Prevent to Protect: STRMC Celebrates Injury Prevention

Jourdanton, TX—South Texas Regional Medical Center (STRMC) invites you to celebrate Injury Prevention. Injury is the third leading cause of death in the state of Texas. It is the leading cause of death for Texans ages one to 44 years and the biggest killer of our children.

The Tie One On for Safety campaign, headed by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers in conjunction with Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council, runs from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. The holiday season is targeted because of the increase in travel as well as alcohol use which equals an increase in drunk driving.  The goal of the campaign is to get drivers to be safe, sober and buckled-up.

This holiday season is an ideal time to learn or remind you of critical facts that can help save lives:

• The safest driver is always one that has had nothing to drink.
• Just two alcoholic drinks can put you over the legal limit.
• Your body can only process one drink per hour.
• If you plan to drink, please call a designated driver.
• Always make sure your friends have a safe ride home.
• Be safe and buckle up! It’s your best defense.

The STRMC Emergency Department (ED) works all year to implement new educational materials and strategies to help save patient lives in Atascosa County. STRMC’s ED invites you to help spread awareness of injury prevention all year long with those close to you. 

How can you help spread awareness?

• Teachers and parents can begin discussing with their youngsters about injuries and the importance of prevention by declaring their own red ribbon day in class or at home.
• Small research projects, collages or dress-up days can be incorporated to help children at all ages participate in injury prevention education
• The importance of injury prevention programs in our hospital communities cannot be forgotten.
• Take time to evaluate and suggest modifications to the living conditions which affect daily activities for an elderly friend or relative.

For more information about injury prevention from STRMC’s ED, please call 830-769-3515 to speak with Adriana Williams, RN, BSN, Trauma Program Manager.

STRMC staff gather in support of Red Ribbon Awareness.