September 1-7 is National Childhood Injury Prevention Week!

September 1-7 is National Childhood Injury Prevention Week!
 
This week helps to promote resources that can help ensure that children are as safe as possible. We've compiled an extensive list of resources for parents in our community to help assist, including numerous programs and services that the City offers!
 
Do your kiddos need bike helmets? We'll be hosting another helmet fitting event during the next Family Movie Night at the Community Center on Friday, September 16th at 6:00 p.m.! These free bike helmets with proper fitting are being distributed to implement the Gateway Bike Plan, a regional collaborative effort to promote safe bicycling for transportation throughout the St. Louis region. We will also be hosting free classes on Safe Bicycling for Transportation at 5:30 p.m. every Wednesday from September 21 - October 19 in partnership with Big Shark Bicycle Company. For more information on registration for these sessions, please visit our calendar link here. Maryland Heights Parks and Recreation and the MHPD also offer a bike rodeo in the Spring to teach young riders learn how to ride a bike safely. Please stay tuned for more info as we get closer to Spring!

Looking for additional ways to keep your home safe? The Maryland Heights Police Department offers many resources for child safety, including free gun safety locks in partnership with Project ChildSafe. Residents are welcome to visit the Police Station during normal business hours or to contact Officer Terry Mancusi at 314-738-2358 or by email at tmancusi@MarylandHeights.com to pick up a free gun lock, or for any other questions you may have regarding child safety services the MHPD offers.

The MHPD also offers free prescription drug disposal services 24/7! Parents looking to dispose of old/extra prescription drugs that could pose harm to their children are welcome to visit the police station and contact an officer on duty. The MHPD will also be hosting their annual DEA National Drug Perscription Take Back Day event on 10/29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Government Center. No registration is required for this event. 

In addition, the Maryland Heights Fire  Protection District  is equipped to install car seats by appointment only. For more information, please contact them at mhfire.org/contact. For more information on car seat safety, please check out St. Louis Children's Hospital's guide on the subject.

The Maryland Heights Fire Protection District is also participating in a safety fair on the lot of Grace Church from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 24th.  At this event, they will be checking car seats, helmets, and giving away gun safety locks. No registration is required to attend.

Many parents of young children have concerns regarding safe sleep habits for their babies. Cardinal Glennon Hospital has produced a useful graphic detailing the basics of safe sleep for babies.

Many household items are poisonous if swallowed, and a potential hazard for young children. Always remember to keep chemicals and dangerous substances out of reach or locked away from children. For more information on best practices and what to do if a child ingests poison, please visit the Missouri Poison Center website.

One of the leading causes of major injury among young children is due to injuries sustained from large furniture items. Anchoring furniture items is a simple, low-cost, and effective way to ensure that your children remain safe around the house - while protecting your furniture items as well! For more information on how to anchor furniture items with child safety in mind, please visit the Anchor It website.

A leading cause of child injury and death is due to drownings. Teaching children to swim mitigates much of this risk, and many area organizations offer low-cost swimming lessons for those in need. For more information on pool safety and where to begin the process of water safety education, please visit the SWIM ON Foundation website.

For more information on potential hazards and ways to improve safety for your children, please visit this comprehensive article that the CDC has prepared: Information on Safety in the Home & Community for Parents with Children (Ages 4-11) | CDC

For any additional questions you may have on child safety needs, please contact our social worker at criebling@marylandheights.com or (314) 291-6550.