Injury Prevention Across North Carolina

Presented by NC Trauma Centers

Newsletter | May 2022 | Vol 3 Issue 2

Injury Prevention Topics by Awareness Week/Month

The Injury Prevention Newsletter is created by Injury Prevention professionals from 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 relevant to the current season and forecast. The May 2022 edition will focus on the many monthly injury prevention awareness topics taking place over the spring and summer months. Click the links for information on several May awareness campaigns, water safety, gun safety, mental health awareness, and resources in Spanish. Also check out the State Trauma Advisory Committee's Injury Prevention social media pages!

State Trauma Advisory Committee Injury Prevention Social Media Pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stac.ipnc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/injurypreventionnc/

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May Awareness Month Campaigns

May brings warm weather and sunshine and lots of May flowers!

May also brings various Awareness campaigns!

May is:

Trauma Awareness Month
Injury Prevention Professionals Day (May 11)
National Trauma Survivors Day (May 18)
Mental Health Awareness Month
Safe Kids Week (May 8-14)
EMS week (May 15-21)
Nurses week (May 6-12)
Motorcycle Safety Week
National Water Safety Month
National Child Passenger Safety Month
National Physical Fitness & Sports Month

The American Trauma Society (ATS) raises awareness of trauma injury and death through Trauma Awareness Month, and this year the focus in on the rise in violence our nation has seen.

The theme is "Safe Surroundings" and education is being offered virtually. Please join in:

May 10, 2022 1pm Intimate Partner Violence, register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpdOCupzkvGdQ6cUJJ_LcYGw4arwASVe6B
May 17, 2022, 1pm Firearm Prevention, register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqc-qqrDovGtESYFvjcdBeVytXYJjgSd3x
May 24, 2022, 1pm Mental Health Awareness, register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvcuuprToqEt3oUp-2UOyGURmaS4NDoMTV
May 31, 2022, 1pm Community Violence, register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsf-CvrzIpH9SKwBD5s6VwAFR2gDr2WlqP

Love Your Front Line Workers in the Month of May

May celebrates healthcare workers, especially those who help the injured! May is EMS week (May 15-21), Nurses week (May 6-12), and Injury Prevention Professionals Day (May 11)!

Here are some ways to celebrate EMS, Nurses, and other front line workers who help the sick and injured!

Have a T-shirt design contest

Host a food truck or family event

Host a blood drive

Have a virtual tour of an ambulance

Create an EMT/Nurse/Frontline worker of the Month/Year award

Honor fallen EMS/Nurses

Recognize a health, wellness, and resilience day

Recognize a great save or rescue and highlight the wonderful job frontline healthcare workers do everyday!

Mental Health Awareness

May is Mental Health Awareness month. Mental health is an important part of our overall health, and with the many changes and "new normal's" we are creating post-COVID, many people are experiencing mental health symptoms. Our pediatric emergency and mental health centers are more crowded than ever! Join the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and IP's across NC, in amplifying the message "Together for Mental Health" and advocate for each other and ourselves! For more info, visit NAMI

Tips for Building Resilience during Mental Health Awareness Month

Adopt a healthy lifestyle, include good nutrition and movement into your day
Take time to recharge; try meditation
Get your zzz's! Most adults need 7-9 hours a night, and kids and teens need more!
Address your stress- burying stress doesn't make it go away! Find healthy coping mechanisms
Ask for, and accept help when you need it
Take breaks and take time to do things you love-every day!

For more information on coping with stress, visit the CDC website

June is Firearm Safety Month

Many families and communities are impacted by firearm tragedies. Storage of firearms is important when preventing unintended incidences from occurring.

25% of 2 year old's can pull the trigger of a gun and mistakenly discharge the weapon.

Almost all suicide attempts with a firearm are lethal, safe storage can save a loved one at risk for suicide.

Tips to secure your firearm:

lock the firearm with a cable or lock
store the firearm unloaded
secure the ammunition in a separate container
safe storage for little kids is up high and out of sight and reach
try to avoid storing firearms in vehicles, which is the leading place stolen firearms are obtained from
don't assume people and children don't know where a gun is located
don't assume people and children will not use the firearm, even if told NO!
ASK if firearms are present in home your children visit, and ASK if they are properly secured
Most local law agencies have free gun locks for the public-just ASK!
For more information, visit these sites: End Family Fire, Bulletpoints Project, Moms Demand Action, or watch a video here

Boating and Water Safety

Summertime means more time spent on water activities including boating. Make sure you are following all US Coast Guard recommendations for safety. This includes regulations for operation as well as safety items you should have on your vessel.

Two of the most common injuries associated with boating are propeller injuries and diving injuries. Propeller injuries often occur during a crash or enter/exiting a boat. Make sure you put plenty of distance between yourself and the propeller. If you are driving it is a good practice to check the area around the propeller before accelerating. You should never dive off of a boat if you do not know the depth of the water. Remember to wear a life jacket.

You should never swim or operate a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you plan to drive a boat it is always a good idea to take a boater safety course before you take to the water.

National Safe Boating week is May 21-27, 2022.

Here are some additional resources:

coast guard requirements

First aid requirements

Propeller injuries

General drowning preventions

Boating laws in NC

Marina Guide

NC Wildlife

Boater safety course

NC
USCG

Summer Safety

Summer Safety Tips

Be a Water Safety Superhero

Walking – One of the easiest ways to get exercise safely is to start a walking program. Gradually increasing the distance, you walk and the speed with which you walk is beneficial for people of any age. Walking is much easier on the joints than running and it requires no special equipment other than proper fitting shoes with ample support.

Grilling - Only use grills outside. Place your grill away from your home. Make sure your grill is located on a flat, level surface. Check your grill for leaks. Always clean your grill after use. Never leave your barbecue grill unattended while in use. Wear appropriate clothing. Keep a spray bottle on hand. Always have a fire extinguisher close by.

Don't forget to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen!

Prevent Injuries While Enjoying Summer Outdoor Activities

Trampoline - Don’t leave children unsupervised. Make sure the trampoline is cleared off all toys, and debris before anyone gets on. Only allow one person at a time

Playground Equipment - Climbing structures, monkey bars and slides are where most accidents occur, and fractures are the most common injury. Inspect the playground before allowing anyone to play and make sure there is good cushioning below the equipment such as bark or a rubberized material.

Bicycles - Everyone should wear helmets when cycling, bright clothing so they can be seen easily, use lights when riding at night and understand the rules of the road.

Sports – Cross-training is one way to prevent sports injuries. It is also important to have equipment that fits you correctly. Having the right size golf clubs or proper tennis racket can make a big difference not just in your performance, but in preventing injuries too.