Safe Kids records big numbers in 2014

Safe Kids Greater Augusta, led by Children’s Hospital of Georgia, logged nearly 2,000 hours of service in 2014 among its members, according to Coalition Coordinator Rene Hopkins. As a result, more than 6,000 adults and children combined were provided valuable  safety tips and educational tools to help prevent childhood injuries, the leading killer of children ages 1 to 14.

Hopkins shared the numbers at the annual Safe Kids Awards Luncheon on Jan. 30. Here are other 2014 achievements she highlighted:

• 1,600 pedestrian reflectors were distributed
• 170 car seats were distributed, which included education on appropriate installation and usage
• 93 infant sleep safety kits were given through Cribs for Kids classes
• 84 bike helmets were distributed
• 49 Safe Sitters were trained

These numbers are quite impressive, considering Hopkins is the sole staff member of CHOG’s Safe Kids coalition. “I couldn’t have had such a good year of prevention efforts without all of the instructors, volunteers, and members who help me put on these classes and events,” Hopkins said.

In addition, Angie Gifford was named the Safe Kids Greater Augusta Member of the Year for 2014.  Gifford, a full-time nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at CHOG, has been a member of Safe Kids for many years and is a certified Child Passenger Safety technician and Cribs for Kids instructor.

“When we launched our Car Seat Class, Angie was one of the first to sign on as an instructor,” said Hopkins. “Then when we launched our sleep safety class, she was among the first to sign on to teach that class as well. Over the years she has helped to develop training programs and hospital policies for angle tolerance testing of low birth weight and premature infants to assure their safety in the car.  Hopkins said that Gifford even comes in on her days off to be sure that a premature child is properly fitted in a car seat before the parents take the baby home. “That’s how much she cares.”

Safe Kids needs more instructors and donations to provide training in the community. To find out more about Safe Kids, contact Hopkins at 706-721-7606 or ihopkins@gru.edu, or visit grhealth.org/safekids.