Injury Prevention

A Matter of Balance and Stepping On are successful evidence-based program for older adults. Participants demonstrate significant improvements after completing the course in their level of falls management, falls control, level of exercise and social limitations with regard to concerns about falling.

Find a class at yourjuniper.org:

• A Matter of Balance
• Stepping On

For Stepping On Workshop Leaders and Coordinators (From Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging)

Car seat checks & education are provided to you by the St. Cloud Area Child Passenger Safety Collaborative.

See dates of upcoming St. Cloud car seat checks at the Gold Cross Ambulance Garage, 2800 7th Ave N.

Things to know before you call for an appointment:

• Plan ahead! If you are expecting, we recommend calling when you are 6 -7 months pregnant.
• Seat checks are available for all stages — infant seats to booster seats.
• If you get a voicemail please leave your name, phone number and number of car seats you would like checked. Someone will call you back to schedule an appointment time.
• Plan 30 minutes for EACH car seat in EACH vehicle.
• Before your check, you need to install your car seat at home (read the car seat manual and vehicle manual for assistance).
• Car seats will be evaluated for correct fit in the vehicle, child size and for any recalls.
• This is not a distribution site - you must bring your own car seat.

For the safety of our athletes and further prevention of concussions, since Sept. 1, 2011, a Minnesota law has required all coaches and officials (public and private) to be trained in identifying concussions. In order to accommodate the regulations of the State, the Centers for Disease Control has created a prevention tool called Heads Up. The program was developed to identify and educate our athletes, parents and coaches on Concussions in Youth Sports. The program provides online training for coaches, as well as a number of printable resources for athletes and their parents. Please take the time to thoroughly review this information so athletes who experience a concussion can be managed appropriately and return to play safely.

Learn about Project BrainSafe

Learn more about how to recognize and treat a concussion

Learn more about the Heads Up program

Helmet Smart
As part of Project BrainSafe, bike helmets are also available thanks to funds

provided by the CentraCare Health Foundation. They are sold at a rate of $10, with funds being recycled to purchase more helmets in the future. During the spring and summer months, helmets and fittings are provided at various bicycle and safety events throughout Central Minnesota. Our staff can also provide helmet fittings and education in the classroom, child care centers, or during after school activities. For more information, or to purchase helmets through this program, contact Melissa Hjelle, injury Prevention Specialist at hjellem@centracare.com or at 320-251-2700, ext. 52574.

Visit SafeKidsUSA to learn more about sport-specific safety

RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program), a department of the City of St. Cloud, works with St. Cloud Hospital, Gold Cross Ambulance, St. Cloud Fire Department, St. Cloud Police Department, Central Minnesota Council on Aging and Spot Rehab to provide a falls prevention program for area seniors. Trained volunteers provide free in-home safety assessments for seniors who live independently.

Download Fall Prevention Patient Brochure (PDF)

Learn more about the Falls Prevention Coalition

Find out more about the services provided by CentraCare Health Medical Alert Service

Parents of young drivers have the opportunity to expose them to a variety of driving conditions and scenarios in a controlled setting. The Teen Driving Skills and Parent Awareness Class takes place every other month at the Minnesota Highway Safety and Research Center.

For more information and registration, go to Minnesota Highway Safety and Research Center

Learn more about the Teen Driving Awareness Program (PDF)

The MN Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) program works in partnership with community and corridor groups to improve the traffic safety of a designated area. MN TZD provides technical assistance, materials and guidance to local groups that are committed to reducing crashes and the fatalities and serious injuries that result from them.

View the Stearns and Benton Toward Zero Deaths Coalition Facebook page

For the Health of It Blog: Playing a Part to Bring Us Closer to Zero

Uncontrolled bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death from trauma. Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign and a call to action. It is intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.

Learn more at www.bleedingcontrol.org

For the Health of It Blog: Be Prepared to Save a Life — Know How to Respond In a Bleeding Emergency