This year marks the 25th year to recognize National Safety Month. Unfortunately, accidental injury is the third leading cause of death for the first time in our history. According to the National Safety Council, an American is accidentally injured every second and killed every three minutes by a preventable event, like a drug overdose, vehicle crash, fall, drowning, or another preventable incident. While this might be the case, that doesn’t mean there are no measures to put in place to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones. So use this time to get into action and be prepared for anything!
Below are some safety issues and tips that can assist you in
living a healthier life:
Emergency Preparedness
When it comes to emergency preparedness, you can never be
too prepared. Planning can keep you and your family safe when an emergency
might strike. From natural disasters to terrorist attacks to blackouts,
emergencies can be downright scary. But, the better prepared you are, the calmer
you can be in conquering these emergencies.
How can you be prepared?
·
Purchase or build an emergency supply kit. (www.ready.gov/build-a-kit)
·
Write down a family emergency plan and figure
out where to meet up when an emergency occurs. (www.ready.gov/make-a-plan)
·
Learn what to do when it comes to various types
of emergencies. (www.ready.gov/be-informed)
Ergonomics
Let’s face it. Most jobs include sitting for the majority of
the workday. While sitting at a desk all day might not sound hazardous to your
health, it can cause many back and neck problems. A body that rests stays
resting, which is why it is good to get up regularly and move around when
working at a desk all day. Other jobs
have potential hazards at work, so it is essential to practice good ergonomics
(fitting a job to a person). This can help lessen muscle fatigue, increase
productivity and prevent unwanted injuries.
Below are some basic safety measures while working:
·
Lift items correctly and safely.
·
Take short breaks and stretch your muscles when
doing strenuous work.
·
Wear protective equipment.
·
Get enough rest before work so that you are
alert.
·
Take steps to manage stress.
For more information on ergonomics that fit your job, visit https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/.
Transportation Safety
We all know how important it is to wear your seatbelt. But
it is also imperative to not participate in distracted driving. How can we
eliminate distracted driving? Keep your phone out of your hands and put it away,
and try not to eat or do any other type of activity while driving. Distracted
driving is hazardous- almost 1 in 5 crashes (that’s 17 percent!) where someone
was injured involved distracted driving.
Here are some additional tips from the National Safety
Council:
·
Making sure every passenger buckles up every
trip.
·
Designating alcohol and drug-free driver or
arranging alternate transportation.
·
Getting plenty of sleep and taking regular
breaks to avoid fatigue on long trips.
·
Never using a cell phone behind the wheel.
·
You are staying engaged with your teens’ driving
habits. An NSC survey found many parents are more inclined to loosen household driving
rules during the summer.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
It is essential always to be aware of your surroundings. For
example, did you know that one in three older adults falls each year? Unfortunately,
many of those falls lead to health problems, including broken bones. According to
the CDC, in 2002, more than 12,800 people over 65 died, and 1.6 million were
treated in the ER due to falls.
Common hazards in the home that to be aware of are usually
the reason for these falls. With this checklist, you can learn how to fix these
hazards and help prevent unnecessary falls: http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/pubs/English/booklet_Eng_desktop-a.pdf.
Prescription Painkiller Abuse
Prescription painkiller abuse is a growing epidemic in the
U.S. Here is a scary fact: One in 12 workers are dealing with an untreated
substance use disorder. It’s time we
change those statistics!
Learn how to use medicines safely with these helpful tips
from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/everyday-healthy-living/safety/use-medicines-safely.
Remember to focus on safety this month, and you are sure to
come out more prepared! If you do ever find yourself in an emergency, please do
not hesitate to contact 9-1-1 for immediate help.
