Children's Safety and Wellness

Our dedication to childhood safety and wellness is demonstrated through our participation in a variety of programs including community health fairs, the Information Station program, and the Head Injury Prevention Program (HIPP).

Information Station 

Since accidental childhood injury is the number one cause of death in children ages 14 and under, the Information Station program works to promote health and safety by providing community partners with relevant information related to pediatric safety and wellness. 

Each month features a different Children's Hospital fact sheet related to relevant topics, such as bike safety and water safety. The fact sheets are designed to be a parent-friendly source of quick and easy information.  Additionally, they include a Spanish translation. 

This month's featured fact sheet topic is:

   Handwashing

We have the following fact sheets available for download here:

  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Backpack Safety
  • Bike Safety
  • Child Passenger Safety
  • Dental Hygiene
  • Halloween Safety
  • Hand Washing
  • Healthy Habits
  • Heat Illness Prevention
  • Holiday Safety
  • Internet Safety
  • Nutrition
  • Playground Safety
  • Poison Prevention
  • Sun Protection
  • Water Safety
  • Winter Sports Safety

In order to become more environmentally friendly, we have switched to electronic versions of the monthly fact sheets as of December 1st, 2008.  The featured fact sheet is also be available via email, as well as monthly bulletin board materials relating to the featured fact sheet.  These materials are a great resource to display in your office, school, or clinic. If you would like the featured fact sheet emailed to you at the beginning of each month, or would like to receive bulletin board materials, please email your request to adt4x@virginia.edu.  

Head Injury Prevention Program 

Another focus of the UVA Health System Community Outreach effort is to provide bike helmets to children in the Charlottesville area. The Head Injury Prevention Program (HIPP) provides helmets to children in need through both community health fairs and local physicians. Additionally, HIPP teaches parents how to properly adjust the fit of the helmet to their child's head.

Reduce childhood head injuries by using safety helmets

During the 2007 Holiday season, we once again partnered with the Toy Lift organization to provide a helmet to every child who received a bike. Two hundred and fifty local children received a helmet through this effort.  We will partner again with the Toylift Organization in 2008 to provide bike helmets to every child who receives a bike during the holiday season. 

Read more about the Bicycle Helmet Distribution program.

In addition to the Information Stations and HIPP Program, UVA Health System Childhood Safety and Wellness programs focus on promoting safety and wellness to all children within the health system as well as those in the local community. Other safety and wellness programs offered by UVA Childhood Safety and Wellness include but are not limited to the following:

  • Water Safety
  • Heat Illness Prevention
  • Bike Safety
  • Backpack Safety
  • Playground Safety
  • Halloween Safety
  • Holiday Safety
  • Promoting Healthy Habits
  • Winter Sports Safety (Safe Sliders)