INJURY PREVENTION

Injury is defined as "any unintentional or intentional damage to the body resulting from acute exposure to thermal, mechanical, electrical, or chemical energy or from the absence of such essentials as heat or oxygen" (National Committee for Injury Prevention & Control, 1989) There are two broad classifications of injuries:  

Unintentional, injuries resulting from events such as falls, motor vehicles crashes and drowning. 

A new report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that an estimated 185,500 children under the age of 15 were treated in emergency departments for toy-related injuries in 2015. Children under the age of five accounted for nearly half of these injuries. Cuts, scrapes, and bruises were the most common toy-related injuries, with most injuries affecting the head or face. Out of a total of 50 categories of toys, non-motorized scooters were involved in one out of every four injuries.

Visit the Children's Safety Network to learn more at:  https://www.childrenssafetynetwork.org/blog/tis-season-toy-safety

Intentional, injuries resulting from violent events such as suicide, homicides, and assaults such as sexual assault, intimate partner violence, child and elder abuse. 

5 leading causes of injury in Wisconsin:

Motor vehicle crashes
Falls
Suicide by firearms
Unintentional poisoning 
Homicide by firearms 

 

 

Fall Prevention Resources

Fall Prevention Guide from Aging in Place

Stay Independent Brochure - Fall risk self assessment tool 

Home Fall Prevention Checklist - Check the safety of your home

What You Can Do to Prevent Falls

Older Adult Falls: A Growing Danger - Get the facts on older adult falls

Wisconsin Statistics

  • Injury is a leading cause of death and disability among Wisconsin residents, causing about 3,078 deaths annually.
  • Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for ages 1-34 years.
  • Unintentional injury is the fifth leading cause of death in Wisconsin.
  • Studies show that, in Wisconsin more than 90% of child restraints are not installed correctly. 
  • Falls were the leading cause of hospitalizations in Wisconsin.
  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death in ages 15 to 34.
  • Of all intentional injuries leading to death, 70% were due to suicides.
  • In Wisconsin, suicides occur three times more often than homicides.

Source: Bureau of Health Information, Division of Health Care Financing, Department of Health and Family Services 

How to Prevent Injury 
Visit the links below to get tips on injury prevention:

  • Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow infographic created by Alverno Nursing Students during their clinical with our department
  • Click here to find which car seat your child needs.
  • Click here for information from the CDC.
  • Click here for the Wisconsin Injury & Violence Prevention Program.
  • Click here to learn more about REDgen, a coalition dedicated to promoting balance and resilience for kids and teenagers in the North Shore. 
  • Click here to learn about our Fall Prevention Program 
  • Click here to visit Safe Kids Worldwide website and learn ways to keep kids safe
  • Click here to view fire safety tips
  • Click here to view the Heroin, Opioid and Prescription Drug Resource Guide

Important Emergency Numbers

Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222

Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE

Fire: 911 or your local emergency number

Police: 911 or your local emergency number

Ambulance: 911 or your local emergency number 

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North Shore Health Department receives feedback and oversight from the North Shore Board of Health. The Board of Health consists of nine members representing each of the seven participating communities. The Board meets at least quarterly.
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