Falls
Although falls can hurt a person at any age, older adults are highly affected by falls. The CDC believes more than one out of four older people falls each year equating to millions of falls for persons over the age of 65. Hip fractures and traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s) in older adults and are caused primarily by falls. Falls may be attributed to poor balance, weak muscles and bones, vitamin deficiencies, and visual impairment. To reduce the chances of falls, older adults should talk with their doctors and have their balance and strength tested. To reduce the chances of anyone falling in a home the home should be clutter free, have side rails installed, and have proper lighting.
Each day about 10 people in the U.S. from unintentional (accidental) drowning. Drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death for people of all ages, and the second leading cause of injury death for children ages 1 to 14 years.
Drowning is a problem worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that every hour of everyday 40 people die from unintentional drownings. The WHO identifies drowning as a server public health concern especially for low- and middle-income countries. Based on research and evidence, the WHO describes the following 10 actions that can help prevent drowning:
1. Install barriers controlling access to water.
2. Provide safe places away from water for pre-school children, with capable child care.
3. Teach school-age children basic swimming, water safety and safe rescue skills.
4. Train bystanders in safe rescue and resuscitation.
5. Strengthen public awareness of drowning and highlight the vulnerability of children.
EFFECTIVE POLICIES AND LEGISLATION:
6. Set and enforce safe boating, shipping and ferry regulations.
7. Build resilience and manage flood risks and other hazards locally and nationally.
8. Coordinate drowning prevention efforts with those of other sectors and agendas.
9. Develop a national water safety plan.
FURTHER RESEARCH:
10. Address priority research questions with well-designed studies.
Poisoning
A poison is any substance, including medications, that is harmful to your body if too much is eaten, inhaled, injected, or absorbed through the skin. In the home, poisonings are commonly caused by the misuse of medications or breathing in Carbon Monoxide (CO). It is very important to use medication as prescribed and store them in a very safe place away from children. Because Carbon monoxide is an odorless and tasteless gas, it is very important that all buildings be equipped with Carbon Monoxide detectors. Humans and animals may not be aware that they are inhaling Carbon Monoxide until it is too late. CO poisoning typically presents with flu-like symptoms that can quickly make you pass out.