Safety is No Accident -- 4.6.2011
PRESS RELEASE -- FOR WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2011
Public Awareness and Safety Tips Offered as part of National Public Health Week
Public Health seeks to help All Residents Live Healthier and Safe Lives
Columbus Public Health is encouraging awareness and offering safety tips to help all residents live healthier and safer lives as part of National Public Health Week, April 4-10. The theme of this year’s nationwide effort is “Safety is No Accident: Live Injury-Free Lives.”
The potential for injuries exists in our homes, workplaces and communities. Preventable injuries rank among the top 10 causes of death for people of all ages. Nearly 150,000 people die from injuries, and almost 30 million people are hurt seriously enough to go to the emergency room each year. Additionally, nearly 75 people die as a result of unintentional poisoning and another 2,000 are treated in the emergency room every day in the U.S.
“It only takes a second for an injury to happen, but the good news is there are many things we can do to prevent unexpected injuries,” says Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long. “You can protect yourself, your family and your community by taking action, starting now with one positive change each day.”
To prevent injuries, Dr. Long suggests “starting small” with the following tips:
- Wear a helmet and other protective gear while playing sports.
- Monitor children while they play to ensure safety.
- Wear a seat belt on every trip, no matter how short.
- Ensure children are buckled up in a car seat, booster seat or seat belt, and make sure child safety seats are installed correctly.
- Wear a helmet when you ride a bike.
- Use sidewalks and don’t jaywalk.
- Store cleaning supplies in locked cabinets.
- Don’t text, eat, use the phone or groom while driving.
- Wear all protective equipment required or recommended for your occupation.
- Install smoke detectors if you don’t already have them, and change the batteries in your smoke detectors on a regular basis.
- Remove toys, books, rugs and other tripping hazards from stairs and places you walk.
- Have handrails and lights on all staircases.
The American Public Health Association started National Public Health Week (NPHW) to celebrate the role of public health in helping people live healthier and safer lives. Columbus and communities all across the country have participated in NPHW each April since 1995 to draw attention to the need to help protect and improve the nation’s health.
For more information and additional safety tips, visit Columbus Public Health at or on Facebook or Twitter.