Griffin Hospital’s Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Coalition is available to educate children and adults on variety of health and safety programs to reduce unintentional injuries among children. We offer programs at the hospital or at your facility. With every program, children and adults receive educational activity books, parent literature and an apple. Depending on the program, additional materials may be provided.
Meeting Community Needs
The Safe Kids program is offered by Griffin’s Community Outreach department whose philosophy is to educate and empower every individual to reach their optimal health and wellness. We do this by offering multiple programs based on community needs.
Learn More!
Are you interested in our Safe Kids programs? Please contact Cathi Kellett, MA – Special Programs Coordinator at 203-732-1337or click on any of the programs below to see a full description of available topics. Hands on activities are a standard part of all programs and each participant also receives and educational activity to keep.
Griffin Hospital Safe Kids Program
Anti-Bullying & Social Skills
Children learn about building self-esteem and recognizing unwanted behaviors.
Anti-Smoking Program
For preschoolers and early elementary students, the story of Samantha Skunk: Why Smoking Stinks is told to children as they act out the story dressed as skunks. The story describes how Samantha Skunk tries smoking to be cool and how sick it makes her feel. She learns the lesson of how to say “no” to smoking and live a healthier life.
For older students, a Jar of Tar and diseased lungs are used to illustrate the effects of smoking. Students also breathe through straws to experience the shortness of breath that smoking and lung disease can cause.
Bike / Wheeled Sports Safety
Children are taught how a helmet protects the brain in an accident as well as how to properly wear, fit, and care for their helmets. Bicycle inspection how-to and rules of the road are also included.
Child Passenger Safety
Monthly car seat inspection clinics are offered free of charge to the community by appointment. Seats are inspected for recalls and damages as well as making sure the seat is appropriate for the child present. Parents/caregivers are educated on how to install the seat into their vehicle. The seat restraint system is also reviewed. Two to three additional clinics are held within the community throughout the year depending on funding. Education programs for children and adults are also done throughout the year.
CTCHIP (Childhood Identification Program)
CTCHIP is a collaborative childhood identification effort with the Connecticut Freemasons. Each participating child receives a DVD with the following identifying information:
- Child’s name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Height
- Current weight
- Distinguishing facial traits
- Optional medical information
- Fingerprints
- DNA toothprint impression
- Photo from front, left, right, and back
- Short video interview
In the event that a child goes missing, parents can give this DVD to local police and they can use it to help locate the missing child. No information is retained by us.
Distracted Drivers Teen Program
Students are educated on the dangers of drinking and driving and distracted driving. Students “drive” a pedal cart on a coned course with a variety of everyday obstacles (i.e, cat crossing the road, incoming text message, turning the radio station, etc). Students then drive the course wearing Fatal Vision Impairment Goggles to experience the impairing effects of alcohol.
Exercise / Sports Safety
Children are taught about the importance and proper techniques for hydration, warming up, cooling down, and proper use of various safety equipment when exercising and participating in sports activities.
Germbusters
Children are instructed in proper hand washing techniques to prevent the transmission of germs and disease. Use of the Germbuster glow machine shows children what parts of their hands they missed when they wash.
Home / Fire / 9-1-1
Students experience “smoke” by crawling low under fog machine, practice calling 9-1-1 on a simulator, and also learn about ways to reduce the incidences of fire, burns, falls, and other home safety issues.
Internet Safety
Children are taught how to recognize trustworthy Web sites of educational and non-profit organizations. Children are educated on what information NOT to give out on the internet, and how to identify cyber bullying.
Hands on activities are a standard part of all programs. Each participant also receives and educational activity to keep.
Keeping Your Grandkids Safe
In an age where more and more grandparents primary or secondary caretakers, this program aims to alert grandparents of new dangers and safety standards that they may not have encountered while they were raising their own children. Topics include child passenger safety, medication safety, home safety, water safety, and more.
Environmental Safety
Recycling, water conservation, and neighborhood safety are discussed through a variety of hands on activities.
Nutrition
To preschool and early elementary ages, we bring The Healthy Way with WOW the COW into the classroom. The story discusses how healthy eating and exercise makes kids grow up strong and healthy.
For older students we offer Nutrition BINGO and the Nutrition Detectives program.
Pedestrian Safety
Children are educated on the rules of the road, how best to be seen when walking, the importance of walking with an adult when under age 12, crossing at a crosswalk, etc. Children practice with a mock crosswalk for visuals.
Pet Safety
Children ho approach dogs and cats properly, how to pet and hold them, the importance of asking the owner for permission to pet the animal, and not to approach animals when they are eating, sleeping, or if they look hurt or sick. Certified therapy dogs assist during this program.
Poison Prevention
Children learn about the importance of medicine and the importance of using only their own and when provided by a trusted adult. With the use of the Buzz Box, children can compare medicine and candy look-alikes side by side to understand how hard it can be to tell them apart. Smoking, alcohol, and other drugs are also discussed depending on the age of the audience and specific need.
Seasonal Safety
Summer, Winter, and Halloween, related programs are offered for various ages. All deal with proper hydration, appropriate clothing for conditions, and equipment inspection for safe play (i.e. sleds, skates, costumes, pool toys, plants, etc).
Child Care: Learn to Be A Safe Baby Sitter
Children ages 12 and up learn about the basics of being a safe baby sitter. Topics covered include:
- typical and atypical behaviors for various ages
- feeding, toileting, and bedtime behaviors
- diaper changing
- marketing yourself
- sitter responsibilities
- parent responsibilities
- CPR and basic first aid
A fee is charged for this program.
Teen Substance Abuse Program
Teens and preteens are educated on the dangers of over-the-counter, prescription, and illegal drugs through a variety of visuals and hands on activities.
Water Safety
Children are educated on the importance of the buddy system, swimming lessons, CPR and how to call 9-1-1. Also discussed is pool/water safety equipment such as rescue hooks, life jackets, ropes, etc. Pools and open water specifics are addressed.