The Hershey Company Safety Center at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital

Safety Center

Visit us at the Hershey Company Safety Center located on the first floor of the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. The center has educational materials on how to prevent injuries and keep kids safe as well as interactive displays for families, children, visitors and staff. A limited selection of home safety devices are available at or below retail cost. Hours: Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.   For more information, please contact us at 531-SAFE (7233)

The Pediatric Injury Prevention Program and Safe Kids Dauphin County, led by the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital, are dedicated to preventing the number and severity of childhood injuries through education and advocacy. We are funded in part through the Children's Miracle Network. Our programs are founded on the theory that most injuries are preventable and we teach how to be safe at home, at play, and on the way.

Mission

The mission of the Injury Prevention Program and the Safe Kids Dauphin County Coalition is to promote the prevention of childhood injuries through education, networking. and advocacy.

Contact Information

Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital
Injury Prevention Program, H113
500 University Drive
Hershey, PA 17033
phone: 717-531-SAFE (7233)
fax: 717- 531-3784

The Safe Kids Dauphin County Coalition is comprised of organizations in and around Dauphin County committed to improving the welfare and safety of children in our community. The members and partners of the Safe Kids Dauphin County Coalition include: 

Our Mission

The mission of the Injury Prevention Program and the Safe Kids Dauphin County Coalition is to promote the prevention of childhood injuries through education, networking and advocacy.

Goals

  • To work with community partners to reduce the risk of injury to children in Central Pennsylvania.\
  • To educate parents and caregivers to provide a safe environment for children.
  • To increase community awareness that injuries can be prevented.
  • To work for changes in laws, policies, and products to decrease causes of injuries.

Safe Sitter Program

The Safe Sitter Program is designed to teach 11 - 13 year-olds the essential skills for safe and successful babysitting. Each student will learn:

  • What to do if a child chokes
  • How to call for emergency help
  • Babysitting business skills
  • Basic childcare skills
  • Safety for the sitter
  • How to entertain children and keep them safe

The one-day Safe Sitter course is offered periodically according to interest. The $30 registration fee includes the course, materials, completion certificate, and lunch.

We typically hold 2 - 3 classes per year.  For more information or to sign up for the next class contact the Injury Prevention Program at 717-531-SAFE (7233).

Upcoming classes:  Friday, June 14, 2013.  9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

A bike helmet is an essential part of bike riding and should be worn everytime you ride your bike.  Need help properly fitting your  helmet?  Need to purchase a bike helmet?  Stop by the Hershey Company Safety Center at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital for a helmet fitting.  Bike helmets are available to purchase for $15.  For more info, please contacct us at 531-SAFE (7233).

Safe Kids Buckle Up and Chevrolet have teamed up with the Boy Scouts of America to teach Cub Scouts and their parents and caregivers about safety in and around vehicles.

These hands-on educational activities are held at Chevrolet dealerships designed to educate families and children  about being safe inside and outside of moving and parked vehicles. After the Scouts successfully complete all of the educational stations, they are presented with their Automotive Safety Patch.

Car Seat Safety Inspection Station

Local data shows that about 80% of child restraints, or car seats, are not properly installed in the car. A correctly installed child restraint can greatly reduce the risk of injury, or even death, in a crash. The Injury Prevention Program operates three permanent inspection stations offering appointments once a week, on a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon. Inspection station locations are:

  • Life Lion Hangar at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
  • Sutliff Volkswagon
  • Harrisburg and Lower Paxton Police Departments

To schedule an appointment call 717-531-SAFE (7233).

Teen Driver Program

This program is for drivers age 16-19 who have a traffic violation and have been referred to the program by the District Justice. The 4-hour class will provide participants with an overview of biomechanics, risk factors, and common injury pattern associated with vehicle crashes. Participants will be given a hands-on look at the medical care and aftermath following a serious collision.

The course fee is $50.00 which must be paid prior to the program. To register for the next available class, please call 717-531-3885.

Get Involved

Donate

The work of the Injury Prevention Program is funded by two non-profit organizations - the Children's Miracle Network and Safe Kids Worldwide. Donations from the Dauphin County community enable us to provide child restraints to local low-income families who otherwise might not travel safely in a car.  Please consider making a donation to help us continue our important work. Checks may be written to PSU/Injury Prevention Program. Donations may be sent directly to:

Penn State Hershey
Pediatric Injury Prevention Program, H113
500 University Drive
P.O. Box 850
Hershey, PA 17033 

Child Safety Seat Inspection Station

Local data shows that about 80% of child restraints, or car seats, are not properly installed in the car. A correctly installed child restraint can greatly reduce the risk of injury, or even death, in a crash. The Injury Prevention Prorgram operates three permanent inspection stations on Tuesday or Thursday afternoons. 

To schedule an appointment, please call (717) 531-SAFE (7233).

Educational Event

Schedule an educational safety event for your school or community event. We can do presentations on a variety of safety and injury prevention topics.

For more information call the Injury Prevention Program at 717-531-SAFE (7233).

Safe Sitter Program

The Safe Sitter Program is designed to teach 11 - 13 year-olds the essential skills for safe and successful babysitting. Each student will learn:

  • What to do if a child chokes
  • How to call for emergency help
  • Babysitting business skills
  • Basic childcare skills
  • Safety for the sitter
  • How to entertain children and keep them safe

The one-day Safe Sitter course is offered periodically according to interest. The $30 registration fee includes the course, materials, completion certificate, and lunch.

We typically hold 2 - 3 classes per year.  For more information or to sign up for the next class contact the Injury Prevention Program at 717-531-SAFE (7233).

Upcoming classes:  Friday, June 14, 2013.  9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.