Injury Prevention Across North Carolina

Newsletter | May 2021 | Vol 2 Issue 2

Trauma Awareness Month 2021

The Injury Prevention Newsletter is created by Injury Prevention Coordinators from the trauma centers across the state of North Carolina to bring resources to North Carolinians about injury prevention. The quarterly interactive newsletter will cover many injury prevention topics. Our May 2021 edition focuses on trauma awareness, including celebrating trauma survivors and highlighting injury prevention efforts. Click the links for information on Trauma Awareness and trauma survivors, boating and water safety, safe firearm storage, bike safety, and more. Also look for resources in Spanish.

Trauma Awareness month highlights the time and dedication healthcare and injury prevention specialists dedicate to educating the public about preventing injuries related to trauma.

Learn some things you can do to prevent injury.

2021 National Trauma Awareness Month

American Red Cross-Trauma Awareness

Six ways to participate in National Trauma Awareness Month

Please consider how access to firearms impacts our families and communities, and make the choice to secure your firearm safely.

Secure your family- 25% of 2 year-olds can pull the trigger of a firearm and mistakenly discharge the weapon, hurting or killing themselves or a family member.

Secure your home- Almost all suicide attempts with a firearm end up being lethal. If you have a loved one at risk, consider safer storage.

Secure your community- Many of our youth, and adults, turn to firearms to handle confrontations and anger. Without a firearm, confrontation does not have to be deadly.

Safe Firearm Storage

Tips to securing your firearm:

Lock your firearm with a cable or other lock
Keep the firearm unloaded
Secure the ammunition in a separate container or area
Don't assume people or children don't know where the firearm is located
Don't assume they will not use the firearm even if told not to use it
ASK if firearms are present in homes children visit, and if they are, ASK if they are secured
Most law agencies have free gun locks for the public-just ASK!

For more visit End Family Fire, Bullet Points, or Mom's Demand Action

May is Bike Safety Month

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Watch this interview with Luly Beckles, injury prevention specialist at Wake Forest Baptist Health:

ABC Interview

Lee esta entrevista en el periodico espanol Que Pasa Media: Que Pasa Media

Bike Safety Tips:

Always wear your helmet!
Wear bright colors and use reflective clothing or flash lights at night
Ride during the day when possible
Follow the rules of the road-bicycles follow the same road rules as motorists
Look left, right, and then left again before entering into traffic
Use hand signals
Be alert and watch for cars or other vehicles

Motorists must also watch for cyclists and pedestrians!

Be aware of cyclists and pedestrians and know their rights.

Check for cyclists before making turns & make sure you use your turn signal.

Give cyclists at least 3 feet of clearance.

Trauma Survivors Network & Trauma Survivors Day

May 19th is Trauma Survivors Day

May 19th is National Trauma Survivors Day!

We celebrate and draw inspiration from survivors of traumatic injuries, as well as offer our support to those survivors and their caretakers on this day (and every other day!).

Write a note of inspiration and share it on social media on trauma survivors day, or any day of the year to show your support! #TraumaSurvivorsDay #NTSD

Listen to some podcasts regarding the trauma survivors network from UNC's Trauma Program Trauma Talk with Lindsay Bailey:

https://anchor.fm/traumatalk/episodes/Trauma-Survivors-Network-Series-What-is-TSN-efsgqd

https://anchor.fm/traumatalk/episodes/Trauma-Survivors-Network-Tracy-Stickland-Shares-Amandas-Story-ehm190

https://anchor.fm/traumatalk/episodes/TSN-Podcast-Series-Episode-2-Scotty-Linvilles-Story-ehm0ug

Water and Boat Safety

Summer and warm weather are around the corner and everyone is ready to splash in the water! Adults and children both should learn water safety guidelines before plunging into the pool, lake or beach.

Check out Safe Kids Worldwide for Swim & Water Safety tips before heading to the water.

Boating is a fun summer past time, but make sure you know North Carolina Boating safety guidelines.

The CDC offers great information on oceans, lakes, and rivers to help keep your family safe!

Learn how to properly fit a life jacket with this video from Safe Kids Worldwide!

And check out Free Boating Safety Classes from the US Coast Guard.

Lawn Mower Safety

Lawn care can be a family chore, but make sure basic safety steps are followed. Small kids should not play outside while the mower is in use, and protective guards should be used.

For tips on safe law care visit Healthy Children