Each day in countless ways every individual encounters a variety of hazards. We bounce down two stairs at a time…forget to rinse the grapes off before they go into the lunch bag…travel to school or work, sometimes driving too fast because even as the day begins, we are already behind.

An event is a hazard if it can result in injury, suffering, disease or death, damage to personal or public property, or deterioration or destruction of environmental elements. The probability of the occurrence of such an event is referred to as the risk. Many of the risks that we encounter are natural and uncontrollable by individuals. However, people make decisions or select daily activities, they need to be aware of how to address the risks that may arise. This process is called risk assessment and can only be properly completed if there is a fairness in handling the facts and an understanding of the consequences of one’s choices. These consequences may impact both our own health and the Earth’s ecological components.

Risk assessment done appropriately involves several different steps.

1. The situation as it presents a risk must be identified. 2. Data must be used to evaluate the event. 3. The probability of the result occurring must be determined. In some cases past information can be used to assist in this work, but so many new products are becoming available, it is often necessary to use estimated values. 4. The consequences must be characterized.

It is always essential to balance facts with perception before making a decision. For example, a news story may report on a new study that claims some hazard to our health. In reality, while there is often an emotional presentation of death rates associated with a hazard, people are not dying all around us; in fact, our life expectancy keeps increasing. It is impractical to expect a risk-free life.

Young people are told how good physical recreation and sports activities are for their health, but it is imperative that they take the proper precautions to avoid injury. Participating in a recreational activity requires decisions about using proper equipment and being physically prepared. Children need to be made aware of personal responsibility in making choices. Should they ride a bike without a helmet? Often it is their choice if mom and dad are out of sight. The odds of avoiding injury are much better if they wear a helmet. So why might they take the risk and not wear one? (They may not be aware of the risks. Often they just jump on the bike and go off without a thought of falling. Or, they may know the risks but prefer to go without a helmet because the cost of looking foolish in the eyes of their peers outweighs the risk in their mind.)

Most professional athletes take the time to use the proper equipment and to train for their sport properly. They cannot risk an injury that would put them out of the game. However, each year there is is at least one high profile injury like that suffered by Mike Utley on the football field or Christopher Reeve during an equestrian event. Teenagers don’t want to be sidelined by an injury either. How do students find out the risks or dangers of a particular activity? There are sports medicine and training facilities around the country that can provide help. Many sporting goods stores have qualified staff who can provide information about the proper use of equipment. Teens should be adequately prepared before they begin a recreational or sports activity. For example, almost all physical activity requires some form of warmup exercises and many sports require helmets, pads, gloves or life jackets.