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Make Memories, Not Headlines



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  • Corporate Authors:
    University of Texas at Tyler. Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education
  • Description:
    In 2010, there were 29.3 million emergency department visits for unintentional injuries and over 120,000 deaths. During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season it is easy to get in a hurry and unintentionally get hurt. How many of you have started a fire while cooking or been in a car accident related to speeding? We have all seen horrific headlines about a family gathering that ended tragically. For families who live on or visit a farm during the holidays, there are special hazards that should be considered in order to make happy memories instead of headlines. Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries in the United States, accounting for over 9.2 million emergency department visits in 2011. Many of you will be climbing ladders to retrieve decorations or put lights on the house. You may also be storing agricultural supplies for the winter or performing maintenance. When using a ladder be sure to maintain 3 points of contact and avoid using the top step/rung unless it was designed for that purpose. The base of a straight ladder should be positioned a quarter of the working length of the ladder from the wall. To avoid slips and trips, make sure spills are cleaned up promptly and the floor/ground is free from debris (e.g., toys). Older adults are at higher risk of serious injury or death from falls. We wouldn't want grandma to break her back on a furby. Motor Vehicles are the leading cause of unintentional death in the U.S. During the holiday season there are more cars on the road as people travel to visit family and complete their shopping lists. Most 'accidents' can be avoided if drivers control their speed and their road rage. In rural areas, residents and visitors should also be aware of ATVs and machinery. Although the tractor and ATV look like fun to both adults and children, it is important to use them safely. Remember not to carry extra riders and never operate a vehicle of any kind under the influence of alcohol. Poisonings are the leading cause of unintentional deaths for 25-64 year olds. Prescriptions and other medications should be secured and used only as directed. Children frequently get poisoned from medications found in their mother or grandmother's purse. If you are not sure about mixing a prescription with an over the counter medication, call the Poison Help hotline at 800-222-1222. Something as innocent as a decongestant can be deadly in combination with other medications. In rural environments, it is also important to ensure all pesticides, fertilizers and cleaners are in locked cabinets away from children. Fires in the home are commonly caused by kitchen appliances, heating equipment, cigarettes, candles, electrical malfunctions and Christmas decorations. Never leave any fire or heating device unattended and keep heat and fire sources away from combustibles. Make sure you have plenty of working smoke detectors and conduct fire drills at least twice a year. Children 14 years old and younger are more likely to be injured or killed by fire. Water can pose a particular threat to children, as well. If there is a pond, water trough or pool on the property, make sure children are constantly supervised. A young child can drown in a 1-2 inches of water. Chances are the house will be full of family and friends. Assign 1-2 people to be babysitters and avoid a tragedy. Keep your family safe and happy this holiday season. Slow down, prepare your home and farm for visitors and make happy memories that will last a lifetime. [Description provided by NIOSH]
  • Subjects:
  • Keywords:
  • Publisher:
    The Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education
  • Document Type:
    Text
  • Funding:
    Cooperative Agreement
  • Genre:
    Newsletter
  • Place as Subject:
  • CIO:
    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
  • Topic:
    Workplace Safety & Health
  • Location:
    North America
  • NIOSHTIC Number:
    nn:20053435
  • Citation:
    Monthly Safety Blast. Tyler, TX: The Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education, 2013 Dec; :website
  • Email:
    agcenter@uthct.edu
  • Federal Fiscal Year:
    2014
  • NORA Priority Area:
    Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
  • Performing Organization:
    University of Texas Health Center at Tyler
  • Peer Reviewed:
    False
  • Start Date:
    20010930
  • Source Full Name:
    Monthly Safety Blast
  • End Date:
    20270929
  • Collection(s):
  • Main Document Checksum:
    urn:sha-512:b6a703424cc42a1538e5928d7ad532bb27e7059bac0970bccef3c5465ad2a7399eded9951c4c9423372da5dcc6651aed62c9f34e2a36521ef626c7d2cd3a0e14
  • Download URL:
  • File Type:
    Filetype[PDF - 360.99 KB ]
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