Summer is almost here! The kids are out of school, adults are on vacation and it’s time for outdoor activities like riding bikes and swimming at the lake. However, summer is also the time when our safety is most at risk.
Each June, the National Safety Council (NSC) recognizes National Safety Month, an initiative that heightens public awareness of important safety issues. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Safe Communities,” which prioritizes summer safety, safe driving behaviors, and injury prevention in the home and workplace.
In this article, I’ve highlighted these issues and also provided some tips on how you and your family can stay safe and healthy this summer and throughout the year.
Summer safety
When the weather turns warm and we spend more time outdoors, we become more exposed to risks that can range from sunburn or a bee sting, to a more traumatic incident like drowning.
Drowning is the leading cause of death in children under the age of 14. King County’s Public Health department is part of a coalition that was formed in 1991, which promotes water safety and advocates for policies that prevent drowning, like the state law which requires all children 12 years or younger to wear a life jacket on vessels under 19 feet long.
The U.S. Coast Guard reports that 90 percent of the people who drown in a boating or water accident would be alive today if they had been wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident.
In addition to life-jacket safety, families can learn more valuable water-safety skills at a number of educational events throughout King County like “April Pools Day.” The Lindbergh Pool in Renton and the Tukwila Pool are two facilities that participate in this annual program.
Safe-driving behaviors
Earlier this month, local law enforcement and community agencies in King County celebrated record-low traffic fatalities, with 24 fewer deaths occurring annually in 2007 and 2008 than in previous years; a drop from an annual average of 118 deaths to 94. In fact, King County’s traffic fatality rate is currently the lowest in the state. With that said, traffic accidents still occur, and a growing number of these accidents – as much as 80 percent – are caused by distracted driving.
Using a cell phone while driving is one such distraction.
Studies have shown that drivers who text or email behind the wheel are much more likely to be in a crash compared to those who don’t. By now you’ve likely heard about the new state law that went into effect on June 10, which makes it a primary offense to use a cell phone while driving. The penalty is a $124 fine.
To stay safe and focused when behind the wheel, more drivers are now using a hands-free device or headset, which can be found at most retail locations and can cost as little as $10.
Summertime means more people traveling on our neighborhood streets, city roads and highways. Use extra caution and avoid distractions to protect yourself and others from dangerous traffic accidents.
Safety at home, workplace
According to the National Safety Council, we are safer at work than at home – 11 times safer. Nine out of 10 accidental fatalities and two-thirds of disabling injuries to workers occur off the job. Some of the most common causes are falls, choking, sports injuries, unintentional drug overdose and physical exertion.
That’s not to say that significant risks aren’t present around the workplace as well. On average, there are about 4,988 on-the-job deaths nationwide each year and 3.7 million injuries that happen while at work from accidents like falls and equipment failures.
As a community, we must think about safety not only when we’re at work, but when we’re home and in our neighborhoods, in our cars, or on vacation. By understanding the hazards and knowing that we can influence safe outcomes, together we can avoid unnecessary injuries and deaths.
Know yourself, know your limits and have a safe and healthy summer!
More information about National Safety Month can be found at www.nsc.org, or visit www.kingcounty.gov/health for other health and safety tips.
Julia Patterson of SeaTac represents the King County Council’s 5th District, which includes part of Renton. She can be reached at julia.patterson@kingcounty.gov.
