Monthly Archives: November 2008

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized, Weather Protection

DON’T VEER FOR DEER!

The state of Michigan’s suggestion, “Don’t Veer for Deer” is a very appropriate theme throughout the United States, especially at this time. October through December, (November being the highest-rated month) are the busiest times for mishaps involving deer.  Statistics show that since 1993,  (fifteen years) Texas registered the most deaths from deer-related accidents, with 227; Wisconsin recorded 123 deaths, and Pennsylvania had 112 deaths.

It’s not the fault of the deer; urban sprawl is taking over their habitat in many parts of the country.  Combining hunting season with deer breeding season increases the number of deer moving about.  State Transportation Agencies post deer crossing signs in heavy populated deer environments.  High fences are another deterrent for deer; however, these prove to be very expensive.

Deer are spooked by the sound of their hooves on pavement, become blinded by car lights, and cannot judge the speed or distance of vehicles.

Helpful reminders for all of us during this season, as we travel down the highways or country roads:

  • Slow down and be attentive.
  • Remember, dawn and dusk are prevalent times of day when deer are active.
  • Don’t rely on deer whistles; they have been proven to not be effective.
  • If you see a deer approaching your lane, do not swerve; many deaths have occurred when vehicles veered into other cars, or flipped out of control.
  • Again, brake and hold the wheel straight!
  • If you injure a deer, do not attempt to help it.  Pull over, and call the police or highway patrol.  Animals that are hurt may hurt you!
  • No one wants to kill an animal with their car; however, it is better that the animal is killed or injured, rather than humans.

Compared to statistics of drunk driving accidents, (which we will address soon), deer accidents are a small highway safety problem.  However, preventing this type of incident is important to everyone; if this helps just one of you stop and think about how you can prevent colliding with a deer, it is worth the time.

You will be alive and well, and Bambi, his mom, and dad will be, too!

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

FALL PREVENTION

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In the United States Construction industry, falls are the leading cause of worker fatalities.  An average of between 150-200 workers each year are killed and more than 100,000 injuries are the result of falls at construction sites.  Accidental falls are complex events resulting from either equipment-related or human issues.  Therefore, the standards for protection deal with both for success in preventing fall hazards.  Fall protection systems should be carefully designed for appropriate work situations.  Proper installation of safety systems, safe work procedures, training and supervision are necessary to ensure workers’ security.

Listed is a short glossary of fall prevention terms and equipment for safe endeavors:

  • Anchorage – Secure point of attachment for lanyards, lifelines or deceleration devices.
  • Body Harness – Straps secured about the person that distribute fall-arrest forces over thighs, pelvis, waist, chest and shoulders, which is attached to other parts of fall-arrest system.
  • Deceleration Device – Any mechanism: rope, grab, forms of lanyards, auto retracting lanyards that dissipate a substantial amount of energy during fall arrest.
  • Lanyard – Flexible line of rope or strap that has connectors to a deceleration device, lifeline, or anchorage.
General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

PROTECT YOUR PETS

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Every family needs a disaster plan; if that family has pets, their safety must be ensured as well.  Here are some constructive things to consider when designing your emergency plan:

  • If you must evacuate your home, the most important thing you can do is evacuate them, too.  Do not leave them behind!
  • Check out motels/hotels in the surrounding areas that accept pets.
  • Contact relatives or friends outside of your area to give shelter to your pets.
  • Contact boarding facilities/veterinarians that shelter animals in emergencies; keep their 24-hour phone numbers on hand.
  • Local animal shelters should be your last resort, as they are usually overburdened.

Have a “Pet Disaster Kit” ready:  leashes, carriers, their picture (in case they get lost), food, bottled water, bowls.

Planning ahead will help with a fast evacuation, but remember, animals react differently under stress than humans.

  • Keep dogs leashed; cats in carriers.
  • Don’t leave them unattended.  They may bite or scratch, when normally they would not react aggressively.
  • Upon returning home, give them time to settle back into their routine.

We hope these pointers will help all of us be aware that our “best friends” are part of our families, and their safety should be considered, too.

Humane Society
American Red Cross

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

UNDERSTANDING FOOD ALLERGIES

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More than 160 foods exist that can cause reactions for people with food allergies.

Eight most common allergenic foods listed by the law are named:
1.    Milk
2.    Eggs
3.    Fish (e.g., bass, flounder, cod)
4.    Crustacean shellfish (e.g., crab, lobster, shrimp)
5.    Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans)
6.    Peanuts
7.    Wheat
8.    Soybeans

The Food Allergen Labeling & Consumer Protection Act of 2004, requires that food regulated by the FDA, local and imported, list source of ingredients.  (Foods not regulated by the FDA are meat, poultry, and certain egg products.)

Allergic reactions may include: hives, coughing, wheezing, rash, itchy sensation in the mouth, swelling of the face, tongue, or lip, vomiting and/or diarrhea, swelling of the throat and vocal cords, and difficulty in breathing.

A person with food allergies can experience a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, following ingestion of a food allergen.  Mild symptoms that occur after ingesting food allergens can sometime become more severe, and should be treated promptly.
Anaphylaxis can lead to: severe lowering of blood pressure and shock (anaphylactic shock), constricted airways in the lungs, and extreme swelling of the throat.  It is estimated that anaphylaxis to food results in 30,000 emergency room visits, 2,000 hospitalizations, and 150 deaths annually.
From first-hand experience, we recommend a person with tendencies toward food allergies carry an antihistamine with them at all times.  Prompt administration of epinephrine by autoinjector (e.g., Epi-pen) during early symptoms of anaphylaxis may help prevent this serious situation.

CFSAN/FDA

Uncategorized

SAFE DRIVING FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

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We are all headed in the direction of becoming Senior Citizens, some of us closer than others!  In the United States, there are more than 28 million drivers 65 and over.  This figure is expected to surpass 40 million by the year 2020.  According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, over 191,000 senior drivers were involved in crashes in 2005.  With the exception of teenagers, drivers 75 years and older have the highest crash death rate per mile driven.  One of the contributing factors is that frailty comes with aging.

The following situations may bring to mind either your experiences or those of someone you know, and if so, should you consider other alternatives?

  • Difficulty with turn signals, foot pedals, or wipers;
  • Problems with decision-making abilities;
  • Has experienced several near-misses;
  • Loses sense of where they are, becomes distracted;
  • Slower reflexes;
  • Vision/hearing problems;
  • Takes medications that can cause confusion, drowsiness;

While the above scenarios can apply to anyone behind the wheel, these are some examples of problems experienced by older drivers.  Many voluntarily avoid driving at night, on busy highways, during rush hours, and in bad weather.  It is a very sensitive issue, because seniors equate driving with self-esteem and independence.  Probably one of the hardest things to do is taking car keys away from elderly parents; however, it may be one of the kindest things, in the long run.

If you have any doubts about your driving capabilities, or of someone you know and love, there are many resources that can help you with this important decision.  Stay safe!

Uncategorized

WELCOME TO NOVEMBER, 2008!

When we started checking out all the national observances for the month of November, we found it will be a very busy month!

First, for those involved, Daylight Savings Time began Sunday, November 2nd.  Tomorrow, November 4th is a very important day for the United States: the day we elect a new President!   November 10th is a day that has celebrated the Marine Corps birthday since 1921.  On November 11th, Veterans Day honors all those who have defended the Unites States.  This day commemorates the signing of Armistice in 1918, which ended World War I.

Get ready, here the list of other things to be aware of:

  • National Adoption Month
  • National Novel Writing Month
  • National Peanut Butter Lovers Month
  • National Pomegranate Month
  • National American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month
  • National Career Development Month
  • National 4-H Month

And, Health Related Observations:

  • National American Diabetes Awareness Month
  • National Epilepsy Awareness Month
  • National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
  • National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
  • National Lung Cancer Awareness Month
  • National Marrow Awareness Month
  • National Hospice Month

Last, but not least, Turkey Day!  Thanksgiving will be observed Thursday, November 27th, and will kick off the holiday season.  Black Friday will follow Thanksgiving Day, which is usually a very busy shopping day, as folks try to get ahead of the holiday shopping rush.

We hope November will be a safe month for everyone, either at home or traveling.  We have much to be thankful for in this great country of ours; keep those above-featured observations in mind as you go through this month.  Hopefully, we didn’t overlook anyone.