Injury Prevention Program

The Injury Prevention Program team works with communities to assess needs and create targeted programs, many of which are offered in schools or as after-school programs. We work to reduce all injuries and have identified four priority areas in our local communities. These four types of injuries are also leading causes of death and injury nationwide:

• Motor vehicle and all-terrain vehicle crashes. Proper use of car seats and seatbelts can prevent many deaths and injuries. All-terrain vehicle safety (ATVs or 4-wheelers), such as wearing a helmet and not carrying passengers, is a high priority in many areas of Indiana. According to state law, ATV riders must be age 14 or older.
• Bicycle injuries. To help children ride safely, always have them wear a helmet, know the rules of the road, choose safe areas and identify possible risks.
• Pedestrian injuries. In order to keep children safe on foot, use crosswalks and sidewalks, walk on the shoulder against traffic, always be alert and make sure children are visible to drivers.
• Nonaccidental trauma (child abuse). Managing stress and sleep deprivation and knowing when and where to reach out for help can prevent parents, especially new parents, from becoming exhausted and overly stressed, and can help prevent children from becoming victims.

We also develop targeted programs to meet the needs of specific communities where certain injuries are more common. Rather than relying on handouts and classroom instruction, our programs are designed to be engaging and hands-on so that knowledge can be applied immediately. A few examples include:

• A bicycle safety program that takes children out in their own neighborhoods to identify safe places to ride and watch out for risks
• A “safety shower” program for new mothers to educate them about child-proofing a home, proper use of an infant car seat, how to cope with a crying baby and other strategies for keeping babies safe
• A Safe Sitter^® class to teach preteens basic child care, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid as well as behavior management skills and coping strategies

Partnering for Child Safety

Since 2003, our Injury Prevention Program has been helping keep kids in Indiana safer. We work with local police, firefighters, coalitions, organizations and agencies that are also committed to child safety. Together, we assess needs, design programs and advocate for a safer, healthier environment for children in our communities. Indiana University is a coalition partner of Health by Design, dedicated to creating a safe, healthy environment for all ages, and we partner on many educational programs and advocacy efforts.