ACCIDENT & INJURY PREVENTION

Chapter 24

• 1. One out of every ten people suffers an injury every year?

• 2. Injuries claim more young lives each year in the US than do any disease, even AIDS.

• 3. The primary characteristics you need to prevent accidents on the road is driving skill.

• 4. You can injure your back picking up a feather.

• 5. The emergency telephone number in most parts of the US is 911.

• 6. Of all parts of the body, the head affects balance the most.

• 7. Everyone knows how to take care of children; it’s just a matter of plain common sense.

FACT

OR

FICTI

ON:

• Design a bumper sticker to promote safe driving.• Include graphic arts, and a slogan• Due Thursday (30 second explanation/demonstration)A

CTIV

ITY:

• Nearly HALF of the accidents take place are car accidents

• Even if you are a good driver, you can and will still have accidents because some are unpreventable.

• Some accidents are not deliberate; you just don’t see them coming sometimes, you not expect someone to cut you off; you don’t have time to avoid them.

HIGHWAY ACCIDENTS

• Attitudes:• Consider attitude #1: “I never

have accidents. I am in control.”• Consider attitude #2: “The

control is not all in my hands. I need to be aware of other drivers, and watch for possible accidents about to happen.”

• A person with attitude #2 drives defensively.

• A person with attitude #1 just goes out and drives and unaware of their surroundings. NO one is superman/woman!

THE LIKELIHOOD OF A COLLISION:

• 1-10,000 chances if someone were to drive out in front of you in an intersection.

• You can always guess or think ‘is this car going to?’

• If you pass through enough intersections, lets say 10 a day, then it will take 1,000 days (3 years) on average for someone to pull out in front of you. You cannot know if it will actually occur until it actually happens.

• Avoiding this: keep the thought in your head that a car may suddenly pull out in front of you; you will slow down, and you will be ready to turn, hit the brake, and you will be planning ahead to avoid a collision.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING: SAVES LIVES!

• Knowledge• Judgment and

Attitude• Safety Belts• Head Restraints

and Air Bags• Other concerns

DEFENSIVE DRIVING:

• Driver’s education courses reduce accidents. As a result, automobile insurance rates are lower for drivers who HAVE had driver’s education courses.

• I HIGHLY recommend doing this. Not only will it save you $$, but it will also prepare you to be comfortable and confident behind the wheel of a car.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Judgment is ESSENTIAL to driving safety.

• It is a VERY important skill.• Driving skill is the person’s

ability to control the vehicle under all road conditions.

• Driving judgment is also the driver’s ability to recognize a potential accident and to know how to avoid it.

• The use of both skill and judgment, the Red Cross points out, depends on the driver’s ATTITUDE!

• Part of defensive driving attitude, is self-defense against injury.

JUDGEMENT AND ATTITUDE:

• Defensive drivers not only make sure they are buckled but anyone else that is in their vehicle!!!

• Some people claim that seat belts cause more harm if worn.

• Yes, they sometimes do, BUT far more often do they SAVE lives!

• Buckling up should be an EFFORTLESS unconscious action!

• Safety belts slow a person’s momentum going forward in an accident. It keeps you from going out a window, or windshield.

• Being thrown from a vehicle increases the chance of death 25 times!!!

• Safety belts keep you inside and safe.

SAFETY BELTS

• These are two other pieces of safety equipment to prevent whiplash injury, and to cushion the impact with the dashboard-a common cause of injury.

• Even further protection is to move the driver and passenger seats as far away from the dash as possible; without limiting the driver’s control of the car.

• Air bags, while live-saving to adults, and OLDER children, can pose a hazard for infants and small children.

• Air bags inflate within a blink of the eye. They inflate so quickly and powerfully that it can cause neck injury to anything CLOSE it it’s path. This is why small children or infants should be in the back seat of a car.

• Infants should be in a rear facing car seat.

HEAD RESTRAINTS & AIR BAGS

• Texting/Talking=BAD idea!• We are all probably guilty but

NEED to break the habit before you cause a serious accident to others and yourself.

TEXTING; CELLULAR DEVICES:

• In 2010, 3092 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver and an estimated additional 416,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver.

• 18% of injury crashes in 2010 were reported as distraction-affected crashes.

• In the month of June 2011, more than 196 billion text messages were sent or received in the US, up nearly 50% from June 2009.

• 40% of all American teens say they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put people in danger. (Pew)

• Drivers who use hand-held devices are 4 times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Monash University)

• Text messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted. (VTTI)

• Sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of an entire football field, blind. (VTTI)

• Headset cell phone use is not substantially safer than hand-held use. (VTTI)

• Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%. (C

TEXTING; CELLULAR DEVICES:

• Keep vehicle in good condition: tires, windshield wipers, horn, lights, brakes, wheel alignment, and steering mechanism.

• Wipes or washes all windows clean before starting the car.

• Wear glass, if needed• Adjusts driving to different driving

conditions.• Obeys traffic signs and all

regulations.• Watches for pedestrians and

bicyclists.• Does NOT drive after drinking

alcohol, or after taking drugs that cause drowsiness, or when emotional, anxious, distracted, irritated, or tired.

YOU AND YOUR CAR:

• Read the Health Strategies section.

• Have YOU seen any of the driving behaviors described?

• Tell us about the situation-NO NAMES.

• Did you report this car/person to the police? Why or why not?

GRAB A BOOK AND GO TO PAGE 650.

• Driver attitude is important in preventing collisions. Defensive drivers take precautions against injuries by wearing safety belts. They take precautions against accidents by attending to the condition of the vehicle, and the driver.

• Drowning is the major cause of accidental death in this country.

• Most happen when someone falls into the water and can’t swim-often from a boat.

SAFETY: SWIMMING, BOATING, BIKING, & OTHER PLAY

• How to reduce the risk of drowning:• 1. Learn to swim• 2. Never swim alone or let others do

so.• 3. Protect pools with fences.• 4. Use extra caution around moving

water (rivers, canals, creeks). It is much more powerful than it looks.

• 5. Supply boats with personal flotation devices (PFDs). Non-swimmers should always wear PFDs.

• 6. Ease into the water when it is cold.• 7. Never play rough in or near the

water.• 8. Swim only when you feel well.• 9. Do not swim if you have been

drinking or using other drugs.

SWIMMING:

• Diving: NEVER dive where obstructions might lurk or where you don’t know the depth.

• Ease in feet first the first time.• No NOT over estimate your ability.• Do not dive too deep!• Distance swimming in open waters-wise to

have a boat accompany you.• Get out of the water when there is lightening;

if on a boat go to shore quickly in a storm.• Except in emergencies, rely on your own

swimming ability, not on inner tubes or floats.• Keep in mind, someone drowning is in panic

mode. They can and will easily over power an individual trying to save them, and in turn both people will more than likely drown.

• Only a trained lifeguard should rescue the drowning

PRECAUTIONS FOR SWIMMERS:

• Should I wait an hour after I eat before I go swimming again?

• Not necessarily dangerous to swim with a full stomach, especially if you are doing light activities.

• However, if you swim hard after eating, you may indeed experience cramps.

• This will more than likely occur in your legs, or arms as in your stomach.

• This is because digestion requires energy and oxygen, which are taken from the hard-working muscles.

• Advice: Take it easy after eating!

PRECAUTIONS FOR SWIMMERS:

• Do not operate boating equipment if using alcohol or other drugs.

• Know your boat, and the rules of the waterway.

• Make sure there are enough Coast-Guard-approved flotation devices for everyone. DO NOT RELY ON INNER TUBES or TOYS as flotation devices.

• Load the boat reasonably.• Keep your weight low in the boat, don’t

sit/stand.• Tell people on shore where you are

going and when to expect you back.• If the boat overturns or fills with water,

hang onto it (it will probably float).• If the weather threatens, skip the trip!

BOATING SAFTEY:

• Accidents also happen to people moving fast on land.

• Probably the most important guideline for accident prevention is to wear good shoes.

• Shoes not only protect your feet, but they give stability to the whole body.

• -Let’s take a look at the shoes you are wearing….

BIKING, ROLLER BLADING, AND SKATEBOARDING:

• A second guideline is to use proper gear: the right-size bike, roller blades, or skateboard.

• Equipment should be in good condition.

• Helmets are also recommended for biking, roller blading, and skateboarding.

• REMEMBER: no one has an accident on purpose.

BIKING, ROLLER BLADING, AND SKATEBOARDING:

• Lift NOTHING by bending over, not even a feather!

• Your upper body is heavy, believe it or not!

• Follow these guidelines when lifting:• 1. plant the feet firmly and slightly apart.

Keep your head up.• 2. Squat-do not lean-forward, keeping the

back as straight as possible, and get a firm grip on the object.

• 3. Lift slowly, pushing up with the strong thigh and leg muscles.

• 4. Do not jerk the object upward or twist your body as you lift.

• 5. To lower an object, reverse this procedure.

• Stand up and lets try!

AVOIDING BACK INJURY:

• Among teenagers, and children, fires and burns are ranked 3rd behind motor vehicle deaths and drowning's, as a cause of accidental deaths.•Majority of deaths occur in fires at home.• There are different kinds of burns.

BURNS:

BURNS:

• A special class of burns-chemical burns-damages eyes, skin, and lungs without fire.

• Make sure you read labels of sprays, and products that contain gases, and compounds that can burn your skin.

• If the seal is broken-do not use!

• FOLLOW DIRECTIONS WHEN USING ANY PRODUCTS!!!

BURNS:

• Install fire extinguishers near danger spots.• Keep a garden hose near a faucet.• Use chemical fire extinguishers-never water-on electrical

fires. Baking soda will safely smother a grease fire, so keep a box handy in the kitchen.

• Change heating and cooling system filters on schedule, and maintain heating systems.

• Dispose of trash immediately.• Hang clothes well away from stoves and fireplaces.• Store matches in a metal container and out of the reach

of children.• Be careful with hot tap water; it can cause scalds that

require hospitalization. Turn down the temp setting of the water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, if possible. This will help save energy too!

• Do not allow anyone to smoke in bed. Provide adequate ashtrays to smokes, or ask them to smoke outside.

• Install home fire detectors. The local fire department can help you choose the right types and decide on their placement.

PREVENTING FIRES AND BURNS:

• If a fire starts….what will you do?• Lets look at page 656 for helpful picture diagrams and tips for fire extinguishers!• Lets look at page 664, Straight Talk section, and look at some helpful tips and suggestions!

PREVENTING FIRES AND BURNS:

• Falls cause many accidental deaths.

• The same attitude that prevents driving accidents works for falls.

• Anticipation and defensive action against falls can prevent them.

• Most falls happen at home.

HOME SAFETY!

• Wipe up spills.• Use nonslip floor wax• Secure small rugs. Do not use them at tops and

bottoms of stair cases.• Clean up snow in walking areas. Use sand or salt

on icy spots.• Keep a safety mat in the bathtub, and install

handholds on the wall.• Be careful in wet grass, especially with a power

mower.• Repair torn and frayed carpet promptly.• Keep walking areas clear and the yard picked up.• Keep stairs and hallways well lighted-install

handrails.

PREVENTING SLIPS AND TRIPS:

• Use a sturdy ladder. Do not use makeshift piles of furniture or boxes.

• Inspect the ladder before you use it.• Never paint a ladder. Paint hides structural

defects.• Move the ladder instead of reaching to the side

from the top of it. Climb down, move the ladder, and climb up again.

• Lean a straight ladder at an angle to the wall, not straight up. The bottom should be placed away from the wall one-quarter of the distance from the base of the ladder to its contact point.

• Place both feet of the ladder firmly on level, non-slippery ground, and have someone steady the ladder as you climb.

• Keep your hands free to grip the ladder as you climb. Wear your tools in a tool belt.

• Keep your body weight centered.• Face the ladder when climbing down.• Hire an expert for high jobs, especially roof jobs or

those where power wires are nearby.

PREVENTING FALLS THAT OCCUR WHEN CLIMBING AND REACHING:

• Remember as we age, our balance starts to decrease.

• Falls are the leading cause of accidental death and injury to older people.

• Pay attention to small children and infants. They are learning how to balance . They can easily trip, and fall into water, or hit their head etc. Do not take your eyes off of them.

PREVENTING FALLS THAT OCCUR WHEN CLIMBING AND REACHING:

• Accidents can arise from careless use of tools, toys, guns, and other devices.

• Again, most accidents occur at home.

• Work and leisure-time accidents add significantly to the number of deaths and injuries.

• We can prevent this in several ways….

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• Use sharp objects only for their intended purpose, handle them with care, and keep them out of the reach of children.

• Mark large glass and doors so that everyone can see that they are not walk-through spaces.

• Follow the manufacturers instructions carefully when using equipment.

• Unplug electrical cords when equipment is not in use.• Do not use electric appliances, such as hair dryers,

around water, including full bathroom basins, tubs, and other sinks.

• Clean up spills promptly to prevent slipping.• Sweep up broken glass promptly. Discard cracked china,

and glass-ware. Use non-breakable dishes and containers around tile and cement surfaces.

• Remove nails from boards in storage.• Learn and obey all firearm safety rules.• Keep guns and ammunition in separate places, each

protected by lock and key.• NEVER load a gun until you are ready to shoot it!!!

Assume that ALL guns are loaded, even when you know they are not!. Do NOT misuse blank cartridges. They can cause serious injury and even death.

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• You will find an article that indicates situations where precautions were not taken at home and a preventable injury in the form of a fall or careless use of tools, toys, guns, or other items occurred.

• There will be 5 groups, since there are 5 computers. We will take about 10 minutes to look up these articles. Make sure they are school appropriate . If the article is long, email me Julie.Wilt@cherokee.k12.ga.us do not print it. If it is a smaller article, ask me for permission before you print it!

• Decide what could have prevented the accident in your groups once you have found the article.

ACTIVITY!

• Do you think that posting a list of precautions, such as the list that we discussed earlier in the lecture, somewhere in your home would prevent accidents?

• Where would you post this list in your home?

• On your own, make a custom list of safety precautions that you think is important for your home environment.

ACTIVITY ON YOUR OWN…

• Natural disasters include: hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes.

• Usually beyond a person’s ability to avoid.

• There are things a person can do to prepare for them….

NATURAL DISASTERS:

• Imagine yourself stuck in your house, or in a car, unable to leave the area, having to cope for several days without outside help.

• What would you wish you had done before hand?

• What would you wish you had with you?

NATURAL DISASTERS:

• Water should be something that comes to mind first.

• You should store some fresh drinkable water in clean, closed containers now, in the building where you live.

• Store water in your car too, if you have one.

• Store enough to sustain for at least a day or so.

• Next, think of shoes….• Suppose you had to walk a long

distance to get help.• Sandals or high heeled shoes would get

old fast.• Store good shoes where you may need

them.

NATURAL DISASTERS:

• Other equipment you should have ready:

• 1. a portable radio in case the power goes down.

• 2. extra batteries, in case the radio goes dead (alkaline batteries last the longest)

• 3. a working flashlight and batteries; also candles and matches in case the lights go out.

• 4. an adjustable wrench to turn off the electrical main switch and gas line. (learn how to do this in advance).

• 5. A first-aid kit, in case some one gets hurt.

• 6. Canned food and a can opener, in case you aren’t able to cook.

NATURAL DISASTERS:

• Remember, different geographical areas, are prone to different events.

• You should learn preparedness routines for those that are likely to strike your area.

• Obey instructions. If told to leave the area, do so!• In an earthquake, get under a sturdy desk, table or other

furniture; do not run outside, where objects can fall on you.• In storms, stay indoors! When lightning is nearby, keep away

from water, plumbing, other metal objects, and all electrical outlets. Do not use the telephone.

• If rising water is a problem, or if your home has structural damage from an earthquake, turn off the main power switch. Let an electrician check your home before turning on the power again.

• Be aware that electrical power lines may be damaged or down. Keep well away from them!

NATURAL DISASTERS:

• Name precautions you would take for the following:

• 1. Lightning• 2. Flood

• 3. Hurricane• 4. Tornado• 5. Blizzard

• 6. Earthquake

ACTIVITY:

• “Taking care of children is a matter of plain common sense. Everyone knows how to do it.”

• Many people think this is correct, but it is not.

• Love and enjoyment comes naturally, but to deliver competent child care, you also have to do some formal learning.

CARE OF OTHERS: CHILD CARE….

• Home safety:• Keeping a safe home is a major part of the

responsible care of children.• If you care for your siblings, or babysit, or have

children of your own, you should check the home, yard, garage, storage areas, basement, and play areas for hazards.

• You should ask yourself these questions:• 1. Area all areas free of hazards that could case

falls?• 2. Are all areas well defended against fire?• 3. If there is a pool or other body of water nearby, is

it fenced off, so that children cannot play there unsupervised or accidentally fall in?

• 4. Are all areas neat and free of trash and bottles?

• FIX ANY AREA THAT IS NOT SAFE!

CARE OF OTHERS: CHILD CARE….

• Toy safety:• Make sure that children do not play with sticks, or

with toys or other objects that may break if the children fall. This warning applies to bottles, glasses, and even more plastic toys.

• Do not allow children to play with fireworks.• Make sure children do not play with or around

television sets, electrical devices in the kitchen and bathroom, fans, power tools, household cleaning equipment, sewing machines, lawn tools, and other dangerous objects.

• Do not allow children to play with any guns, including pellet guns, BB guns, and toy guns that look real.

• Even if the home and toys are safe, children should not be left to play without watchful attention. Their own judgment cannot keep them from harm. You must do so.

CARE OF OTHERS: CHILD CARE….

• Prevention of choking:

• When feeding children, be aware that they can easily choke on food.

• Cut meat into small pieces.• Let children take only small forkfuls of any food.• Do not let them speak or laugh with food in their

mouths.• Make sure they chew each bite before attempting to

swallow.• Take particular care with round pieces of food such as

hot dogs, grapes, cherry tomatoes.• Teach children to bite them with their front teeth or

crush them.• For small children, cut their food.• Peanuts should be split open; popcorn should not be

served to small children because it is light enough to be carried by the breath and round enough to be lodged in the throat.

CARE OF OTHERS: CHILD CARE….

• Prevention of choking:

• Learn the Heimlich Maneuver (abdominal thrust maneuver.)

• If a child does choke, use the maneuver to dislodge the particle from the throat.

• You can learn this best in a first-aid course.• When you are babysitting, some additional

precautions are in order.

• Review…..• Competent care of children includes attention to

their safety. The home and toys must be safe. The person who is responsible must keep a watchful eye on chidlren.

CARE OF OTHERS: CHILD CARE….

• Turn to page 662 and look at the

“Health Strategies”

section, pointers for babysitters.

• Turn to page 664 and lets talk about Fire

Prevention and Escape!

GET A BOOK!