How to Save Money on Health Care – Part 2
In this series of articles we give you some great tips on how to save money on health care.
Part 2 tells you how to better protect yourself and your family from accidental injuries. Reduce your risk of injury and lower your health care costs!
Part 2: Reduce Your Risk of Injury
Wear your seatbelt
Always wear your seatbelt when you're in a car, even when sitting in the back seat. A seatbelt can protect you from serious injury or even save your life in car accident. Avoiding or reducing the seriousness of injury can save you significant medical costs.
Wear a crash helmet when riding a motorcycle
Always wear a crash helmet when riding a motorcycle. A helmet can protect you from serious injury or even save your life in an accident. Avoiding or reducing the seriousness of injury can save you significant medical costs. If you carry passengers make sure you have a helmet for them too.
Wear a cycle helmet when riding a bicycle
Always wear a cycle helmet when riding a bicycle. Just because you may not be traveling as fast as a car or motorcycle, you can still suffer serious injury in the event of an accident. A cycle helmet can protect you from serious injury. Avoiding or reducing the seriousness of injury can save you money on medical costs. Ensure your children wear cycle helmets too. Encourage safe behavior and lead by example.
Prevent back injuries
Painful back injuries are common and can be very expensive to treat. Avoid thousands of dollars in doctors' fees and chiropractors' treatments by taking appropriate precautions. Get assistance when moving heavy objects, and always bend your knees before lifting. Being overweight can also put additional strain on your spine and joints. Try and stay within a healthy weight and exercise frequently.
Keep your home safe
Every year thousands of visits to the ER or doctor are the result of injuries that occur at home. Many of those injuries could be prevented by implementing good home safety practices. The Home Safety Council has lots of good tips and advice about how to keep your home safe for you and your children.
Learn first-aid and keep a first-aid kit handy
Proper treatment of injuries can reduce the need for a visit to the doctor by preventing infection or further injury. Keep a first-aid kit in your home, at the office and in your car. Time is critical in an emergency, and it may mean the difference between life and death. Ensure any supplies in the first-aid kit are replaced if they are used, and at least annually, check any medication in the kit is still current and won't expire for at least another year.
You can buy a basic first-aid kit from your local supermarket or pharmacy. Consider adding additional items to the kit, such as allergy medication, if you or your children are susceptible to allergic reactions. The Mayo Clinic has a good list of items to include in a first-aid kit.
Ensure your store your first-aid it in an accessible place, but away from the reach of young children.
Be prepared for emergencies and disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes
When disaster strikes, utilities may be interrupted, you may not have access to safe drinking water, and you could even be temporarily cut-off from emergency services. You and your family should be prepared for these situations. Visit the American Red Cross to learn how to get prepared and stay safe.
