The Aeronautical Center’s Fall Safety Stand Down events were held October 26 – November 5th. Almost 1,500 employees from twelve different organizations attended the events virtually or viewed the presentations online. With maximum telework still in effect for most of the Center’s population, the Safety Stand Down events continued to focus on the topic of staying safe in your home.
Twenty-five million medically consulted injuries and over 89,000 preventable deaths occurred in American homes in 2018. The leading cause of preventable death in the home is poisoning which includes overdoses of medications and carbon monoxide poisoning. It is very important to keep chemicals and medications stored in a safe location. You should also make sure you have a carbon monoxide monitor installed and maintained in your home.
The second leading cause of death and the number one cause of non-fatal injuries in the home is falls. Bathrooms and staircases are the most likely places for falls to occur. Installing a non-slip surface in the shower or tub as well as placing bath mats with adhesive backing on the floor is a simple way to reduce chances of injuries.
Now, many of our daily routines consist of moving from the couch to the desk and back again, we are all spending more time sitting. Although it is hard to imagine that sitting could be considered a dangerous activity, studies have shown that sitting for long periods of time can have some serious negative health consequences. One study found that workers who sit for more than six hours a day were twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease, as compared to workers whose occupation requires them to stand or be on their feet. Prolonged sitting has also been linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, and even some types of cancers. It’s important that we incorporate some activities into our daily routine. Even just taking a break every half hour to stand and stretch can decrease one’s risk factors.
Overworking can be described as working beyond your capacity or continually being connected to your work responsibilities, lacking personal time to disconnect and relax. Without having a normal end to the work-day, where we turn everything off and head home, many of us find ourselves working longer into the evening. Our society also puts great value on working hard, but often working hard is attributed to the amount of time spent working. Chronic overworking can lead to burnout and can have an overall negative effect on productivity.
For mental health, it is important to strike a good work-life balance. Achieving this balance means something a little different for everyone. During the week, prioritizing your work or allotting a certain amount of time to be spent on a task can help keep your work manageable. On the weekend, take time to relax and focus on something other than your job. Your personal time is just as important as your work time. Whether you are a Baby Boomer, Generation X, or a Millennial, it is important that you achieve work-life balance for your own happiness and fulfillment. Being in control of your life and career are ways to bring happiness, making you feel more positive, happy and fulfilled.
