ACCIDENT PREVENTION

ACCIDENT PREVENTION

AND SAFETY

ACCIDENT PREVENTION

Accidents are the #1 cause of death
for men under age 44.
With all the attention paid to cancer, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes, we
almost never hear about another men’s health crisis: accidents. Accidents are one
of the top five killers of men and for those under age 44, they’re the number one
cause of death. Men are far more likely than women to be injured or killed in an
accident, largely because men tend to engage in riskier behavior. And AmericanIndian
men are significantly more likely than other men to die from accidents.
L e t ’s talk about the major types of accidents and how to prevent them.

MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES

Car crashes are the leading cause of accidental death among men. Men are more
likely to be involved in a fatal crash than women. While you can’t control what
other drivers do, there are a number of steps you can take to reduce accidents:
• Always wear your seatbelt, even on short trips.
• Follow posted speed limits.
• Don’t drive after drinking or when you’re tired.
• Don’t drive with someone else who’s intoxicated or exhausted.
• Always wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle, bicycle or skateboard.

ACCIDENTAL POISONING

This is the second leading cause of accidental death. Men are more than twice as
likely as women to die from poisoning. You should keep the national poison
control number ( 1 - 8 0 0 - 2 2 2 - 1 2 2 2 ) posted near your telephone or programmed
into your speed dial. Here’s what else you can do to reduce your risk:
• Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Replace the
batteries twice a year.
• Carefully follow the instructions on household cleaning products. Mixing
bleach and ammonia, for example, produces a toxic gas.
• If you’re using chemicals, be sure you’ve got plenty of ventilation.
• Take prescription medication exactly as your doctor prescribes, and follow
directions on non-prescription drugs.
FALLS
Accidental falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related death among
those over 65.
• Stay active. Physical activity helps preserve your balance.
• Use appropriate lighting. Not being able to see in the dark can lead to
tripping and falls.
• Install railings on stairways and next to bathtubs and showers.
• Put non-skid pads underneath rugs and carpets.

• Use ladders safely.
• Starting at age 60, get screened for osteoporosis. See the screening
and checkup guidelines in Appendix B.

WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS

Over 90 percent of people who die on the job are men. That’s largely because
men are much more likely than women to work in high-risk jobs, such as construction,
mining, hazardous materials and roofing.
• Take every safety precaution. That means wearing hard hats, seat belts, safety
harnesses, masks, eye protection, and asking for help when you need it.
• Take extra care when handling chemicals. Many are linked with asthma,
cancer and infertility.
GUNS
The easiest way to prevent accidental shootings is to not keep firearms in your
home. But if you do, be sure to:
• Keep guns unloaded and securely locked.
• Keep ammunition in a separate location.
• Keep guns and ammunition in a gun safe or secure gun locker.
• Be especially careful when cleaning guns—this is when many gun
accidents happen.