National Safety Month

Driving Safety for Teens

Traffic crashes are the leading cause of teen fatalities—an estimated 38 percent of all teen deaths occur from crashes. Inexperience, speeding, cell phone use/texting and alcohol are some the leading factors that can heighten young driver’s risks. Parents and teens can work together to make the right driving decisions to keep young drivers safe:.

• Require your teen to wear a seat belt and set firm penalties for breaking the rule.
  Seat belt use is the single best injury prevention measure a driver can take.
• Eliminate distractions—including cell phone use while driving.
• Spend time with your teen behind the wheel. Experience is a skill-builder.
• Set a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and drug use.
• Know who your teen is riding with and whether that teen is a competent driver.
  Prohibit new drivers from taking teen passengers along for the ride.
• Set a curfew. Teenagers driving at night with passengers are 4 to 5 more times
  likely to crash than those driving alone during the day.

Driving Safety

When driving, your first responsibility is the safety of those in your vehicle and others on the road. Cell phone use while driving and other forms of distracted driving account for 80 percent of all crashes.

• If you need to use your cell phone while driving, pull over to a safe
  location and put the car in park.
• Hands-free cell phones are not safer.
• Avoid driving while fatigued.
• Crash rates for teen drivers with teen passengers increase significantly
  with each additional passenger. Limit who rides with your teen.

Preventing Falls at the Workplace

Falls are a leading cause of traumatic occupational death, accounting for eight percent of all occupational fatalities from trauma, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Identifying risks and injury-prevention measures are the first steps in reducing or eliminating fall hazards. To help keep yourself and your co-workers falls-free:

• Wear sensible footwear.
• Keep hallways and workspaces clutter-free and clear of obstacles.
• Keep floors clean, dry, level and secure.
• Maintain good lighting.

Preventing Falls at Home

Falls are a leading cause of injury and deaths in our homes and communities. In 2007 there were 20,600 fall-related deaths in these settings, the majority of which affected the older (65+) population. Fall-proof your home and help older friends and family do the same:

• Keep floors clean and clear of clutter.
• Maintain good lighting throughout your home, especially on the stairs.
• Use non-skid throw rugs in potentially slippery places, like bathrooms.
• Install handrails on stairways, including porches.
• Have a sturdy step stool to use when climbing or reaching for high places.

Preventing Overexertion at Home

Moving, gardening, cleaning—these valuable and sometimes rewarding activities can also cause overexertion injuries at home, including back strain. Overexertion is the third-leading cause of emergency room visits for non-fatal unintentional injuries. To help protect yourself:

• Warm up before doing any heavy lifting or carrying.
• Lift with a partner to lighten your load.
• Use proper tools or equipment, rather than straining to make a reach.
• Slow your pace—and if you get tired, take a break.

Preventing Overexertion at the Workplace

Back injuries, a form of overexertion, are the nation’s leading workplace safety problem. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, back injuries account for one of every five workplace injuries or illnesses. More than 1 million workers suffer back injuries each year. To help prevent back strain and other overexertion injuries:

• Lift with your knees, not with your back.
• Reduce large loads into smaller ones or, when possible, use
  mechanical assistance.
• Stack items you are carrying to lift safely.
• If you sit for long periods, make sure your chair fits correctly and is
  ergonomically designed.
• Exercise and get proper rest.

Source: nsc.org/nsm

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