Injury prevention program

Watch our videos to learn how to:

• Fit and fasten your child’s bike helmet, which reduces the risk of brain injury while riding by nearly 90%.
• Teach children to stay safe while walking around a neighborhood.

If your kids love sports on wheels, explore even more tips for bicycle, in-line skating and skateboarding safety.

We partner with the Grand Rapids Griffins to participate in Lids at the Library, part of the Put A Lid On It campaign. Learn more at griffinshockey.com.

We offer discounted bike helmets to the community. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, call 616.391.7233, or email injuryprevention@helendevoschildrens.org.

We offer a number of car seat safety check events throughout the year. All car seat inspections are free and a limited number of low-cost replacement car seats are available at all locations, for those who qualify. Children who need a replacement seat must be present with a parent or legal guardian.

Watch a demonstration of how to install a car seat and harness your children to keep them safe in case of a crash.

Fix common safety issues around the home, where most child injuries happen.

Support safe and sound infant slumber at bedtime and naptime with simple, lifesaving tips.

Sports are good for staying healthy and making friends, but kids need adults’ guidance to enjoy them safely. If you’re a parent or coach, you can reduce the risk of injury by:

• Requiring sports physicals or bringing your child to a primary care doctor for a checkup before starting athletic activity.
• Requiring baseline brain function testing before sports or getting your child evaluated to help doctors diagnose a possible concussion later.
• Ensuring kids wear the right sports gear, including helmets.
• Making time for warmups and stretching before practices and games.
• Providing water and water breaks.
• Allowing time for rest and encouraging kids to report pain.

Help kids have fun safely at the pool, at the beach, and even in the bathtub by:

• Never leaving children alone in or near water, even if they’re in a baby bath seat, the water is shallow or they know how to swim.
• Learning CPR.
• Putting up a fence and locked gate with an alarm around a private pool and turning over inflatable pools when not in use.
• Teaching children how to swim and practice water safety, such as avoiding pool drains, entering water feet-first, and wearing a life jacket when on or near open water.

Get expert guidance on:

• Choking prevention
• Toy safety

Find additional safety topics at Safe Kids Worldwide.