Robert Fulghum wrote a popular book entitled "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things." Could it be that much of the safety we need to know we learned early in our own lives?

Many years ago, someone in the railroad industry created a simple but effective rule that was easy to learn and remember and if applied, could end rail crossing incidents. Schools taught "stop, look and listen" in the early grades. These three simple steps are the key to railroad-crossing safety. Unfortunately, many of us have learned that the most severe consequence of ignoring this rule seldom occurs.

We are aided in our abuse of the "stop, look and listen" rule by improved technology that provides warning lights, barrier gates and smooth crossing grades so that we don't have to slow down to avoid the bump. Does it seem overly cautious when a school bus driver stops, looks both directions and opens the door to listen at every crossing-even at improved crossings? It's frustrating if you are following the bus. But would you be less critical if your children were on that bus?

One of the types of injuries that we commonly experience both at work and off work are characterized as slips, trips and falls. We can identify a number of slip, trip and fall causes-weather conditions, poor housekeeping, inattention and poor engineering to name a few. Despite these conditions, a slip, trip or fall can be prevented by paying attention to the environment. If the gates, lights, and bells all fail to function at the rail crossing, "stop, look and listen" will still save your life. If slippery surfaces, pathway obstacles and uneven surfaces exist where you are about to walk, you can still prevent a slip, trip or fall injury by recognizing the hazard and correcting for it.

Stopping provides more time to observe and process the information. Certainly looking while you are walking should also be encouraged, but by stopping, you can take in a much more detailed picture.

Look in the path for surface conditions and stumbling hazards. Check the condition of stairs and ladders. Check to the sides and rear for traffic or other hazards that could enter your path. Does anything block your view (including what you may be wearing or carrying)? Look before committing.

Listen for warnings such as back-up alarms, horns, motors, or anything that represents the potential for hazard or raises a question of safety. Use your nose too. Pay attention to unusual odors that may be the result of a fire, spill or leak.

The key to the success of this technique is in the corrective action by the user. If the hazards observed are controlled, the system works. If they are not recognized or if they are ignored, there is a greater risk of injury to someone.

In the quest for preventing slips, trips and falls, it's important to know when to apply this "stop, look and listen" technique. We know to apply it when we approach a rail crossing. The presence of the crossing reminds us. When should we stop, look and listen if there are no signs or warnings? Based on your own experience, choose one, two or even three common situations that seem to apply. When those situations occur, practice making a conscious effort to always stop, look and listen. Make it a habit. You might be surprised at what you discover and what you can prevent.