It’s National Safety Month: Let’s Vow to Improve Safety So “No 1 Gets Hurt”

By: Jana L. Davidson, Education Content Specialist for the Progressive Agriculture FoundationIt’s June, which means it is time to celebrate National Safety Month! During the entire month of June, the National Safety Council, along with the Progressive Agriculture Foundation, is challenging you to think of at least one change you can make to improve safety. This action is emphasized with the 2018 National Safety Month theme, “No 1 Gets Hurt,” and a new safety topic will be highlighted each week.Week 1 focuses on Emergency Preparedness: Disasters won’t wait. Therefore, create an emergency plan NOW and put it in place today, not tomorrow! Emergency plans are vital to the home, workplace and the farm and having a thorough plan in place can help mitigate injuries, fatalities and damage to property in the event of a crisis.Week 2 focuses on Wellness: Did you know 70 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder? Are you one of them? Getting a better night’s sleep, implementing an exercise regimen, and reducing or eliminating the use of alcohol and tobacco can have a positive influence on your health. Additionally, getting regular wellness check-ups and vaccinations, along with routine exams, including dental and eye, can help prevent or identify health issues. Adopting healthier eating habits by replacing fried food with fresh fruits and vegetables and soda with water are great challenges for the entire family to partake in.Week 3 focuses on Falls: Don’t get tripped up. Make sure to clean up spills and hazards immediately! We have all been in the situation where we see a potential hazard and think, “I’ll clean that up or move that when I have time.” We also can get in the habit of doing something repeatedly knowing it is unsafe, but avoiding consequences until we least expect it. Break these bad habits now by practicing safety all the time, every time!Week 4 focuses on Driving: Did you know seatbelts saved nearly 15,000 lives in 2016? Remember to buckle up every ride. Also, avoid distractions such as texting, driving while drowsy, eating, drinking or smoking, adjusting the radio or environmental controls, interacting with other passengers, personal grooming and looking at people, objects or events occurring off the roadway.For more materials on National Safety Month, including tip sheets, related-articles and logos or graphics, visit the National Safety Council at www.nsc.orgThese topics highlighted during National Safety Month are some of the lessons children learn when they attend a Progressive Agriculture Safety Day®, the largest rural safety and health education program for children in North America. Find out if one will be taking place in your community this year by visiting progressiveag.org. Simply click on the Safety Day List located under the 2018 Safety Days tab. Looking for a safe investment? Help send another child to a Safety Day with a modest donation of only $13. Donate by texting the word “SAFETYDAY” to 41444 or visit progressiveag.org/Donate.Photo: Progressive Agriculture Safety Days®, challenge children to adopt new practices or change behaviors to be safer on the farm, ranch or in the rural communities where they live and play. At this Safety Day in Wisconsin, participants learn about first aid and how to be prepared in the event of an emergency.