Category: Injury Prevention
How drowning risk is different since the 2025 floods: What you need to know before heading to the river
December 2025 floods dramatically reshaped many Washington rivers. Channels shifted, debris moved, and new hazards formed.
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Health tips for a safe 4th of July
Food, water, air, fire and heat
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Guns kill more US children than other causes, but state policies can help, study finds
More American children and teens die from firearms than any other cause, but there are more deaths — and wider racial disparities — in states with more permissive gun policies, according to a new study.
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King County officials urge caution around lakes, rivers and Puget Sound as high rates of drownings continue.
Citing continued high rates of preventable drowning deaths, King County officials urge caution around water this summer. Over half of recent drowning deaths occurred in open water, where temperatures remain dangerously cold and rivers can have swift currents and submerged obstacles.
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E-bike popularity is booming. But are they as safe as regular bikes?
E-bike users are more likely to sustain injuries to their spine and lower extremities (hips, legs, ankles and feet) compared to regular cyclists.
When injured, they are more likely to be admitted to hospital wards or intensive care units, where they also have a higher chance of undergoing surgery – and of dying.
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Americans own guns to protect themselves from psychological as well as physical threats
Contemporary American gun ownership may have conflicting messages embedded within it. First, a gun is a thing you can use to bolster your fundamental psychological needs to feel safe, to feel in control and to feel like you matter and belong. Second, having a gun focuses your attention on the dangers of the world.
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Health risks are rising in mountain areas flooded by Hurricane Helene and cut off from clean water, power and hospitals
Contaminated water is one of the leading health risks, but residents also face harm to mental health, stress that exacerbates chronic diseases and several other threats.
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Calisthenics: five ways this bodyweight workout can benefit your fitness
Typical calisthenics exercises include push-ups, squats and lunges. This training method harnesses gravity and your own bodyweight to build strength, flexibility and endurance. It’s incredibly versatile and can be performed almost anywhere, as you don’t need any equipment.
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HOW TO REDUCE EXPOSURES TO TOXIC CHEMICALS IN YOUR HOME
Many household items can contain toxic chemicals, including cleaning products, personal care products, pesticides, insecticides, and paints.
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More children are getting ACL injuries – here’s what could be done to prevent them
One particularly nasty sporting injury is damage to the ACL – the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee, which attaches the thigh (femur) and shin (tibia) bones. ACL injuries have rocketed among children in England, and our research suggests that one cause of this is that children are not developing basic movement skills, such as jumping and hopping.
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Accidental falls in the older adult population: What academic research shows
Accidental falls are among the leading causes of injury and death among adults 65 years and older worldwide. As the aging population grows, researchers expect to see an increase in the number of fall injuries and related health spending.
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12 Tips for Beach Safety: Safe Fun in the Sun, Sand and Sea from Pediatricians
Whether your favorite spot is near the ocean or the edge of a river or lake, it’s always best to prepare for your surroundings and make sure that health hazards don’t spoil your good time.
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The Lasting Impact of Exposure to Gun Violence
Since 2020, gun violence has overtaken motor vehicle crashes to become the leading cause of death for children and adolescents aged 1 to 19 in the United States — a change mainly driven by homicides.
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Some Medicines and Driving Don’t Mix
Although many medicines will not affect your ability to drive, some nonprescription and prescription medications can have side effects that may make it unsafe to drive or operate other heavy machinery.
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Resources and emergency shelters available statewide to keep people safe and warm during dangerously cold winter weather
Cold weather can be very dangerous if you are not prepared, particularly for people without homes, the elderly, and those with medical conditions. Health risks include hypothermia, frostbite, falls, vehicle accidents, and carbon monoxide poisoning from improper indoor use of fires or generators. Winter storms can make these problems worse by causing power outages and property damage.
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