Basic Safety Preparation for Everyone

Sunday, August 13, 2017

No matter the size of your household, whether you have children, pets, both or neither, basic preparation and emergency planning are always advisable. In this post, we'll outline some of the bare essentials every person should equip themselves with for everyday safety. When we think of preparedness and planning, we most often consider the major disasters; floods, earthquakes and fires tend to be in the forefront of the planning mind. We'll discuss planning for disasters like these a bit later on, but first let's talk about the five major offenders of accidental death and injury. According to the National Safety Council, accidental deaths and injuries most commonly include poisoning, vehicle crashes, falls, choking/suffocation and drowning.

Poison Safety

In recent years, poisoning has become the leader of accidental deaths, surpassing vehicle accidents for the first time ever, due to the availability of opioid drugs such as hydrocodone, oxycodone and fentanyl. To learn more about this epidemic and how to prevent it, visit this link.

The Basics

Take medication only as prescribed
Never share medication
Store addictive substances safely

Advanced

Check out the FDA's guidelines for the disposal of unused medicines.

Falling Accidents

A fall can affect anyone, no matter what age. However, according to the CDC, falls affect one in three adults over the age of 65. Most often, falls occur at home and can be prevented.

The Basics

Declutter walking spaces
Secure carpets
Add non-slip adhesives and non-skid matts

Advanced

Install hand railings
Replace lighting to create more visibility
Adjust cupboards and appliances to eliminate the need for ladders

Suffocation & Choking Accidents

The Basics

Know the risks
Recognize the hazards

The most common risks for choking are eating too fast or too much at once. Suffocation occurs most commonly in children under one year of age. Choking occurs most commonly in adults over the age of 80. The most common food hazards include:

Hot dogs
Meat and cheese
Whole grapes
Hard candy
Popcorn
Bagels
Peanut butter

Advanced

Learn the Heimlich Maneuver
Learn CPR

Drowning Accidents

According to the National Safety Council, 10 people drown every day and most will be under the age of 15. Children drown most often in:

Pools
Bathtubs

The Basics

Don't leave kids unattended even for a moment to answer the phone or grab a towel
Don't let kids play near water
Teach kids about the dangers of water

Advanced

Enroll kids in swim lessons
Install safety fencing
Install door alarms
Learn First Aid & CPR

Adults can drown, too. For more information about water safety for everyone, visit this page. Being prepared for everyday risks provides a great foundation for awareness and safety in more difficult scenarios.

Fire Safety

Accidental fires are the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. More than three-quarters of fire deaths occur at home when residents walk away from the stove, leave candles unattended or smoke inside. For more information about fire risk, safety and prevention, check out this post.

The Basics

Install a smoke alarm
Keep fire extinguishers handy
Maintain access to fire ladders

Advanced

Invest in monitored smoke detectors
Install a sprinkler system

Natural Disaster Safety

Natural disaster safety encompasses a wide range of topics including preparedness for earthquakes, floods, tornadoes and hurricanes. Your chances for encountering one of these types of disasters will depend on where you are located. For more information about which disaster you're most likely to encounter and how to properly prepare yourself for these, check out this post.