Injury Prevention

Injury, both intentional (violence) and unintentional (accidents), is a leading cause of death and disability in Maryland. However, injury is often preventable. Please visit the resources below for more information about specific injury prevention strategies.

Injury-Specific Resources

Bites and Stings

General Bites and Stings - The Maryland Poison Center provides guidance on bites and stings from Maryland snakes, spiders, ticks, bees, jellyfish, and others. Call the poison center at 1-800-222-1222 for medical advice, especially if symptoms develop or bites are from venomous animals.
Stinging Insects - This CDC/NIOSH resource provides guidance for outdoor workers on preventing stings from bees, wasps, hornets, and fire ants.
Dog Bite Prevention Tips - This article from the American Academy of Pediatrics provides practical tips to help prevent dog bites, particularly among children.
Rabies Prevention - This Howard County Health Department webpage provides information on preventing rabies in people and pets.

CPR and AED Courses and Certifications

American Red Cross- CPR Training - This American Red Cross webpage highlights the organization's training and education programs designed to help individuals prepare for and respond to emergencies.
American Red Cross- AED Training - This American Red Cross webpage provides information about Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training courses.

Domestic Violence and Assault

HopeWorks Howard County - HopeWorks of Howard County provides safe shelter and transitional housing for victims of domestic violence, their children, counseling for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, (women, men and children), legal assistance, Abuser Intervention Program, pet-safe program, prevention, education and awareness programs.
Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault - The Rape Crisis and Recovery Centers provide the following confidential services to adult and child victims, as well as their families, partners, and loved ones
Human Trafficking Prevention - This Howard County Office of Human Trafficking Prevention webpage provides information on recognizing, preventing, and responding to human trafficking. The page also offers resources for victims and survivors, including 24/7 crisis and text lines, and encourages residents to report suspected trafficking and seek help for themselves or others.
Victim Services in Howard County - This Howard County Police Department webpage outlines the Victim & Witness Services program, which provides free, confidential support to victims and witnesses of crime.

Drownings

CDC: Water Safety - This CDC webpage provides information about drowning prevention and highlights that drowning is a leading cause of injury-related death, particularly among young children. It outlines evidence-based strategies to reduce drowning risk, including close supervision around water, learning swimming and water safety skills, wearing properly fitted life jackets, ensuring barriers around pools, and knowing CPR.
Water Safety USA - This Water Safety USA webpage highlights the organization's mission to reduce drowning and promote water safety through education, collaboration, and evidence-based prevention strategies.
Safe Kids Worldwide: Water Safety at Home - This Safe Kids Worldwide webpage provides practical tips to help prevent drowning and keep children safe in and around water. It emphasizes the importance of constant, distraction-free adult supervision, teaching children swimming and water survival skills, installing four-sided fencing around home pools, using properly fitted life jackets instead of inflatable flotation devices, and learning CPR.

Environmental Exposure