Monthly Archives: August 2010

Back Safety, General Safety Issues, Head Protection, High Visibility Safety

MORE ABOUT BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY

This year approximately 55 million students will return to classrooms in the United States.  Regardless of how they get to and from school, whether it’s walking, biking, riding in a car, or bus, safety is a concern the minute they leave their home.  This is the time that parents need to plan how they can ensure the safety of their children by being involved in every aspect of their school experience.  Many students are apprehensive about beginning a new school year, and parents must assure them that they will be there for them, listening to their concerns.

 This is a good time to get your student in the habit of getting to bed early.  It’s hard to wind down from summer, getting to stay up later than usual.  Getting a head start on “early to bed, early to rise” might help them get used to their early morning routine. 

A great way for kids to get more exercise is to walk or ride a bicycle to school.  If it is possible for your child to do this, walk the route with them to find the safest way possible.  The best plan is to have a group from the neighborhood go together each day.  There’s always safety in numbers.  If your student rides his/her bike to school, be sure that they wear their helmet every time they get on the bike.  Wearing helmets can reduce the risk of injury by up to 85%.  Also, caution them to walk their bike across the streets, and to obey traffic signals and crosswalk guards.  Wearing bright colors or reflective gear will help your child be seen, whether riding or walking.

“Stranger Danger” is always an important thing you must teach your children.  They should never talk to strangers or get in vehicles with someone they don’t know.  Many predators apper to be very nice and can lure children with candy, or ask them to help look for a lost puppy, etc.  Most youngsters know to tell their teacher or parent if they notice someone suspicious hanging around their school. 

Check out the school playground that your youngster will be using.  More than 200,000 children, ages 14 and younger, are treated in emergency rooms for playground-associated injuries each year, mainly caused by falls from equipment.  It’s also a good idea to scope out the school menu.  On days that healthy options are not available, pack a lunch.  Be sure to start them off with a good breakfast, and send a nutritious meal that they will enjoy.  Food to be sent to school should be kept in the refrigerator until time to leave for school.  Packing a frozen juice box, or water bottle in an insulated lunch bag will help keep lunch products cool. 

Most kids carry their school supplies in backpacks.  Younger children should not carry a backpack that is more than 10% to 15% of their body weight.  Help them arrange their load, by packing the heavier items first, which results in less strain on their backs and shoulders. 

Transportation is one of the most important safety concerns during school years.  Be sure children are buckled up.  Every driver should let their children out of the vehicle in front of their school, and not leave until they see that they have entered the building.  We again stress what we say every year, “slow down.”  Parents should allow plenty of time to get their kids to school and then on to work.  If your child rides a school bus, he should understand how to get on and off the bus safely.  

There are many other things to think about when it comes to school and safety.  Pay close attention to details that you feel are important to your child’s well-being.  Parents sometimes get overwhelmed with responsibilities of raising children, trying to combine work, school, church, and other activities.  The twelve years of school (plus kindergarten) go by faster than one can realize.  Try to slow down and enjoy every minute of your child’s school experience that you can.  You’ll be sending them off to college before you know it!

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

DAWN/DUSK SAFETY IDEAS

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It seems there just aren’t enough hours in the day to allow daylight time for some folks to get their daily exercise.  For some, the only time that they have available to take that walk, jog, or ride is in the early morning hours, or after work.  Exercising outdoors in the dawn or dusk times of day can require more thoughts about safety than full daylight hours. 

Here are some ideas that you may or may not have thought about if you are one of those busy folks that want to fit in your daily exercise regimen: 

  • Stretch before and after exercise.
  • Always run, walk, or ride against traffic. 
  • Be aware of other runners, walkers, cyclists.
  • Leave your I-pod, radio, or MP3 player at home.  You will be more likely to hear oncoming traffic, other exercisers, dogs, etc., if you aren’t listening to music.
  • Be familiar with your route. 
  • Pay attention to your surroundings.
  • Watch for tripping hazards, such as debris, or bumps in the roads or sidewalks.
  • Be visible – wear clothes that are yellow, orange, or white.  Reflective gear will help you be seen.  Clip-On lights for your caps allow you to see and be seen.
  • Carry a cell phone and identification.
  • Take along a walking stick.
  • Be especially careful when you cross streets.
  • Stay in well-lit areas.
  • Use the “buddy system.”  It’s much safer and time passes quickly when you have someone to chat with.
  • If you get a bad feeling about your location, follow your instincts, and go the other direction.
  • Should a dog want to intimidate you, don’t run away, but walk away.  If he follows you, stop, and tell him “no,” or “go home.”(This is where the big stick might come in handy, so you can intimidate him.) (You may want to change your route, or call animal control if he continues to try to bother you.) 

If you’d rather not be in the outdoors, go to a mall to take your walk.  For those who don’t live where there’s a mall, there are fitness centers equipped with all types of equipment such as treadmills and ellipticals that offer great types of exercise (with air conditioning, too!)  Most of these places won’t be open in the early morning hours, but you could cut your lunch short to allow time to work out before they close. 

We hope some of these ideas will be helpful to those of you who must be outdoors during early or late hours.  Staying safe and enjoying your time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life is very important.  It is also significant to point out that anyone driving during these times of lower visibility watch out for those who are riding bicycles, jogging, or walking.

General Safety Issues

TIDBITS ABOUT BACK TO SCHOOL

This is the first installment written mainly for parents who are getting their youngsters ready for school, especially grade school and middle school.  And this is about something that we all have probably experienced at least once in our life: being bullied.  Hopefully, this will help you get your child/children ready for one of life’s most unpleasant experiences.  (This is also good advice that we all should follow.)

Bullying is when one child picks on another child repeatedly.  It can be physical, verbal, or social.  It can happen on the playground, at school, on the school bus, on the playground, in the neighborhood, or over the Internet. 

When You Child is Bullied:

Help your child learn how to respond by teaching him/her how to:

  • Walk away.
  • Look the bully in the eye.
  • Stand tall and stay calm in a difficult situation.
  • Say, “I don’t like what you are doing.”
  • Do not talk to me like that.
  • Teach your child when and how to ask for help.
  • Encourage your child to make friends with other children.
  • Support activities that interest your child.
  • Alert school officials to the problems and work with them on solutions.
  • Make sure an adult who knows about the bullying can watch out for your child’s safety and well-being when you cannot be there. 

When Your Child is the Bully:

  • Be sure your child knows that bullying is never OK.
  • Set firm and consistent limits on your child’s aggressive behavior.
  • Be a positive role model.  Show children they can get what they want without teasing, threatening or hurting someone.
  • Use effective, non-physical discipline, such as loss of privileges.
  • Develop practical solutions with the school principal, teachers, counselors, and parents of the children your child has bullied. 

When Your Child is a Bystander:

  • Tell your child not to cheer on or even quietly watch bullying.
  • Encourage your child to tell a trusted adult about the bullying.
  • Help your child support other children who may be bullied.  Encourage your child to include these children in activities.
  • Encourage your child to join with others in telling bullies to stop. 

This is a very important part of your child’s upbringing.  Too many times we stand by and fail to stand up for someone who is being picked on.  Your children will turn out to be stronger grown-ups someday, if they are taught to respect every one, despite their differences.   One of the key things we worry about is the safety of our children.  If they know how to handle being bullied, it will be a big help, as things sometimes may get out of hand.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

General Safety Issues

THERE’S A NEW BUG IN TOWN!

Actually, not yet, but if we’re not careful, there may be a new superbug on it’s way.  Just about the time it was announced that the H1N1 pandemic is over, along comes news that there’s another gene with the potential to turn almost any bacteria into an antibiotic-resistant bug.  The name of this bad boy is NDM-1, called New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamose.  Seems New Delhi is the place it was first identified.  Patients seeking travel tours, which include plastic surgery, in India and Pakistan have been reported as becoming ill once they returned to their home countries. 

More than 50 British patients who had plastic surgery in Southeast Asia have been infected with this superbug.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, NDM-1 has an enzyme that destroys many commonly used antibiotics, rendering them ineffective.  E-Coli and Klebsiella pneumonia thus far are two of the hosts to this disease.  The CDC is alerting physicians to be aware of this when they are treating patients who have recently received medical care in foreign countries, in order to prevent the spread of these highly resistant organisms. 

Dr. Larry Baddow, Chair of the Division of Infectious Disease at Mayo Clinic says they have been seeing this globally over time.  He classifies it as “slow motion gloom and doom.”  Because of the overuse of antibiotics,  given too often when not necessary, and for longer periods of time, they see an increase in antibiotic-resistant bugs.  Chairman of Preventative Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Dr. William Schaffner, says “antibiotic stewardship” can help keep new bugs from spreading.  Because of economics, many pharmaceutical companies have stopped or slowed down research for stronger forms of antibiotics.  However, medical professionals are monitoring the evolution of this new superbug, and will encourage researchers to find a stronger antibiotic that will combat it, as well as a vaccine to prevent it. 

Importing foods may be another way this bug has spread.  It is causing real concern on a global level.  Until that time, it might be wise to stay with your physician for surgery and treatment.  The grass might look greener on the other side, but it might be full of pests you really don’t want, and no one else wants them, either.  If you must travel to other countries, the same advice that was given during H1N1 to help prevent spreading it, was to practice good hygiene, wash hands often, cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and stay home if you are sick. 

Let’s don’t put out the welcome mat for NDM-1.   We don’t want him in our town!  Do everything you can to stay well.

General Safety Issues, Weather Protection

WHEN DISASTER STRIKES, ARE YOU READY OR NOT?

National Preparedness Month is in September, but we’re getting a head start by promoting the “Ready or Not” campaign, which was launched by the Texas Department of Health Services on July 8th.   This yearlong project will focus on being sure that Texans are prepared for floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, or any other natural disaster that may occur.  Each state probably has excellent disaster plans, but hopefully, we can share ideas that will help ensure that your entire family will be prepared. 

Take the time to locate important records such as names and phone numbers of your family physician, pharmacy, and your veterinarian or kennel that cares for your pets.  You need to place those documents, as well as your insurance information, social security, and other records in a plastic bag that can be easily accessed if you need to evacuate your home.  List out-of-town contacts, too.  Take a moment to also think about what you would grab, if you had to leave in a hurry, of course, including your pets.

You and your family should sit down and talk about what you will do, and where you will meet, in case your cell phones don’t work.  Think about where each one is during the biggest part of the day, and have phone numbers for work, school, and daycare.  Find out if your child’s school or daycare facilities have site-specific emergency plans and familiarize yourself with them.  

Stay tuned to your news or NOAA weather service.  If you are advised to evacuate, do so.  Families could plan to check on neighbors that they know may not be able to follow these rules if they are physically unable to get to safety.  

Supplies are a big priority.  Keeping a supply kit of many of these items in your car is a good plan:

  • Three-day supply of water, and non-perishable foods
  • Flashlight
  • Hand-operated can opener
  • Plastic plates, cups, utensils
  • First Aid Kit
  • Respirators (N-95)
  • Personal Hygiene Items
  • Garbage Bags
  • Prescription Medications
  • Cell Phone
  • Battery-powered radio
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Maps
  • Photo in case you are separated
  • Pet needs 

We never know when disaster will strike.  Being prepared is the best way to be safe and survive.

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

A WEE BIT OF INFORMATION ABOUT NANOTECHNOLOGY

Do you have any idea what this is all about?  We didn’t, so we decided to do a little detective work to try to explain what Nanotechnology represents.  Quoting NNI, “Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications.  Encompassing nanoscale science, engineering, and technology, nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring, modeling, and manipulating matter at this length scale.”  Are you with us so far? 

  • A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter.
  • A sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick,
  • A single gold atom is about a third of a nanometer in diameter.
  • Dimensions between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers are known as the nanoscale. Unusual physical, chemical, and biological properties can emerge in materials at the nanoscale. These properties may differ in important ways from the properties of bulk materials and single atoms or molecules.

In other words, it is possible to create new materials and devices that will be used in medical diagnostics, electronics, computing, alternative energy and optics, just to name a few.  In 2008, the Project on Emerging Nanoscience estimated that over 800 manufacturers identified products that are available to the public containing nanomaterials such as titanium dioxide in sunscreen, cosmetics, and some food products, as well as silver in food packaging, clothing, disinfectant and household appliances.  

Nanoscale materials and their effects are found in nature all around us.  Researchers are trying to imitate the flexibility of spider silk, which is naturally reinforced by nanoscale crystals.  They have copied the nanostructure of lotus leaves to create water repellent surfaces used today for stain-proof clothing, fabrics, and materials.  Nanoscale materials are all around us, in volcanic ash, sea spray, and smoke from fire, for example.  Nanoscale tubes of carbon, 1/100,000 the diameter of a human hair, are very strong, and are being used to make bicycles, baseball bats and some car parts.  

Safety concerns for scientists and researchers who work with nanoscale materials are still being studied.   There are potential health risks such as ingestion (unintentional, hand to mouth), skin penetration, lung function, and respiratory problems.  Gloves, respirators, and lab coats are among the PPE that these professionals use for precautionary measures.  More data is needed to ensure their safety as they perform their experiments in this important, emerging field.  Research on workplace safety is a high priority for the agencies of the National Nanotechnology Initiative. Research funded by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Environmental Protection Agency, and the Departments of Energy and Defense all are contributing to our knowledge about potential effects of engineered nanomaterials on biological systems and recommended practices for working with nanomaterials. 

The U.S. has invested approximately $480 million from 2005 to 2011 for research and development, and environment, health and safety in this field.  Many other countries are involved in this technology,  including several European and Asian countries.

This amazing  process of making engineered materials from uniquely tiny physical and chemical properties is fascinating, even though we don’t completely understand it.

Source:  National Nonotechnology Initiative, NIOSH

Fall Safety

AVOIDING FALLS IN THE WORKPLACE

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According to the Centers for Disease Control, every day, four construction workers in the United States die on the job, and falls are the leading cause.  Also, the top ten most frequently cited OSHA violations are for improper fall protection, scaffolding safety, and ladder safety, resulting in the highest penalties, as well. 

The Bureau of Labor statistics classify falls as: falls on the same level of work, falls to lower level, and jumps to a lower level, when a worker jumps voluntarily to avoid a fall or other injury.  Construction workers have the highest number of fatalities from falls.  Falling from roofs is one of the main types of falls.  

Companies are required to train workers in how to avoid falls.  They must understand how to use fall protection equipment, such as harnesses, lanyards, rope grabs, roof anchors, roofers’ kits, tie-off slings and ladder safety systems.  Workers should know not to carry other objects while climbing a ladder.  There are certain procedures that meet the legal requirements for working in heights.  A very important daily habit to have is to be sure their equipment is in good shape, each time they get ready to use it. 

Platforms should be used correctly.  It’s easy to get off balance while standing on scaffolding or other types of platforms, and the results could be devastating.  Supervisors should set a good example for their workers, and never allow them to take shortcuts.  The workplace should have guardrails around floor openings and take other measures to keep their employees safe.   There are many sources of falls, and not all falls are fatal, but can lead to injuries, and lost time.  Workers can slip on floors, stairs, escalators, steps, parking lots, and chairs (yes, standing on chairs to change a light bulb or retrieve something is a big no-no.)  Weather conditions can also become a hazard for those working in heights. 

A  friend of mine recently bought a bike.  She fell the first time up, and broke her shoulder.  Now, she is getting ready for surgery in a few days, and will miss work for a few weeks.  Another friend fell off her back steps and broke her arm!  (I am really being careful now.)  We can fall anywhere, anytime, but the main concern is that we try to be careful and keep our bones intact!  

Bureau of Labor statistics also report that the cost to the company of a workplace fall can be around $40,000, with additional costs ranging four to ten times that amount.  The way things are these days, it will pay to encourage all employees to be very, very careful!

Eye Protection, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

THERE’S STILL LOTS OF TIME FOR SWIMMING!

Even though school bells are going to be ringing soon, there’s still plenty of time to take a dip before the swimming pools close.  Persons who live in cities or communities with swimming pools are very fortunate, and may not realize what is involved in keeping them safe.  Swimming pools are regulated by several federal and state agencies.  OSHA has issued standards regarding pool employees’ exposure to chlorine and bloodborne pathogens.  Employees’  training must be documented, and personal protective and safety equipment should be furnished.   Swimming pools must also assure patrons that locker rooms and showers are safe from predators and ensure that the decks around the pool are safe, preventing slips and falls. 

The following tips apply to swimmers at  swimming pools, and also in and around rivers and lakes:

  • Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone.
  • Watch out for the “dangerous too’s” — too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
  • Swimming and alcohol do not mix.  Alcohol impairs your judgement, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body’s ability to stay warm.
  • Protect your skin: Sunlight contains two kinds of UV rays — UVA increases the risk of skin cancer, skin aging, and other skin diseases. UVB causes sunburn and can lead to skin cancer. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.; wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15.
  • Drink plenty of water regularly and often even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly but make the heat’s effects on your body worse. This is especially true with beer, which dehydrates the body.
  • Obey all rules and posted signs.
  • Wear eye protection: Sunglasses are like sunscreen for your eyes and protect against damage that can occur from UV rays. Be sure to wear sunglasses with labels that indicate that they absorb at least 90 percent of UV sunlight.
  • Wear foot protection: Keep in mind that your feet can get burned from the sand on a beach, or cut from glass in the sand, or pavement at the pool.
  • Watch the weather: Stay tuned to local weather conditions and prepare for electrical storms. Watch local news programs. Get out of the water as soon as you see or hear a storm.  Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.

If your children don’t know how to swim, be sure to see about getting swimming lessons for them.  Many pools offer free lessons. You never know when someone is going to need help around the water, and it’s important for you to be able to rescue them.  Even if you swim, it’s a good idea to take a refresher course.  A panicked swimmer can pull down a seasoned swimmer trying to rescue him.  If you know anyone who can’t swim, encourage him/her to learn.  It might just save a life.

Source: American Red Cross

General Safety Issues

DON’T TAILGATE IF YOU WANT TO ARRIVE SAFELY!

On August 5th,  in Missouri, on Interstate Highway 44, two persons lost their lives and around 50 others were injured, following a collision involving four vehicles.  A truck tractor (with no trailer) was stopped because of traffic congestion in a highway work zone.  First, a 19-year old young man ran his pickup into the truck.  Then, a school bus carrying students completely ran over the pickup, and landed on top of the truck.  Next, a second bus loaded with students from the same group ran into the first bus.  One student was killed, along with the 19-year old driver of the pickup.  Around fifty persons were treated and released from area hospitals; however, two students remain hospitalized, one in serious condition. 

Missouri Highway Patrol officers surmise that the accident was caused by driver inattention and following too closely, judging by the accident scene.  A National Transportation Safety Board team of 14 persons will be investigating the cause of the wreck, which may take months to clear up. 

It’s never a good idea to follow a big truck too closely, whether in a work zone, or regular highway conditions.  Truck drivers have certain “no zone/blind spots” that don’t allow them to see that another vehicle is right behind them.  It also takes a big rig longer to come to a stop.  Wrecks are common in work zone areas.  According to the Federal Highway Administration, 720 persons died in work zones across the United States in 2008.  It’s hard to maneuver around barrels in work zones, especially if you are driving too fast, or distracted.  There are workers present in many of those areas, who will appreciate your showing them that you respect their safety.

It’s never a good idea to follow anyone too closely! Another top cause of most crashes  is when someone is literally riding on the tail of the car in front of them.  This angers the driver in front, who taps on their brakes to get the tailgater to back off.  This is a dangerous move that can cause the driver behind to lose control and slam into the front car’s back bumper. 

Timing Rules Used To Avoid Car Accidents Caused By Tailgating:

When you are driving a car, it can be hard for you to determine the distance between you and the car in front of you, so  remember these three rules:

1.  Two Second Rule

If you are on a dry and clear road, it is recommend that you count two seconds to safely gauge the distance between you and the car in front of you.  When the car in front of you drives past a sign, you should reach the count of two before you pass the sign.

2.  Four Second Rule

In wet and rainy conditions, you should allow a four second safety gap between yourself and the car in front of you.  Bad weather can cause decreased tire traction, slips and skids.

3.  Ten Second Rule

In icy and snowy conditions, and roads are most dangerous, allow this rule.  It may seem like too much time needed in order to determine distance, but every winter car accident statistics go up because motorists feel they can ignore this rule.  It’s much harder to control or stop your vehicle on these roads.

Another thought is to observe the speed limit, and allow 10’ of distance for every 10 m.p.h. that you are driving.  If you are going 60, allow 60’ between you and car ahead of you.  This is difficult to do on a busy freeway, but it is possible to do it on a regular highway.  

  Slow down, and back off.  You are all going the same direction, and you will get there safer if you give everyone their fair share of the road.  If you cause an accident and take a life, it will change things forever.  You can’t take it back.  Think about the responsibility you have to be a safe driver each time you get behind the wheel.

 

 

 

General Safety Issues

PLANNING FOR A PENDEMIC

We hate to even bring up the subject, but following the H1N1 Pandemic the world experienced, it is important that we plan for, yet hope that there won’t be another one.  No one knows when an outbreak will occur, or the specific characteristics of a future pandemic virus, which are unpredictable.  Also unknown are what age groups will be affected, nor how dangerous it will be. 

Pandemics occur when a new virus spreads easily from person to person throughout the world.  Knowing what to do in our daily lives, work, and activities can be helpful. 

I had the misfortune while on an Alaskan cruise to catch some kind of “bug”, which required a visit to the doctor, two shots, several medications and about three weeks to get over.  Other friends who traveled to various places came home sick, as well.  Following a trip to China, two of our family members came home so ill they had to be hospitalized.  We know that most persons who travel come home feeling perfectly fine, but there are too many ways to come in contact with germs that can make us very ill.  Even though you wash your hands thoroughly, you still have to touch rails, elevator buttons, door- knobs and other items that hundreds of people are in contact with, as well.  (I have decided that the next trip I go on, I will wear gloves.  It may look silly, but I know I won’t be touching something loaded with germs!)  Anyone riding on mass transportation would be wise to carry sanitary wipes along. 

When we were dealing with the H1N1 virus, experts advised hand washing, covering one’s mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue only once, staying home if you feel sick, and getting the vaccine.  Workplaces should provide hand sanitizers, tissues, plastic cups rather than dishes and cups that may not be washed thoroughly.  They should also remove magazines from waiting rooms and break rooms, when illness breaks out.  Workstations should be cleaned frequently, to keep employees healthy.  This is good advice to follow even when there’s no outbreak of a virus.  If there is a “bug” moving around, avoid travel, meetings, and workshops, if at all possible.  Also stay away from crowded places.   If there is a vaccine available, by all means, get it.  Many times it is recommended to get the flu vaccine; even if the new virus is a different strain, it is hoped that this will allow the symptoms to be less serious.

As we said, we hope there will never be another pandemic, and if we take better precautions and try to keep ourselves healthy, hopefully it won’t happen again.  But in a world full of more and more people, something is bound to occur sooner or later.  If countries will share the information worldwide as soon as they suspect a virus is beginning to spread, other countries will be better prepared to protect their citizens.  A pandemic impacts countries’ economies, industries, schools, hospitals, and governments, in other words, everyone.  Stay healthy.