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Tips to Stay Safe at Home and Work

Safety is both a collective and private responsibility. At Angleton ER in Angleton Texas, we are committed to helping the members of our community stay safe no matter where they are. For this reason, we’ve put together a list of potential dangers at home and work, along with simple ways to avoid accidental injuries.  Check out our list of tips to stay safe at home and work from Angleton ER that in the case of a medical emergency, we’re open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year to ensure that you and your family stays well.

Stay Safe at Home

Our home is where we feel safest. However, there could be dangers you are unaware of that can put your family’s life at risk.

Most injuries at home are due to:

• Falls
• Burns
• Poisoning (including accidental drug overdoses)
• Drownings

Ways to Minimize the Risk of Accidents Around the Home

Preventing Falls

Falls are a leading cause of home injuries, here is how you can minimize the risks.

• Install barrier gates to prevent children from falling from the stairs
• Clear walkways of clutter and unnecessary furniture
• Place non-slip mats and rugs in entryways, kitchen, and bathroom
• Install grip rails in the bathroom
• Place electrical cords behind furniture to prevent people from tripping
• Install proper lighting around your home to increase visibility

Preventing Burns

• Regularly check your electrical outlet to ensure they are up to code
• Keep pan handles on the stove pointing inwards
• Don’t leave pans on the stove, plugged hair curlers, irons, or lit candles unattended
• Opt for curly electrical cords that won’t dangle from the side of the furniture
• Invest in a hot water tempering valve to prevent accidental water burns
• Keep children away from grills, stoves, fireplaces, and open fires
• Don’t place your grill under trees or near flammable items

Preventing Poisonings

• Keep cleaning products in their original packaging or clearly labeled containers
• Don’t leave cleaning products where children or pets can reach them
• Keep all medications stored in a place where children can’t get them
• Don’t allow children or disabled persons to self-medicate
• Monitor the medicines taken by elderly persons living with you to ensure they take the right dose at the correct times
• Before buying a plant, ask if any part of it is poisonous to humans or pets

Preventing Drownings

• Don’t leave small children unattended when they are near water, including bathtubs and pools
• Install a safety fence around the pool and keep it locked
• Store pool toys away when not in use to prevent children from trying to reach them

When to Visit the ER

You should come to the ER if:

• Someone fell and lost consciousness (even for a few minutes)
• You suspect you or a family member might have broken a bone during a fall
• A doctor should evaluate any head or neck trauma
• You severely burned your face, hands, or feet
• You suffered an electrical or chemical burn
• You have a burn that is larger than three inches
• You or someone in your house accidentally ingested a cleaning solution, weed killer, or other poison

Safety Tips at Work

When heading to work, most of us might think about the list of tasks for the day ahead and our interaction with coworkers, employers, business partners, and clients.

Few of us put much thought into our health and safety on the job, but we probably should. Even though work-related injuries have decreased in recent years, some 2.7 million non-fatal injuries and more than 4,700 fatal injuries still occur annually.

Most work-related injuries are the result of:

• Exposure to hazardous substances or environments (including noise, radiation, electricity, extreme temperatures, oxygen deficiency, contagious or infectious diseases, stressful or traumatic events)
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Overexertion and bodily reactions

Ways to Minimize the Risk of Work-Related Injuries

• Create open and effective communication channels, so every worker knows and understands safety procedures
• Promptly report any unsafe conditions
• Maintain your workstation clean and free of clutter
• Always wear protective gear while performing dangerous tasks
• Check for spills, exposed electrical cords, and other items that could cause someone to slip, trip, and fall
• Follow manufacturing and industry safety protocols when using machinery
• Never use the equipment for any purpose other than its intended use
• Stay hydrated
• Remember to take breaks; use these to walk, stretch and rest
• Practice good posture
• Don’t take shortcuts when your safety or that of others is on the line

When to Visit The ER

Musculoskeletal Injuries

These injuries include damage to joints, bones, and other tissues. The injury could be sudden or result from overexertion and repetitive movements over months or years.

Please visit the emergency room when:

• You experience intense pain that does get better quickly or prevents you from continuing work
• You hear a pop sound in one of your joints while lifting a load
• Suspect you may have a broken bone
• You fell and experience intense pain and swelling in a joint or limb

Environmental Injuries

Head to the nearest ER when:

• Exposed to toxic substances, fumes, or liquids
• Have trouble breathing
• Experience chest pains
• Feel dizzy or disoriented
• Have nausea and vomiting

Injury prevention should be a priority for everyone, whether at work or home. Staying vigilant and taking precautions can save you and your loved ones a trip to the ER.

When injuries happen as they will, you can trust us to take care of you. Our qualified staff is known for being some of the most caring and empathetic medical professionals in the area. Their expertise, coupled with our modern technology and comfortable environment, will make your visit to the ER the best experience possible.

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