Presented by NC Trauma Centers
Newsletter | February 2022 | Vol 3 Issue 1
Injury Prevention and Safety
The Injury Prevention Newsletter is created by Injury Prevention Specialists from trauma centers across the state of North Carolina to bring resources to North Carolinians about preventing injuries. The quarterly interactive newsletter covers many injury prevention topics. Our February 2022 edition is focused on fire prevention, poison control, child abuse prevention, distracted driving, and our trending topic, blood donations. Click the links throughout the newsletter to learn more about these topics.
February is Burn Prevention Month!
National Burn Awareness Week highlights the importance of staying safe in the kitchen and around hot surfaces. About every 60 seconds, someone in the US experiences a burn! Let's learn how to be safe in the kitchen and around hot surfaces! Learn more here:

Hot, Not Hot, or Sometimes Hot
March is Poison Control Month

National Poison Prevention Week highlights risks of poisonings by household products and substances that are found right in the home.
Substances like household cleaning products, prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, pesticides, and even personal care products can be a risk for kids and pets.
To learn about potential poisons in the home, visit: https://nationaltoday.com/poison-prevention-week/
Four people per day die from an overdose in North Carolina, especially from opioids. Drugs not properly stored can end up getting into the wrong hands. It is important to store medications securely, up high, or locked in a cabinet, so young hands can't reach them. It is also important to properly dispose of medications. Learn more about where to dispose of your medications by visiting Operation Medicine Drop.

Locate an Operation Medicine Drop near you here >>>> https://apps.ncdoi.net/f?p=102:2
Poison Help Line
Safe Medicine Storage
Operation Medicine Drop
April is Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month
Recognizing signs of child abuse is the first step in taking action when a child is in danger. The next step is knowing what to do. If you suspect child abuse, call police or your local department of social services. All adults in NC are mandated reporters, so if you see something, say something!

Signs of Child Abuse:
  • Sudden changes in behavior or school performance
  • Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents' attention
  • Learning problems that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes
  • Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
  • Lacks adult supervision
  • Is overly compliant, an overachiever, or too responsible, or
  • Comes to school early, stays late, and does not want to go home
Distracted Driving Awareness Month is also in April
Texting/scrolling your phone is often cited as one of the more prominent distractions as it combines all three of these types of distraction (eyes off the road, hand on your phone, mind is reading the text).

In 2019, over 3,000 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. Last year, in North Carolina, there were 150 distracted driving fatalities.

Here are some ideas of how we can all help act against distracted driving:
•  Teens: Speak up when you see a friend driving while distracted, take a pledge to never drive distracted : Take the Pledge | Impact Teen Drivers
•   Parents: Lead by example by never driving distracted, talk with young drivers about distraction, have everyone in the family sign the pledge to commit to distraction–free driving
•   Educators and employers: Spread the word about the dangers of distracted driving, ask your students/employees to commit to distraction-free driving, set company policies against distracted driving (ie- no calling into virtual meetings on the road)

For more info on distracted driving visit:

Trending Topic: Blood Donation-We have a CRUCIAL NEED!!
Donating blood is important now more than ever before. The United States is seeing a severe blood shortage and trauma centers are being forced to ration the blood products needed to treat critically injured patients. As of January 14, 2022, 68% of blood centers in the U.S. have under 3 days of blood supply.

Blood donations are also critically needed for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage, newborns, patients with sickle cell anemia, and cancer to name a few. According the American Red Cross while all blood is critically needed, there is a particularly urgent need for O negative and O positive blood as well as platelets from all blood types.

You can donate red blood, whole blood, plasma or platelets. If you have recently donated go ahead and book your next donation appointment. Most people are able to donate whole blood every 56 days, up to six times a year! If you are not eligible to donate blood you can donate to the cause by volunteering your time, organizing a blood drive, or giving a monetary donation of any amount.

Register to Donate Blood at American Red Cross
Blood Donors Needed Now!!
Supermodel Niki Taylor Reunites with Superhero Blood Donors
Información en Español  
Los Centros Médicos de Traumatologías de Carolina del Norte le presentan a continuación un boletín informativo con información para mantener a su familia informada.
Prevención de Fuego
Poison Help PSA en Español
Conducir Distraidamente 
REGIONAL INFORMATION
The Injury Prevention Across North Carolina Newsletter is presented by NC Trauma Centers, including:
ATRIUM HEALTH
CLEVELAND
Jessica Crawford, MSN, RN, CPST
Injury Prevention Specialist/Safe Kids Coordinator
980-487-3826

ATRIUM HEALTH WAKE FOREST BAPTIST
BRENNER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL PEDIATRIC TRAUMA CENTER
Hayluri (Luly) Beckles MS, CPS-T
Pediatric Injury Prevention Coordinator & Safe Kids Northwest Piedmont Coordinator
336-716-0649

DUKE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
TRAUMA CENTER
Tricia Smar, MSW, CHES
Injury Prevention Coordinator
919-943-0841

NOVANT HEALTH PMC
Kelly Moriarty, MSN, RN
Trauma and Injury Prevention Coordinator
704-258-3287 (cell) 704-384-9761 (office)  

UNC TRAUMA CENTER
Anna Stormzand, MPH, CHES
Injury Prevention Coordinator
919-974-2439

VIDANT MEDICAL CENTER
Sue Anne Pilgreen, MSN, RN, CPN
Program Manager, Eastern Carolina Injury Prevention Program
252-847-8668

ATRIUM HEALTH
Hemby Pediatric Trauma Institute
Levine Children's
Shannon Wilfong, BS, CCLS, CIMI II, NCS
Pediatric Trauma Injury Prevention and Outreach Coordinator


MOSES CONE HOSPITAL
TRAUMA CENTER
Leigha Jordan, M.S.
Injury Prevention Coordinator
336-832-3939


MISSION HEALTH
Tracey Gates, RN, CEN, CPEN
Outreach and Injury Prevention Coordinator
828-712-7014 (cell) 828-213-9459 (office)


NOVANT HEALTH NEW HANOVER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Meredith Spell, RN, BSN
Injury Prevention Coordinator
910-524-0690 (cell) 910-667-7902 (office)


WAKEMED HEALTH & HOSPITALS TRAUMA SERVICE
Christina Carmichael
Injury Prevention Representative
919-350-8364


WAKE FOREST BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER
Shawn Griffin, RN, BSN
Trauma/Burn Outreach Coordinator
336-716-0685