The best "cure" for trauma is prevention. In fact, while most people call them "accidents" most trauma incidents can be prevented.

Prevention is one of the primary components of University Hospital's Level I Trauma Center. The Child Health and Safety Awareness program focuses on:

• Car seat inspections and installations
• School and community interventions, including:
• "Take a Back Seat to Safety" to empower elementary students to make good choices ­ sitting in the front seat isn't safe and it isn't cool.
• "Shattered Dreams" to teach high school students about the disastrous results of drinking and driving.
• Parent and child education through the University Health System's Baby Safe Place and Safe House

Contact Susan Douglass at 210-358-4272 for more information on child safety prevention or to schedule a car seat inspection.

The trauma and Child Health and Safety team are also vocal advocates for the promotion of laws that can truly protect the community and prevent childhood injury. Their efforts directly led to the strengthening of Texas' child passenger restraint law during the 2001 Texas' Legislative Session.