US Media Studios Highlights National Fall Prevention Awareness Day

Today is National Fall Prevention Awareness Day. US Media Studios highlights important information for seniors about how to prevent a fall and the possible injuries that come with it.

Hard Facts about Falls

• Two out ever ten trauma admissions among people over age 65 and older are due to falls and subsequent injuries.
• Age, gender, a history of falling, prior health conditions, physical limitations, environment, and medication clashes can cause a person to become lightheaded, dizzy, and fall.
• Loose throw rugs and loose carpeting can cause a fall.
• Small toys and balls on a floor can cause a fall.
• Hallways and rooms which are too dark when walking can cause a fall.
• Loose cords and wiring can cause a fall.

Preventing a Fall

• Seniors who have fallen or are prone to falling might want to check their homes for trip hazards and have someone remove or fix them.
• Leave a night light on in hallways, bedrooms and bathrooms at night.
• Ask a trusted pharmacist if any new medication will clash with regular medication. And ask if the dose is right for the height and weight of the person. Blood pressure that’s too low can cause fainting and falling.
• Slow down when walking. Look around, hold on to countertops, chairs and other places to steady gait when walking.
• Use a walking aid such a cane (many of pretty spiffy these days) or a walker if needed.

US Media Studios cares about the senior community. They enrich our lives and offer history, experience and knowledge that can be immensely beneficial. One fall can cause a bone fracture, concussion, or worse. Prevention is key in keeping our valuable seniors safe from falls.

US Media Studios Drives Road Safety Tips

How are the roads and interstates where you live? In some parts of the country, the main roads are free of potholes and unsecured debris scattered across the lanes of traffic. In other parts, the commute to and from work, or on a road trip, can be wrought with safety hazards. US Media Studios drives road safety tips for every person on the road – two lane country streets or major four land highways.

Look ahead

Look Ahead

It pays to look ahead. Drivers should scan the road ahead for traffic slowdowns, debris on the road, or rough roads. It is also best to not tailgate the vehicle in front of you. Leave room between your vehicle and the one in front of you to allow for sudden stops, or when at traffic lights.  It can make the difference if you need to swerve or stop suddenly when there is debris in the road. The American Automobile Association reports that more than 200,000 wrecks in the last four years can be blamed on blown tires, trash and other debris that litters roads and interstates. It doesn’t matter where you live, debris will end up on the road. From palm tree fronds to a plastic grocery bag, road debris is can wreak havoc on any vehicle and driver. If carrying a load, be sure it is secured and covered with a strong tied down tarp.

Wet Roads

The most dangerous wet road to drive on is one which is just wet enough to cause skidding. When a light rains falls and wets the road, it makes it more slick from the oil and water. Slow down and allow plenty of room to stop. Torrential rain can also wreak havoc for drivers. Poor visibility along with flooded intersections or places where drains are located creates trouble. Stay in the middle lane, if possible, to avoid flooded intersections or drainage areas. US Media Studios encourages readers to slow down, take your time, and arrive at your destination safely. Pull of the road if necessary and wait the rain out. Your life is more important than making it anywhere on time unsafely.

US Media Studios Highlights National Drowning Prevention Week Guidelines

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 10 people drown every day. Two are these are children aged 14 and under. Drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death in the country. US Media Studios highlights some important drowning prevention tips for people of all ages.

Risk Prevention

• People of all ages and genders are at risk of drowning in pools, lakes, oceans and other bodies of water. Risks can range from toddlers falling into the deeper sides of a public or private swimming pool.
• People who don’t know how to swim can drown in any body of water.
• Lack of adequate fencing and secure gates around private home pools can contribute to drowning injuries and deaths.
• Lack of not using life preservers, otherwise called personal flotation devices can contribute to drowning in and around natural bodies of water such as lakes and oceans.
• Not knowing how to swim out of a rip current can cause drowning.
• Alcohol use on boats and other vessels can cause accidents and accidental drownings.

Drowning Prevention Tips

• Keep small children at arm’s length when around water, even a small, portable “baby pool”.
• If going to the beach or boating on a lake or river, be sure there are enough life preservers for everyone onboard. Keep them in an accessible location.
• Pay attention to local water and weather events. Almost every weather-related app will send an alert for small craft advisories, rip current risks, and safety measures to take.
• Do not take any alcohol on any boat. Alcohol consumption leads to poor decision making which can lead to boating accidents, such as going too fast and stopping too fast.
• Be sure the boat has a working radio on it.
• Sign up family members for swimming classes. Ask friends and neighbors to join.  Many public pools and YMCA clubs offer these classes for free.

US Media Studios encourages everyone to practice safe water guidelines this summer. Swimming, boating, snorkeling, wading, paddle boarding – all of these are great fun and refreshing activities. Don’t let them become tragic. Prevention is the key to a long life.

US Media Studios Examines the Safety of Public Pools

How safe is the public pool people enjoy? How clean is the water? US Media Studios examines the safety of public pools.

How clean is the water in a public pool?

A recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that almost 80 percent of the 50,000 public pools, hot rubs and water playgrounds they tested had at least one violation. One in eight inspections resulted in immediate closure due to serious health and safety problems. The highest numbers of closures were related to “kiddie” wading pools. Closures result from common contamination in the water such as fecal matter or urine.

Poop in the pool does have to be seen to be prevalent. Microscopic particles can stem from an adult with diarrhea getting in the pool or hot tub. The swim diapers worn by infants, toddlers and small children are not preventative in keeping fecal particles from getting in the water. Wading pool water is shallow and easily warms up in the heat of day.

Safety is another public swim issue which led to some closures. Lack of lifeguards, lack of safety equipment, poor drain coverage, a pH level too low –these can close a favorite water park or pool immediately. Inadequate disinfectant concentration is also to blame for closures. So too is a pool with an unusually high amount of chlorine in the water.

US Media Studios suggests checking public health records for all public pools, including those in condo and apartment communities, homeowner associations, hotels, motels and resorts.  Summer is around the corner. Some US states are already experiencing summer temps. As the heat moves in, people head to pools to cool off. We remind readers to take a shower before entering the pool. Take small children to the rest rooms every hour and be sure to clean bottoms well.  After all, no one wants to swim with poop in the pool.

US Media Studios Reviews How to Prevent Playground Injuries

Small children are incredibly active and can fall down and get hurt in the time it takes to blink the eyes. US Media Studios reviews how to prevent playground injuries.

The playground is a great place for children. It is full of fun equipment, and gives kids a way to expend some of the bottled up energy they get from sitting quietly too long. From the slide to the swings and monkey bars, there are plenty of ways to have fun – and get hurt. School and state safety officials should thoroughly inspect playground equipment once a quarter to be sure there are no faulty connections, loose nuts or bolts and are safe. Parents taking kids to public parks to play might want to talk to little kids about what’s okay to do and not to do at the playground. We realize that once some children get to the park, they just want to bolt and start playing. Frankly, a cool playground can affect adults the same way too. Adult supervision at the playground is imperative.

Parents, caretakers and other adults might want to look at and examine playground equipment. If it is rusty and looks like some of the parts could fall off when in use, keep children away from it. On the other hand, many local playgrounds are safe. US Media Studios also notes that parents and adults can remind kids to not hang upside down on monkey bars, slide head first down the slides or jump off a swing or teeter-totter when it is too high. Everyone can have fun and be safe at the playground.

US Media Studios Joins National Drug Take-Back Day

Saturday, April 30 is National Drug Take-Back day in the United States.

Every year, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration with local law enforcement agencies, hosts drop of locations in communities to return unused prescription drugs. US Media Studios joins this effort.

Drop-off sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and there is one near you. Click here to find it. The service is free and anonymous. Only pills and patches are accepted. Sharps, needles, and liquids are not accepted. Pills and patches are commonly thrown in the garbage or flushed down the toilet, which is a safety and bio hazard. Drugs tossed in the garbage can be removed and taken. Drugs flushed down the toilet poison the water.

This effort is a massive, national campaign to reduce the number of overdoses, accidental poisonings of children due to prescription drugs. More than 50,000 children end up in hospital emergency rooms every year due to accidental poisoning. The abuse of prescription drugs by family and friends mainly stems from home medicine cabinets. Even if you live alone, it is better to get rid of these items. Expired prescription drugs can make one sick.

US Media Studios urges readers to take any unused, unwanted or expired pills and patches to drop off locations in their community. If this prevents the death of one small child from an accidental poisoning, or prevents one person from abusing prescription pain killers, then the effort is worth it.

(image:patch.com)