Bronson and Safe Kids Greater South Haven Raise Awareness on Injury Prevention

SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. - Saturday, November 18 is National Injury Prevention Day. Bronson South Haven will join Safe Kids Greater South Haven, the Injury Free Coalition for Kids and other health organizations across the country, in shining a green light on injury prevention at dusk. During this time – approx. 5:30 p.m. – green spotlights will illuminate the front of the hospital facing Blue Star highway. The hospital will remain illuminated throughout the night.

Pam Ford, Safe Kids of Greater South Haven Coordinator, says “For individuals ages 1-44, accidental injuries and violence are the leading cause of death and disability.  National Injury Prevention Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the burden of unintentional injury and violence and the need for change. We hope the green lights on the hospital on November 18^th will help remind people of the importance of safety in the home and in their daily activities.”

Safe Kids Greater South Haven, led by Bronson South Haven Hospital, provides dedicated and caring staff, operation support and other resources to assist in achieving a common goal: keeping kids safe. Based on the needs of the community, the coalition implements evidence-based safety programs such as car seat checkups, safety workshops and sports clinics, which help parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries.

Safe Kids Greater South Haven has actively promoted childhood injury prevention over the past year in a number of ways, including:

• Hosting:
  • 3 classes and teaching 10 Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician courses, certifying more than 170 new CPSTs in Michigan
  • 3 Community safety events
  • 1 Helmet giveaway and education/safety event
  • 7 Water safety events
  • 1 Pedestrian safety event for elementary students and parents
  • 18 Car seat safety events
    • 250 Car seat inspections, identifying a nearly 90% misuse rate
    • 85 Car seats distributed to families in need 

• Participating in:
  • 1 Baby Safety Fair
  • 1 Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Kids in Cars Safety Training
  • 2 Intercare Transporters’ Kids in Cars Safety Training
  • 2 Drug Enforcement Agency Drug Take Back Days

• Facilitating approval for the placement of 13 additional Life Jacket Loaner Stations in South Haven

For media-related questions or requests, contact Marcie McCann at mccanma@bronsonhg.org, or (269) 217-8716.

For questions about Safe Kids Greater South Haven and its injury prevention initiatives, contact Pam Ford, Safe Kids of Greater South Haven Coordinator, at forpa@bronsonhg.org or visit bronsonhealth.com.

Visit injuryfree.org/nationalinjurypreventionday/2023 for more details on National Injury Prevention Day.