Guide to National Safety Month

Back in 1996 the National Safety Council declared June would be used to observe National Safety Month. The National Safety Council, also known as NSC, sole purpose in doing this was to increasingly promote the publics awareness on safety and health risks. The NSC's main goal was to have this information out there to decrease the number the number of accidental injuries and deaths that occur in our everyday lives.

Each week in June is separated up to promote safety issues in different environments, workplace, traffic, home and community. The National Safety Council has already set the dates for June 2009 on what each week they will be focusing on. Lets break down each week with the safety risks they have and the precautions we can take to prevent any injuries or deaths.

June 1 - 7 : Teen Driving
During this week in June, the NSC is focusing on the teen drivers. They want to help the parents and the community minimize the risks that comes with teen drivers. Myself, not to long ago was sitting behind the wheel for the first time at the age of 16 and not thinking anything bad can happen to me. I thought I was ready for the road, and didn't care how fast I drove on it or if I was following proper procedure. The sad fact is, there are more teens out there these days that feel and act the same way I did 13 years ago. Statistics prove that teenager driving accidents are on the rise with an estimated 38% of teen deaths occur from speeding, inexperience in driving, crashes, using the cell phone while driving and alcohol intake. It took me growing up to realize that even though I did have fender benders from time to time, that I was blessed that nothing major happened to me while I was driving around on a Friday night with my friends. Some teens are not so lucky but there are ways we all can prevent this from happening. Try some of these tips to help your teen become a better driver.

1. Require your teen to put on that seat belt in the car, no matter if they are driving or a passenger!
2. Make sure they turn their cell phones off when they are driving. Tell them they can turn them on again once they have parked the car. There is no need to talk or text while driving!
3. Take more time with your kids behind the wheel. Each week, or maybe everyday, spend an hour with your daughter or son driving so they can become more experience and ask your expertise when it comes to driving situations they may become involved in.
4. Set a curfew. I don't care how many times they tell you "But mom, no-one goes home before 12 at night. I need to be out there." I am here to tell you this right now that nothing good is going on after this hour. Even though they will get mad, it is better for them to be at home, huffing and puffing, then laying in a ditch somewhere with no chance of survival. Eventually, they will understand where you are coming from.
5. Know who your teen is driving and or riding with at all times. Set a limit on how many kids should be allowed in the car with your teen while they are behind a wheel.

June 8 - 14 : Falls Prevention
I know this sounds like a silly thing to have a whole week dedicated to, however more and more people, especially elders 65 and older do have a problem when keeping their balance and in 2007 there were more then 20,000 deaths that were caused from falling in the community and at home. We need to help to help fall-proof our homes and loved ones to by doing some or all of these precautions.

1. Keep a sturdy step stool near by when you need to reach for things in higher places.
2. Use adequate lighting throughout your home for visualization on things in their places.
3. Keep floors free of clutter.
4. Use non-skid rugs (rugs with backing) on floors that are prone to wetness, like in a mudroom or a bathroom.
5. Install handrails on stairways.

Not only can you help prevent falling in your home, you can ask your employer to help prevent falls in the workplace as well. Give him or her the list above so they can pass it out to other employees and also have them add to the list the following

1. Footwear should be sensible and rubber soles if possible.
2. If they spill anything, clean it up immediately.

June 15 - 21 : Overexertion
You might be saying to yourself right now, "I am over overexerted all the time" and trust me I understand where you are coming from. If you have a family, job and yourself to take care of everyday it is easy to get strained fast when it comes to physical work and your body will take a heavy toll for it at the end of the day. Most people do not realize though that overexertion is one of the top 5 leading reasons why people visit the emergency room each year. Overexertion can cause pulled muscles, sprains, broken bones, and many more injuries that will leave you out of commission for a good amount of time. Here are some ways you can prevent this from happening in your home and workplace.

1. If you feel tired, take a break. It may take you a little longer to accomplish your job, but it better to get it done then to hurt yourself by going to fast about it.
2. When lifting items, have a partner handy. The more hands helping move something the lighter the load will be for you. Also remember to stretch before lifting anything to heavy.
3. Always use proper tools when moving rather then straining to get it done. You do not need to be Super-Man and hurt yourself.
4. If your job requires you to sit for a long period of time, make sure your chair fits your body properly, and try to at least stand up every 30 minutes to stretch. In the same aspect if your job requires you to stand for long periods of time as well, try to sit down for at least 5 minutes every 30-45 minutes to give your legs and back a break.
5. Get plenty of sleep and exercise.

June 22 - 28 : Distracted Driving
80% of all driving crashes are directly related to distracted driving. Before you open your mouth and say, I never get distracted while I am behind the wheel, read these statements:

I have used my cell phone at least once in the car.
I have put on make-up while driving to work.
I have unwrapped my hamburger, or ate while heading home or going to work.
I have changed the radio station while driving in traffic.
I have watched or talked to my kids using the rear-view mirror while they are in the back seat.

Now if you have said yes to at least one of these statements, then you are guilty of distracted driving and I hope that your distractions haven't caused you yet to have an accident. I know I am guilty of pretty much all of them, especially number 5. The point is, anything that you do while driving, if it makes you take your eyes off the road for more then 10 seconds is going to be a distraction and a crash waiting to happen. I know it is hard to not do these things behind the wheel but their are some ways to prevent them.

1. If you are going to use a cell phone, pull over to either answer a call or make a call. If you absolutely need to be on the phone while driving then make sure your hands free devices are fulling working. If you do not have any hands free devices, then get one immediately!
2. There is no need to put on your make - up while driving. If you are running late to work and you need your driving time to finish getting ready, then set your alarm for five minutes earlier to get this done at home.
3. Need to eat that hamburger while driving. I don't think so. If you can't wait until you get home, or to work to eat that food your just bought then stay at the restaurant to do so. Trust me, the food tastes much better when you are not concentrating on driving.
4. Pick out a radio station before you leave your house and keep it on until you have come to a stop at a light or for traffic. Then you can change the station.
5. Bring books, hand-held games, or any other toy to distract your kids while you are driving so they don't start bugging each other or you.

National Safety Month and the National Safety Council really is trying to just make people more cautious to how they go about their daily routines. They want people to become more knowledgeable to accidents that can happen around them at any time. Take your time to visit www.nsc.org or http://www.answers.com/topic/national-safety-council#Workplace_Safety to read more about the NSC council or about National Safety Month.