SAFETY MATTERS Newsletter – October 2025
Date Posted: Wednesday, October 8th, 2025FROM DNREC:
Please the following information regarding safety at this time of year:
State of Delaware Issue CCXXV OCTOBER 2025
Produced by the Insurance Coverage Office
It’s almost that time again.
The Office of Highway Safety finds that deer-related crashes are most common in October, November and December, representing 47% of all Delaware vehicle-deer collisions from 2019 to 2023.
How can you prevent injuries from collisions with deer?
1. Never swerve to avoid hitting the deer. Yes, it sounds harsh, but it is safer to brake and hit the deer than swerve off the road or into oncoming traffic.
2. If you see one, assume there are others. Slow down and scan the sides of the road.
3. High beams can illuminate their eyes from a longer distance.
4. If one is near the road, slow down and blow your horn to scare them away.
5. Use extra caution when deer are most active; 5am to 7am and again from 5pm to midnight.
6. Be prepared to stop, and don’t follow the car in front of you too closely in case they need to stop abruptly.
7. Finally, pay attention to deer crossing signs, drive the speed limit, and always wear your seatbelt.
October is National Protect Your Hearing Month
Have you heard the term, ototoxic? Ototoxic substances such as chemicals, medications, and heavy metals cause damage to the organs involved in hearing and balance. The effects can be temporary or permanent depending on the exposure and dose.
In the workplace, chemicals such as solvents, metals, compounds, asphyxiants, nitriles, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides can pose a risk to your hearing.
Exposures occur in several ways, including inhalation, consuming contaminated food and drinks, and absorption through the skin. Once someone is exposed, chemicals travel through the blood stream and damage the inner ear and the nerves that transmit sound information to the brain. Sometimes, exposure to chemicals can make the ears more
sensitive to the harmful effects of noise.
Go To https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/noise/about/chemicals.html
