Are you the type of person who constantly worries about being involved in an accident? What are you doing to prevent a serious accident in your life?

Every year, millions of people are killed in accidents, and an even larger number of people are injured. With this in mind, you need to do whatever you can to avoid trouble. There is no way to guarantee your safety, but there are steps you can take to give yourself some additional peace of mind. Here are five accident-related statistics that could impact how you keep your family safe from harm this year.

Tip: It’s not just you and your family you need to keep safe from dangerous accidents. For example, there are many plants that are poisonous to pets, several of which are common to keep around the house. If you’re a fur-parent, keep your beloved pet in mind at all times as well.

1. Falls are the leading cause of home injury deaths in the United States, claiming approximately 6,000 lives every year. (A Secure Life)

It’s easy to believe you will never be part of a slip and fall accident, and especially when you’re young, it’s tempting to think a simple fall couldn’t possibly cause serious harm. Unfortunately, falls can happen to anyone at any time, and they can be lethal.

For example, if you live in the snow belt, inclement winter weather substantially increases your risk of a fall. While we may find it funny to watch videos of people slipping and sliding around the ice, if you aren’t careful where you’re walking, you could be seriously injured or even killed in a slip and fall accident. All it takes is landing the wrong way or hitting your head in the wrong spot for serious injury to occur.

Tip: Depending on the extent of your injuries and the details surrounding the accident, you may want to complete an SSI application form (Jefferson City) to see if you’re in a position to receive compensation.

2. Every year, more than 33,000 people are killed in motor vehicle accidents. (CDC)

This doesn’t mean you should stay off the roads, but you definitely need to take your safety into consideration every time you get behind the wheel.

For example, if you’re on the highway with commercial trucks as far as the eye can see, you need to keep your distance. Or if you’re driving in the city, pay attention to others who may not be taking as much caution as you.

Most people find they have to drive almost every day of the week, but before you hit the gas, make sure you know which steps you can take to become a defensive driver and increase your level of safety on the road.

3. An average of 13 children a day under the age of four suffer an injury as the result of a scald or burn. (ROSPA)

As a parent, you need to keep this statistic in mind at all times. Mistakes happen, but you must do whatever you can to keep your children safe from burns and scalds. One common source of burns is the stovetop or oven, but parents should also be mindful of curling and flat irons, crock pots or instant pots, and even very hot foods.

4. In 2015, U.S. poison control centers provided phone guidance for approximately two million human exposures. (National Capital Poison Center)

Some people never think twice about this, since they have no reason to believe they’ll ever come in contact with or consume a poisonous substance. But if the unthinkable were to happen, you would want to be prepared with the contact information of your local poison control center to guide you through the appropriate steps, since consuming a poisonous substance can cause serious illness and even death.

Tip: If you have children of any age in your home, keep all poisonous substances out of reach. You may think your children have outgrown their need for childproofing, but as the recent “Tide Pod Challenge” trend indicates, minors of all ages should be kept from dangerous household substances. You may think your teenagers are upstairs answering questions for money with an online tutoring platform when really they’re participating in the latest dangerously stupid internet trend.

5. Fire departments in the United States responded to an average of 358,500 home fires every year between 2011 and 2015. (NFPA)

Home fires are not always the direct result of an open flame; for example, many home fires are caused by an electrical problem within the home. In addition to installing fire alarms, check your home at least once each year for any obvious fire hazards. If you come across something dangerous, don’t hesitate to take action.

Final Thoughts

These accident related statistics don’t have anything to do with where you live, where you work, or how much money you earn. They can strike anyone at any time.

Which of these accident-related statistics is most surprising to you? Will you make any changes in your home based on what you’ve learned here?