Every two minutes, a preventable death will occur. In 2023 alone, almost 223,000 deaths occurred in the United States due to preventable injuries, according to the National Safety Council. Preventable deaths and injuries can be eliminated when proper safety measures are taken. Experts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham are sharing the most common injuries they see and some practical advice for how to avoid them.

Fall prevention

Falls are the most common cause of injury and hospital admission for trauma among older Americans. Holly Waller, senior director of Trauma, Burn and Inpatient Wound Services at UAB Hospital, says falls can be prevented with a few simple steps.

“Fall prevention starts by taking care of yourself,” Waller said. “Ensure you are staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet and staying active so you can continue improving your balance and strength and lower your risk of falling.”

Waller recommends avoiding loose rugs in the home, using safety bars in bathrooms and near stairs, and ensuring pathways are clear of items that may cause individuals to trip. Older adults should wear shoes or no-slip socks and use assistive devices such as a cane or walker if needed.

A doctor or pharmacist can review an individual’s medications to determine whether any medications can increase the risk of falling. This can help older adults be more aware of their risk and work with their care team to determine a plan to minimize the risk of falls.

UAB Medicine’s Falls Clinic was created to help patients age 50 or older who are experiencing falls or balance problems. During clinic visits, specialists will perform a physical examination and conduct a fall-focused medical history review, which identifies risk factors and recommended changes to improve the quality of life for patients.

Burn prevention

While burns are prevalent year-round, the winter months can lead to an increase in burn injuries from space heaters, heated blankets and bonfires.

Space heaters should always be placed on a hard, flat surface at least 3 feet away from loose items such as curtains, furniture and clothing. Waller urges people to avoid using space heaters in areas where there are flammable liquids or chemicals, like garages or workshops. Space heaters should be turned off when not in use and always be plugged directly into a wall as opposed to an extension cord.

High-risk populations of individuals such as older adults or people with diabetes should not use electric blankets due to thinning of the skin and the loss of sensation and nerve damage in extremities. Heated blankets should be rolled up to prevent damage and checked regularly for damage to the cord or heating elements. Unplug heated blankets before going to sleep or when they are not in use, and do not layer these devices with other heating products.

To ensure bonfire safety, select a flat and open area and build campfires at least 15 feet away from flammable objects such as tents and shrubs. Use a match or lighter to start the fire, but never use flammable liquids.

Firearm safety

Firearms are a leading cause of preventable deaths and injuries. Jeffrey D. Kerby, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UAB Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, says people can minimize the risk of firearm injuries through improved firearm handling and safe storage.

According to the American College of Surgeons, some basic rules of firearm safety include:

• Assuming firearms are always loaded
• Keeping fingers away from the trigger
• Ensuring firearms are pointing in a safe direction in which a bullet cannot possibly strike anyone or ricochet off any surrounding surfaces
• Checking all chambers before cleaning
• Safely storing firearms when not in use

“Keep firearms out of sight and out of reach of children,” Kerby said. “Firearms should be unloaded and stored in a secure gun safe with a child-resistant lock. Ammunition should be stored in a separate locked container. This will decrease the chance of children accidentally harming themselves.”

Driving safety

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among those ages 1-54, according to ACS. Distracted driving is one of the primary causes of MVCs. In 2023, there were 3,275 people killed and an estimated additional 324,819 people injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes involving distracted drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“We can all play a role in minimizing the number of distracted driving incidents on the road,” Kerby said. “One of the primary ways you can do this is to put your phone down when driving. If you worry that you may be tempted to respond to a text or notification while driving, activate your phone’s ‘Do not disturb’ feature to minimize distractions.”

If a driver receives a message that requires an urgent response, they should pull over to a safe location and park their car before reading or responding to the message.

A lack of seat belt use contributes to preventable injuries and deaths in MVCs. According to the NHTSA, seat belts reduce serious injuries caused by car crashes by an estimated 50 percent.

“Seat belts save lives,” Kerby said. “Before you even start your vehicle, make sure that you and everyone in your vehicle is buckled up.”

The UAB Center for Injury Science conducts research to promote injury prevention and to improve trauma care. Its mission is to improve outcomes from injury at all stages of care, from the prehospital setting through to resuscitation, acute care and rehabilitation.