Injury prevention and outreach

Stop the Bleed

Each year victims die due to bleeding from their extremities. The international program, Stop the Bleed, teaches people how to recognize life threatening bleeding, pack a wound, apply pressure and apply a tourniquet. Classes are free and open to anyone age 8 and up. Classes last 1 hour with virtual options available. We come to workplaces, schools, community centers, churches and offer this class to you and your community.

Contact [email protected] to schedule a class and receive more information.

Child passenger safety

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury and death to children. Proper use of a car seat can reduce the risk of injury by 71-82% compared to seat belt alone. Yet we see roughly 59% of families using their car seat incorrectly (20% of boosters). Our programs educate parents and caregivers on proper use to help them correctly and confidently transport their child.

• Car seat consultations: Starting from birth, we are there to help provide free car seat consultations on the Women’s Care Unit to make that first ride home a safe one.
• Educational and distribution classes: For families who are unable to purchase a new, safe car seat on their own we offer car seat classes that provide car seats for a $30 donation for the correct age, weight and height of the child. Call 970.495.7508 to sign up or learn more.
• If a child has special needs, we have trained special needs car seat technicians who are able to support families by transporting the child safely. Call 970.495.7502 to set up an appointment.
• Our partners provide free car seat checks at their agency locations in Larimer and Weld County for kids of all ages. > Find a list of agencies.

Bicycle safety

Helmets are critical for all ages and all wheeled sports. They can decrease the risk of head injury by 80%. The programs we offer include:

• Strap & Snap: A one-hour interactive bicycle and helmet safety presentation provided to third graders in Thompson School District, Weld RE-4 and Weld RE-5J by volunteers from EMS, police, fire and local bicycling groups.
• Support at Bike to Work Day by providing breakfast booth to fuel those riding to work.
• Support whole families by providing helmets at different fit stations across the county.
• Partnering with Colorado State University to provide helmets for their campus bike shop to distribute at little to no cost. We also provide staff at their biking events to fit new helmets on heads of students who do not have one.
• Helmets are also available at our emergency departments in Larimer County for any patient in need.

Teen driving safety

Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death for US teens. Studies show that graduated driver licensing significantly decreases the risk of fatal teen crashes among 16- to 17-year-old drivers. We aim to educate parents, caregivers and teens on what distracted driving is, the importance of following the graduated drivers licensing and resources to support families through the stressful time of teaching a teen to drive. Our programs include:

• Graduated Drivers Licensing Presentation: A one-hour program where teens and parents learn together about the Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) laws and why they are so important. An insurance agent will also speak on insuring a teen driver and answer questions related to insurance. Email [email protected] for more information.
• P.A.R.T.Y. (Prevent Alcohol & Risk-Related Trauma in Youth): A day-long program which takes the students on a journey through a trauma with presentations from EMS, the Emergency Department, State Patrol/local police department and a trauma survivor. Stations simulating a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and distracted driving are also incorporated into the day. The goal is for the students to realize their decisions do not just affect them, or even just their family and friends, but the community surrounding them. The program is provided for Poudre and Thompson School District high schools. > Learn more here.

Older adult driving safety

Older drivers are often the safest drivers in that they are more likely to wear their seatbelts, and less likely to speed or drink and drive. However, older drivers are more likely to be killed or seriously injured when a crash does occur due to the greater fragility of their aging bodies. To help decrease this risk we offer:

• CarFit: Meet one on one with a CarFit technician for 30 minutes to go over a 12-point safety checklist to look at the fit of the person within their vehicle. Together they will check mirror positioning, seat belt fit, steering wheel distance and more. At the end of the appointment, the participant meets with an Occupational Therapist to discuss adaptive devices and safe driving. Appointments are available the second Monday of each month. Sign up by calling 970.495.8560.

Older adult falls

One in four adults over the age of 65 will fall this year. Falls are a large cause of trauma admissions and can cause a loss of independence and confidence. To decrease fear and increase strength, we are able to provide multiple fall prevention programs to support our community members. Depending on the level of commitment one is ready for, we have something for everyone. Programs include:

• Balance Screening: A 20-minute screening with a physical therapist to assess fall risk and give recommendations to decrease fall risk. Sign up here.
• Medication and Supplemental Review: UCHealth pharmacists review your medications, vitamins, supplements and over-the-counter drugs. Appointments are required. Sign up here.
• Virtual Pre-Recorded Fall Prevention Class: A 4-week pre-recorded fall prevention course that includes exercise, medication management, home safety and vision safety that you can watch at your own speed. Call 970.495.7502 to register to receive the links.
• Stepping On: An evidence-based, community-based fall prevention program. For two hours, once a week for seven weeks, you will meet with other community members and the leaders of the program to discuss ways to prevent falls along with learning balance and strengthening exercises. Guest experts, including a physical therapist, vision expert, pharmacist and community safety expert, are also present during some of the presentations. > Sign up here.