Public Health Week is this week through April 10. With the theme “Safety is No Accident, Live Injury Free,” this year’s focus is on injury prevention.

Many Ohioans believe that accidents just happen, but most injuries aren’t accidents. They are preventable.

The unintentional injury is the fifth leading cause of death overall in ages 1 through 44. In a single year more then 7,200 Ohioans died from injury-related causes, according the Ohio public health association.

You ask, “What can I do?”

Here are some ideas:

— Join your neighborhood watch program or get one started in your neighborhood.

— Work with school leaders to implement programs against school violence and bullying.

— Keep weapons in a locked and safe place, away from children of all ages.

— Be a caring adult in the life of a young person. Call police or children services if you suspect an older adult or a child has been abused or neglected.

— Wear seat belts on every trip, no matter how short. Make sure children are buckled up in a car seat or booster seat.

— Walk facing traffic and wear reflective gear, helmet when you bike, skateboard, scooter, or use other motor vehicles. No texting, eating or using a phone while driving.

— Be a designated driver. Don’t drink and drive. Avoid driving when tired.

— Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.

— Supervise young children whenever they are near cooking surfaces and never leave food unattended on the stove.

— Keep cleaning supplies and medication in locked cabinets and out of reach of children. The Poison Control Hotline is 1-800-222-1222.

— Make sure all electrical outlets are covered and inaccessible to children.

These are just a few things to think about.

The Ironton City Health Department feels that most injuries are not accidents. They are preventable.

We can make Ironton a safer place to live, work and play by working together to help each of us realize what we can do to improve our lives while making our loved ones safer.

Laura Brown, RN, is the Ironton City Health Commissioner. She can be reached at (740) 532-2172.