How can we prevent injuries in the Two Rivers District? 04.28.2011
For Immediate Release:
Please contact:
Terry Krohn, Director
Two Rivers Public Health Department
701 4th Avenue, Suite 1
Holdrege, NE 68949
308-995-4778
1-888-669-7154
How can we prevent injuries in the Two Rivers District?
The most recent injury data available (1999-2003) for the Two Rivers District, which includes Buffalo, Dawson, Franklin, Gosper, Harlan, Kearney and Phelps Counties, shows unintentional and intentional injuries as the fourth leading cause of death. It is our second leading cause for loss of years of potential life, after cancer and accounted for 264 deaths. Motor vehicle accidents and falls account for the largest portion of injuries in our district. Realizing that most injuries are preventable and using precautions such as looking both ways before crossing the street, and available resources like always fastening your seatbelt, are keys in reducing these statistics for you and your family.
Two Rivers works with our many partners, such as Safe Kids and Safe Communities to focus on improving car seat and seat belt use, reducing impaired driving, and helping groups at risk: child passengers, teen drivers, and older adult drivers. Our partners also work to prevent pedestrian and bicycle injuries through Walk to School events and Safe Routes to School programs that include cross walk guards.
Events have been organized in several of our counties by community partners to give teens hands on experience in the dangers of distracted driving. Two Rivers recently sponsored a poster contest for district 2nd graders with the theme, “I Stay Safe By” to raise awareness of the importance of injury prevention with school children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides the following suggestions for fall prevention in the elderly including:
- Exercise regularly. It’s important that the exercises focus on increasing leg strength and improving balance. Tai Chi programs are especially good. - TRPHD has partnered with DHHS to provide Tai Chi training for instructors in our district. Many senior centers, nursing homes and fitness centers provide physical activity opportunities.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review medicines—both prescription and over-the counter—to reduce side effects and interactions that may cause dizziness or drowsiness. This will help to reduce mix-ups or overdosing. Two Rivers works with local hospitals, law enforcement and pharmacists to hold medication take back events for leftover drugs. Take backs help to protect people from medication abuse and/or poisoning and they protect our ground water from contamination by disposing of the medications properly.
Injuries affect us all, regardless of sex, race, or economic status, and they are preventable. It is important for families and communities to work together to reduce injuries by creating homes and environments that are safer. Simple things can make a difference: wear seatbelts, use child car seats and bike helmets, don’t drink or text and drive, remove a throw rug that could cause a fall. We will continue to work with our partners to reduce injuries in our District, but our most important partner is you and what you do each day to keep your family safe.
