Let’s Stay Safe Outdoors

When the weather is warm across Greater Binghamton, outdoor activity increases and so does the risk of injury. At UHS Wilson Medical Center, the Trauma Services and Injury Prevention team sees that shift every year. UHS Wilson is a New York State-designated Level II trauma center and an American College of Surgeons-verified trauma program. 

“Our trauma numbers go up in the summer significantly,” said Emily Smith, BSN, RN, trauma injury prevention coordinator, UHS. “People are out on their ATVs and in their swimming pools. They are more active in the summertime.” 

For UHS, falls among older adults are the most common cause of trauma seen by the team, followed by motor vehicle crashes. The summer months also bring increases in injuries related to ATVs, bicycles, teen driving and water activities. 

In addition to treating patients in the Emergency Department, a key part of the trauma team’s work is prevention—helping reduce injuries before they occur through education and outreach. 

“That community outreach is essential,” Mrs. Smith said. “As a trauma center, we identify the most common injuries we see and focus on educating the community to help prevent them.” 

Members of the Trauma Services and Injury Prevention team spend significant time in the community, providing educational programs including: 

• Stop the Bleed, which teaches people how to respond to uncontrolled bleeding 

• Child car seat fitting events 

• Bike helmet fittings 

• CarFit events for older adults  

• Tai Chi classes for fall prevention 

• AARP Safe Driving courses 

• Railroad safety education 

• Teen driver safety programs 

The team visits local schools to teach students about seat belt use, distracted driving, impaired driving and emergency response skills. 

One of the most interactive programs is “Battle of the Belts,” a relay-style competition that challenges students to buckle up quickly and correctly. The team brought the program to Chenango Valley, Maine-Endwell and Greene high schools, along with Stop the Bleed education and activities using impairment goggles to show how alcohol or drug use can affect coordination and judgment. 

“Many serious injuries are preventable,” Mrs. Smith said. “Simple steps like wearing a helmet or buckling your seat belt can save lives.”

UHS encourages community members to slow down, pay attention, use proper safety equipment and make choices that can help prevent serious injury.