Injury Prevention & Control

Injuries and violence – such as motor vehicle crashes, suicide, drowning, and falls – are the leading cause of death for Americans under 45, but injuries impact people of all ages.  

Our injury prevention program aims to reduce injuries in Schuyler County by providing education and outreach. Some examples of injury prevention strategies include the use of bicycle helmets, poisoning prevention and education, suicide prevention efforts, fall prevention, overdose prevention, and substance use prevention. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What type of car seat should my child be using?  

Children from birth to two years of age must remain in a rear-facing car seat in New York. If they have not reached the maximum height and weight limit for their rear-facing car seat by age 2, they should remain rear-facing for as long as possible. To learn more about car seat safety and when to switch to forward-facing car seats, booster seats, and seat belts, visit: 

Where can I get my child's car seat checked? 

You can get your child's car seat installation checked by one of the Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST) with the Schuyler County Sheriff's Office. Call 607-535-8222 to schedule an appointment. 

You can also look for car seat check events and fitting stations by clicking here. 

How can I ensure my and my child's bicycle helmet is fitted properly? 

Ensure you have a properly fitted bike helmet and learn the rules of the road for cyclists by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration webpage on bicycle safety: https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicycle-safety.

Where can I get a free smoke detector? 

You can contact the Western New York Region American Red Cross office to request a free Home Fire Safety Visit and smoke detector. Learn more: https://www.redcross.org/local/new-york/western-new-york/about-us/our-work/home-fire-campaign/smoke-alarm-request.html.

How can I prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in my home? 

There are a few things you can do to prevent CO poisoning in your home. 

  • Have your furnace inspected every year. 
  • Regularly check heaters, stoves, and clothes dryers to make sure they are working properly. 
  • Do not leave your car running in a closed garage.  
  • If you're using a generator, they should be outside, at least 20 feet from the house. 
  • Make sure you have a working CO detector in your home, and change the batteries twice a year.  

If you suspect CO poisoning in your home, go outside immediately and call 911. Learn more about preventing CO poisoning by visiting: https://www.upstate.edu/poison/poison-prevention/frequent-poisoning-emergencies.php.

How can I help prevent accidental poisonings? 

You can help prevent accidental poisonings by keeping medicines, vitamins, and other items up and out of sight of children and pets. Learn more by visiting https://upandaway.org/en/.

For poisoning questions or emergencies, call the Upstate New York Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. 

Looking for resources or to learn more about the program?

Call our office at 607-535-8140. 

You can also check out the following resources: