How To Avoid Injuring Yourself

Almost everyone is afraid of injuring themselves. Getting hurt can lead to time off school or work, might mean missing an event and will at the very least be inconvenient, especially if you have to pay for costly a d prolonged medical treatment.

Whether you tripped and fell at the Bronx Zoo or were injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Do not hesitate to contact the experienced Bronx personal injury lawyers at Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. for immediate legal assistance. We will go above and beyond to get you the money you need and deserve.

For more than four decades, the attorneys at Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. have been dedicated to helping injury victims across New York and in the Bronx. We know that an unexpected accident can turn your life upside-down. We also know how tough it can be to get the money you need. We will stand by your side every step of the way and do everything in our power to secure meaningful compensation on your behalf.

Follow the steps in this guide and you will learn some ways to avoid injuring yourself in every day life. Applying common sense and not being reckless are crucial, get started at step number on for more practical advice.

Steps

1. Stay alert and use caution during activities where there is a risk of injury. Knowing the inherent risk in everyday activities will help you keep safe. Here are a few of the risks to give you an idea how to do this.
   • Power tools and machines.
     • Saws, drills, and other woodworking tools.
       • Keep all guards and safety features in good condition. Many experienced craft-workers end up at the hospital when they circumvent or disable safety features to speed a job up, or make a task easier. Blocking guards, removing safety switches, and crowding workpieces is not worth the risk.
       • Check the machine’s condition. Tag out defective tools, replace damaged power cords, and inspect blades before use.
       • Use recommended safety equipment, such as eye and hearing protection, gloves, and boots.
       • Avoid jewelry and loose fitting clothes, and keep long hair tied back or tucked under a cap.
     • Garden equipment.
       • Avoid obstacles when using a mower, weed-eater, or tiller.
       • Use the correct techniques for each piece of equipment. Read the owner’s or operator’s manual for specific instructions.
       • Keep the machine in good working condition, including sharpening or replacing dull blades, replacing loose belts, and cleaning the machine after each use.
     • Household appliances.
       • Never use electrical appliances near water unless they are specifically designed to be used in water. An exception may be made when using a Ground Fault Receptacle, but this is not a guarantee of your safety, as these devices can be subject to failure.
       • Plug appliances into the correct type of socket. Do not remove a grounding prong from a three prong plug to adapt it for use in a two prong receptacle.
       • Never use excessive extension cords. The length of extension cord you may use is determined by the amperage of the appliance, and the gauge (size) of wire. A good rule of thumb is:
         • 15 Amps 100 feet (30.5 m) using 12 ga. conductors, 10 Amps or less, 100 feet (30.5 m) using 14 ga. conductors.
2. Keep your home safe. You should be aware of basic home safety methods and issues. Some of these include:
   • Smoke and/or fire alarms. If you use battery powered units, replace the batteries annually.
   • Carbon Monoxide detectors. Again, replace batteries annually.
3. Keep your home free of clutter and debris. Injuries associated with tripping and falling in the home are common.
4. Keep handrails and banisters on stairways securely anchored and in good condition and don’t leave things on the stairs. Don’t use stairs in the dark, always turn stairwell lights on unless it’s an emergency.
5. Make your bathroom safe. If you have physical difficulties or limited mobility, have grab bars installed where needed in your bath room. Also use an anti-slip bath mat in your tub or shower, and avoid products for bathing in glass containers. Always check the temperature of your bath water.
6. Keep the kitchen safe.
   • Be very careful how you stack knives or other sharp objects in the dishwater.
   • Cover stove burners with burner covers when they are cooling after use.
   • Keep the floor and countertops clean.
   • Avoid or cleanup spills immediately to prevent slipping.
   • Always use oven gloves or something similar to move hot pans and pots.
   • Be extremely careful when cooking with oil, melted sugar, caramel and other substances that get even hotter than boiling water.
7. Use an ergonomic keyboard, a wrist pad, and a wrist support for using your mouse to prevent repetitive motion injuries when using a computer. These can result in serious medical conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome requiring surgery to correct.
8. Be extra careful when putting up and taking down holiday decorations.
   • Use proper techniques when using a ladder. This means leaning the ladder away from the structure 1 foot (0.3 m) for each 4 feet (1.2 m) up you are going.
   • Never climb on an ice or snow covered roof.
   • Use the correct extension cords for outdoor lighting. They should be marked “outdoor use”, and you should never overload them.
   • Keep extension cords out of walkways.
9. Keep sidewalks and walkways clear of snow and ice.
10. Be careful when playing sports. Here are a few examples, but basically, follow the rules, and stay within your physical limits.
    • Wear a helmet and other protective gear when required, whether cycling, playing football, or skateboarding. Make sure your helmet is designed for the sport you are participating in.
    • When cycling, always wear high visibility colors such as yellow. When cycling with limited sunlight, always wear reflective clothing.
    • Warm up prior to strenuous exercise, and cool down afterwards, to prevent muscle strain and tendon and ligament damage.
    • Use the correct footwear for each sporting activity.
    • Wear eye protection where appropriate.
    • Do not overdo it. When beginning a new exercise program, or starting a new sport, begin slowly.
11. Be careful around swimming pools. Never dive in shallow water, never swim alone, and use caution on slippery surfaces.
12. Use sunscreen to avoid sunburn whenever you are in bright sunshine for any significant length of time. Remember, even if you are going out for a moment, you may be sidetracked and end up staying out for hours, so if the sun is bright, put on a hat and use sunscreen or sunblock.
13. Driving your car, or riding with someone else.
    • Buckle your seat belt.
    • Never drink and drive, or ride with someone who is or has been drinking.
    • Drive only when you have had sufficient rest and ensure you don’t drive when your ability may be impaired by drugs, prescribed or recreational.
    • Avoid as much as as practically possible, driving in hazardous weather conditions, including snow, sleet, flooding rain, or fog.
    • Keep your car well maintained, with good brakes, safe tires, and a clean windshield.
14. Follow all on-the-job safety procedures, and use all safety equipment properly. Because jobs encompass limitless hazards and conditions, this article will not attempt to cover them all.Advertisement

Tips

• Carry Band-Aids. It is important to be prepared for accidents even if you are trying to avoid them.
• Saline solution is good to keep around. It is mainly used for contacts, but it can also help to wash out your eye when exposed to toxic chemicals.
• Life is dangerous, but using common sense and caution will decrease your chance of injury. Do not let fear of being hurt prevent you from enjoying life.

Warnings

• There are a million more ways to be harmed. Constantly be on alert to avoid all kinds of situations.

Things You Will Need

• Protective equipment for any sports activities, hobbies, or handyman projects you attempt.