Did you know injury remains the leading cause of death for children and adults between the ages of 1 and 45? According to the CDC, approximately 214,000 people die each year due to unintentional injury.
This past year, NYU Langone Hospital–Long Island’s Trauma team admitted OVER 1,500 patients due to trauma-related injuries. The focus of National Trauma Awareness Month 2021: “Safety is a Choice, Prevention is Key.”
NYU Langone Hospital–Long Island, Division of Trauma’s
TOP 10 INJURY PREVENTION TIPS
• Remain aware of your surroundings at all times: Notice your environment, the people around you, and take note of exits.
• Fall Precaution: Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths for ages 65+. Make sure walking paths are clear of clutter, minimalize tripping hazards (carpets, rugs), turn on lights, and make sure handrails are not loose.
• Don’t Text & Drive: 1 out of 4 motor vehicle crashes in the US are caused by texting and driving. You are 23 times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle crash if you text and drive.
• Wear a Seatbelt: Those not wearing seat belts are 30 times more likely to be ejected from a vehicle during a crash. Seatbelts reduce the risks of death by 45% and serious injury by 50%.
• Child Vehicle Safety: Motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among children. Buckling children in age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats, and seatbelts reduces serious and fatal injuries by up to 80%.
• Wear a Helmet: Helmets when bike riding reduce the risks of head injury by at least 45%, brain injury by 33%, facial injury by 27%, and fatal injury by 29%.
• Intimate Partner Violence Prevention: 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men report having experienced severe physical violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. 24/7 Long Island Hotline *516-542-0404.
• Fire Safety: Ensure home smoke alarms are working. A working home smoke alarm decreases the risk of dying in a fire by 50%.
• Suicide Prevention: Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US, with approximately one death every 11 minutes in 2019, or 47,500 persons. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Firearm Violence Prevention: 39,740 fire-arm-related deaths occurred in the US in 2018; approximately 109 people dying from a firearm-related injury per DAY. Treat every gun as if it is loaded. Visit: www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/firearms for more information.
References:
https://www.cdc.gov/injury/index.html
https://www.chla.org/blog/health-and-safety-tips/bike-helmets-finding-the-right-fit
https://www.edgarsnyder.com/car-accident/cause-of-accident/cell-phone/cell-phone-statistics.html
