K.I.S.S. Your Kids

We send our kids out into the world with a kiss and the hope that they will stay safe. Nationwide Children’s Hospital, with generous support from Kohl’s Department Stores, has launched a seasonal educational initiative to promote the prevention of the most common injuries seen in our emergency department – injuries that are leading causes of death for kids and parents.

Each season, a coloring contest page is published in ThisWeek Newspapers and Columbus Parent magazine, and printable from the website (below). Children can enter to win prizes by coloring the contest page and dropping it off at a Central Ohio Kohl’s store during the contest period. Entrants will receive a participation ribbon and a new safety information Activity Booklet each season. For each Kohl’s store, prizes will be awarded. First: $25 Kohl’s Gift Card and a free bike helmet. Second: $10 Kohl’s gift card and a free bike helmet. Third: a free bike helmet!

Entering the contest is not necessary to receive an Activity Booklet – they are free! Booklets are also available at our Close to Home(SM) and ChildLab locations.

The Fall 2010 Coloring Contest is September 1-30, 2010!
Fall 2010 Coloring Contest Picture (Download and Print)

2010 KISS Activity Book
2010 KISS Activity Book Parent Pages

Improve Your Balance with Play!

Moving around is great for your health! Kids who are active tend to…

think better
be more fit
have better balance
get hurt less
have an easier time playing with other kids
might even get sick less!

Try this!

1. Improve your balance #1: Ask an adult if you can stand on couch cushion or pillow. Try to do it on one leg. Can you hold it for 1 minute? Can you do it with your eyes closed?
2. Improve your balance #2: Stand on both feet. Jump up and land just on your right foot. Now try landing on just your left foot. Try this several times. Was one side easier than the other?
3. Improve your balance #3: Put your back against the wall with your feet 12 inches from the wall. Slide you back down until you are “sitting” in an invisible chair. Can you stay like that for 1 minute? See if you can do it on one leg. Climbing stairs also makes your legs strong!

Get one hour of play every day!

Coloring Page Contest Pages

Great Links!

Teen Safety: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wants you to know that you DO have the greatest influence over your teen's behavior in preventing car crashes and deaths. Talk with your teen about staying safe behind the wheel. Then, keep the conversation going. You can steer your teen in the right direction, and "Parents Are the Key" has proven steps that can help.
The Center for Injury Research and Policy (CIRP) is working in the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital to reduce death and disability in kids.
Choking Prevention Tips
The Trauma Program at Nationwide Children's Hospital is also a major resource for injury prevention for the children of Central Ohio.
The Central Ohio Poison Center provides free, confidential emergency poisoning treatment advice -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Check out the H1N1 Resources page or search our internet site www.NationwideChildrens.org for information about the influenza virus or any other health or safety topic!
Learn more about how the Kohl’s Cares for Kids® program directs time, effort, and funding toward keeping kids safe and healthy across the country.
For car seat questions, please check out www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm and www.safekidscentralohio.org/ (click on "Upcoming Events")
If you need to call about car seat fittings and other questions, try:
(614) 722-6524 Nationwide Children's Hospital Passenger Safety
(614) 722-2400 Safety Research and Policy
(614) 645-7748 Columbus Public Health
1-866-CAR SEAT (1-866-227-7328) Ohio Traffic Safety Office

Find more information contact the K.I.S.S. Program Coordinator at (614) 355-0679.