Trauma - Something Best Avoided

Most traumas are caused by automobile accidents. Oddly, this is something people fear the least. Everyone gets in their car totally oblivious to the fact that driving is the major cause of physical trauma. They even bend over to reach for a cell phone while driving at high speed during busy in-and-out traffic. Then they wonder why they are in the emergency room. So the best way to avoid trauma, statistically, is to drive carefully and always keep your eyes on the road. Let the cell phone wait. The next major cause of trauma in the United States is firearms.

Although you can’t avoid assaults, a very large number of firearm injuries are in the home - either self-inflicted, or because someone forgot to put a gun lock on his gun. And of course, a little common sense and caution may allow you to avoid assaults. Park your vehicle in a lighted place, close to a building, if you work at night. Avoid suspicious characters and places of dubious reputation. Nature put the hairs on the back of your neck for a reason - to help us head off trauma before it happens. If a situation feels bad, it probably is, so don’t walk into it, and don’t talk yourself into walking into it.

After firearms, a major cause of physical trauma is poisoning. No, we’re not talking Lucretia Borgia or secret agents. You probably aren’t James Bond. This is mostly common household poisoning. If you have children, lock up anything they might drink. Even if you don’t have children, your guests might bring some, so keeping household chemicals either high or locked is a good idea. Trauma can also be caused by workplace poisoning. Read the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and heed it well.

Don’t think you’re a tough guy and that open bottle of per chlorate won’t harm you because it looks harmless and doesn‘t smell bad. If it says inhalation can cause lung damage, that’s just what it means. If gloves or masks are required, use them. There are other causes of trauma, from drowning to lightning strikes, but if you can avoid these three major ones, especially auto accidents, you may lead a long life.