Most trauma can be prevented. As part of its mission as a Level II Trauma Center, the staff reaches out the the community to teach how to prevent injuries or minimize their seriousness.

The Trauma Center offers programs in motor vehicle safety, bicycle safety, water safety and infant/child safety. Some of the presentations that are made throughout the community include:

Traumaroo

Includes several programs that instruct children ages 4 and older the importance of safety. Children learn the importance of playing safe everyday through the programs listed below.

Playground Safety (30 minutes): 4 yrs old - 2nd Grade;  This program reveals tips on how to have fun on the playground while avoiding injuries. Students also participate in a "Playground Safety Jeopardy Game" at the end of the program.

Home Safety (35 minutes): 4 yrs old - 2nd Grade;  Troo instructs children on various Do's and Don'ts in and around the house.

Staying Friends (45 minutes): 1 - 3 Grade; Troo Teaches children how violent conflicts between friends are unnecessary and must be avoided. Troo also teaches how you can resolve conflicts while still staying friends. Students will get the opportunity to make a "new" friend in their class.

Egg Derby (30 minutes): 4 yrs old - 3rd Grade; An interactive program designed to help students understand the importance of wearing seat belts. Participants enjoy painting their very own eggs and are amazed at how the egg is unharmed when wearing its seat belt in our mock automobile. Then students learn that the results are not the same when eggs are on the racetrack without their seatbelt…splat! Each child will be given stickers, coloring books, and certificates as well as their own Buckle Bear puppet to make.

ThinkFirst for Kids

Water Safety (35 minutes): 4 yrs old - 3rd Grade; Street Smart teaches children to develop safe habits while playing in and around water. This interactive program also teaches children about their brain and spinal cord and what can happen if they don't Think First around water. This program ends with the opportunity to participate in a Water Safety Relay. Click here for water safety tips.

Weapon Safety (35 minutes): 4 yrs old - 3rd Grade; Street Smart teaches children about weapon safety and what to do if they ever find a weapon or sharp object. This interactive program also teaches children about their brain and spinal cord and what can happen if they don't Think First around weapons. The students get to participate in the "Wheel of Safety" Game.

Bicycle Safety (30 minutes): 4 yrs old - 1st Grade;  This program explains riding habits, including the use of helmets and other protective measures. Students will participate in the Bike Safety Bingo game. For 2nd and 3rd graders students are taught about bike safety and how to properly wear a helmet. Children are taught about their brain and spinal cord and what can happen if they don't think around bikes.

9-1-1- for Kids (30 minutes): 4 yrs old - 3rd Grade; this program is dedicated to teaching children how to dial 9-1-1, what to say to an operator in an emergency, and the difference between a real emergency and a non-emergency.

Please visit the ThinkFirst website.Our Trauma Program Specialist, Tina D'Amico Poole, was recently featured in the ThinkFirst National Injury Prevention Foundation publication. Here is the article.

Other Outreach Programs

Trauma Truths for Teens: Physicians, nurses, and support staff who care for the trauma patient, collaborate with EMS and local law enforcement to present a skit to high school aged children that illustrates the consequences of drinking and driving. Participants watch as a teen decides to drink and drive and subsequently ends up as a trauma patient. The team simulates care of the moulaged patient, and afterwards the distraught parent is brought in to be told of the child's condition. Participants are given an opportunity to interact with the team and ask questions at the end of the presentation. The program has been very well received with much positive feedback from students and teachers.

Car Seat and Safety Checks: Car seat and safety checks are provided throughout the year at a variety of area functions. Our 5th annual car seat check held on Saturday, October 28 at Mayfaire Shopping Center. Sponsored by NHRMC and WECT. Here is a list of the Permanant Child Passenger Safety Check Stations

Remembering When-Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults: Education for older adults on the possible hazards in their environment that may contribute to falls. Program includes a room-to-room study of potential hazards such as slippery throw rugs, and wobbly chairs. We also educate on side effects of medication in regards to falls.

For more information on how you can bring these programs to your school or community please contact:

Tina D'Amico Poole, MPH
Injury Prevention Coordinator
New Hanover Regional Medical Center
(910) 343-2565
TPoole@nhrmc.org