Patch Picks: National Public Safety Week

Patch is running a weekly feature called Patch Picks, highlighting five choice local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, tips and more, hand-harvested by either us or you, the reader! You’ll find useful lists to help you, your family, friends, and significant others find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, pumpkin patches, date night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids’ party places, parks and more.

This week, April 4-10, is National Public Health Week. Sponsored by the American Public Health Association, this year’s theme is “Safety is No Accident.” The association offers these tips on making your home, workplace and community a safer place:

On the Move:

• Wear your seatbelt and make sure car seats are properly installed and buckled.

• Practice safe driving. Don’t drive impaired or text or talk on your cell phone while driving.

• Be mindful of your environment and be careful when crossing the road. Walk facing traffic and make yourself visible if walking at night.

• Talk to your teen about avoiding speeding, texting and having multiple passengers and have them sign a pledge agreeing to your rules of the road.

At Work:

• Understand and follow all workplace safety regulations and best practices.

• Wear all personal protective equipment recommended for your job.

• Employers can host workplace safety training programs and implement a safety hazard reporting program.

• Employers should schedule fire drills and practice safe evacuation in case of an emergency.

At Home:

• Install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Store cleaning supplies and medications in locked cabinets out of reach of children.

• Never leave food unattended on the stove, and supervise children if they are helping in the kitchen.

• Program emergency numbers, such as Poison Control, in your phone.

At Play:

• Wear helmet and properly fitted protective gear if recommended

• Monitor children while they are at play.

• See your doctor for a complete physical before starting a new sport or exercise regimen and warm up before each session.

• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

In Your Community:

• Join your Neighborhood Watch program.

• Work with school leaders to implement school violence and bullying programs.

• Keep weapons in a locked and safe place away from children.

• Be a caring adult in the life of a young person – join a mentoring program.