No one likes accidents.  They are a hassle, usually cost money you weren’t planning to spend, and may cause pain or permanent injury.  However, there is also a sustainability aspect to preventing accidents.  A lot of resources can be expended in responding to an accident.  So, sustainability is another reason to try to prevent accidents.  While you can’t see an accident coming (that’s why it’s called an accident), there are things you can do to reduce the likelihood of an accident or mitigate the severity of the consequences.  Here are some thoughts to get you started. 

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) is intended to shield you from harm of various kinds.  PPE might include safety glasses, appropriate gloves, respiratory protection, sturdy boots, or a bicycle helmet.  All of these things can prevent or reduce the severity of injury, so if PPE is called for, please use it.  Even if specific PPE is not recommended, think through the activity and use common sense in choosing clothing and shoes.  Hospitals use large quantities of resources to safely care for patients. 
• If you live in a single-family dwelling or a multi-family unit with individual utilities, know where your water and electricity shutoffs are.  Flooding from a broken pipe can ruin a lot inside a house (take my word for it and don’t try it yourself) but the sooner you can shut the water off, the less damage there will be.  There may be times when turning off the electricity will end a bad situation. 
• Learn how to prevent fires, both indoors and outside.  Don’t park a vehicle in tall grass.  Don’t throw cigarette butts out the window.  Don’t use fireworks (and don’t use illegal fireworks) in an area with combustibles.  Buy space heaters with safety features and place them away from flammables such as curtains or furniture.  Learn how to quickly put out a fire in a pan on the stove.  Keep appropriate (make sure it works on more than one type of fire) fire extinguishers handy and charged; inspect them periodically and make sure they still work.  There are hundreds of fire prevention tips on the Internet.
• Pay attention to your surroundings and what you are doing.  Inattention can lead to an accident.
• Use an appropriate tool for the job and do not disable safety features.  Use a stepstool or ladder instead of standing on a chair or box.  Make sure the ladder is supported adequately.  Choose an appropriate size and type of saw or hammer for the task.
• Keep vehicles, tools, and other items properly maintained and in good condition.   

Repairing items instead of throwing them away and buying new is a great way to increase your sustainability.  Some things are not made to be fixed (boo, hiss) but many can be fixed with the right instructions and tools.  Sometimes you can take it to a repair shop.  You can do a web search for the owner’s manual for an item or use a reputable reference or website to find repair instructions, such as ifixit.com.  Beware of “hacks” presented by someone whose credentials you don’t know – sometimes they know what they’re talking about and sometimes they are suggesting something dangerous.  Think through the instructions you find – do the instructions suggest something that doesn’t seem like a good idea?  Think about safety aspects.  Also, in some locations, certain types of repairs or renovations (such as on buildings, natural gas appliances, plumbing, and electrical equipment) may require permits and inspections from local governments so check that out before proceeding.  And check more than one source to see if the instructions and safety precautions agree.  Then enjoy fixing your stuff. 
​
https://www.ifixit.com/

Before I read this article, I was unaware how many companies that make outdoor hiking and camping gear offer repair or recycling programs for their products.  Some of the companies listed have international repair locations and others likely sell internationally.  Repair is a key sustainability tenet.  If you repair it and continue to use it, the resources required to produce it get more use before end of life.  One consideration when you buy these items is whether the company has a repair or recycle program.  If an item does need repair, check with the manufacturer for repair options before you decide to replace it (this is a good idea for many types of items in addition to outdoor gear).  According to the attached article, “If you use a product for just three more months, you can reduce its carbon, water, and waste impacts by 10%.” 
​
https://earth911.com/how-and-buy/extend-the-life-of-your-outdoor-gear-with-these-repair-programs/