Seasonal Safety

Although motor vehicle-deer collisions can happen year-round, November is the month with the highest risk, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Floodwaters can be contaminated with any number of dangerous substances that may cause serious illness or even death, such as micro-organisms, sewage and industrial waste. It is imperative to maintain good hygiene when working in areas affected by floods.

Washington – Advocacy group Public Citizen sent a petition to OSHA Sept. 1 requesting the agency enact a standard to protect workers from extreme heat exposure.

San Antonio – Traumatic injury is the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 1 and 44, and is the cause of more than 37 million emergency department visits each year, according to the National Trauma Institute. The organization warns that the number of traumas is likely to spike during the coming summer months.

Tempe, AZ – School closings and social distancing measures helped limit transmission of influenza in Mexico during the 2009 pandemic, indicates research released May 25 by the Fogarty International Center at the National Institutes of Health.

Chicago – As more Americans barbecue and picnic during the summer months, the risk of food poisoning increases, the American Dietetic Association cautions.

Cleaning up after hurricanes or other storms exposes cleanup workers to floodwaters, which can carry some serious health risks. Floodwaters can be contaminated with micro-organisms, sewage, industrial waste, chemicals or other substances that can cause illness or death, according to OSHA.

Rosemont, IL – Although extreme winter sports can give participants a serious adrenaline rush, they also can lead to serious injuries, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons warned recently.

Working outside in the winter exposes employees to a number of hazards, including the risk of weather-related conditions such as frostbite. Cold weather can affect the body's senses, altering the ability to see, smell and feel, according to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.

Washington – Home fires and carbon monoxide poisonings tend to spike during winter months, which is why the USFA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission are cautioning homeowners to stay safe this season.