Weekly Safety Topics

Lead is a highly toxic heavy metal that can cause serious health problems and even death. Exposure occurs through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact, and no level of lead exposure is considered safe.

Stress is your body’s natural reaction to challenges or demands. In short bursts, it can be beneficial by improving focus and performance. However, when stress becomes chronic, it can negatively affect both physical and mental health.

Every day in the U.S., approximately 2,000 workers suffer from eye injuries on the job. Wearing the right eye protection is essential; even a minor eye injury can cause long-term damage, reduced vision, or blindness.

Idling a vehicle wastes fuel, increases costs, and contributes to pollution. Every year, personal vehicles generate approximately 30 million tons of CO₂ just from idling, and eliminating unnecessary idling would be equivalent to taking 5 million cars off the road.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a silent killer—an odorless, colorless gas that can be deadly if inhaled. Each year, at least 430 people in the U.S. lose their lives to accidental CO poisoning, and thousands more are hospitalized. However, carbon monoxide poisoning is entirely preventable if the right precautions are taken.

Recycling is a critical part of reducing the waste we produce and conserving natural resources. By collecting and reprocessing materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, recycling helps to lower pollution levels, conserve energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that inflames the air sacs, often filling them with fluid or pus, leading to symptoms such as cough, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. While it can be mild, pneumonia can also become life-threatening, particularly for infants, young children, older adults, and individuals with underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems.

Binge drinking can lead to more than just poor decisions—it can result in alcohol poisoning, a potentially fatal condition. Consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period overwhelms the body’s ability to process it, impairing brain functions that control breathing, heart rate, and body temperature. This can lead to an alcohol overdose, which may cause permanent brain damage or even death.

Stairways are an everyday feature in homes, workplaces, and public spaces, but they also pose a significant risk for injuries. Each year in the U.S., approximately 1 million people visit emergency rooms for stair-related injuries. With distractions and carelessness often contributing to these injuries, taking a moment to focus on stair safety can prevent accidents and keep you and others safe.

A stroke is a medical emergency where every minute counts. Strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, either by a blood clot or a ruptured blood vessel. Recognizing the signs of a stroke early and acting immediately can significantly affect the person’s chances of survival and recovery.

Each year, over 150 home fires are caused by Christmas trees, resulting in an average of two deaths and $10 million in property damage annually. These fires spread quickly, especially with live trees that have dried out, making it crucial to take steps to minimize risks. 

Winter weather creates hazardous driving conditions that can lead to accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Snow, ice, and reduced visibility are significant contributors to the nearly 500,000 crashes and over 100,000 injuries that occur annually due to winter road conditions.