Common Sense Safety Tips for National Safety Month

When we think about what could severely impact our safety, we often worry about statistically unlikely hazards like plane crashes, natural disasters or lightning strikes. However, everyday activities like driving and medication errors actually pose the greatest risk to our health and safety.

June is National Safety Month, and it’s a great time to talk to friends and family about staying safe during the active summer months!

Injuries are a leading cause of disability for people of all ages, as well as the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 44. Luckily, there are many simple things to do to help prevent the most common injuries. With summer approaching, the personal injury attorneys at Hupy and Abraham intend to use National Safety Month to raise awareness about important safety issues like:

• Medication safety
• Driving and biking safely
• Workplace safety
• First aid and emergency preparedness
• Preventing slips, trips, and falls

What Are the Most Common Causes of Injury?

• Driving safety: Almost one in five crashes that injure someone involve distracted drivers. No text message is ever worth a life - put your phone on silent or out of reach. If you must use a phone, ask a passenger to field calls and texts for you.
   
• Prescription medication and painkiller abuse: About 18 women die every day from a prescription painkiller overdose. Always keep track of your medications, and if you’ve been hurt by any medication or medical device, we encourage you to research why the injury may have happened and to speak with an attorney.
   
• Slips, trips and falls: One in three older adults slip and fall each year, with about half of the falls occurring in the home. Prevent this by staying active. Exercise can help adults of any age feel better, improve their balance and strengthen legs and core muscles.
   
• Bike riding: Riding bikes is a great way to get active, but in 2014 over 500,000 people were treated in emergency rooms after being injured while riding a bicycle. Stay alert – ride single file in the direction of traffic, and watch closely for opening car doors and other hazards.
   
• Work injuries: All types of jobs can lead to injuries, even desk jobs. According to a 2014 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 4,821 people died while working. Sudden cardiac arrest represents 13 percent of all workplace deaths, so be sure to participate in general workplace and first aid training! Being prepared can make all the difference.

By logically assessing potential risks and having a plan to respond, you will be steps ahead of others in the event of an incident. But sometimes, no matter how prepared we are, accidents will still happen.

If you or a loved one is injured in any way due to the negligent actions of another, the personal injury attorneys at Hupy and Abraham are here to help. We have decades of experience helping victims of transportation-related accidents, slips and falls and workplace injuries.