Did you know that more than 3 million children are treated in an ER due to accidental injury in the United States each year? Sadly, about 2,000 of them succumb to their injuries.
“The worst thing I hear in our Steinbrenner Children’s Emergency/Trauma Center is, ‘I didn’t think it would happen to me,’ ” says Bevin Maynard, a supervisor with St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Child Advocacy Center. A trip to the ER is terrifying and one that often doesn’t have to happen.
Maynard notes that 90% of injuries treated in the ER are preventable, and it’s her job to help educate the community about how to prevent these injuries. While no one plans for accidents, knowing in advance where to take your child in the event of an emergency can be the key to their survival. Children have unique issues and illnesses. A pediatric trauma center has the appropriate equipment and team accustomed to kids.
Whether it’s a class, a free car seat inspection or even access to low-cost injury-prevention products in the Safety Store or education on injury prevention in the Steinbrenner Children’s Emergency/Trauma Center, the Child Advocacy Center is here to support your family with valuable information and keep your children safe.
90% of ER visits are PREVENTABLE and St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital’s Child Advocacy Center offers a variety of classes to help.
- Infant and child CPR
- Pediatric first aid
- Car seat distribution classes
- Car seat inspection
- Safe baby express
- Water safety
- Safe sitter classes
- Teen talk
For more information, go to www.baycareevents.org.
Low-Cost Safety Items (available at The Safety Store)
- Baby safety gates
- Bike helmets
- Car seats (with free installation assistance)
- Child-proofing products
- Door alarms
- Fire safety products
The Safety Store is in St. Joseph’s Medical Arts Building in Tampa.
Hours: 10am-3pm Tuesday-Friday; call 813-554-8510.
**Mobile Safety Store available upon request**
Preventing The Leading Causes of Injury
Suffocation
- Make sure infants sleep alone; placed on their backs on a firm surface.
- Be sure crib meets safety standards.
- Avoid loose bedding or soft toys in crib.
Poisoning
- Keep medicines away from children and teens.
- Keep cleaning solutions and other toxic products in original packaging and where children can’t get them.
Motor Vehicle Crashes
- Always use seat belts, child safety seats and booster seats that are correct for a child’s age and weight.
- Use safe-driving agreements or contracts with teens.
Drowning
- Learn to swim—important for parents and kids.
- Use a four-sided fence with self-closing and self-latching gates around pool.
- Watch kids closely when they swim.
Fire/burns
- Use smoke alarms—where people sleep and on every level of the home—and test monthly.
- Create and practice a family fire escape plan.
- Install a home fire sprinkler system if possible.
Falls
- Use a soft landing surface on playgrounds (sand, mulch) not dirt or grass.
- Use protective gear, like a helmet during sports and recreation.
- Install protective rails on bunk beds and loft beds.
Sign up for a free car seat inspection today at www.baycareevents.org.
