Memorial Health System plays an active role in the following injury prevention programs:
For information about injury prevention programs or to set up a presentation, please call Memorial Health System Trauma Services at 719-365-6978.
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Child Passenger Safety Program
Through a generous grant from Kohl's Department Stores, car seat fitting events are held every Wednesday at locations throughout Colorado Springs. Through the Kohl’s Cares® Car Safety Program, our certified car seat expert is also available to:
answer car seat safety questions
schedule one-on-one car seat fittings
hold car seat events for schools and organizations throughout the Pikes Peak region
Spanish and Special Needs
Car seat fittings are also available for Spanish speakers and for special needs children. Call or see the weekly schedule for details:
Car seats that are six years old or older and seats that have been in a car crash are not safe to use. Thanks to Bestway Disposal, old car seats may be recycled free of charge at all Colorado Springs and Pueblo Kohl’s stores.
For more information, call 719-365-5834.
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Safe Kids Colorado Springs
Safe Kids Colorado Springs is a coalition led by Memorial Hospital for Children and it consists of members throughout the region whose mission is to prevent injury to children who are 0 to 14 years of age. Our members include child passenger safety seat technicians and are available to conduct car seat checks at a variety of locations throughout the community. We speak to thousands of people a year and can provide education at events upon request. The coalition, along with two others in Colorado, received the Safe Kids USA 2010 Outstanding Achievement in Public Policy Award for their work on booster seat legislation.
Think First Colorado Springs is an education program to prevent brain and spinal cord injuries. With funding largely by the Brain Injury Association of Colorado, the program is presented to schools throughout the region. Helmets are provided along with the education at many events. The program provides information about how the nervous system works and why it is so very important to protect it. We also provide education for the Kids On Bikes program.
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Trauma Nurses Talk Tough
For teenagers and young adults, the Trauma Nurses Talk Tough program teaches important information regarding safe choices to prevent trauma. Started in 1985 by trauma nurses at Memorial Health System, the program is presented to thousands of high schoolers throughout the area each year. In fact, the program reached more than 11,000 people in November of 2009 alone.
The Trauma Nurses Talk Tough program is presented often during the Drive Smart High School Challenge. Through the acts of this larger coalition, El Paso County has raised the use of seat belts by teens from 40 to 89 percent, surpassing all counties in the state. The film produced for this program, "Choices," received the 2010 Colorado Associated Press Broadcasters 1st Place Documentary Award.
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Abusive Head Trauma Prevention Program
Our Abusive Head Trauma Prevention Program began in August 2009 in response to a sudden increase in abusive head trauma, formerly called shaken baby syndrome, in our region.
The Crying Baby Plan provides bedside education to every family that has a baby at Memorial. Because research shows that most abuse is triggered by the crying of a baby or toddler, the Crying Baby Plan teaches:
that crying is normal
all babies cry a lot
tips to cope with the crying
Families learn that shaking, throwing or hitting a child – even just once – can cause lifelong disabilities and even death.
The in-hospital education includes watching a video, and receiving a take-home brochure and magnet with tips on how to stop the crying.
Watch the actual shaken baby syndrome prevention video:
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How to Contact Us
For more information about injury prevention programs or to set up a presentation, please call Memorial Health System Trauma Services at 719-365-6978.