Hospitals Light Up Green on Nov. 18 to Prevent Injuries

KEARNEY & GRAND ISLAND-To spotlight the importance of injury prevention, CHI Health Good Samaritan and CHI Health St. Francis will light up green the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 18. ‘Shine a Green Light for Safety,’ observed on National Injury Prevention Day, is a time for communities to come together and take proactive steps to reduce injuries and violence, especially among children.

Preventable injuries are the number one cause of death for children in the U.S. and around the world, leading to the loss of a child for approximately 600,000 families annually.

“Building awareness and a commitment to safe practices is where it starts,” says Mindy Walter, Trauma Prevention Nurse at St. Francis. “Together, we can create safer environments for everyone.”

“Our children learn by watching us. When we use our seatbelt, or wear a bike helmet, we are teaching them that injury prevention is top priority,” says Tracy Rademacher, Trauma Prevention Nurse at Good Samaritan.

The community is invited to wear green on Nov. 18. This is also a good time for families to talk about safety and review and update home safety measures.

National Injury Prevention Day (nationalinjurypreventionday.org)

National Injury Prevention Day is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about injury prevention and promoting safety in our communities. On November 18, 2025, organizations across the country will come together to share knowledge, resources, and strategies for preventing injuries and violence. Our mission is to empower individuals and communities with the tools and information they need to prevent injuries and create safer environments for everyone. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, we work to reduce the burden of preventable injuries and save lives.

Ways to make your home safer:

Install or check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Secure heavy furniture and TVs to walls
Check car seat installation and expiration dates
Install safety gates at top and bottom of stairs
Use window guards or stops on upper floor windows
Store medications and hazardous products out of reach
Ensure bike helmets fit properly
Practice emergency evacuation plans