As someone who has spent years advocating for safety and common sense, I’m always deeply troubled by the statistics on preventable injuries and deaths. The National Safety Council’s list of the top 10 preventable injuries is a sobering reminder of just how much work we still have to do to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.
At the top of the list is motor vehicle crashes. This is a tragedy that takes far too many lives each year, and it’s one that is largely preventable. Whether it’s through better driver education, stricter laws and enforcement, or simply being more aware and cautious on the road, there are many steps we can take to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes and the devastating loss of life that comes with them.
Coming in second on the list is opioid overdose. The opioid epidemic is a national crisis, and one that is claiming more and more lives each year. It’s a complex issue with no easy solutions, but there are steps we can take to reduce the number of overdose deaths. This includes increasing access to treatment and recovery services, as well as educating people about the risks of opioids and how to use them safely.
Third on the list is falls. Falls are a leading cause of unintentional injuries in the home and workplace, and they are often the result of hazards that are easily preventable. This includes things like cluttered floors, poor lighting, and inadequate safety equipment. By being aware of these hazards and taking steps to prevent them, we can reduce the number of falls and the injuries that result from them.
Fourth on the list is suicide. Suicide is a devastating public health crisis that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. It’s a complex issue with no easy solutions, but there are steps we can take to reduce the number of suicide deaths. This includes increasing access to mental health care and support, as well as educating people about the warning signs of suicide and how to get help.
Fifth on the list is poisoning. Poisoning is a leading cause of injury and death, and it can be caused by a wide range of factors. This includes things like medication errors, carbon monoxide exposure, and exposure to toxic chemicals. By being aware of these hazards and taking steps to prevent them, we can reduce the number of poisoning deaths and injuries.
Sixth on the list is drowning. Drowning is a leading cause of injury and death, particularly among children. It’s a preventable tragedy that often occurs due to a lack of supervision or adequate safety measures. By being aware of the risks and taking steps to prevent drownings, such as installing pool fencing and teaching children to swim, we can reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by drowning.
Seventh on the list is fire and burns. Fires and burns are a leading cause of injury and death, and they can often be prevented through simple measures such as smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. By being aware of the risks and taking steps to prevent fires and burns, we can reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by these hazards.
Eighth on the list is choking. Choking is a leading cause of injury and death, particularly among children. It’s a preventable tragedy that often occurs due to a lack of supervision or inadequate safety measures. By being aware of the risks and taking steps to prevent choking, such as keeping small objects out of reach of children and learning CPR, we can reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by choking.
Ninth on the list is suffocation. Suffocation is a leading cause of injury and death, particularly among infants. It’s a preventable tragedy that often occurs due to a lack of supervision or inadequate safety measures. By being aware of the risks and taking steps to prevent suffocation, such as placing babies on their backs to sleep and keeping soft bedding and toys out of the crib, we can reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by suffocation.
Finally, tenth on the list is natural disasters. Natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes can cause devastating loss of life and property damage. While we can’t prevent natural disasters from happening, we can take steps to prepare for them, such as creating emergency plans, stocking emergency supplies, and staying informed about weather conditions and evacuation orders.
The National Safety Council’s list of the top 10 preventable injuries is a sobering reminder of the work we still have to do to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. Whether it’s motor vehicle crashes, opioid overdose, falls, suicide, poisoning, drowning, fire and burns, choking, suffocation or natural disasters, each of these injuries can be prevented by taking the necessary precautions and being aware of the risks. Let’s commit to making safety a top priority and to work together to reduce the number of preventable injuries and deaths.
