Objectives

1. Section 26.1 Safety at Home and in Your Community Objectives Describe five factors that can help you prevent unintentional injuries. Identify unintentional injuries that commonly occur in the home. Summarize ways to stay safe in natural disasters. Explain how to protect yourself from crime.

2. Fact Most “accidents” result from risky behaviors. They do not just happen. Many can be prevented by practicing safe behaviors or by removing hazards from the environment. Do you think most people behave in ways to prevent injuries? Why or why not? Myth Accidents just happen. There’s nothing you can do to prevent them.

3. What Are Unintentional Injuries? • An unintentional injury is an unplanned injury. • Five factors that can help prevent unintentional injuries or lessen their damage are • awareness • knowledge • ability • state of mind • environmental conditions

4. Injuries in the Home • One third of all unintentional injuries occur in the home. • Common unintentional injuries that occur in the home are due to • falls • poisoning • suffocation • fires • electric shock • firearms • Unfortunately, many of these injuries happen to young children.

5. Falls The main factor in avoiding falls is to consider environmental conditions. • Make sure stairways have nonslip treads and strong railings. Keep stairs and walkways uncluttered and well lit. • Make sure floors are not slippery, clear them of small objects, and anchor all carpets and rugs firmly. • Equip bathtubs and showers with grab bars and nonskid rubber mats. • Keep outdoor steps and sidewalks in good repair and free of ice, leaves, toys, and other obstacles.

6. Poisoning • Most poisoning incidents involve children under the age of five. • A local poison control center can tell you what household substances are poisonous and what to do in the event of a poisoning. • Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced by vehicles and fuel-burning appliances. • If garages or appliances are not vented or functioning properly, carbon monoxide can build up and cause severe illness or even death.

7. Suffocation • When a person’s supply of air is cut off, the result is suffocation. • Suffocation can be caused by • choking when an object gets caught in the breathing passages • smothering • being trapped in an enclosed space • Suffocation can result in death.

9. Fires and Burns • Flammable materials catch fire easily and burn quickly. • If a small fire starts on the stove, put it out with a fire extinguisher. • Never use water on a grease fire. • If a small fire begins to get out of control, leave immediately and alert other residents to the danger. • If your home is on fire, leave immediately. • Once you are outside, do not go back in. • If a person catches fire, roll the person on the ground, in a rug, or in a heavy coat to cut off the air the fire needs.

11. Electric Shock • Make sure that your home is properly wired. • Keep all home appliances in good repair. • Never try to repair an electric appliance when it is plugged in. • Death from direct contact with electricity is called electrocution (ih lek truh KYOO shun). • Place safety covers over unused electrical outlets. • Never use appliances when you are wet or near water.

12. Firearms • Each year more than 500 people are unintentionally killed in the home by firearms. • To prevent unintentional injuries and deaths, firearms should be kept unloaded and locked in a place where children cannot reach them. • Ammunition should be locked in a separate place. • Do not handle firearms if you have not been trained in their use.

13. Natural Disasters • Earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, blizzards, and many forest fires are examples of natural disasters. • If a disaster occurs in your area, follow the instructions given over the emergency broadcast system on your radio or television.

14. Earthquakes • An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the ground caused by the movement of rock beneath Earth’s surface. • If you are indoors during an earthquake • stand under the frame of an interior door or crawl under a table or desk • stay away from windows, glass doors, heavy hanging objects, or furniture that might tip over • If you are outside, stay in the open, away from buildings, walls, and electrical wires.

15. Tornadoes • A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air whirling at speeds of up to 500 miles per hour. • If you are caught outdoors during a tornado, move away from the tornado at right angles to its path. • If the tornado is too close for you to escape, find shelter or lie flat in a low place in the ground. • If you are at home, go to the lowest floor of your home.

16. Hurricanes • A hurricane is a powerful storm characterized by heavy rains and winds over 74 miles per hour. • If you hear that a hurricane is coming, place tape across windows and board them up. • Anchor or bring inside any furniture or other items outside your home. • Hurricane-force winds can knock down power lines. Avoid contact with downed power lines. • If local authorities tell you to evacuate, seek shelter elsewhere.

18. For: More on hurricanes Click above to go online.

19. Floods In the event of any flood • you should turn off your home’s water, gas, and electricity • move your belongings to the highest floor before leaving home • discard any liquids or foods touched by floodwaters • drink bottled water

20. Blizzards • A blizzard is defined as a heavy snowstorm, with winds of at least 35 miles per hour, that lasts for three hours or more. • These conditions usually result in very low visibility. • Generally, the safest place to be during a blizzard is inside your home or other warm shelter.

21. Forest Fires • Fire often serves an important “clean up” role in forests. • But when fires spread near human communities, they can be very dangerous. • It is important to pay attention to local authorities when they tell you to evacuate an area at risk for fire.

22. Internet Safety The Internet can be a valuable resource for all kinds of information. Unfortunately, it can sometimes prove to be a dangerous place. Use this questionnaire to determine if you protect yourself adequately on the Internet.

23. Do you refuse to give out personal information, such as your address, phone number, or photos, on the Internet? Do you refuse to meet face-to-face with anyone you have met on the Internet? Do you send messages only to people you already know? Do you stay away from sites that try to convince you to join or give money to questionable organizations? Do you sign off if you feel uncomfortable in a chat room? “Yes” answers indicate wise practices for protecting yourself on the Internet.

24. Internet Safety Create a 30-second public service announcement about Internet safety for teens. Use a slogan or music to get your message across.

25. Protecting Yourself From Crime • An assault is an unlawful attempt or threat to harm someone. • An assault can lead to intentional injuries or death.

26. Rape and Stalking • Rape means that one person forces another to have sexual relations. • Most rapes are acquaintance rapes—rapes carried out by someone the victim knows. • Always let a family member or friend know where you are going and when you will return home. • A stalker is someone who makes repeated, unwanted contact with a person and may threaten to kill or injure the person. • If you are stalked, notify the police.

28. Avoiding Risky Situations You can prevent assault or reduce the likelihood of injury by following certain safety guidelines. The most basic guideline is to avoid risky situations. • Lock all doors and windows when you are home alone. • Do not keep keys in an obvious place, such as under a doormat. • Avoid deserted places, such as dark streets, parks, and garages. • Stay away from dark doorways and hedges where an attacker could hide. • When driving, keep the car doors locked.

29. Avoiding Risky Situations You can prevent assault or reduce the likelihood of injury by following certain safety guidelines. The most basic guideline is to avoid risky situations. • Do not hitchhike or pick up hitchhikers. • If your car breaks down, pull over, raise your hood, and turn on your emergency flashers. If a stranger stops to help, do not unlock your car door. Just ask the person to call the police. • If someone tries to rob you, give up your possessions. • If you see a crime in progress, call the police immediately. Do not try to intervene.

30. Vocabulary unintentional injury An unplanned injury. flammable material Any material that catches fire easily and burns quickly. electrocution Death from direct contact with electricity. assault An unlawful attempt or threat to harm someone. rape A type of assault in which one person forces another to have sexual relations. stalker Someone who repeatedly makes unwanted contact with a person and may threaten to kill or injure the person.

31. QuickTake Quiz Click to start quiz.

32. End of Section 26.1 Click on this slide to end this presentation.