Preventing Personal Injury
Summary: This article will give a brief description of preventative actions for avoiding personal injury
Avoiding
auto accidents
- Make sure your car is in good, operable conditions; perform checks on your vehicle routinely.
- if required for driving, wear your prescription glasses. Be prepared for sunny weather while driving
- Keep windows clean and clear, and check wiper fluid levels.
- Stay awake and alert while driving. Don't drive when tired.
- Adjust rear-view mirrors and side mirrors before operation so that you can see other cars around you while in the vehicle.
- Check level of fluids before driving (windshield wiper, oil, gas, etc.
- Avoid driving in dangerous weather conditions, such as driving in the rain at night, when possible, and lower your vehicles speed during hazardous weather.
- Avoid driving on roads covered with snow or water.
- watch out for deer and other animals that may be crossing the road.
- Avoid putting distracting objects or decorations in/on your car’s interior and exterior.
- Drive at a safe speed, always observing the speed limits and weather conditions.
- Do not tailgate other vehicles, and leave enough room between vehicles to break.
- Limit the number of things distracting you while driving (avoid having loud music, rowdy friends, animals, etc. in your vehicle. )
- Stop to use the phone instead of using it while driving
- If somebody tailgates you drive defensively. Try slowing down or using your turn signals to change lanes if you’re being tailgated.
How
to prevent poisoning
- Make sure that your doctors know all the medicines that you are taking,
- Write down the name of all your medications and the dosages, and keep the list on you for medical emergencies.
- Take medication as it is prescribed – do not abuse medications.
- When taking a new medication for the first time, tell your doctor about any side effects or abnormalities in your health immediately.
- Ask your pharmacist and/or doctors about medication side effects and interactions.
- Do NOT take someone else’s medication.
- Keep a diary of your medication – including when you took it and what dose you took.
- Medication can be ordered in pill boxes to reduce the chances of forgetting to take the correct medicine at the correct time.
How
to prevent slip and fall
- Inebriated
individuals fall more often than sober individuals – consuming alcohol can
impair balance and muscle control.
- Avoid
walking in dark areas – turn on lights to avoid slipping and tripping.
- Wear
your glasses or contacts if you need them to see clearly when walking, and
wear sunglasses when necessary.
- Avoid
walking on loose pieces of rug, tile, or other objects or substances that
may trip you.
- Secure
loose pieces of rug, tile, or etc when possible to reduce tripping hazard.
- Use
non-slip backing for area rugs.
- Always
hold the handrails, stair rails, or guardrails when available for stairs
or overlooks.
- Use
a rubber mat in the bath tub or shower to reduce the chances of slipping
from soap and water.
- Add
sturdy grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower and next to the
toilet to provide a sturdy surface to those that fall, and to prevent
falling.
- Avoid
grabbing onto towel racks and other unstable things to break your fall. In
many cases, this can cause further injury
- Keep
tripping hazards off the floor (excessive cords, toys, or oher objects).
- Untied
shoes, sandals, or boots can cause falls on uneven floors and surfaces.
- Avoid
walking or running on wet or icy surfaces.
- Follow
safety directions, and make sure that ladders are firmly placed on a level
surface when in use.
- Use
a walker or cane to help maintain your balance if you sometimes need help.
- Exercise
regularly, and try to do activities that involve hand-eye coordination and
balance.
- When
taking medications that may cause dizziness or drowsiness, avoid driving
or operating heavy machinery.
- Get
screened and treated for diseases and medical conditions that may cause
you to slip or fall more often.