Injury Prevention Program

The Injury Prevention Program at Children’s Hospital is a nationally recognized program. Prevention is the key to breaking the cycle of unintentional injury. Through collaboration with community partners, evidenced based strategies and innovative technologies, the Prevention team is reaching more families with injury prevention education than ever before.

Nationally recognized programs include L.A. Street Smarts, an interactive neighborhood scenario environment that helps children learn pedestrian safety; car seat education classes; home safety education and sports safety/concussion awareness campaigns.

For Our Patients

A light skin-toned woman adjusts a safety belt strap on a medium-light skin-toned boy

Bedside Consults and Car Seat Loaners

Many childhood injuries are preventable, and one main focus of the Injury Prevention Program is to provide education and resources to prevent future injuries from occurring. In an effort to do so, the Injury Prevention Program provides beside education and consults to our inpatient population to address:

Fall prevention
Pedestrian injuries
Child passenger safety
Sports related injuries
Poison prevention
Gun safety
Choking prevention
Hyperthermia prevention
Fire safety

Educational materials and education are provided to Children's Hospital Los Angeles trauma patients, tailored to their specific mechanism of injury in an effort to prevent further similar injuries.

Childproofing product - clear view stove knob covers in package

Home Safety Audits

Each year, there are approximately 3,000,000 unintentional injuries to children 14 and under as a result of home incidents:

Fires
Burns
Drownings
Poisonings
Choking
Suffocation
Strangulation
Falls

While constant adult supervision is the best way to keep your child safe at home, sometimes it’s just not enough. Modeled after the “Home Safe Home” program developed by Children's Hospital Los Angeles doctors Susan Wu, MD, and Mona Patel, MD, the “Home Safety Audit” program was created to reduce the number of unintentional injuries of children at home. Home Safety Audits are offered to families whose children were recently injured at home, and as a result, received care at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. As a part of the program, Injury Prevention staff members conduct a detailed inspection of the child’s home environment, including a room-by-room analysis of injury risks, coupled with recommendations on prevention strategies and tools. Families are provided with a variety of home safety devices, educational materials and other recommendations on how to improve their child’s safety at home such as disaster preparedness.

For the Community

Car Seat Inspections

CHLA certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) can assist with car seat inspections and installations free of charge. Have your child’s car seat inspected and learn proper installation from one of our certified technicians. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

Car Seat Recycling Program

When a car seat is no longer safe to use, be sure to recycle it. The Injury Prevention Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles can help!

Car seats expire six years from their manufacture date (which can be found printed on the car seat). Seats that are expired or have been involved in a car accident, no matter how moderate or severe the crash, should be discarded.

Car seats can be dropped off at the main entrance of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the first Friday of each month.

Why Recycle Car Seats?

Recycling prevents circulating damaged or expired car seats into community.
At least 90 percent of car seat material can be recycled.

Let Children’s Hospital Los Angeles help you keep kids safe and protect the environment!

Download our brochure

A vending machine that holds child safety and baby-proofing products, labeled Home Safety Products

Home Safety Products/Vending Machines

The Injury Prevention Program of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, provides home safety products at wholesale cost to its hospital visitors, employees and the outside community to reduce the number of unintentional injuries to children at home. There are currently 4 customized home safety vending machines throughout the hospital. The locations include the Emergency Department, In the Park Lobby near the Bank of America Machine, the Ground Floor, and at the entrance to the Outpatient Tower. Machines are also out in the community at three Westfield Malls ( Arcadia, Sherman Oaks, and Valencia). The Safety Corner located in the Family Pantry also provides these products at the same cost. The Safety Corner is located in the Anderson Pavilion next to the HBO Café. The machines are stocked with products that make every room of an individual’s home safer. Products such as oven locks, outlet covers, cabinet locks and refrigerator locks prevent injuries in the kitchen. Bath treads, bath thermometers target possible injuries in the bathroom. There are also safety straps and corner cushions that work in a multiple of locations to prevent tip overs and injuries from falls. The machines also spotlight important disaster preparedness products. These items are accessible, affordable, and make great gifts for baby showers and the Holiday season.

Download our flyer, or learn more about our safety corner.

Children and adults walk across a set simulating a street light on a busy street

L.A. Street Smarts

L.A. Street Smarts is a hands-on interactive neighborhood that helps children learn, as they walk through the neighborhood, the best way to stay safe while playing in or near the street.

A medium skin-toned young woman tosses a bean bag at a board labeled Safety Toss, with different choices next to each hole in the board.

iPrevent Volunteer Program

The iPrevent Volunteer Program provides a complete continuum of trauma care for children, including acute injury care, disaster preparedness and injury prevention. Click here to download an application.