Safe Kids Montana led by CHA

March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month. 🧠💙

Many brain injuries in children are preventable. Steps like wearing helmets for biking and winter sports, using a properly installed car seat or booster seat, childproofing windows and anchoring furniture, and creating safe play spaces can significantly reduce the risk.

Children’s brains are still developing, which makes prevention especially important. This month is a great time to check helmets for proper fit, review car seat guidelines, check your home for fall and tip-over hazards, and talk with kids about safe play.

To learn more about preventing head injuries and keeping kids safe, visit safekids.org/safetytips. 🚲

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, but having trusted information at your fingertips can make all the difference. 💙

Safe Kids Montana can connect families with expert-backed guidance on everything from car seats and safe sleep to water safety and preventing injuries at home. These resources help parents and grandparents make confident, informed decisions every day—whether you’re preparing for a new baby, guiding toddlers, or supporting school-age children.

Take a few minutes today to explore the safety resources on our website and bookmark them for when you need them most. Visit communityhealthwmt.org/safe-kids-montana to learn more and share with someone who cares for kids. 🧡

Montana weather likes to keep us guessing. It could be sunshine in the morning, snow showers by dinner. 🌦️❄️

With shifting weather comes shifting road conditions. Wet pavement can turn slick fast, especially as temps drop. Before you head out this weekend:

• Slow down and increase following distance
• Watch for icy bridges and shaded areas
• Make sure headlights are on during rain or snow
• Check tires and windshield wipers for changing conditions

A little extra caution goes a long way in unpredictable weather!

New service offered by our lead agency, Community Health Alliance! Check it out 👀

📢New Service!
Our certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) have recently received the Prenatal Vehicle Safety Educator endorsement, allowing us to offer prenatal seat belt checks for expecting parents.

A prenatal seat belt check helps ensure the lap and shoulder belt are positioned correctly to protect both the pregnant person and baby. As bodies change during pregnancy, seat belts can easily shift into unsafe positions.

Our trained CPSTs provide guidance to ensure the belt sits low on the hips and across the chest, reducing the risk of injury in a crash. This free service is one more way we’re helping families stay safe on the road at every stage.

Call our office to schedule an appointment or to learn more.

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Keeping kids safe
Is what we do. ❤️

From car seats to helmets and everything in between,
We’re here with resources to support your family’s routine.

Visit safekids.org/safetytips to learn more and share the love of safety this Valentine’s Day. 💗

Frozen lakes, ponds, and rivers can look like the perfect place to explore, but ice conditions can change quickly and are rarely safe for play. Teaching kids to stay off the ice is one of the most important winter safety lessons. 🧊💙

We can all keep kids safe by:
• Talking to them about the dangers of playing on frozen lakes, ponds, or rivers
• Providing close adult supervision around frozen bodies of water
• Explaining that ice can be thin even if it looks solid
• Reminding kids to stay in designated play areas away from water

Cold water can lead to serious injury in minutes. To learn more about winter safety , visit www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Winter-Safety.aspx.

We may not have fresh snow on the ground right now, but winter fun is still part of the season. When the sleds and skis do come out, a little preparation goes a long way in preventing injuries. 🛷⛷️

Keep these winter play safety tips in mind:
• Wear a properly fitted helmet designed for winter sports
• Choose sledding hills away from roads, parking lots, trees, and fences
• Make sure kids sit facing forward and go down feet first when sledding
• Dress in layers and take breaks to warm up

To learn more about winter safety, visit www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Winter-Safety.aspx. ❄️

Teaching kids about fire and burn safety can be engaging and fun. 🐾🔥

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)'s Sparky the Fire Dog® website offers free, kid-friendly games, videos, and activities that help children learn important safety lessons through play and discovery.

With Sparky’s help, kids explore:
👉Fire safety at home
👉What to do in an emergency
👉How to stay safe around heat and flames

Parents, grandparents, and educators can explore these resources together and spark meaningful conversations about safety. Visit sparky.org to learn more and share with the kids in your life. 📚

This week is National Burn Awareness Week. Many burn injuries happen at home and are often preventable. 🔥🏠

As families spend more time indoors during colder months, a few simple habits can help reduce burn risks.
• Keep hot drinks and foods away from the edges of tables and counters
• Turn pot handles inward and use back burners when cooking
• Test bath water before placing a child in the tub
• Keep children a safe distance from stoves, space heaters, and fireplaces

To learn more about preventing burn injuries and other common household risks, visit safekids.org/safetytips. 💙

It’s almost time for the big game! 🏈 This weekend, families and friends will gather for the Super Bowl, cheering on their favorite (or fallback) team. A little planning can help keep celebrations safe for kids and adults alike.

As families host watch parties, keep these safety reminders in mind:
📺 Prevent tip-overs: Secure TVs and heavy furniture to the wall. Big reactions, crowded rooms, and curious kids can increase the risk of tip-overs on game day.
🍿 Watch the snacks: Chips, popcorn, nuts, and finger foods can be choking hazards for little ones. Offer age-appropriate foods and supervise closely.
🚕 Plan ahead for rides: If alcohol is part of the celebration, arrange a sober driver or ride in advance to help everyone get home safely.

Small steps like these help keep the focus on fun, food, and the final score. Go team! 🎉

Keeping kids safe means staying informed about product recalls that could affect your family. 🧸🔍

Safe Kids Worldwide maintains an up-to-date list of child product recalls, making it easier for parents and caregivers to know when a toy, stroller, car seat, or other item might pose a risk.

From toys to everyday gear, products can be pulled from shelves when safety issues are discovered. Checking recall information helps you make safer choices and take quick action if you already own something that’s been recalled.

Visit safekids.org/product-recalls to see the latest recall noticesand sign up for alerts. 💙