How to Prevent Common Injuries

You may have recently suffered a personal injury, or read disturbing statistics, and now you’re seeking to become more aware of common mishaps and ways to prevent them.

Although children and the elderly have an increased chance of being injured, we can all be injured. Frequent injuries range from small cuts to broken limbs, but prevention isn’t as difficult as you may expect.  

Let’s take a look at not only how you can hurt yourself, but also two common places where people sustain injuries.

Exercise

Working out involves a great deal of effort and expending a large amount of energy to get stronger. While this is excellent, it is also a fertile ground for injuries. Some of the most common ones which occur during exercise include:

  • Muscle strains and pulls
  • Ankle or wrist sprains
  • Shoulder and knee injuries
  • Tendinitis

Remember that is you suffer from any medical condition, you must consult your doctor before starting a workout routine. There’s more you can do, too.

How to Prevent Exercise Injuries

By including mindful, intelligent strategies into your exercise regimen, you’ll significantly reduce the chances of getting hurt.

Slow Start

If you’re beginning a new routine, increase the intensity slowly over time, rather than doing high-intensity workouts when your starting to work out again. Pushing too hard too fast is a fail-safe way to hurt yourself.

Always start the session with a warm-up and end it with a cool-down. Then comes stretching, which is necessary for getting your muscles back to a healthy state.

Adaptation

Another critical consideration is tailoring the routine to meet the needs of your body. If you have specific problem areas, work around them. Make sure you don’t overwork particular groups of muscles. Also, never fail to take at least a day or two to rest each week.

Mindfulness

Finally, remember to take care of your body. The ‘no pain, no gain’ mentality can be harmful to your body. Instead, push yourself to your limits, but not past it, stay hydrated and eat balanced meals. Don’t forget to work your core to keep your whole body stable while you exercise.

Accidents at Home

The first thing to keep in mind is that a clean, tidy home minimizes the risk of accidents. It always pays to be aware of the potential hazards around your home. They can lead to nasty, unexpected, and unnecessary issues.

How to Prevent Home Injuries

The most frequent home accidents include slips and trips. Remove hazards from floors and never place big items around stairs and steps. Also, make sure your rugs are flat on the floor, or else you run the risk of them also being tripping hazards.

Burns

You should also beware of burns – countless household items can burn you pretty badly. Things such as cooking ranges, pans, and kettles can all cause injury. Don’t forget about matches, radiators, hair straighteners, and similar items, either.

Falling

On the other end of the spectrum are big objects, which can be dangerous when placed on high surfaces. Make sure they’re sturdy and steady upon closets and shelves, and away from tight corners.

Work

Depending on your workplace, all kinds of injuries can take place. Some are similar to those prevalent in homes, while others are specific to certain areas. Beware of all.

How to Prevent Work Injuries

Trips and slips are as dangerous at work as they are at home. The same rules apply to their prevention. Plus, if there are many other factors in your workplace, and depending on your line of work, a variety of equipment that can also cause personal injury. Good housekeeping does wonders.

Machinery

When it comes to employees operating heavy machinery, accidents are much more likely. The best way to prevent them is through proper training and regular maintenance performed on equipment in the workplace.

Overtaxation

If you do the same job every day, no matter whether it includes sitting or lifting heavy objects, the repetition can lead to overexertion injuries. These injuries can be prevented by taking regular breaks while at work.

Rest and stretch when you need it, invest in proper equipment and chairs, and strengthen your joints to empower them to take repetitive work.

The Bottom Line

The best way to protect yourself and those you care about in any setting include taking a holistic approach to safety. Ensure that you’re following all the rules, that you have a solid foundation in knowledge and care, and that you’re ready for the unexpected.