BY SARA SHEIKH

The Riley Safety Store at IU Health Bloomington was born from the recognition that unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for children up to 14 years of age. The store offers families a place to learn about home safety and injury prevention and to purchase low-cost home safety products with the help of trained educators who guide them in their selection, installation, and use.

Modeled after the safety store at Riley Hospital for Children, it opened here in 2012. It is located at 651 S. Clarizz Blvd. adjacent to Riley Physicians at IU Health, (formerly Southern Indiana Pediatrics).

A primary focus is injury prevention education. Trained staff members help families assess their home safety needs and teach parents how to select and properly utilize products sold at the store. They can also teach parents how to properly install and use infant car seats.

“Families are glad we’re here. They can come in to learn what they need and how to use it in one stop,” says Cara Wickens, program manager. “We’re more focused on injury prevention and education.”

The Safety Store’s product line includes smoke detectors, bike helmets, cabinet locks, appliance locks, breastfeeding supplies, safety gates, infant sleep sacks, and more. Product prices range from $1.45 for a Safety 1st Refrigerator Door Lock to $35 for a Safety 1st Secure Top Bed Rail. The cost for the same items at popular national chains is double that of Riley Safety Store pricing, according to Wickens.

While its primary focus continues to be child safety, Riley Safety Store recently expanded its product lines to include a handful of items focused on older adult home safety. With an emphasis on helping the elderly retain dexterity and prevent falls, products include rug fasteners, safety treads, motion sensor nightlights, and dexterity kits. Prices for older adult home safety products range from $5.25 to $18.

The Riley Safety Store is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. For more information call 812-353-5437 or visit iuhealth.org/bloomington.