National Injury Prevention Day: Building a Safer Future for Everyone

Held each year on November 18, National Injury Prevention Day reminds us of the importance of safety at home, at work, on the road, and in our communities.

At our Level II Trauma Center, we are committed to providing advanced care to improve trauma outcomes for our community.

However, the only thing better than delivering excellent care is preventing injuries from occurring in the first place!

Preventable injuries remain a leading cause of Emergency Department visits and long-term disability.

At South Shore Hospital, falls are our most frequent cause of injury, followed by motor vehicle crashes.

In recent years, we've also seen a significant increase in injuries related to bicycles, e-bikes, and scooters.

In the spirit of National Injury Prevention Day, I'd like to offer a series of safety and prevention tips to address the three causes of injury mentioned above.

Fall prevention safety tips

Most falls can be prevented with simple changes, both at home and out in the community:

• Keep floors and walkways clear of obstructions and well lit.
• Use handrails and non-slip mats.
• Stay active! Strong muscles and good balance reduce your fall risk.

We offer a variety of Community Exercise Programs that can help reduce your risk of falling by improving your strength and conditioning. View classes >>

In addition, our Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy programs can assist with balance or fall risk, often including in-home safety assessments.

Motor vehicle and child passenger safety tips

• Always wear a seatbelt and avoid distractions.
• Never drive distracted (cell phones, passengers, music, eating/drinking) or impaired (sleepy, under the influence of alcohol/medication/marijuana).
• In Massachusetts, all children under 13 must ride in the back seat. Children under 8 must ride in a child safety restraint or booster seat, unless they are more than 57 inches tall.
• Even after they outgrow a booster, the back seat is the safest place for children, as front airbags can be dangerous for young passengers.

Bicycle, e-bike, and scooter safety tips

• Always wear a properly fitted helmet.
• Follow traffic laws and ride in the same direction as traffic.
• Use lights and reflective gear when riding at night.
• Check brakes, tires, and batteries before each ride.

This year's National Injury Prevention Day Theme is "Think Safe, Act Safe," encouraging everyone to take proactive steps to reduce risk in daily life.

Together, we can build a culture of prevention – because any injury prevented is a life protected!

This blog was written by Sharon Gannon, RN, South Shore Health Trauma Program Injury Prevention Coordinator.

Learn more about our Injury Prevention Program.