4 Daily Safety Tips and How to Prevent Them
As summer approaches, warm weather and enthusiasm for vacation and laxity follows. We often see this season as a time to take it easy, but it is important to keep safety in the forefront of our minds. It is imperative that we recognize June not only as a time to celebrate the commencement of summer, but more importantly, as a time to celebrate National Safety Awareness Month.
In 1953, individuals with concerns for safety from injury and death formed a nonprofit group called the National Safety Council. This group has no political affiliation, and focuses on ways in which people can avoid harmful accidents. This kind of “keeping it safe” attitude had been circulated prior to the formation of this group when in 1912 the First Cooperative Safety Congress pooled together ideas for protecting working individuals in various industries.
To fully bolster the significance of safety, in 1996, the National Safety Council appointed June as National Safety Month. Areas of focus include precautions in traffic, public areas, the workplace, and individual homes. Although there are literally thousands of facts and tips on dangers and safety precautions, we are going to focus on four of the most important safety risks to look out for.
An important way for adults in particular to reinforce safety is, first of all, to take measures in preventing or at least reducing heart disease. This detriment can lead to heart attacks, which can be fatal and happen anywhere, and subsequently, cardiac arrest. Secondly, getting CPR and AED certified is phenomenally important in preventing the death of an individual. Unfortunately, cardiac arrest can also happen in children. However, CPR and AED, when utilized within minutes of the accident, have been confirmed as greatly enhancing the chance of that individual’s survival. Thus, it is highly beneficial for people to get this certification in the chance that they are bystanders during such a serious accident.
Another danger to personal safety is an activity that most of us take part in everyday: driving. Accidents can be prevented if one uses caution. However, 80% of car accidents are caused by inattentiveness, which in most cases derives from a particular devise. We all love our cell phones, their affordable plans, texting, instant messaging, and e-mail capabilities. Additionally, cars are coming out with GPS computers; even hands-free hardware is perilous. These devices have become the most common cause of car accidents.
Poisoning is an additional danger to personal safety. This accident can happen to anyone and be caused by several thousands of solutions in the house. Yet perhaps more tragically, many poisoning and overdoses are accidental. In fact, every year, over 6,000 people die from an accidental overdose, and 300,000 suffer disabling results. How can we prevent this from happening? Parents, child-proof locks are necessary. If your child is curious about the strange smelling stuff in the cabinet on the wall, he or she will find a way to get to it if there is no lock. Adults should be sure to pay close attention to the directions of the drugs they are taking to lessen the threat of an accidental overdose. For pets, observe what they are bringing into the house and note that like children, they are attracted to various kinds of substances, especially antifreeze. Lastly, always have the telephone numbers of poison control centers on hand, in the event that a poisoning takes place.
Another common safety hazard is falling, especially in children and the elderly. Just as we shouldn’t lay infants on beds, tables, chairs, or couches, we need to be more aware of the health risks associated with stairs. It is common for children to fall running up and down the stairs, or for them to get their heads stuck between stair bars. Window falls are also common child accidents. Opening a low, reachable window is risky, especially when a couch or a stepping stool is nearby. What is truly important is the knowledge that screens are not iron-clad barricades. When pushed, they can fall out, along with a curious child. And finally, the bathroom may pose safety risks. Marble tubs are slippery and can pose a great danger to falling, so mats with traction are very useful.
Having discussed the history of the National Safety Council and addressed common hazards, perhaps we can agree that prevention is very important, and that accidents occur much too frequently. It is my hope that throughout June, we can appreciate National Safety Awareness Month and what it has to teach us. Relaxing during the summer months should never compromise safety, a thought that will hopefully be shared by all.
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