Celebrate National Safety Month with Improved Safety

By Matt Smith | June 10, 2015

June is one of our favorite months because it is a time when we focus on improving safety in the home and workplace. Brining attention to key safety issues is something we take very seriously because small changes save lives. And that matters to us.

Did you know:

  • Around 5,000 people die from sudden traumatic injury in the workplace each year
  • 50,000 people die each year from workplace related illnesses
  • Accident is one of the top killers in childhood

Those few, of the many, statistics shed light on the serious nature of upholding safety practices. Nearly every study shows that the vast majority of accidental injuries and deaths could have been prevented. In most cases, accidents occur when there are either no safety protocols in place or those protocols are not being followed.

Make Safety a Workplace Priority

In the course of performing routine duties, over 10 people are killed in workplace accidents every day in the United States according to the National Safety Council. Safety in the workplace is not only vital to the health and well-being of your employees, it is vital to the well-being of your company.

The best way to prevent workplace accidents is by equipping your employees with the tools and resources they need.

  • Provide staff training
  • Implement OSHA best practices
  • Develop a culture of safety
  • Keep rules posted
  • Provide safety equipment
  • Maintain all equipment
  • Perform regular spot checks on safety
  • Measure and publish safety progress

Safety in the Home

We think of home as a safe haven, and it is exactly that reason safety practices become lax. Unintentional injury is a major public health problem in the United States, causing nearly 21 million medical visits each year and is the fifth leading cause of death. According to the Home Safety Council, these injuries and deaths are largely preventable when home safety practices are put in place.

If you want to improve home safety, consider these important tips:

  • Evaluate safety needs according to the age of your residents
  • Reevaluate needs according to seasonal changes
  • Install smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detectors
  • Keep poisons, cleaners, and chemicals in locked cupboards
  • Restrict access to tools and guns
  • Keep pools fenced and gated with an alarm
  • Keep medications out of the reach of children
  • Practice safe electrical usage
  • Maintain all appliances
  • Use safe practices when cooking
  • Install safety features like railings on stairs
  • Have a fire escape plan and practice it regularly

While we cannot create a hazard-free world, we can significantly reduce risks with improved safety practices, and very possibly keep ourselves or those we love safe from serious harm. If you have questions about improving safety, give us a call.

Matt Smith
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