June is National Safety Month-a perfect time to focus on safety as the allure of summery weather can make us more prone to distraction and less careful overall. National Safety Month aims to reduce injuries and death on the roadways, in the work place, and at home. Being aware of your actions, learning about what you can do to make your life and the lives of your family members safer, as well as getting the word out to friends and family, is the best way to show your support.
Safety first: Some facts
According to the National Safety Council, preventable injuries are the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S. That means only deaths by heart disease, cancer, and chronic lower respiratory disease are more common. The following is a breakdown of the top safety risks by age group, according to the National Safety Council, with tips for prevention:
Age 12 months and under: Suffocation (more than two deaths occur per day)
Have infants sleep in a crib, not the parent’s bed
Place infants on their backs to sleep
Keep stuffed animals and blankets out of cribs
Age 1-24: Traffic crashes (nearly 21 deaths occur per day)
Buckle up every trip, every time in size-appropriate restraints
Drive with teens to gain more experience even after licensure
Don’t use electronic devices-including hands-free-while driving
Age 25-64: Poisoning largely from prescription pain medication (more than 92 deaths per day)
Ask your doctor about alternatives to prescription pain medication
If you have to take opioids, take the smallest dose for the shortest time
Never share your prescriptions with friends and family
Age 65-older: Falls (more than 69 deaths per day)
Use non-skid mats in the bath and shower
Install grab bars near the tub, toilet, and stairs
Provide adequate lighting in every room and stairway
Hennepin County Health and Safety Fair
The Hennepin County Health and Safety Fair is a great way to show your support for National Safety Month Scheduled for Wednesday, June 3rd from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the fair includes free health and safety trainings, giveaways, and loads of useful information for keeping everyone in your family safe.
The fair will feature the Minneapolis Fire Department, the Hennepin County Medical Center’s Brain Injury Center, the Hennepin Regional Poison Center, the American Cancer Society, the Minnesota Safety Council, the Minnesota Hoarding Project, and many more.
The Minnesota Safety Council
The Minnesota Safety Council is an indispensable resource for those looking to expand their knowledge of safe practices. Offering courses on Workplace Safety and Health, First Aid/CPR/AED, and Defensive Driving (discounts if you’re 55+), the Minnesota Safety Council also hosts an extensive library of downloadable safety fact sheets on everything from outdoor cooking and pool safety to asbestos and snowmobile operation.
Here at Meshbesher & Spence we see the very real results of carelessness and negligence every day. The more people who get the word out about driving, living, and working with safety in mind, the more injuries and deaths can be prevented.