As the new year approaches, many homeowners will be planning their home remodel projects. The months following the holiday season are some of the most common renovation and repair times of the year. The busyness of the season is over, and people are looking for another, productive way to fill their time. This also means that injuries and accidents increase drastically, also increasing the amount of emergency and walk in clinic visits. Before you begin your new year projects, remember the following safety precautions.
Carefully plan any project firstly Planning is key to the prevention of accidents. Depending on the part of the house that you will be working on, you may require safety items. For example, if you are doing exterior work, you will want a high quality and sturdy ladder. If you are doing plumbing work in the bathroom or kitchen, you may want to inquire about the proper shut off of the water source and the possibility of frozen pipes.
There are approximately 6.8 million bones broken in the U.S. each year. Many of these broken bones are the result of accidents or falls. Prevent falls during your housing renovation projects by ensuring that you have proper fall prevention systems in place. This might include a safety net or a bungee hook to protect you, if you are to fall from a high place.
Call a professional, when needed Some housing projects should never be completed by someone who is not experienced and knowledgeable about the type of repair. Work such as electrical work, should not be completed or attempted if you are not familiar with electrical systems, as this can be very dangerous. It can also be dangerous to knock down walls and structure points, without first testing them.
Know your emergency options Even with the best preparation, emergencies can and do happen. It is important to also be prepared for any emergency. Know where your local hospital, emergency rooms, and urgent walk in clinics are located at. Understand what each of them are used for, and which type of injury should be seen at each location.
According to a study conducted by the CDC, almost half (48%) of adult ER patients, who were not sick enough to be admitted to the hospital, said they sought out health care at the ER because their physicians? offices were closed. Yet, some of these injuries or illnesses could have been treated quicker, and for less cost, at a local immediate care walk in clinic.
It is also important to understand a true emergency. If you fall and injure your back or neck, it is best to call for transportation to the local hospital. Although medical tests can be completed at local urgent care facilities, if the tests show serious damage, it is best to be in a hospital. Other types of broken bones, such as a foot, wrist, or finger, however, can all be treated at a patient center walk in clinic.
The new year will bring an increase of housing renovation and repair projects. Many homeowners will attempt to complete projects on their own in order to cut costs and save money. A 2010 study by the Rand Corporation found that nearly one in five visits to hospital ERs could be treated at urgent care centers, potentially saving $4.4 billion annually in health care costs. No one wants to be injured while working on their house, but it is important to be prepared in the event that it does occur.
Not only will walk in clinics save the healthcare industry money, they will also reduce the urgent care cost for the patients. Patients will also find shorter wait times, with many of the same offered services of both the local emergency room and their primary physician?s office. Before beginning your housing DIY project, ensure that you have planned properly, including safety features, have all of the necessary equipment needed for the job, and that you understand your healthcare options, if an accident is to occur.