Safe Kids Missoula Initiatives
Medicine Safety
Did you know that each year, 52,000 young children are seen at emergency departments because they got into medicine? In nearly half of cases, the medicine belonged to a grandparent. Medicine poisoning can be prevented by following a few important steps. The Safe Kids Missoula Coalition works with our partners to help parents and caregivers learn about the safe use, safe storage and safe disposal of medicine through education, tip sheets, and resource referral.
Child Gun Access Prevention
Safe Kids Missoula Coalition, in conjunction with the Be SMART child gun access prevention program, educates adults about safe gun storage to protect children from unintentional shootings. Access to an unsecured firearm significantly increases the risk of injury or death due to a gunshot, and nearly two million U.S. children live in homes with unsecured guns. We encourage you to:
- Secure guns in homes and vehicles
- Model responsible behavior
- Ask about unsecured guns in other homes
- Recognize the risk of teen suicide
- Tell your peers to be SMART
Learn more about BeSmartforKids.org.
Child Passenger Safety
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for Montana children. Correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent, but only 1 in 4 car seats is properly installed.
Missoula Rural Fire Department (MRFD) hosts free Safe Kids Missoula Car Seat Safety Checkups the second Saturday of each month. Call 406.549.2325 for more information.
Seats can also be checked by appointment during the week at Frenchtown Rural Fire (406.626.5791) or in Ravalli County (406.529.4202).
Check out the Ultimate Car Seat Guide for tips about choosing, fitting and installing your car seat.
Water Safety
In Western Montana, water is a big part of our recreational life, but it comes with risks. Each year, nearly 800 children drown in the U.S. and two-thirds of these deaths occur between May and August. Our Safe Kids Missoula Coalition works with several community partners to provide important water safety tips and information about local swimming lessons and safety resources.
- Learn more about Water Safety
- Learn about Infant Self-Rescue Swimming Lessons
- Swimming Lessons at Missoula Family YMCA and Missoula Parks and Recreation
- Need a life jacket? Check one out at Missoula Public Library or Missoula Family YMCA
Pedestrian Safety
Did you know that more than 350 children ages 0-19 were killed as pedestrians in motor vehicle crashes in the US in 2019? In 2019, an estimated 15,011 children ages 0-19 years suffered a nonfatal pedestrian injury due to a motor vehicle crash. The Safe Kids Missoula Coalition collaborates with our partners to help parents and caregivers learn to be good walking role models, teaching kids how to walk safely and to avoid distracted walking through education, tip sheets, and resource referrals.
Child pedestrian safety in the US: Trends and Implications for Prevention
Resource Referral
Is my child in the right car seat? Where can I get a smoke alarm? Should my baby sleep on its stomach or on its back? Sometimes, it can be difficult to know where to turn or who to contact when you have a safety-related question or need. Safe Kids Missoula can help! Our Coalition consists of more than 30 community partners who can help you — and we can put you in touch!
Safe Kids Missoula can also offer helpful tips and referral to online or printed resources. Give us a call at 406.926.2522 or email our Safe Kids Missoula Coordinator.
Safe Kids Missoula Fair
Is my child in the right car seat? Where can I get a smoke alarm? Should my baby sleep on its stomach or on its back? Sometimes, it can be difficult to know where to turn or who to contact when you have a safety-related question or need. Safe Kids Missoula can help! Our Coalition consists of more than 30 community partners who can help you — and we can put you in touch!
Each fall, Safe Kids Missoula Coalition brings together nearly 40 organizations to deliver fun, hands-on safety education to help children, parents and caregivers learn how to stay safe at home, on the road and during play. Learn about proper medication storage, child passenger safety, home fire prevention and escape planning, distracted driving, outdoor recreation safety, water safety, and more!
Learn more about our upcoming Safe Kids Fair!