As the only Level 1 trauma center in a 15,000-square-mile region, which sees an average of 800 pediatric trauma cases a year, Community Regional Medical Center is keenly interested in educating families on how to keep children out of the emergency room. Community serves in a leadership role for Safe Kids Central Valley, a childhood injury prevention coalition with member agencies from Fresno and Madera counties, including other hospitals.
 

Motor vehicle accidents are the second leading cause of death for children in the U.S. and are the second leading cause behind falls for children being admitted to Community’s trauma center. And increasingly more teens are ending up in the emergency room after being hit by a car, bike or motorcycle while walking – most of them while distracted by technology. In response and to help remind families about important ways to prevent injury, Community has produced videos on pedestrian safety and car seat safety, and hosted and participated in car seat safety checks and events with the California Highway Patrol.