Injury Facts...and safety measures from certified first aid info

Every year in the United States, over 100,000 unintentional injury deaths occur. About 60% of these deaths are due to unintentional motor vehicle traffic accidents and unintentional poisoning.

People in the age bracket of 15 to 24, and people who are over 65 have the highest rate of death from the injuries.

Men are at a higher risk of getting injured then women. Also men are about twice as likely to die from their injury as women.

Alcohol use and abuse is a significant reason for many injuries. In 2002 approximately 17,500 people in the U.S. died in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes. A significant number of injuries such as falls, drowning, fire, assaults, and suicides - had blood alcohol concentrations over the legal limit.
If taken, there are some measures that can reduce or even prevent injuries from happening. These positive steps can minimize your risk of injuries; this is a pro-active attitude of risk management.
One should encourage individuals at risk to change their attitude and behavior. Some of these precautions include: wearing seat belts; wearing appropriate protective devices such as helmets, padding and eyewear; avoid talking on a cell phone while driving; avoid smoking in bed; avoid putting real plants on the television; keep away from leaving plastic bags within easy reach of children, and etc.
Loose rugs are a common cause of bad falls in the home. Almost half of the accidents that happen at home are due to falls, secure the rugs properly.

Some general safety measures:

1. Post important emergency numbers near your phone. Example phone numbers: local emergency, poison control center, your physician, and any other you think are important.
   
2. Adopt all safety measures when driving or riding a motor vehicle; also make sure the passengers follow them too, children and infants included.
   
3. Install and/or check smoke alarm in your home, check and change batteries periodically.
   
4. Keep flashlights and fire extinguishers where easily accessible, and out of the reach of children.
   
5. Keep all chemical, medicines, hazardous, poisonous and flammable material out of the reach of children and in a secured place.
   
6. Practice safe firearms storage, handling, and education.
   
7. We will go into more detail on “Injury Preventions and Managing Risk” in later topics.