Posted on Friday, February 29th, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
Story last updated at 2/29/2008 - 12:50 pm
Parents hoping to ensure that no one else has to endure the death of a child
By Debbie Coleman-topi | deborah.topi@examiner.net
A former Blue Springs man and his wife have been pierced by a heartache that most parents experience only in their nightmares.
Brett and Jenny Horn know all to well the sleepless nights and deep depression that continue to plague them three months after one of their 2-year-old triplets died. Charlie Horn was killed in November when a dresser fell onto him in the bedroom of the family’s home in Kansas City. There were no witnesses to the accident. Another of the couple’s triplets was asleep in the bedroom at the time of the accident.
The dresser apparently tipped over while Charlie was climbing on its drawers. Emergency personnel said the boy was already dead when they arrived on the scene.
Brett said the family never thought of securing the dresser because it stood only 30 inches high. The couple had secured to the wall other, taller pieces of furniture to prevent them from tipping. “It didn’t even cross our minds that it would tip or fall or harm anyone,” he said.
Brett described the tremendous grief. “It’s been unbearable at times, and the family is just taking things one day at a time, still,” he said.
Especially challenging is that the couple is trying to cope with the loss while continuing to raise and console their other children, Charlie’s 2-year-old triplet siblings, Will and Brigit, and older brother, Jack, who’s now 5. “The one saving grace it’s good that we have three other children to occupy our time and keep us busy and continue with life,” he said. “At the same time, when we look at his brother and sister, we see Charlie. When I look at Jack, I see Charlie’s smile…I see certain aspects of Charlie in each one of his other siblings.”
But the couple isn’t stopping there. They are on a mission to ensure that the nightmare doesn’t become a reality for other families. The Horns are working with parents who’ve faced similar tragedies when a child was killed by falling furniture. The group has garnered Congressional support for a bill that would require mandatory warning labels on home furniture to prevent injury or death to small children. If passed, the bill would require labels on furniture and electronic devices, such as large televisions.
Congressman Sam Graves, R-6th, said he’s one of the bill’s co-sponsors because it’s such an important cause. “The important thing on something like this is to raise awareness” he said. “This will help raise awareness and prevent those types of horrible accidents from happening in the future.”
House Resolution 4266, also known as the Katie Elise & Meghan Agnes Act, is named for children who died in furniture tipping accidents. The bill sets mandates to be enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The legislation would require that furniture and electronic appliances “in jeopardy of tipping bear a warning label alerting consumers to the potential dangers of unsecured furniture,” according to a letter the parents drafted to members of the U.S. Congress. The parents have collected 10,000 signatures on a petition they plan to present to Congress during a trip to Washington, D.C. in May, said Brett, a 1989 graduate of Blue Springs High School. The Horns live in Kansas City.
Congressman Ike Skelton, D-4th, another co-sponsor of the bill, issued this written statement:
“I am hopeful that Congress will support this bill, which would help to reduce the number of tragic deaths that occur because products are not completely safe and reliable.”
Posted on Friday, February 15th, 2008
KIDS AND CARS * Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety * Consumers Union * Public Citizen * Center for Auto Safety * Trauma Foundation * Consumer Federation of America *National Consumers League FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, February 14, 2008 Contact: Janette Fennell, KIDS AND CARS, (913) 327-0013Jackie Gillan, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, (202) 408-1711Jennifer Fuson, Consumers Union 202-462-6262 Parents, Consumer and Safety Groups Give a Standing Ovation to the Senate for passing the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act Today Washington, DC — Parents, consumer and safety groups praise the Senate’s unanimous passage today of H.R. 1216, an important child auto safety measure. The bill, the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007, was named after 2-year-old Cameron, who was killed when he was inadvertently backed over by an SUV because the blindzone behind the vehicle made it impossible to see him. Dr. Greg Gulbransen, a Long Island pediatrician expressed gratitude that the long-awaited bill has now been approved by the Senate after having been approved in the House in December. “Today’s action represents the accumulation of hard work, dedication and commitment by everyone affected by these preventable tragedies. When implemented, the provisions of the bill will make vehicles much safer for all American families,” said Dr. Gulbransen. “With today’s Senate passage, the Congress has spoken clearly – the safety of our children is a top priority. We now urge President Bush to sign the bill into law,” said Janette Fennell, president of KIDS AND CARS. “This measure will help prevent the type of tragedies similar to the one that took Cameron’s life and the thousands of serious injuries that happen to children every year. Valentine’s Day of 2008 will never be forgotten by the parents who have suffered the unimaginable and have worked so hard to make the world a safer place for children in and around motor vehicles,” she added. The bill addresses three of the most serious causes of preventable injuries and fatalities to young children in and around motor vehicles: getting caught in an automatically closing power window; being struck by a backing vehicle because of an unacceptable blindzone; and placing a vehicle in gear that results in an uncontrolled roll away without having to depress the brake. “We know what the problems are, we have inexpensive and effective technological solutions available and now we will have a law that includes deadlines for federal government action,” commented Jackie Gillan, vice president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.
“This Senate action today is a valentine to all consumers who support auto safety. We are deeply grateful that both the House and Senate have completed action on this important measure. We hope the President will quickly sign it into law,” said Ellen Bloom of Consumers Union. The legislation directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to issue new safety standards within specific time periods that will lead to the installation of safety technologies as standard equipment in all vehicles to prevent deaths and injuries in and around motor vehicles. These safety technologies are already available as standard equipment, upgrades or optional equipment in many makes and models of vehicles. The bill also requires the department to establish a database of noncrash incidents and develop a program to provide the public with safety information regarding nontraffic dangers to young children. Since 2000, over 1,350 children have died in non-traffic incidents, with at least 227 fatalities already in 2007 according to KIDS AND CARS. Back-over incidents have increased dramatically claiming the lives of 474 children from 2002-2006 compared to 128 from 1997-2001. Backovers now account for half of all non-traffic fatalities involving children. The federal government does not collect data about non-traffic incidents, so the actual fatality numbers are likely much higher. A 2002 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 9,100 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms (176 per week) due to non-traffic incidents in a one-year time period. Some of the deadliest months for children killed in noncrash incidents occurred in 2007. In July, 2007 alone, 34 children died in nontraffic incidents, followed by 31 fatalities in August and 26 fatalities in April. Joan Claybrook, president, Public Citizen and former Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration responded to today’s bill passage by commending the bill’s sponsors in both the Senate and House. Passage of this legislation was the result of strong bi-partisan action in both the House and Senate. We are grateful for the leadership of Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and John Sununu (R-NH) and Representatives Janice Schakowsky (D-IL) and Peter King (R-NY).” The Senate bill had 37 Democratic and Republican co-sponsors and the House bill had 43. The following relatives of children who were injured or died in preventable nontraffic auto incidents along with many others have joined the safety and consumer groups in support of the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007: Dr. & Mrs. Greg Gulbransen, in memory of son, Cameron, age 2, who was backed over and killed on October 19, 2002 (Oyster Bay, NY) Bill & Adriann Nelson, in memory of son, Alec, 16 months, who was backed over and killed on April 24, 2004. (Dix Hills, NY) Packy & Brenda Campbell, in memory of son, Ian Joseph, 22 months, who died when a vehicle was inadvertently knocked into gear on April 14, 2004 (Farmington, NH) Mrs. Susan Auriemma, in honor of daughter, Kate age 31/2, who was backed over and injured on May 27, 2005 (Manhasset, NY) Britt Gates, in memory of daughter, Zoie Beth Gates, age 2 1/2, who was killed by a power window on November 3, 2001 (Anthony, KS) Ms. Melissa Feimer, in memory of her niece, Vada Schoon, age 3, who was backed over and killed on June 7, 2006 (Cliffside Park, NJ) Steve & Shannon Campbell, in memory of son, Drew Campbell, 26 months, who was backed over and killed on April 20, 2003 (Cincinnati, OH) Michael & Sharron DiMario, in memory of son, Gino J. DiMario, age 7, who was backed over and killed on February 19, 2005. (Cincinnati, OH) Orin & Arden Rosenfeld, in memory of daughter, Veronica Rosenfeld, age 2, who was backed over and killed on March 27, 2005 (Baca Raton, FL) Mark & Keiko Warschauer, in memory of son, Michael Warschauer, 10 months, who died after being inadvertently left in a hot car on August 8, 2003 (Irvine, CA) Smith & Julie Peck, in memory of son, Jackson Peck, age 4, who was backed over and killed on December 23, 2004 Ms. Amie Duemer, in memory of son, Josef Duemer, 1yr, who died after being inadvertently left in a hot car on August 3, 2005 (Lubbock, TX) Tim & Angela Gridley, in memory of daughter, Aliviah Faith Gridley, 26 months, who was backed over and killed on December 30, 2005 (Cedartown, GA) Travis & Sally Knoll, in memory of son, Davin Knoll, age 4, who was strangled in a power window on June 2, 2004 (Sheboygan, WI) Phil & Cheryl Bransom, in memory of son, Douglas Bransom, age 7, who was struck and killed by an SUV on May 30, 2006 (West Linn, OR) Todd & Melody Costello, in memory of son, Tyler Costello, 8 months, who died after being inadvertently let in a hot vehicle on July 29, 2002 (Medina, OH) Kevin & Bethany Falkner, in memory of son, Steven Matthew Falkner, age 3, who was killed by a power window on January 7, 1998 (West Plains, MO) Ms. Lisa Rice, in memory of son, Craig Rice, age 5, who was backed over and killed on July 13, 2003, (Sacramento. CA) Aaron Chatten, in memory of daughter, Madison Faith Chatten, 15 months, who was backed over and killed on May 3, 2005 (Glasgow, MT) Bob & AnnMarie Pszybylski, in honor of son, Robert Pszybylski, age 2, who was critically injured when struck by a vehicle on April 7, 2006 (St. James, NY) Rodney & Meredyth Bryant, in memory of daughter, Annabelle Riley Bryant, age 2 1/2, who was killed after being backed over on May 4, 2005 (Glen Allen, VA) Matthew & Lisa Cavallaro, in memory of daughter, Agatha, age 2 who was backed over on Father’s Day, June 20, 2004 (Muttontown, NY) ###
Posted on Wednesday, February 6th, 2008
From the father of Charlie Horn (May 6, 2005 – November 1, 2007)
Recently my 2 ½ year old son Charlie was killed in a tragic accident at home. As his father, I struggle with the fact that I could have prevented his death.
A dresser merely 30” high fell on him and took his life. He was apparently climbing on the dresser like most inquisitive children will do. Had we secured this dresser to the wall, Charlie would still be with us today & his wonderful smile would still warm my heart.
We are not alone, approximately 20 children die and an estimated 8,000 -10,000 are injured each year from furniture/TV tip over accidents. Most of these are children under 5 years old.
My family’s pain is indescribable…however an opportunity now exists for Charlie’s story to help others.
There is a bill which has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce in the 1st session of the 110th Congress, and we need your help.
The Bill: HR 4266 – The Katie Elise & Meghan Agness Bill - Formerly HR Bill 1861, it has been recently re-introduced as HR 4266 by Rep. Allyson Schwartz. This bill would require any furniture or electronic appliances in jeopardy of tipping bear a warning label alerting consumers to the potential dangers of unsecured furniture. In addition, this furniture would be required to come packaged with anchoring devices and simple installation instructions, so it can be safely secured to wall studs.
To read the entire bill, please click here:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.4266:
I am pleading for everyone who gets this e-mail forwarded to them to do two things:
1) Sign the petition: http://www.where-to-turn.org/petition_hr1861.php This will take 1 minute of your time and will greatly help. (This is the former bill # but it still is the appropriate place to sign the bill)
2) Contact your congressman, with an e-mail or phone call. Ask them to sign on as a Co-sponsor for HR bill 4266. If you don’t know who your congressman is or how to contact them just click here to find out: http://www.rallycongress.com/letter2congress/698/?gclid=CKCJ2LihkpACFQe0Hgod8l8Qhw
Accidents happen & I don’t expect legislation to completely solve this problem; but it will help, and I am confident that it will save lives of other children.
If you have children or grandchildren – Please secure your furniture & TV’s to the wall. You can fix a hole in the wall…but you can’t fix a hole in your heart.
-Trust me
Brett Horn
Posted on Friday, February 1st, 2008
We had our official public debut on Jan 2, 2008 on NBC Action News. Christa Dubill followed up the story about Charlie Horn and the furniture straps, and discussed the plans for Charlie’s Safe Haven and current legislation.
You can read the text from the news program at:
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=54546067-bf3b-487b-8aff-6b97443dd286
to view the actual video, click on:
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=306751@kshb.dayport.com&navCatId=4295
We appreciate the ongoing commitment NBC Action News has made to educating the community about furniture straps and safety issues around the home.
In addition to the story on NBC, Jenny Horn conducted an interview on Star 102 FM on Sunday, Jan 13. Jenny discussed the tragedy her family have experienced and how Charlie’s Safe Haven hopes to educate parents and care takers of children on safety issues around the home.
