It’s better to be SAFE than SORRY, and that’s exactly why June is National Safety Month.
Injuries are a leading cause of disability for people of all ages – and they are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 44. The good news is each of us can take steps today to make our lives and the lives of our families and communities safer.
Whittier Street Health Center is committed to spreading the word and raising awareness during National Safety Month. Together we can greatly reduce and even prevent injuries from happening.
Here are a few things to consider when evaluating how you can live safer:
- Poisonings: Nine out of 10 poisonings happen right at home. You can be poisoned by many things, like cleaning products or another person’s medicine.
Safety tip: Add the poison control number (1-800-222-1222) to your cell phone.
- Transportation safety: Doing other activities while driving – like texting or eating – distracts you and increases your chance of crashing. Almost 1 in 6 crashes where someone is injured involves distracted driving.
Here in Boston transportation safety also includes bikes, and pedestrian safety.
Always look both ways and don’t anticipate a vehicle will stop for you (even if they should).
- Slips, trips, and falls: One in 4 older adults falls each year. Many falls lead to broken bones and other health problems.
About half of all falls happen at home. Here’s a few things to check to make your house safe: Keep objects off stairs, Fix loose or broken handrails, Clean up excessive wires and cords, Keep lights easy to reach and working!
This June, we encourage you to take a moment and think about the safety risks you encounter at home, at work or when traveling, and what you can do to reduce or eliminate the threat of injury.
Here at Whittier Street Health Center we have many programs to help you live a safer life – here’s a few:
- “Matter of Balance”, a program for seniors dedicated to fall prevention strategies, education, and exercise!
- Free Bike Helmets for our pediatric patients to encourage bike safety!
For more information, visit www.WSHC.org or call 617-427-1000 .