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Leading Cause of Death

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), injuries are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 44 and the leading cause of disability for Americans of all age groups. In 2010 alone, an estimated 126,000 people died from accidental injuries. Many of those disabilities and deaths are preventable, which is reason enough to take a few extra safety precautions each day in order to avoid a life-altering injury.

As part of the solution toward preventing personal injuries, the NSC sponsors National Safety Month every June. This effort works to reduce injuries and death at work, at home, on the road, and in our communities.

Each week of National Safety Month focuses on a different aspect of safety:

  • Week 1: Stand Ready to Respond
  • Week 2: Be Healthy
  • Week 3: Watch Out for Dangers
  • Week 4: Share Roads Safely

You can sign up to get free posters and safety tips to educate your family, friends, and coworkers from the NSC’s website.

The Effects of Injuries Add Up

The Effects of Injuries Add Up

On top of the physical limitations they cause and the grief and stress they bring to families, unintentional injuries and deaths have a substantial effect on our economy. The NSC estimates that unintentional injuries cost more than $730 billion to employers and $6,200 per household annually across the nation — figures that they call an “unacceptable level” of accidental injury in our society.

Fortunately, everyone can contribute to reducing accidental deaths and injuries by practicing and encouraging others to practice safe behaviors at home, in the workplace, and on the road. The NSC emphasizes that safety is a choice that we all need to make throughout our lives, and this includes things like:

  • Taking the necessary precautions as a newly-licensed driver
  • Baby-proofing your house when you welcome a new addition to your family
  • Fall-proofing the house as you age
  • Avoiding risky and unnecessary behaviors
  • Being prepared for an emergency

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Are You Prepared for an Emergency?

Crisis readiness is another important aspect of avoiding accidental injuries and death. When an emergency occurs, seconds count, so advance preparation can save lives. Here are a few things to think about in terms of preparing for an emergency:

  • How are you prepared to stay safe if a natural disaster strikes?
  • What is the family plan if a fire starts in your home?
  • Do your children know basic safety habits like not talking to strangers, telling an adult they trust when something is wrong, and calling 911 in an emergency?
  • What will you do if you witness any type of accident?
  • What will you do if you are involved in a car accident?

If you don’t have answers to these questions at the ready, the time to start thinking about them is now. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides some tips and guidelines here that can help you get started.

Road Safety

Road Safety

Most Americans take to the road in a motor vehicle at some point every day. Whether it’s a trip to the store, your morning commute, or a cross-country road trip, consistently practicing safe driving habits is an important step for avoiding injuries.

Interestingly, many people fear flying due to the risk of a plane crash, but the same people often think nothing of getting in their car and driving somewhere, and may even talk on their phone or let themselves become distracted while doing so — despite mountains of data which show that traveling in a car is vastly more dangerous then flying in a commercial aircraft.

In fact, the NSC reports that the lifetime risk of dying in a motor vehicle accident is 1 in 98, while the lifetime risk of dying in a plane crash — including in private planes and other small aircraft, which are more dangerous than commercial jets — is 1 in 7,178. Meanwhile, data from the CDC shows that motor vehicle accidents are the eighth-leading cause of death globally, and trends indicate it will become the fifth-leading cause of death by 2030.

Fortunately, you can lower your risk of being involved in a car crash if you establish and practice safe driving habits — and encourage others to do so as well. For example:

  • Do not read or send text messages while driving.
  • Avoid talking on the phone while driving, even if it is a hands-free device. Studies show that hands-free devices do not make talking on the phone while driving safe.
  • Always wear a seatbelt and ensure that mirrors are appropriately positioned.
  • Adjust your driving behavior to the weather.
  • Be mindful of other drivers and anticipate what they are going to do.
  • Pull over to call 911 when you witness an accident or unsafe behavior from another driver.

Call Myers Law Firm If You've Been Injured

Call Myers Law Firm If You’ve Been Injured

Practicing good safety habits is the best way to reduce your risk of personal injuries and unintentional death. Unfortunately, even the most careful and conscientious person can still be injured if someone else behaves in a reckless manner.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, Myers Law Firm can help. We represent injured victims through difficult times, and we’ll use our legal experience to fight and advocate relentlessly on your behalf until your case reaches a resolution.

Call our offices today at 888-376-2889 or fill out the contact form on our website to schedule your free consultation with the attorneys at Myers Law Firm. We will use this time to get to know you, learn about your case, and inform you about your legal options so you can go forward with confidence.

References

Global road safety. (2015). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/features/globalroadsafety/index.html

Help save lives and prevent injuries during National Safety Month in June. (2016). National Safety Council. Retrieved from http://www.nsc.org/act/events/Pages/national-safety-month.aspx

National Safety Month. (2016). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://healthfinder.gov/nho/JuneToolkit2.aspx

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.

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