On Wednesday, Nov. 18 the Injury Free Coalition for Kids is launching the inaugural National Injury Prevention Awareness Day. The UAB Department of Pediatrics is participating in Injury Prevention Awareness Day by hosting a statewide education awareness day. On Nov. 18, Children’s of Alabama will be lit green and everyone is encouraged to wear green to raise awareness. This day is also a reminder of the importance of educating every family on injury prevention. The UAB Pediatric Primary Care Clinic, Adolescent Health Center and Emergency Department will be providing safety equipment as well as education on this day. 

Injuries are the number one cause of death in children. Steps to prevent injury include motor vehicle restraint and driver safety, e.g., no distracted driving, safe sleep, helmet use, safe storage of medications and firearms and overall parental awareness. Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for children overall. In the first six months of life, unsafe sleep puts children at high risk. In 1-4 year olds, drowning is the number one cause of accidental death. Educating parents on the risks for their child is an important first step in protecting our patients. Studies show that education plus equipment (car seats, smoke alarms, trigger locks) are more effective than either education or equipment alone.