Click here to see the Gallery of Safety Art!

Drawings with bold detail, vibrant colors and outdoor scenes—from afar they look like the works of Monet, van Gogh, and Degas. A closer glance reveals “safety art” by Washington County elementary school children, grades kindergarten through five. To celebrate National Trauma Awareness Month, Meritus Medical Center asked children to submit drawings illustrating ways that they stay safe. The results were so great we wanted to share them with you.

Spreading the message of injury prevention is important because of the severity of most trauma injuries. “Many of the accidents I see each day in the trauma rooms in our emergency department could be avoided if we all practiced the safety tips these kids portrayed in their drawings,” said Dr. Marc Kross, surgeon in chief of trauma and Meritus Medical Center’s chief of staff. After reviewing hundreds of submissions, the hospital awarded eighteen students certificates of achievement. The students also were thanked for their efforts by Dr. Kross at a ceremony in May.

"From seatbelt and helmet safety to texting and driving and fire safety, these children did an excellent job illustrating a safety message that will help other children stay safe and avoid coming into our emergency department," commented Susie Burleson, manager of trauma services at Meritus Medical Center. It’s injury prevention seen through the eyes of a child.

Thumbs up to the emerging artists from Bester, Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Conococheague, Fountain Rock, Hancock, Old Forge, Pangborn, Pleasant Valley, Rockland Woods, Sharpsburg and Smithburg elementary schools. Their thoughtfulness, clarity, and creativity are nothing short of remarkable.