Child Injury Prevention

Protecting your children is your top priority. It’s ours, too.

The injury prevention team at Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital equips families with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to prevent injuries before they happen. You’ll see our team supporting families during hospital visits and discharges, at community events, and through hands-on educational programs focusing on bike, pedestrian, and seasonal injury prevention.

Learn more about our injury prevention programs, classes, and educational resources offered through Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in West Michigan.

Car seat safety checks

Nearly 80 percent of children's car seats used nationwide are not properly installed. To address this problem, we offer free car seat safety check events in multiple West Michigan locations throughout the year. A limited number of low-cost replacement car seats are available at events for qualifying families (child must be present to ensure proper fit).

Car seat safety tips

The right car seat for your child depends on their age and size — and in order to do its job, it needs to be installed correctly, too. Download our guide for the details.

Infant health, care, and safety classes

We provide a wide variety of both free and low-cost classes for new parents looking for safety recommendations, expert guidelines, and practical advice. Many have both in-person and virtual options.

Sleep safety for infants

When an infant is sleeping, remember the ABCs: Alone, on their Back, in a Crib or bassinet. Follow these safe sleep guidelines:

• Only use a crib, bassinet, or pack-and-play for sleep. Do not bed share with your child. Crib slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches (6 cm) apart
• Baby should sleep in the same room with parent(s) until at least six months old (one year is ideal). Do not rely on monitors to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Use a firm mattress with a fitted sheet. It should be snug against the sides of the crib, with no gaps
• Sleep area should be empty — no loose toys or soft items such as pillows, blankets, or bumpers
• Place baby on their back for sleep (including all naps) until age 1. You may offer a pacifier once your baby can breastfeed successfully
• Dress baby in one extra layer than you would wear for warmth
• Use a sleep sack (not blankets) to ensure their face remains uncovered
• Avoid and never rely on products claiming to reduce SIDS risk (such as monitoring devices, wedges, positioners, or special mattresses)
• Provide supervised tummy time when baby is awake