Trauma is the leading cause of death for individuals up to the age of 45. Holidays traditionally are a time of travel for families across the United States which is why it’s crucial to keep safety in mind and be prepared to avoid injuries.
Know the Location of your Nearest Emergency Room
It’s important to know where your nearest emergency care services are located, especially if you are traveling this holiday season.
MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center’s Emergency Department and Trauma Center are the largest of their kind in California and equipped with the latest technology to treat any holiday disaster.
Keep Safety in Mind and Follow Traffic Laws
You might consider yourself the safest driver on the road, but keep these safety tips in mind the next time you travel:
- According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there is typically an increase in deaths related to drunk driving accidents during holidays. Holidays also often are cause for celebrations involving alcohol consumption, a major contributing factor to motor-vehicle crashes. It’s important to always designate a sober driver and plan ahead.
- Buckle Up – According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2016 seat belts saved an estimated 14,668 lives. Buckling up helps keep you and your family safe and secure inside your vehicle.
- No matter how late you are to a holiday party or gathering, your life isn’t worth it. Remember speeding and driving recklessly puts your life, your family’s life and the lives of others in danger.
- Don’t Text and Drive – Even a small text or a quick reply can be deadly. According to the U.S. Department of Motor Vehicles, nine people are killed in the U.S. every day as a result of distracted driving.
Stop the Bleed
Holiday accidents happen, and in many cases family members and loved ones are the first on the scene. A person can bleed out in less than five minutes, making it important to know how to apply emergency first aid and quickly stop blood loss.
“Stop the Bleed” is a national campaign to empower and teach individuals to recognize and treat life threatening bleeding. If an accident does occur with major blood loss, keep these tips in mind:
- Call 911 immediately.
- Ensure your own safety before offering any help. You will not be able to provide the appropriate care if you are injured as well.
- Remove clothing around the wound to ensure that you have a full visual of the extent of the injury.
- Compress and Control – Cover the wound with a clean cloth and apply direct pressure with both hands until emergency medical responders arrive.
With the influx of trauma incidents during the holidays, it’s important for your local hospital to have a sufficient blood supply at the ready. Consider making a blood donation this holiday season and save a life.
To learn more about how you can give back this holiday season and to schedule an appointment to donate lifesaving blood, visit our section on Blood Donation.
If you are interested in attending or hosting a Stop the Bleed course, please contact Silvia Sarmiento at [email protected] or call (562) 933-1315.