In recognition of International Safe Kids Month, Griffin Health and Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley are teaming up to offer parents and caregivers helpful resources to prevent injuries in children. The collaboration comes at a time when health experts report a sharp rise in preventable child injuries.
The organizations will host a free child safety education event on Thursday, May 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby. The event will provide information on correct car seat installation, when children can ride without a booster seat, water safety, home safety, and more. Attendees can also enjoy giveaways and prize raffles.
Health professionals often refer to summer as “trauma season” due to a significant increase in unintentional injuries and deaths among children during this time. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, 42% of all accidental deaths among children occur between May and August.
“During this season, parents are juggling many responsibilities. Safe Kids Month helps bring attention to child injury prevention and offers simple, proven ways to keep children safe,” said Cathi Kellett, coordinator of Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley and supervisor of special programs for Griffin Health’s Community Outreach & Parish Nurse Department.
Accidental injuries remain the leading cause of death for children in the United States. Millions more suffer non-fatal injuries that may lead to long-term consequences. Statistics show that during summer, injury rates for children ages 1-4 are 1.8 times higher than in other seasons. For children ages 5-14, the rate is 1.5 times higher.
“Do you have the right car seat for your child’s size and age? Have you created and practiced a fire escape plan at home, like kids do at school? Are your medications safely stored out of reach? These are questions every parent should ask,” Kellett said. “Often, safety tasks are on the to-do list but don’t get done. Safe Kids Month is a great reminder to take action.”
This event is part of Griffin Health’s mission to promote community well-being through free education and injury prevention programs. The hospital aims to help individuals make better lifestyle choices and live healthier lives.
About Griffin Health
Griffin Health is a nonprofit health care system anchored by Griffin Hospital, a 160-bed acute care community hospital in Derby, Connecticut. The hospital serves over 130,000 residents in the Lower Naugatuck Valley and operates an integrated medical group, Griffin Faculty Physicians. Known for its patient-centered approach, Griffin Hospital is the flagship of Planetree International, an organization promoting personalized care. The hospital has received national recognition for its efforts to meet the emotional, social, and medical needs of patients and their families.
Griffin Hospital has earned top patient satisfaction ratings and numerous quality awards. It has appeared on Newsweek’s “World’s Best Hospitals” list for seven consecutive years (2019–2025), earned Gold Certification for Person-Centered Care from Planetree, and was named one of Becker’s Hospital Review’s “100 Great Community Hospitals.”
About Safe Kids Worldwide
Safe Kids Worldwide is a global nonprofit that works to protect children from preventable injuries—the leading cause of death among kids in the U.S. The organization collaborates with more than 400 coalitions across the country and partners in over 30 nations. Its work focuses on reducing injuries from car crashes, drowning, unsafe sleep, and other hazards. Since 1988, Safe Kids has helped reduce the rate of child deaths from unintentional injuries in the U.S. by nearly 60%.
