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    Published on December 03, 2020

    Avoid Injury This Holiday Season

    Holidays are a favorite time of the year and Owensboro Health Trauma Services would like to share some simple tips to keep your holidays safe.

    Fire prevention

    • Fireplaces, space heaters, candles and food cooking on stoves or ovens should not be left unattended.
    • Keep a clearance of three feet around heat sources – fireplaces, air vents and space heaters.
    • Live Christmas trees should be watered daily, as dry pine needles are fire hazards.

    Injury prevention

    • Carbon monoxide poisoning is 100% preventable – generators, grills or other gasoline or charcoal-burning devices should not be used inside the home or garage.
    • When hanging decorations, make sure your step stool or ladder is locked and placed on a level surface.
    • Bicycle or skateboarding helmets help prevent the most serious types of head and brain injuries. Don’t forget helmets for the hover boards and ATVs.

    Fall prevention for winter weather

    • Wear shoes with good traction.
    • Dress warm! If you are warm your muscles will stay relaxed.  Tense muscles can affect your balance.
    • Be careful getting out of your car, plant your foot and steady yourself with the door frame.
    • Keep your hands free. Wear gloves so you can keep your hands out of your pockets to help with balance.
    • Pay attention and stay aware of the surfaces ahead of you.

    About Owensboro Health

    Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.

    On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.