All posts by Doug

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

RESCUE ME

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Do we take for granted those police officers, firemen, and medical responders that are there for us in times of need?

Those who seek adventure in trying to scale high mountains, or other exciting activities many times get stranded, then emergency teams put their lives at risk in order to rescue them.  When there are weather forecasts that warn residents to evacuate, many who will not or cannot leave hope that these dedicated heroes will come in time to save them.

Those who serve include:

  • Firefighters, both paid and volunteer
  • EMS Personnel
  • Police
  • Skilled Support Personnel:  HAZMAT, Crime Scene, Sample, Clean up Personnel
  • First Responders
  • First Receivers, such as healthcare workers
  • Air Rescue Teams
  • SWAT Teams
  • Departments of Public Safety
  • Law Enforcement Personnel
  • Military

These public servants and those who receive first responder training at their workplace are given the awesome duty to be prepared through medical and emergency alert programs, have an incident command system, and be assured that all are provided with the proper personal protective equipment.  Exposed to both physical and emotional stress, these men and women need and deserve the support of their families and friends.

Thanks for all they do, in their workplace, to guarantee the safety of all of us.  May we do all that we can in our workplace and daily life to ensure the safety of our co-workers, friends and families.

Uncategorized

WHEN THE WEATHER GETS FROSTY, AND YOU ARE TRAVELING…….

As winter is not too far away, we want to pass on some safety tips for you to consider before you take that trip you have been planning.  It pays to be prepared, so why not take a few minutes to think about just what you would do if you became stranded?

The first rule of thumb is to make sure your car is winterized and in good running condition, and has good tires.  If it is possible and you are traveling very far, try to not go alone.

These are common-sense tips, but we wonder how many of us really have all these things in our cars:

  • A flashlight
  • First Aid Kit
  • Hand Warmers
  • Thermal or other blanket
  • Fire starting supplies
  • Food items, such as energy bars, peanut butter and crackers, etc.
  • Gallon of water

Before you start out on your trip, be sure that someone knows the route you are taking.  Also, check weather conditions before you go.  Travel smartly and safely.

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.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

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Before Fire Prevention Month (October) ends, we want to share some information on fire extinguishers.  Portable fire extinguishers apply an agent that:  either cools burning fuel, removes oxygen, or stops chemical reactions, so the fire cannot continue to burn.  Along with heat, these four elements must be present at the same time to cause a fire to exist.

All fire extinguishers must be approved by a recognized testing laboratory to be in compliance with correct standards for appropriate types of fires.  They are then labeled and
given an alphabetic-numeric class, based on type and size of fire they are extinguishing.

Fire extinguishers work much like a can of hair spray.  They contain pressurized water, CO2 (carbon dioxide), or dry chemical.  To help understand the type of extinguisher you need, here are types of fires:

  • Type A:  Fires in paper, cloth, wood, rubber, and many plastics require water-type extinguishers.  Never use water to extinguish flammable liquid fires or electrical fires.
  • Type B:  Fires from flammable liquids such as oils, gasoline, some paints, lacquers, grease and solvents need the carbon dioxide-type extinguishers.
  • Type C:  Fires of electrical equipment such as fuse boxes, energized electrical equipment, computers or others with electric sources need to be extinguished with ones that contain dry chemicals.  (Electrical equipment must be unplugged before using water-type extinguishers.)

Multi-Purpose fire extinguishers contain dry chemicals and are suitable for type A-B-C fires.
They come in a red container and weigh from 5 to 20 pounds.  When choosing a proper fire extinguisher for your particular needs, remember to select one that isn’t too heavy for the person who would be using it.  There are other types of fire extinguishers for different needs, such as restaurants or industrial fires.

Portable fire extinguishers are good for containing small fires; however, we must have a good fire exit plan and know when to leave.  To use the fire extinguisher properly, keep PASS instructions in mind:

Pull the pin.
Aim low. Point to the base of the fire.
Squeeze lever slowly and evenly.
Sweep nozzle from side to side.

Fire extinguishers should be checked monthly.  Be sure the pressure is fully charged, by inspecting the gauge needle, which should always be in the green zone.  Gently rock extinguisher from top to bottom to ensure powder isn’t packed.

Remember to be ready to make your exit if the fire is not quickly contained.  If you have questions on the operation of your extinguisher, most local fire departments will be glad to give you instructions on its correct use.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized, Weather Protection

NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION MONTH

The week of October 5 through 11, 2008, has passed, which was National Fire Prevention Week, but the whole month of October focuses on fire prevention, so it’s never too late to talk about fire safety!
October 8th, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire occurred.  The theory of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicking over the lantern being the cause of this enormous fire was later disproved, when Michael Ahern, a reporter for the Chicago Republican admitted he had made up the story to enhance his article.  It did begin in a shed owned by the O’Leary’s, and there are a number of theories about the cause of the fire.

At that time, Chicago was made up of mostly wooden buildings, even sidewalks, and there had been a terrible drought that summer and fall.  Estimates are that around 300 people died as the result of this fire, which covered 4 miles length and one-half a mile wide.  The fire burned from October 8 to October 10, when it finally began to rain.  Firefighters did their best to combat the inferno, which left around 90,000 residents homeless.

October 8, 1920, President Woodrow Wilson declared the First National Fire Prevention Day.  National Fire Prevention Month, which officially began in 1922, in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, has been the longest public safety and health campaign in United States history.

The National Fire Prevention Association released the following statistics for 2007:

  • 17,675 civilian individuals were injured due to fire
  • 3,430 civilians lost their lives as a result of fire
  • 118 firefighters killed in the line of duty
  • $14.6 billion in property loss
  • 32,500 structural fires were intentionally set, causing 295 deaths
  • Intentionally set fires caused an estimated $733 million in property damage
  • 1.6 million fires reported

Fire Departments throughout the United States give demonstrations during Fire Prevention Month telling students and the public all about fire trucks, what firefighters wear, how to prevent brush and forest fires, and what to do in case of fire.

Our next installment will be about fire extinguishers, when to use them, and when not to use them!  Stay tuned……………………