Tips for Living a Safe Life

June is National Safety Month. Injuries are a leading cause of disability for people of all ages — and 

injuries are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 44, reports the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The good news is everyone can get involved to help prevent injuries.

During National Safety Month members of the Sequoyah Wellness Partnership are calling upon the community to help reduce the risk of injuries. This June, the public is encouraged to learn more about important safety issues like proper prescription use, transportation safety, and slips, trips, and falls.

Prescription Use: Store medicines in a cool, dry place. Medicines can break down quickly in places that are damp and warm, like the kitchen or bathroom. Keep medicines away from children and pets. A locked box, cabinet, or closet is best. Get rid of expired (out-of-date) medicines and medicines you no longer use. Many police agencies, like the Sallisaw Police Department, have set up disposal units at their agencies to safely discard medications. At the Sallisaw PD, the unit is in the lobby, which is open 24 hours a day. Check with your local law enforcement agency to find out of this service is offered.

Transportation safety: Doing other activities while driving — like texting or eating — distracts you and increases your chance of crashing. Almost 1 in 5 crashes (17 percent) that injure someone involved distracted driving. If a distraction is at hand, pull off the road and stop until the distraction is dismissed. It is illegal to text and drive in Oklahoma, as of November 2015.

Slips, trips, and falls: One in 3 older adults falls each year. Many falls lead to broken bones and other health problems. Here are just a few tips from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on making life safer for older persons.

If you have to walk around furniture, ask someone to move the furniture out of your path. Remove throw rugs or use double-sided tape or a nonslip backing so the rug won’t slip. Pick up things, like paper and books, off the floor. If you have to walk around or over electrical and extension cords and wires, coil or tape them next to the wall so you can’t trip over them. If needed, have an electrician put in another outlet.

These are just a few of the tips on living a safe life. For more information on safe living visit healthfinder.gov.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

For more news stories stay tuned to The MIX 105.1 or visit www.kxmx.com