Reducing the Risk of Injury

Two Types of Injury Can almost always be predicted and prevented Unintentional Intentional Can almost always be predicted and prevented Caused when people take risks Can include injuries from crashes, falls, drowning, and fires Caused by violence or self-destructive behaviors Can include assault, homicide, and suicide

Factors That Affect Injuries… Individual behaviors The choices people make about individual behaviors, such as alcohol use or risk-taking, can increase injuries. Physical environment Both in the home and community, can affect the rate of injuries related to falls, fires and burns, road traffic injuries, drowning, and violence Access to Services Like health care, created for injury-related care, ranging from pre hospital and acute care to rehabilitation, can reduce the consequences of injuries, including death and long-term disability. Social Environment Individual social experiences Social norms, education, victimization history Social relationships Parental monitoring and supervision of youth, peer group associations, family interactions Community environment Cohesion in schools, neighborhoods, and communities Societal-level factors Cultural beliefs, attitudes, incentives and disincentives, laws and regulations

It was an “accident” An accident is a random event resulting in injury or property damage. The word “accident” implies that the event could not have been predicted or prevented.

Risk A risk is any action that increases your chances of injury to yourself or someone else, or leads to the destruction of property.

Dumb Ways to Die

Rate the Risk… Jaywalking Drinking alcohol Going to a school dance Not wearing a seat belt Swimming alone Not wearing a bike helmet Texting while driving Driving while under the influence Speeding Walking to school Meeting someone you met online Carrying a weapon

Two Types of Risk Takers Reckless Act impulsively Aren’t aware of the risk Don’t plan ahead Combine several risky behaviors Aren’t concerned about the impact of their actions on others Don’t use available resources to protect themselves

Two Types of Risk Takers Cautious Recognize the potential risk Determine steps to take to reduce the risks Stay alert Develop a safety plan Rely on the support of others Use available resources

Let’s Practice

In Groups… List some potential risks associated with your issue… What are some ways to reduce injuries related to your safety concern? – What would a cautious risk taker do? What are some strategies you can use to educate other teens about this issue?

Leading Cause of Teen Deaths from Injury Motor Vehicles Homicide (the deliberate and unlawful killing of one person by another; murder.) Suicide Drowning Poisoning (includes alcohol and drug overdose.) 6. Off-road vehicles 7. Unintentional firearm injuries 8. Falls 9. Pedestrian injuries 10. Fire and burns

According to the CDC… The five leading causes of death among teenagers are Accidents (unintentional injuries), homicide, suicide, cancer, and heart disease. Accidents account for nearly one-half of all teenage deaths. As a category of accidents, motor vehicle fatality is the leading cause of death to teenagers, representing over one-third of all deaths. Among teenagers, non-Hispanic black males have the highest death rate (94.1 deaths per 100,000 population). Homicide is the leading cause of death for non-Hispanic black male teenagers. For all other groups, accident is the leading cause.

What can YOU do? Each person has a responsibility to be safe and consider the safety of others… whether at home, at school, or in the community. Acting responsibility, developing safety plan, and practicing safe behaviors can reduce the risk of injuries.

What can YOU do? Staying safe involves good decision-making skills. Making the wrong decision increases the risk of injury to yourself and others. In every situation there are opportunities to evaluate risk, predict the outcome of possible decisions, and make safer choices.