Sustainability impacts of accidents

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.