Safety check: Get there safe and sound

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1 Get there safe and sound Car crashes remain a leading cause of unintentional death in the U.S., with nearly 100 people killed on our roadways every day. Fortunately, these crashes can be prevented if we all take steps to ensure one another s safety. On the road, off the phone Cell phone use texting or talking on a handheld or hands-free device is involved in an estimated 26 percent of all crashes each year. Hands-free is not risk-free, either. Even if your hands are on the wheel and your eyes are on the road, your brain is distracted by the cell phone conversation. Before you set out, make sure: Your cell phone is turned off and put in a purse, trunk or glove compartment To designate a passenger to answer the phone for you if you re expecting a call To schedule breaks to check voic , texts and s Get plenty of sleep An estimated 1,550 people are killed each year in crashes involving drowsy drivers. You should never get behind the wheel if you are tired or have been taking certain medications. To make sure you don t get tired during the drive: Take a pre-drive nap, and pull over for a power nap if you get tired Drive with a partner, and switch drivers every two hours Schedule frequent breaks to get out and stretch your legs Protect your new teen driver Half of all teens will be involved in a car crash before graduating from high school. Many of these crashes will be simple fender-benders, but too many others will claim precious young lives. Parental involvement can significantly reduce teens crash risk. When your teen gets a license, make sure to: Practice driving with him or her for at least 30 minutes each week Outline household rules in a New Driver Deal, available at DriveitHOME.org Limit the number of passengers your teen can drive with Limit nighttime driving, when visibility is low and crash risk is higher More than 35,000 people are killed each year in traffic crashes, with alcohol, speeding and distraction being leading crash factors. (Injury Facts ) Drive the way your want your fellow motorists to drive. Turn off your cell phone, get plenty of sleep, never drive after drinking and spend time teaching your teen how to drive. Sources:, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration FARS data

2 Opioid prescription painkillers Opioid prescription painkillers are liberally prescribed so much so that people believe they are the best way to treat pain. In fact, these drugs are highly addictive, have many risky side effects and are not always the most effective way to get pain relief. If your doctor suggests taking opioid painkillers, be sure to tell him or her about any conditions that will increase your risk. Some of these include: Any personal or family history of addiction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Anxiety Depression Sleep apnea Chronic constipation Opioids can impact your day-to-day life Doctors prescribe opioid painkillers so their patients can more easily manage pain. However, these drugs can significantly impact daily life and your ability to do necessary tasks. Ask your doctor: If opioid painkillers will affect your ability to drive If you are safe to work while taking opioid painkillers Protect your family Though opioid painkiller abuse and addiction is most common among middle-aged adults, teens are using these drugs at higher rates now, too. Talk to your children about using prescription painkillers. Warn them that taking a drug without a prescription is just as risky as taking illegal drugs Discuss the dangers of mixing prescription drugs with alcohol Explain how painkillers are made from opioids, which is similar to heroin Talk to their grandparents about how to safely store their medications Secure painkillers in a locked drawer or container Drug overdoses largely from opioid prescription painkillers are the leading cause of unintentional death for adults ages Every day, 44 people die from prescription painkiller overdose. (Injury Facts ) If you must take prescription painkillers, ask your doctor for the smallest dosage possible for the shortest amount of time. You can become addicted to prescription painkillers in as few as five days

3 Ergonomics Lift safely Improper lifting technique can lead to strains, dislocations and even muscle tears, with most injuries occurring in the back. Whether you re organizing your inventory or decorating your home, make sure you re practicing these safe-lifting guidelines. Stretch beforehand so your body gets warmed up Keep your back straight and bend your knees remember to never twist or bend your back Make sure you re on solid ground with your feet shoulder-width apart Keep the box or object close to your body Lift with your legs, not your back Limit the amount of weight you carry it s better to separate boxes or make two trips than to carry too much at once Ask for help to carry heavy, bulky or large loads Keep pathways clear of tripping hazards Setting up a home office More and more workplaces are providing telecommuting and working from home options to help maintain a better work-life balance for employees. While these options may be convenient, don t forget to make sure home offices are set up ergonomically correct. Here are some basic things to check off your list: Chairs have proper lumbar and arm support, and can be adjusted for height Feet are flat on the ground or footrest Viewing distance from your eyes to the monitor is at least 18 inches Keyboard and mouse are at approximately elbow height Lighting is sufficient enough that you don t have to strain, but not too bright where glare is an issue Proper accessories, such as a document holder or phone headset, may be necessary depending on the work About 80% of the American population will experience a back problem at some point. These injuries are not only preventable, they re also costly Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on back pain. (American Chiropractic Association) Staying healthy and active are two big ways you can prevent low back pain. Those who carry around extra weight or smoke regularly are more susceptible to back injuries

4 Emergency preparedness Creating an emergency kit When disaster strikes, there s comfort in knowing you are prepared to handle it. Every home should have a supply kit ready in case of an emergency. Kits should be stored in plastic containers to avoid damage, and updated every six months to make sure items still work and food is not expired. Don t wait for something to happen; protect your family by stocking up your kit: Water (one gallon per person, per day, for at least three days) Enough nonperishable food (for at least three days) and a can opener. It s best to keep protein-packed foods you can cook without electricity, such as tuna, nut butter or granola bars, and have appropriate food for everyone in your family, including infants and pets. Hand crank radio or battery powered radio with extra batteries to stay up-to-date on the latest weather alerts Flashlight with extra batteries to get around safely should the power go out First aid kit with the basics, such as gauze, tape, etc. and an emergency reference material, such as NSC First Aid quick guide Toolkit with scissors and basic tools in case you need to shut off utilities etc. Hand sanitizer, moist towelettes and garbage bags for sanitation Plastic sheeting & duct tape in case a window breaks or you get a leak in your roof Whistle to signal for help in case you get stuck and rescuers need to locate you Don t forget about your car We can t predict where we ll be when a thunderstorm or blizzard occurs. But what we can do is plan ahead including creating an emergency kit for your car. Here are some basics to consider: A properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod-type jack Jumper cables Toolkit Working flashlight and extra batteries Reflective triangles and brightly-colored cloth to place around your vehicle to make it visible First aid kit Non-perishable, high energy foods like unsalted nuts, dried fruits and hard candy Drinking water Family/emergency number contact sheet that includes numbers for your auto insurance and a towing company Car charger for your cell phone Additional items, like a snow brush, shovel, windshield washer fluid, warm clothing and blankets would be needed during the winter months Hurricanes, blizzards and melting snow are common but often overlooked causes of flooding. It only takes a few inches of water from a flood to cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage. (National Flood Insurance Program) If there s a flash flood warning in your area, immediately move your family and essential items to higher ground and avoid damaged areas. You won t want to risk getting stuck or injured

5 Slips, trips and falls Reduce workplace tripping hazards No matter the workplace environment, tripping hazards are everywhere. Use these tips to help you maintain a clutter-free and safe workplace. Secure electrical and phone cords away from traffic areas, such as hallways Use non-skid rugs and be sure to tape them down to prevent rolling Keep drawers and cabinets closed at all times Be sure to wear the proper footwear for the job, paying special attention to outdoor conditions Clean up any spills immediately and include warning signage Refrain from walking distracted stay focused on your surroundings Ensure there is adequate lighting in workspaces Don t carry too much you need your arms to maintain balance and stability Fall-proof your bathroom Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries and the most dangerous place is right in your own home. According to the National Institute on Aging, 80 percent of senior falls happen in the bathroom due to slippery floors and surfaces as well as high structures. Caregivers play a big role in keeping the elderly safe. Follow these tips to fall-proof your bathroom. Place a non-slip mat both inside and outside of the tub Make the entrance to the shower or bathtub easily accessible by getting a bath step or a walk-in tub Install grab bars by the toilet to assist in getting up and down Plug in nightlights in and around the bathroom Switch to liquid soap or soap-on-a-rope to avoid reaching and bending over Add a hand-held shower nozzle Make sure the bathroom door swings outward in case of a fall Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, including concussions.(centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Reduce your likelihood of a fall by getting your vision checked regularly and discussing common medication side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness with your doctor