In Honor of National Safety Month:
Be Aware. Be Safe.
Dana Orr, BS, MBA – Senior Health Educator
Did you know that injuries are a leading cause of disabilities for people of all ages, and they are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 44? According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, accidents related to safety issues, such as prescription painkiller abuse, transportation safety, and slips/trips/falls make up the majority of injuries. One of the main keys to injury prevention is simply being more aware of your surroundings and taking common sense precautions.
Prescription Painkiller Abuse: Prescription painkiller overdoses are a growing problem in the United States, especially among women. About 18 women die every day from prescription painkiller overdoses, which is more than four times as many as in 1999.
Safety Tips:
- Take all prescription medication as directed by your physician.
- Never share medications with friends or family. If someone is in pain, he/she should see a healthcare professional for a prescription appropriate for his/her circumstances.
- Store medications in a safe and secure place. Properly dispose of expired medications. Operation Medicine Drop provides a number of locations and events at which you may safely dispose of medication.
Transportation Safety: Doing other activities while driving, such as texting or eating, distracts drivers and increases the chances of crashing. Almost one in five auto accidents (17%) that injured someone involved distracted driving.
Safety Tips:
- Stay focused on your surroundings by avoiding eating, using your cell phone, or putting on makeup while driving.
- Ask a passenger for help with navigation.
- Get plenty of rest and avoid driving while fatigued or under the influence of substances.
- ALL passengers and the driver should ALWAYS properly (low around the hips) wear a seatbelt.
Slips, Trips, and Falls: One in three older adults falls each year. Many falls lead to broken bones and other health problems.
Safety Tips: The following infographic outlines simple ways to keep you and your loved ones safe at home and work.
The Poe Center offers a number of programs designed to address general safety issues for kids, teens and adults. Improve the safety of yourself and others by learning more about general safety issues and consider attending one of the Poe Center’s General Health programs.
