1. Taking Charge of your Personal Safety
Accidents are the leading cause of death for people 1 to 45 years of age
People in a university environment are at significant risk for violence
Just because you feel safe does not mean you are safe

2. Home Safety Many hazards exist within our own homes
Conduct a personal safety survey of your environment
Suggestions for home safety include:
install and maintain smoke detectors
do not live higher than the fifth floor
never smoke in bed
do not overload electrical outlet
require all maintenance workers to show identification

3. Detectors
Properly installed and maintained smoke detectors could prevent 40% to 55% of fire deaths
Carbon monoxide (CO) causes about 75% of inhaled poison deaths
CO detectors are available for home installation

4. Minor Injuries
Common recreational injuries include blisters, bruises, sprains, muscle cramps, nosebleeds, wounds, and sunburns
Know the safety rules of your recreational activity; use safe and appropriate equipment, and remain alert
Take a first-aid course to prepare yourself to deal with unexpected situations

5. Cycling and Skateboarding
In 1995, 900 bicyclists were killed and more than 600,000 suffered disabling injuries
When cycling, always wear a helmet and obey traffic rules
More than 80,000 people a year require hospital emergency room treatment for skateboarding injuries

6. In-line Skating and Boating
In-line skater should purchase good skates and keep them in good condition
Everyone planning to operate a boat should take a course on boat or personal watercraft safety
Use of a personal flotation device (PFD) could prevent most boating deaths

7. Boating
Most boating accidents and deaths are caused by operator error- inattention, carelessness, intoxication, and speeding
It is the boat owner’s responsibility to know and practice Coast Guard safety recommendations and to ensure that all passengers wear a PFD

8. Snowmobile Safety
The Snowmobile Safety and Certification Committee (SSCC) has developed standards for snowmobiles
Only use snowmobiles with Certification 1 of the SSCC noted on the machine
Human error causes 85% of all vehicle accidents

9. Vehicle Safety
The leading contributors to vehicle accidents are use of alcohol and drugs, improper driving, and drowsiness
At least 5,000 deaths and 70,000 critical injuries a year could be prevented if people wore their seat belts
Road rage kills an average of 1500 people each year and injures another 800,000

10. Vehicle Safety
Vehicle drivers other than the motorcyclist cause 65% of all motorcycle collisions
Always wear a helmet on a motorcycle or moped
Nearly 60% of pedestrian accidents are caused by jaywalking

11. Violence
Intentional violence accounts for 50,000 deaths and 2 million injuries a year
Many violent crimes have been committed at ATM sites in recent years
A gun is used in 70% of all carjackings
To prevent carjackings, always keep your car doors locked

12. Intentional Injury
Acquaintance rape is forced sexual intercourse between people who know each other well
Date rape is a form of acquaintance rape involving forced sexual intercourse between people who are in a dating situation
Rapes are committed by people who know the people they attack 50% of the time; alcohol or other drugs are usually involved
The psychological reaction experienced by most rape survivors is called rape trauma syndrome

13. Violence
Young African-American men are at highest risk for being murdered—they face a 1 in 20 lifelong chance
Drugs are a factor in 25% to 50% of all homicides
More than 2.5 million women experience some form of domestic violence each year

14. Abuse
The most frequent form of child abuse is neglect; physical abuse is second, followed by sexual abuse
Elderly abuse can take the form of denying food and medical care, or hitting, kicking, or robbing the victim

15. Prejudice
Most hate crimes are motivated by racial bias, followed by religious bias, sexual-orientation bias, and ethnicity or national origin bias