VERY FEW DO
Very few accidents just “happen. Bad luck is often invited.
It may be difficult for us to determine cause, primarily because doing so might show up poor judgment on our part.
That would suggest that we can eliminate many of these accidents, or at least cause them to be less costly insofar as injuries are concerned.
We are most concerned with the every-increasing number of automobile crashes. There are so many variables in the formula bringing about such incidents, including simple negative attitudes by many drivers. We tend to legislate against mishaps and to devise “rules” - even laws - whereby others are supposed to improve the vehicles we drive on our behalf. Very often, the new legislation, actually brings about new problems and invites other accidents to happen.
Each year during this fall portion of the year, as our school system begin functioning, a great deal of special attention is given to safe playground equipment; revision of building standards to eliminate all sort of potential problems, and the media does a good job of spreading the word about safety rules when walking or rid or riding. Such actions are commendable, but more accidents of this nature occur at home or near home than at school. Statistics are vague and inspection of facilities virtually impossible, but the average backyard play or sand play area is a haven of accidents waiting to happen.
That's where the average one of us might make ourselves more useful. Each year there are accounts of children hanging them selves on fault ropes and wire attachments to non-school play ground equipment. Much of it is often simply worn out and needs replacement. Know where your children play after school . You will find some home-made rigs which are less expensive to built, perhaps, but more costly in accident percentages. You do not have to be a Ph.D. in mechanical theory to know when equipment is unsafe for your, or any other child,to ride. They are in even more danger at home if they have learned to place their trust in the newer, more modern equipment at school on on public property.
We all have “at home” areas of safety we might tend to with greater care. In doing so we can get at the reasons behind many accidents, before they take place.
A.L.M. September 3. 2003 [c402wds]
