Climbing chairs and ladders to decorate the tree, string Christmas lights and other holiday chores is the downfall of many, sending about 6,000 Americans each year to the ER.
Twice as many children are killed while walking on Halloween as on other days. Keep kids on sidewalks when possible and cross at crosswalks.
Participating hospitals voluntarily report their progress towards implementing these practices. Your hospital’s report is available online.
From 2006 to 2008, speeding drivers killed 140 people in King County crashes, an average of four deaths a month.
Seattle Red Cross offers safety tips and burn remedies for the Fourth of July.
Seattle’s new electric light-rail trains are “fast, frequent and quiet” so exercise extra caution when you are near or crossing the light-rail tracks, warns Sound Transit. The trains are already out on the tracks conducting test runs. Regular service from Tukwila to Westlake Station begins July 18th Light Rail Safety Video Produced by Sound Transit [...]
The Seattle-base Cascade Bicycle Club has created a “map mashup” Web site where cyclists can pinpoint bicycle accidents, thefts and hazards on a map of the Seattle area. The Club says that 75 percent of bike crashes go unreported. The new Web site, www.bikewise.org will help identify crash “hotspots” that pose a danger to cyclists. [...]
Dogs and cats cause more than 86,000 falls each year—about 240 day—serious enough to send someone to the emergency department, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dogs caused more than seven times as many injuries as cats (88% vs. 11.7%), and girls and women were more than twice as likely [...]
Accidents are the leading cause of death and injury among children in the United States, according to a new report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention. On average, more than 12,000 children aged 0 to 19 die each year because of accidents, the report finds. Motor-vehicle accidents were the leading cause [...]
This weekend’s predicted winter storm may lead to power outages and area residents should prepare for the cold and avoid using heaters, charcoal and propane grills and other devices than can cause carbon-monoxide poisoning, Seattle-King County health officials warn.
The Seattle Red Cross has some tips to help you and your family keep safe over the upcoming Holidays
With the coming winter rains, there is an increased risk of flooding in the Seattle and Puget Sound area. The Seattle Red Cross has tips for keeping safe in the event of a flood. Among the Red Cross’s tips are: Have an evacuation plan and practice it. Make sure everyone knows how to shut off [...]
LocalHealthGuide is a health news and information web service for Seattle and the Puget Sound Region. We are independent and unaffiliated with any hospital, medical association or insurer. If you have questions or if your group has an upcoming event that you would like us to cover, please let us know by going to our "Contact Us" page and dropping us a note. -- Michael McCarthy, Editor
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Lost in translation: Lack of trained interpreters can lead to medical errors
Interpreter services at hospitals and other medical settings are often inadequate, forcing family members, including children, to step in, or the task falls to medical staff members who may not speak the language well.
Some insurers deny ER coverage to people who have been drinking
Laws in more than half the states permit insurers to deny payment for medical services related to alcohol or drug use. Faced with the prospect of not getting paid for care, some ER personnel sidestep the problem by simply not testing patients’ blood or urine for alcohol.
Travel insurance can protect your wallet — and your health on vacation
Think your regular health insurance policy will cover you if you get into medical trouble overseas?
Don’t bet on it.
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