City scorecards
UL, the global safety leader, commissioned a study with Sperling's Best Places to determine the cities that stand out in helping prevent needless accidents and improve the safety of their residents, particularly families with young children.
The study, appropriately titled "Safest Cities for Families with Young Children," evaluated the 50 largest U.S. cities on specific criteria that contribute to home, community and overall personal safety. The results showed that 10 cities lead the way in helping reduce risk of fire deaths, pedestrian accidents and other mishaps that contribute to the estimated 14 million potentially disabling, unintentional injuries that children sustain each year.
Boston: With its many colleges and universities within the city and surrounding area, Boston is a center of higher education and a center for medicine. It's no wonder then that the city has the highest number of hospitals per capita. Boston also has low child injuries and pedestrian accidents and good air quality. To protect Boston's air quality, the Boston Air Pollution Control Commission (APCC) cooperates with local, regional, state and federal agencies to develop strategies and programs to improve air quality throughout the New England area.
Columbus, Ohio: Columbus has the lowest incidence of vehicle-related deaths and child poisonings among the top 10 cities. The city also shines in its low number of pedestrian accidents. Recently, Columbus' commitment to safety was evident when it hosted the National Motorcycle Safety Conference, which brought together more than 300 motorcycle safety professionals, managers and instructors from across the country to discuss ideas, challenges and solutions for reducing motorcycle crashes and related injuries in Ohio and the U.S.
Louisville, Ky.: Home to horse racing's biggest event, the Kentucky Derby, Louisville also has bragging rights to low pedestrian accident rates, quick fire response times and a high number of hospitals per capita. Louisville's fire protection is provided by 20 independent fire departments that work together through mutual aid agreements to protect the public from the dangers of fires. In 2007, Louisville instituted Operation School Zone, which used new laser technology to target and cite school zone speeders in order to create a safer environment for children traveling to and from school.
Minneapolis, Minn.: Minneapolis may indeed be the land of 10,000 lakes, but fortunately it has a low number of pedestrian accidents, fire and burn rates. Minneapolis also emerged as the leading combatant of "the silent killer," carbon monoxide. Minnesota's "Carbon Monoxide Detector Law" requires that all single family homes have a carbon monoxide alarm.
New York: Famous for its heroic FDNY, New York led all cities in fire response time. The city also led the way when it came to pool safety laws, police officers per capita, fireworks regulations, and low incidences of child poisoning and drowning rates. The city boasts the largest fire department-based EMS in the country.
Portland, Ore.: Portland had a low rate of poverty among families with children, low drowning rates and low fire and burn rates among children. Portland is often heralded as one of America's leading "green" cities, and appropriately topped the list in air quality. In 1999, the city of Portland, after recognizing the need to improve its air quality, launched "Portland Air Toxics Solutions," a program designed to study air pollution and establish benchmarks for improving the city's overall air quality. More than a decade later, the city's air quality has improved and is now among the best in the country.
San Francisco: The hilliest city in the country is very level-headed when it comes to safety. San Francisco scored well in residential sprinkler laws, pool safety laws, bike helmet laws, and also had one of the lowest rates of poverty among families with children. On top of that, the state of California will implement a law in January 2011 stating that any home built after that date must install a sprinkler system. Last year, zero fire-related deaths occurred in San Francisco homes with sprinkler systems.
Seattle: The Emerald City earned a gold star in several categories, including carbon monoxide alarm laws, bike helmet laws, and fire and burn rates among children. Additionally, the city exhibited strong smoke alarm regulations, fire response times, child injury rates and high air quality. In 2003, Washington's mandatory helmet law was extended to include Seattle. Cyclists of all ages are now required to wear a helmet while riding. In 2009, the Washington State Senate passed a bill requiring carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in all dwelling units built or manufactured after Dec. 31, 2009.
Tampa, Fla.: Strong smoke alarm regulations and fire response times contributed to Tampa being named a top 10 city. In July 2010, following a fatal home fire in Riverview, Fla., Tampa fire fighters initiated a program that offers free smoke detectors for homeowners in the city. The firefighters began the program by going door-to-door handing out free smoke alarms, and the department continues to operate a free smoke alarm program throughout the city.
Virginia Beach, Va.: Despite being part of an original colony, this historically situated city has a high percentage of new homes, making the chances of structure-related home accidents or led-based paint less likely. Virginia Beach had low poverty rates among families with children, and low vehicle-related deaths and pedestrian accidents. As of July, all passengers in a motor vehicle who are under 18 are required to wear a seatbelt, even in the backseat.
