Personal Safety Topics

Personal safety topics can include activities that occur while in the home or workplace, travelling abroad and driving. Learn what the potential hazards are where you live, work or travel and take preventative steps to avoid accidents and injuries. Several organizations assist with safety tips and topics including the Home Safety Council, the U.S. State Department, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Safety at Home

• Never leave a child alone in the bathtub.

  Personal safety at home includes protecting against falls, poison hazards, and fire and water dangers. Keeping stairs cleared of clutter and having handrails reduces the chance of falling and causing serious injury. Telling children not to run or play on stairs also helps keep them safe. Infants and toddlers are susceptible to ingesting poisonous household cleaners. Keep these substances out of reach or in locked cabinets. Every household should have a fire escape plan and practice it. The plan should include knowing where the easily accessible exits are, having fire escape ladders for upper floors and identifying where to gather outside. Fire prevention measures include keeping matches and lighters out of the reach of small children and not smoking in bed. Water safety includes not leaving infants and small children in the bathtub alone and not having electrical appliances near the tub or sink.

Safety at Work

• Employees must be made aware of all potential dangers in the workplace.

  One of the primary safety tips in the workplace is wearing the proper protective equipment. The work may require goggles or a face shield, hearing protection, gloves or a respirator. Ergonomic chairs, workstations and tools reduce muscular injuries. Knowledge of lockout and maintenance procedures, using machine safety devices and paying attention are also examples of work safety topics. Every work area should have a first aid kit or station and all employees need know where it is located. A first aid station can include a first aid kit, an eye wash station and an emergency shower in hazardous material areas.

Traveling Abroad

• Always keep your hotel door locked.

  Personal safety topics while travelling abroad include not traveling alone, avoiding side streets and dark alleys, watching for pick pockets, informing someone you know of your travel plans, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible and learning some of the local language. During your stay in a hotel, always keep your door locked, find the nearest fire escape routes and don't keep valuables in your room. Robbery on public transportation is fairly common; only use well-marked taxis. On a train, beware of strangers crowding you and never accept a package, a backpack or food and drink from another passenger.

Vehicle Safety

• Before your next long road trip, check the pressure and tread on all the tires -- and don't forget about the spare.

  Before taking a trip in your car, check the tire pressure, wiper blades and fluid, oil levels, horn, lights and signals. Ensure everyone wears their seat belt. Defensive driving means awareness of other vehicles, pedestrians and animals around you. Drive at or slightly below the posted speed limit. Slow down when driving conditions are poor due to inclement weather. Use hands-free devices when talking on the cell phone and don't text while you're behind the wheel.