In 2007, Charlie Horn, a two and half-year-old boy, died after a dresser he was climbing on tipped on top of him. 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 serves as a resource for families seeking information on safety and injury prevention. Our mission, to prevent injuries to children in and around the home, is fulfilled through increased safety awareness, public education, and distribution of safety devices.
In 2020, the vision of building the nation’s first safety demonstration house became a reality. Located on Hospital Hill, near Children’s Mercy Hospital, Charlie’s House, Safety Demonstration House, is a community resource for parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. This simulation home provides room-by-room examples of common injury and accident hazards in the home and ways to mitigate the issues. Free tours are offered to individuals and groups. A resource center located in the House offers free home safety educational materials, checklists, and devices.
What started as a memorial and an outpouring of public support has grown into a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization with safety at its core – dedicated to keeping parents, caregivers, and health professionals informed and engaged when it comes to preventing injuries to children in and around the home.
