarity project «Projeto 2 Faces», were the authors of the creativity of the campaign, which had the support of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
Anyone who wants to know more about risky situations and get safety advice can get this information on the APSI website or in the leaflets that will be distributed in pharmacies and in the magazines «Pais & Filhos» and «Estrelas e Uriços».
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