Situational Awareness Can Help You Stay Safe

Being alert to your surroundings at home, at work, and every place between can help keep you and your loved ones safe. This alertness can be considered situational awareness defined by Derek Smith, senior lecturer in Informatics and Cognitive Science at the University of Wales Institute, as “an index of how a multitude of separate elements interact and of how that interaction then affects what element is likely to do next …” The study of situational awareness is approached from four perspectives: safety, forensic, design, and military.

So how does this apply to safety awareness? Ever heard of accidents or mishaps being the result of human error? In this Ready Tip, we will see how your decisions based on the information you have, the environment, and your ability to act can help you promote safety for yourself and your loved ones.

Look Around Your Home

According to the Home Safety Council, nearly 21 million family members suffer preventable injuries at home each year.  The second leading cause of unintentional deaths in 2004 was accidental poisoning.  Take precautions to reduce family members’ risk of exposure to poison by following these steps:

• Read labels on everything from dish washing liquid to pesticides. Keep these out of the reach of children.
• Lock up all products whose labels include the words “caution,” “warning,” “danger,” “poison,” and “keep out of reach of children.”
• Follow directions when you take medications
• Keep products in their original containers.
• Don’t mix cleaning products.
• Put a carbon monoxide alarm in your house.

Watch for Dangers While on Foot 

 Watch people around you when you are walking. If you see activity that doesn’t seem normal or appropriate, move away and call the police. Don’t walk alone at night or in unfamiliar areas. Approach your vehicle with caution, even during the day. Have your keys ready, glance underneath the vehicle and check inside. If someone is loitering near your car, walk to a place of safety and call the police.

Pay Attention While Driving

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in 2004 was motor vehicle traffic, followed by poisoning and falls. Eighty percent of vehicle crashes are related to driver inattention. Practice defensive driving.  Learn how from Robert Schaller who has compiled 70 Rules of Defensive Driving.

Improve Your Chances by Paying Attention

Actions you take can help you reduce your chances of adding to these statistics. Pay attention to what is happening around you. Take action to make your surroundings safe for yourself and your loved ones. Visit the Home Safety Council, Ready.gov, National Crime Prevention Council, American Red Cross, National Safety Council, and eXtension for checklists, planning templates, fact sheets, and other materials to help you stay safe.

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