Preventing Unintended Injury Before it Happens

May – one of the most exciting months of the year. School is winding down, kids are gearing up for summer, and everyone can’t wait to get outside. Unfortunately, with this increase in excitement and activity also comes an increase in trauma (severe shock or injury to the body), making May a month when unintended injuries begin to spike.

According to Children's Hospital Colorado Trauma Center, the top causes of trauma-related admission to the hospital include falls, automobile accidents, non-accidental trauma (child abuse) and bicycle accidents. The silver lining is that with this seasonal increase in trauma, many of these injuries can be avoided.

Trauma volumes by month, according to Children's Hospital Colorado trauma registry

The majority of pediatric trauma cases occur in the summer, with an increase beginning in May, peaking in July, and declining in September. Summer is known as “trauma season” among healthcare professionals in the United States because unintentional deaths and serious injuries increase dramatically among children.

Trauma Awareness Month reminds us to keep kids safe

In 1993, President Ronald Reagan named May National Trauma Awareness Month. To recognize and help prevent the climb of trauma injuries commonly seen from May to September, Children's Hospital Colorado offers the following reminders.

10 things parents and caregivers can do:

1. Be alert to avoid falls – In warm-weather months, kids like to be in the open air. Encourage time on sports fields and playgrounds, but don’t allow children to play on balconies, roofs, or near open windows.

2. Prevent non-accidental trauma – More than 40,000 cases of suspected child abuse are reported each year in Colorado. These instances of non-accidental trauma are perhaps the easiest to prevent – learn how by reading about Shaken Baby Syndrome and Child Abuse Service at Children’s.

3. Bike, skate and scooter with care – Make sure your child wears a helmet and other protective gear for all wheeled activities. Don’t place your child on a bike he will “grow into,” and teach him the rules of the road including obeying all traffic laws. Learn more about bike safety.

4. Talk to teens about prom and graduation – Sit down and have the hard conversations about underage drinking, driving, drugs, sex and other common issues around graduation. Share an article on underage drinking with your teenager.

5. Supervise outdoor fun – Actively supervise your child during summertime activities like swimming, camping, fishing and playing outside. Tip: look for playgrounds where the surfaces are covered by at least 12 inches of shredded rubber, hardwood fiber mulch or fine sand.

6. Model safe driving – Be a role model behind the wheel. This includes properly attached car or booster seats for children, regularly maintaining your car, and avoiding distractions (no cell phones, eating or texting while driving). Read about the dangers of distracted driving.

7. Dress the part – Use the appropriate safety gear for your child’s summer activities (life jacket for swimming/boating, athletic gear for sports and sunscreen when outside).

8. Store a first aid kit in your home and car – Not every injury is a traumatic one, but unchecked bleeding can make a moderate injury much worse. A well-stocked first aid kit will help you address anything from everyday cuts to more severe injuries. Learn what to keep in your kit.

9. Keep fire extinguishers in the house – In the spirit of fireworks and barbecues (summertime favorites), fire extinguisher should be in/near the kitchen and the master bedroom. If you have a multi-story house, keep one on each floor.

10. Know your closest trauma center – Only certain hospitals have the resources to be designated as trauma centers, and kids who suffer catastrophic injuries are typically brought to Children's Hospital Colorado by first responders. To help prepare for any unexpected medical visit (and know exactly where to go), download our easy, customizable online kit.

Trauma and emergency care for kids at Children's Hospital Colorado

A trauma center is a type of hospital that has resources and equipment needed to help care for severely injured patients. Children's Hospital Colorado main campus is the only dedicated Level 1 Regional Pediatric Trauma Center in the Rocky Mountain Region.

Learn why Children’s is the best place for kids in need of emergency or trauma care.