The ECCS will be exhibiting at these family-friendly events. We hope to see you there!
May 6, 2023 - Family Fun Day
May 20, 2023 - Touch A Truck 2023
June 17, 2023 - Southington Library Comic Con
Since 2018, you may have seen one of our many posts that under Connecticut state law, children under the age of 16 must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, a scooter, or a skateboard, or wearing roller skates or in-line skates. But what kind of helmet is best? Many folks think you can use a bike helmet or a skate helmet interchangeably, but that is only sometimes the case.
Bike helmets are meant for one high-impact crash. Because of the way these helmets absorb the impact, they will crack. After a crash, helmets should always be replaced with a new one. Bike helmets also tend to be lighter in weight and more aerodynamic. Bike helmets will have a CPSC certification label located inside the helmet.
Skateboard helmets are meant for multiple low-impact crashes. These helmets tend to have more coverage, especially on the back of the head, because the most common fall is backward. This style of helmet can also be used when wearing rollerskates and in-lines. Skate helmets will have an ASTM certification label located inside the helmet.
If you don’t want to buy two helmets for different activities, there are Multisport helmets. These helmets tend to take the form of a skate helmet but have both CPSC and ASTM certifications.
More information about different helmets can be found here. For more about CT Bicycle Safety and Helmet Laws, go to the ECCS Bike Safety Page.
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have long-term impacts on health, opportunity, and well-being. Nadine Burke Harris’s TED talk video, “How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime” is a great introduction to the ACEs research, and you can learn more on the ECCS's Childhood Trauma page.
According to the Connecticut Children’s Alliance (CCA), a child is abused or neglected every 47 seconds in the U.S., with 90% of perpetrators being individuals the child knows. Child abuse and neglect are preventable. To prevent child abuse and neglect violence, we must understand and address the factors that put people at risk for or protect them from violence. Learn more about risk factors here.
When it Builds Up, Talk it Out. The Talk It Out hotline is for Connecticut parents and caregivers who need someone to listen, understand, and talk out their feelings. Call 1-833-258-5011 to talk to trained professionals who will listen and speak with you about your concerns or go to https://talkitoutct.com/ for even more resources.
The Talk It Out is available Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8 pm and on weekends from 1 pm to 8 pm and has both English and Spanish capacity.
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline service is available to anyone with a telephone: children, parents, mandatory reporters, and other adults who are uncertain about the next best step when faced with questions related to abuse and neglect. The hotline is staffed 24/7, with professional crisis counselors with access to a database of tens of thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls are anonymous. Contact them at 1.800.4.A.CHILD (1.800.422.4453).
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Our mailing address:
Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington
PO Box 210
Southington, CT 06489-0210