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MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br /> May 22, 2024 <br /> chair, that Safe Kids Orange is funded entirely by grants and local funding, and that <br /> much of the labor is performed by volunteers. Ms. Stormzand explained that a major <br /> priority of the organization is to go out to the folks with the least access/resources, rather <br /> than only serving those people who contact them. <br /> • Per the CDC, the leading causes of unintentional child injury nationwide include falls, <br /> traffic accidents, suffocation, and gunshot wounds. Ms. Stormzand clarified that the word <br /> accident' may imply that the injury was not preventable, so they prefer the term <br /> unintentional injury.' <br /> • Safe Kids Orange is most well-known for their car seat programs; Safe Kids both <br /> distributes and helps install car seats. Since August 2021, they have distributed more <br /> than 487 car seats to over 337 families, with 153 car seats distributed in 2023 alone. Ms. <br /> Stormzand shared that about half of all car seats are installed incorrectly, and that they <br /> check or install car seats and provide education to parents who receive a citation for an <br /> incorrectly installed car seat. <br /> • Ms. Chambless spoke about the home safety program, sharing that the program covers <br /> things like safe medication storage and disposal, and distribution of safety tools like baby <br /> gates, doorknob locks, and gun locks. She mentioned that there are several <br /> organizations working to distribute gun locks in the community, including Safe Kids <br /> Orange, local law enforcement, and DSS. She also highlighted OCHD's previous <br /> initiative within the dental department to educate patients about safe medication storage <br /> and disposal, including provision of medication lockboxes. However, there is not <br /> currently funding to support this, though they are seeking more. Ms. Chambless <br /> provided board members with an educational handout about safe medication storage. <br /> • Regarding gun safety, Ms. Stormzand shared that the Orange County Firearm Safety <br /> Taskforce came out of Safe Kids, and that they also assist with distributing cable gun <br /> locks. They are collaborating with the Orange Resilience Initiative (ORI) to prevent gun <br /> deaths and suicide, especially among veterans. In response to Dr. Royce's question, <br /> Ms. Stormzand explained that a cable gun lock is like a small bike lock that goes through <br /> a gun to prevent it from firing. She added that this is not the most effective prevention <br /> tool, but one that is highly accessible. <br /> • Ms. Stormzand briefly touched on initiatives to promote water safety, fire and kitchen <br /> safety, and bike safety, and shared that there is a Safe Kids YouTube channel to help <br /> reach students in the schools, which can be found here: <br /> https://www.Voutube.com/(cb_SafeKidsOrangeCounty. She concluded her presentation by <br /> saying that the organization focuses on mental health, suicide prevention, and <br /> substance misuse as root causes for many of the injuries and fatalities they see. <br /> • Commissioner Fowler shared that during Med School she completed an internship that <br /> involved checking whether passing cars had correctly installed car seats, and the rates <br /> then were comparable to those of the present (approximately 67% incorrect and 33% <br /> correct). Dr. Rodgers applauded the Chapel Hill Fire Department for assisting her with <br /> installing a car seat for her grandson about ten years ago. Ms. Crews mentioned that <br /> several Family Success Alliance and Family Home Visiting staff members are now <br /> trained to install car seats, and that completing the training takes four days. <br /> • In response to Dr. Stuebe's question about a collaboration with Vision Zero, Ms. <br /> Stormzand explained that she works on the Vision Zero task force to help change the <br /> environment to be safer for cyclists and pedestrians, adding that signs and education are <br /> not effective interventions. <br /> • Dr. Crandell asked about Swim with Charlie, a program that offers two free weeks of <br /> swim lessons to second graders on an opt-out basis. Ms. Stormzand explained that Safe <br /> Kids promotes this program and that they are active in Orange County, but not <br /> S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agendas &Abstracts\2024 Agenda and Abstracts/ <br /> May Page 6 <br />