Washington, D.C. - Injuries occurring in the home represent nearly half of all injuries in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recognizing this significant area of health concern, Lowe's Companies, Inc., today pledged $1.5 million to the national, nonprofit Home Safety Council (HSC) through its Charitable & Educational Foundation. The donation will help HSC continue developing valuable educational materials for families, fire and life safety educators and schools throughout the United States.
This latest gift demonstrates Lowe's continued and dedicated partnership with HSC to prevent unintentional injuries at home, which cause nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits on average each year. In 1993, recognizing the scope of home injury as a national public health problem, Lowe's established the Lowe's Home Safety Council with a mission to focus on safer American homes.
This extraordinary action laid the groundwork for the Home Safety Council's powerful grassroots injury-prevention programs and outreach, and for its eventual transition to an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which occurred in 2002. Today, the Council remains true to its original focused mission, working to help families avoid the pain, expense and needless tragedy caused by accidents in and around the home.
"Lowe's has been our most steadfast private-sector partner, working alongside HSC to help make homes and neighborhoods better places to live," says HSC President Meri-K Appy. "With their generous support in 2009, we will be able to develop and extend critical home safety programs, materials and outreach, protecting families across the country."
Among the ways the Council works to reduce home injury is by underpinning local fire department safety education. HSC created the Expert Network as a free online resource to help fire and life safety educators meet their communities' education and professional development needs. Today more than 6,000 members have access to the Expert Network and HSC programs designed to benefit the fire service and other life-safety educators.
"We are grateful that Lowe's recognizes the serious nature of the home injury problem in America and the Home Safety Council's effective approach to helping families take action to reduce their risk," Appy adds. "I know our nation's fire departments also appreciate all that Lowe's does to support them locally and through HSC nationally."
"As the founder of the Home Safety Council, we take special pride in its many accomplishments over the years, including its successful transition to independence and autonomy," says Larry D. Stone, chairman of the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation. "Lowe's is committed to helping our neighbors through alliances with well-respected organizations such as the Home Safety Council. We are pleased to continue our support of the programs and materials that are truly making a difference in the lives of families across America."
About the Home Safety Council
The Home Safety Council (HSC) is the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to preventing home related injuries that result in nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits on average each year. Through national programs, partnerships and the support of volunteers, HSC educates people of all ages to be safer in and around their homes. The Home Safety Council is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization headquartered in Washington, DC.
About Lowe's>
Lowe's is a proud supporter of the Home Safety Council, Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross and United Way of America, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities. In 2008, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $25 million to support community and education projects in the United States and Canada. Lowe's also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe's Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative. Lowe's is a FORTUNE 50 company with fiscal year 2008 sales of $48.2 billion and has more than 1,650 stores in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit Lowes.com/community.
