Approximately 50,000 of the annual 100,000 trauma deaths in the United States result from automobile accidents. Traumatic injuries and deaths from car accidents can be prevented through the use of:

• Seatbelts
• Child restraints
• Speed control
• Laws and enforcement for people driving under the influence

In addition to these precautions while in a car, other precautions should be followed when using other forms of transportation such as a bicycle or motorcycle:

• Wear or carry reflective material at night to help drivers see you
• Wear a helmet that is positioned carefully, is the right size, fits snugly all around, and fastens snugly beneath the chin
• Replace your helmet immediately if it becomes damaged

Like car accidents, burns are the source of many traumatic injuries each year. The most common types of burns are those caused by scalds, building fires, and the misuse of flammable liquids and gases. However, these types of injuries can also be prevented by following basic precautions regarding fire safety. Precautions include:

• Installing smoke alarms in your home (check and change batteries regularly)
• Having fire extinguishers in appropriate locations
• Knowing and practicing fire escape routes from home, work and school
• Removing electrical cords from floors and keeping them out of reach of children
• Burning candles responsibly
• Teaching children about fire safety

Although most trauma-related accidents typically are avoidable, accidents resulting in traumatic injuries still occur.

For trauma patients, getting proper care within the first hour of injury greatly increases the chance of survival, and mortality is reduced by 15 percent to 20 percent when a very seriously injured patient is treated at a trauma center versus a non-trauma center.

You can find more information about services offered at our facilities by selecting from our hospitals list:

Academic Medical Centers:

• Shands at the University of Florida
• Shands Children's Hospital
• Shands Jacksonville