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There are many examples of hazardous thinking and actions.
Ask anyone who has made a trip to the emergency ward.
But a few common examples are the following:
- Thinking an injury could never happen to me.
- Thinking that short cutting an action will save
time
- "I will do it just this once."
- "I can handle it."
- "I don't need help."
- "I am in a hurry, but can get it done faster than
normal."
- "I have so many other things to do right now."
- "I can do a few things at once."
- "I am so tired, but it has got to get done."
- "I just had a few drinks, and I feel relaxed."
- "I don't know how to do it, but I can figure it
out."
- "I don't have the right tool, so this is a good
substitute."
- "This hurts me to do it, but someone has to do it."
- "I don't have enough room, but I'll squeeze in there
anyway."
- "This (equipment) is broken, but it will be ok just
this once."
- "I don't have enough storage space so this will
just have to do."
- "I thought the smoke detector batteries were working."
- "I have never fallen asleep while I was smoking."
HAZARDOUS ACTIONS:
Hazardous actions may not cause an accident in one set
of circumstances, but could cause a serious or fatal
injury in another set of circumstances. For instance,
standing up on a swivel chair to dust off a cob web
is a hazardous action, but could cause death if a fall
led to a head injury; walking down the stairs carrying
a full load of laundry in both arms is hazardous anytime,
but what if a step was missed, and the action lead to
a broken neck, causing permanent paralysis or death?
Smoking in bed is always hazardous, but what if you
fell asleep and the mattress caught on fire? Any of
these actions could cause a serious injury or death.
Death only occurs once! A serious injury can be devastating,
not only for the person who experienced the injury,
but for the people who provide assistance (such as family
members, friends, who must change lifestyles, and readjust
to cope, etc.).
The SAFEsm is a
self-appraisal activity that can help identify hazardous
thinking and actions, before harmful injuries can occur.
If you would like more information
call SAFE Aging:
Toll Free 1-866-SAFE AGE (1-866-723-3243)
or contact info@safeaging.com
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