How to Stay Safe in Greenfield

In celebration of National Public Health Week, which began Monday and runs through Sunday, the wants to remind all residents that safety is no accident.

“It’s easy to lose sight of the importance of safety, but we need to remember the importance of being safe in whatever we do,” said Darren Rausch, the Greenfield Health Department's Health Officer/Director in a press release. “Safety is important everywhere, including at home, at work, at play, on the go and within the community.”

According to Rausch, injuries are the most common cause of premature death before the age of 65, and account for nearly one- third of all premature deaths. The American Public Health Association cites that each year nearly 150,000 people die from injuries and almost 30 million people are injured seriously enough to go to the emergency room.

Unintentional injuries – such as motor vehicle crashes, poisonings, and burns – rank among the top 10 causes of death for people under the age of 45.

The Health Department offers these tips to keep you safe:

At Home:

• Install and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Assess your home for potential hazards such as poor lighting and uneven surfaces to prevent falls.
• Establish a family evacuation plan in the event of an emergency.
• Store cleaning supplies and medicines in locked cabinets out of the reach of children.

At Work:

• Understand all safety regulations and best practices.
• Educate employees about regulations and train employees to recognize unsafe or unhealthy settings.
• Provide required or recommended protective equipment and reflective gear to reduce employee exposure to hazards.
• Create safe environments by identifying and fixing hazards such as unstable surfaces and malfunctioning vehicles.
• Promote workplace safety by offering tips on the company bulletin board, website, or newsletter 
• Teach employees how to recognize, avoid, or diffuse potentially violent workplace situations

On the Go:

• Wear a seat belt on every trip, no matter how short.
• Make sure children are buckled in a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt.
• Wear a helmet and reflective gear while on a bike, skateboard, scooter, etc.
• Be a designated driver: don’t drink and drive.

In the Community:

• Provide a safe environment for children, including bike and pedestrian paths, parks, etc. 
• Work with school leaders to implement school violence and bullying programs.
• Keep weapons in a locked and safe place, away from children.