Practice Smart and Safe Living During National Safety Month

This year marks the 25^th 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.