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General Safety Issues

BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES!

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As if there’s not enough to worry about for folks on the Gulf of Mexico coastlines and off-shore drilling rigs, hurricane season began June 1st.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and many other reputable weather forecasters are predicting the worst hurricane season since Katrina hit in 2005.  They are predicting there will be between fourteen to twenty-three named storms, with eight to fourteen developing into hurricanes.  There were fifteen in 2005.  Katrina was the costliest natural disaster taking 1,500 peoples’ lives, and an $80 billion worth of damage.

Persons living in Eastern states to the Gulf of Mexico to North England will be watching all summer.  The water in the eastern Atlantic is warmer than usual, and warm surface temperatures bring more, and more powerful hurricanes.  If a hurricane forms before the spill in the Gulf of Mexico is stopped, it could add to an already devastating event.

People who live in hurricane vulnerable states have become complacent following milder seasons of the past few years, and are not prepared for a future occurrence.  Ron Sachs is executive director of National Hurricane Survival Initiative, a public education and safety outreach partnership with government organizations, relief agencies, as well as National Hurricane Center, FEMA, Salvation Army, State of North Carolina, National Emergency Management, and businesses such as Travelers, Plylox, and AT&T.  The NHSI launched an interactive website “The National Hurricane Survival Test”, which airs on more than 50 television and cable network affiliates.

Mr. Sachs feels that people wait until the last minute to leave their homes, even with advanced warnings.  It is advised to either get ready now or wait until disaster strikes, when it will be too late.  Failure to take the many options in being prepared can cost your home, livelihood, and possibly, your family.  It would be wise to follow these instructions:

  • Plan ahead;
  • Secure your home;
  • Have a plan that includes your family, elderly, and pets;
  • Be sure your insurance papers are in order;
  • You need to have a 3-day supply of food and water for each individual;
  • Have a first aid kit and flashlight;
  • Be sure you have all medicines;
  • Notify next of kin or friends that you may be needing to stay with them until the all-clear;
  • In the event of a hurricane hitting your town, do not go back until the authorities give permission.  Many times, downed power lines or other hazards cause injuries.

Hopefully, the forecasters will miss their mark and there won’t be as many hurricanes as anticipated.  Until then, be ready to batten down the hatches.  This saying has a nautical origin – battening down was done on ships getting ready for bad weather.  A batten is a strip of wood. (Just a little trivia for today.)

General Safety Issues

AN IMPORTANT JOINT TO PROTECT

We’re not talking about the local bar and grill here, but the shoulder!  Have you ever thought about how much we take our bodies for granted, and the shoulder carries much of the burden.

It is one of the most sophisticated and complex joints of the body.  Some thirty muscles provide movement and stability to the shoulder complex.  Did you know that our shoulders have a 360° range of motion?  Because the ball of the arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it, muscles, tendons and ligaments serve as anchors to hold it together.

Shoulder injuries are common in athletes: baseball, basketball, tennis and football players, as well as golfers.  Persons who use their arms to work overhead such as construction workers, and painters often complain of shoulder pain.  Injuries to the shoulder are classified as sprains, dislocations, bursitis, tendinitis, arthritis, torn rotator cuffs, and general aging.

Shoulder problems are usually treated with RICE:

Rest – take breaks from the activity that is causing the problem.

Ice – to reduce pain and swelling.

Compression – wrap the area with Ace bandage, and use a sling for the first 48 hours.

Elevation – rest the injured/sore area on a pillow while applying ice anytime you are sitting or lying.

If symptoms occur such as numbness and tingling, range of motion decreases or does not return to normal after using this process, see your physician.

While using your arms for gardening, painting, or work, try alternating your hands if possible, and take frequent breaks.  Use correct lifting methods and avoid overuse of your arms.

Other tips that apply to protecting the rest of the body, as well as the arms and shoulders:

  • Keep your bones strong by doing weight-bearing exercise (such as walking), and including plenty of calcium and Vitamin D in your diet.
  • Don’t smoke.
  • If you are in sports, wear protective gear.
  • Don’t carry objects that are too heavy.
  • Use a stepladder rather than standing on an unstable chair.
  • When riding in a car, always fasten your seatbelt.
  • Cut down on caffeine, which can increase loss of calcium.

Someone may need to cry on your shoulder someday, so keep it strong!

General Safety Issues

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING PHYSICALLY FIT

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We want to share with you how important it is to take care of our bodies by being active.  President Dwight Eisenhower started the Presidents Council on Youth Fitness back in 1956, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that our youngsters were as physically fit as their European counterparts.  Through the years, different Presidents have given the project various titles, always emphasizing fitness of young people, followed later by promoting physical fitness of all ages.

According to findings by the following: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Office of the Surgeon General, Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity, and the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, we want to highlight some valuable information.

  • The ideal requirement for adults (18 or older) is 30 minutes of physical activity for 5 or more days per week, and children and teens should get 60 minutes of activity every day for their health.  Thirty to sixty minutes of activity may be broken into smaller segments of 10 or 15 minutes throughout the day to count toward your total exercise time.
  • Physically inactive people are twice as likely to develop coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death among U.S. men and women.
  • Inactivity and poor diet can lead to overweight/obesity.  This increases the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, gallbladder, respiratory, diabetes, and other serious health problems.  Nearly 60 million Americans are obese.  Sixteen per cent of children and teens aged 6 to 19 are now 3 times more overweight in 2002, than in 1980.  The number of overweight children ages 2 to 5 has doubled since 1980.
  • Not all high school students participate in regular school physical education.  It is important that schools emphasize the need for physical education
  • A study done by the National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE,) shows that infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers should engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily, and should not be sedentary for more than 60 minutes at a time except when sleeping.
  • One-fourth of U.S. children spend 4 hours or more watching television daily.

In the old days, we would play outside with neighborhood kids until our parents called us in for supper (dinner).  We rode our bikes, roller-skated, played hopscotch, and did all kinds of activities, simply having fun, not knowing it would possibly have health benefits in later years.

Not all kids are into sports, but parents can do things with them, like taking them bowling, playing miniature golf, or doing other fun things that keep them moving.  It’s good for mom and dad, too!  By showing them there’s more to life than playing video games for hours, texting on a cell phone all day, or sitting in front of the television or computer, they will develop healthy habits for the rest of their lives.

It’s never too late for us grownups to locate a fitness center.  Just taking thirty or forty minutes out of your day to work out, or take a daily walk (cost is free), will be worth the effort.  Many companies and schools provide places for employees and students to exercise.  You don’t have to be a professional athlete, just get out those jogging shoes or barbells and see if you don’t feel better!  Last, but not least, choose healthy foods.

General Safety Issues

NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH WEEK TWO: TEEN DRIVING SAFETY

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Guest Blogger: Pat Brownlee

This week’s topic as part of National Safety Month is Teen Driving Safety.

Just one of the many challenges of rearing teens is teaching them to drive.  As parents of three grown children, our kids went through their share of accidents, some more serious than others that were little minor fender-benders.  It is important that we as parents and grandparents teach our kids the consequences that can occur if they are not serious about careful driving.  The first time they are allowed to take the car by themselves, usually on short errands, they sometimes face the temptation to make a few extra blocks, hoping that their friends see them.

Now, we have two teenagers that are almost fifteen, and when they come to visit, we get to give them driving lessons, the same as we did when their parents were growing up.  (Hopefully, they will remember how much fun it was to get to drive on a country road.)  Maybe there will be something that we have demonstrated or mentioned that will jog their memory to be careful drivers.

Even after they have taken driver’s education and passed their state licensing requirements, it is still normal to worry about teenagers getting behind the wheel.  There are too many distractions for all drivers now.  Parents should start setting a good example for their children years before they are of driving age.  If kids see parents exhibit temper fits when they are cut off in busy traffic, speed, or use their cell phones or text while driving, the youngsters are probably going to do the very same thing, when they become drivers.  The best policy is to not use a cell phone while driving, even hands-free ones.  Anyone engaged in conversation is not paying close enough attention to the road.  Teenagers have enough distractions: loud music, too many passengers, and too many gadgets to contend with instead of focusing on driving.

So, parents, a word to the wise: teach safe driving by example.  Drive safely, show courtesy to fellow drivers, and don’t let other things take your mind off the task at hand – getting to your destination safely.  Allow plenty of time, so you aren’t rushed, and keep reminding your teens that driving a car can be fun, but that they are expected to recognize the fact that they are responsible for themselves and anyone with them.  Lastly,  drive defensively and watch for the other person, as he may not be watching for you!  There are bad drivers of any age, but let’s teach our kids to appreciate the freedom driving affords them, by encouraging them to be safe at all times.

General Safety Issues

PRESCRIPTION DRUG OVERDOSE PREVENTION

It’s a sad fact that almost twenty per cent of Americans have used prescription drugs (mostly pain killers) for non-medicinal reasons.  Some prescription painkillers have now surpassed heroin and cocaine as the leading cause of fatal overdoses.  According to a report by the Baltimore Sun, “drug use accounts for billions of dollars per year in health care costs.  Drug overdoses rank second only to motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of accidental death.”  Adverse drug reactions from legally prescribed drugs cause about 106,000 deaths per year.

Hospitals have reported that poisonings by prescription sedatives and tranquilizers jumped 65% from 1999 to 2006.  One-third of addicts questioned report that their first drug experience was from prescription drugs.  Mixing multiple drugs is a serious health risk.  Ask your physician if you question the interactions between medicines you are taking.  Patients should read the label and information provided with a new prescription drug.  Your pharmacist can also advise you on drug interactions, if you take more than one.

We’re certainly not telling you to not take medications that were prescribed for you by your physician; however, you should report to your doctor any side effects you may have from a new medicine.  The main thing to keep in mind is to keep your prescription medications in a safe place.  If you have small children, of course, you will.  But if there are teens in your house, you should also take precautions.  If you are taking a pain killer, your teen may think it’s o.k. to experiment with it.  Many times they prefer to use a prescription drug recreationally, thinking it is safer than street drugs.  Don’t let your medicine cabinet become a “free” pharmacy!

June is National Safety Month.  This first weekly theme is “Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention.”  It is hoped that you will consider how serious this matter is.  Senior citizens may be confused about their medications and need help monitoring them.  We should be vigilant about prescription drugs in our homes and keep them in a place where they aren’t accessible to others.  The abuse of prescription drugs is as serious as abusing street drugs or alcohol.  That abuse can lead to serious illness, or death.

General Safety Issues

EVERY DAY SHOULD BE MEMORIAL DAY

The custom of honoring the graves of the war dead began before the end of the Civil War, but the national Memorial Day holiday (or “Decoration Day,” as it was originally named) was first observed on May 30, 1868, on the order of General John Alexander Logan for the purpose of decorating the graves of the American Civil War dead. As time passed, Memorial Day was extended to honor all those who died in service to the nation, from the Revolutionary War to the present. It continued to be observed on May 30th until 1971, when most states changed to a newly established federal schedule of holiday observance.

This year Memorial Day was on Monday, May 31st.  The Memorial Day Holiday usually ushers in the beginning of summer vacations.  As we look forward to activities with family and friends, we should never fail to think of all those who have served our country.

Every day should be Memorial Day.  More than 260,000 persons who served our country are buried at Arlington Cemetery, officially designated as a military cemetery by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, June 15, 1864.  There are also four courts that hold up to 5,000 niches each for cremated remains of military personnel.

The Tomb of the Unknowns holds three unidentified soldiers – a World War I soldier interred in 1921, World War II soldier interred in 1958, and a soldier from the Korean Conflict also interred in 1958.  In 1984, a soldier from the Viet Nam War was interred there; however his remains were disinterred in 1998, and identified and buried near his home.  That tomb will remain empty.  The 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) began sentry of the Tomb of the Unknowns April 6, 1948, 24 hours per day, 365 days per week.

We salute all the veterans who have served our country in past wars, and those men and women who bravely serve us today in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the world.  Thanks to them, we can celebrate our freedom and safety every day.

General Safety Issues

NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH 2010

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The National Safety Council announced that June is National Safety Month, a time for companies to be encouraged to involve their employees in preventing workplace injuries. Because workers are more aware of things that go on every day in their work environment,  their input is very useful.  This month focuses on safety awareness at home and at play, as well.

As the weather warms up, we spend more time outdoors and need to always keep safety in mind.  Opportunities for accidents lurk around every corner.  There’s yard work that must be done, gardening, and home repairs waiting to be finished.  Whether you are boating, water skiing, fishing, camping, or leaving home for a new vacation adventure, plan ahead and be prepared, just in case.  Parks will be full of kids participating in sports activities such as baseball, soccer, volleyball, and others.   According to your plans, be sure to take along the right protection: sunscreen, hats or caps, life jackets, safety sunglasses, and a first aid kit, in case it’s needed.

Because it is National Safety Month, each week has a different theme.  By discussing each one, we hope that it will help our readers understand the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”  Here’s the lineup for June:

  • June 1st – 6th:       Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention;
  • June 7th – 13th:     Teen Driving Safety;
  • June 14th – 20th:   Preventing Overexertion at Work and Home;
  • June 21st – 27th:   Dangers of Cell Phone Use When Driving;
  • June 28th –30th:    Summer Safety.

Each weekly subject is very important.  There are many different angles to think about when planning for safety; hopefully, we will point out things that will be helpful in keeping you safe this summer.  We would welcome any ideas you have.  It should be interesting.  Stay tuned, we will be back to talk about these safety issues.

General Safety Issues

WATCHING AND WAITING

Ever since the BP well explosion in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20th, the entire country is watching and waiting to see what happens each day, especially those persons whose very livelihood is threatened by oil and gas that is floating closer to their home states.  The story of what happened will keep unfolding until we know the cause of this disaster, and more about the eleven persons who are missing.

Residents of Cordova, Alaska, are watching and waiting, as well, and their hearts are especially heavy because they understand what’s going on.  They know that the residents of Louisiana and possibly other states affected will watch their way of life change for years to come, if the spill is not contained.  Louisiana officials want to have the federal government and the state in control of preventative measures.  Volunteers are already doing what they can, but it is up to BP to furnish booms, which are becoming harder to find.  Each parish in the state is drawing up it’s own plan for defending its coastline, but is required to get final approval from BP and the Coast Guard.  In Lafourche Parish, a floating decontamination area is being built at Port Fourchon to clean oil off incoming vessels.  Port Fourchon handles 18% of the shipping traffic of domestic oil produced in the United States.  In some cases, ships travel 50 miles up the Bayou Lafourche to Lockport, Louisiana, and the inland waterways must not be contaminated.

Louisiana authorities also want to start dredging up walls of sand to protect delicate inland estuaries from the oil spill.  The U.S. Army National Guard has been placing sandbags dropped from helicopters along the coastline to protect marshes.  You will notice, as with any cleanup measures, that volunteers and other personnel must wear gloves, coveralls, boots, hats, and sunscreen.  This form of personal protective equipment is required to safeguard workers from chemicals in the water.  It’s a shame that there’s no way to protect the wild birds, fish and creatures of the sea, but with a disaster such as this one, their future existence is threatened.  Many professional societies are manned and ready to do what they can to clean oily birds, in hopes they will survive.

Alaskans learned some hard lessons from the Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989.  The town of Cordova was one of the hardest hit, and families suffered such stress that it led to many cases of bankruptcy, divorce, suicide, and alcoholism.  They know that when big companies commit to compensate for the loss of livelihood and cleanup of the area, it takes several years and many court appeals before it is finally settled.  Their advice is to be prepared. They have plans to have response apparatus ready, with a flotilla of fishermen on call at all times to deploy booms and sandbags, in the event of another oil spill.

As we watch and wait and hope for the best, there are many obstacles to overcome: high winds, rough waves, and not knowing what the results of the chemical dispersants that have been sprayed on the water will bring.  If this mess should get into the warm water current of the Gulf of Mexico, and next into the Gulf Stream, it could possibly flow around Florida and the eastern seaboard.  We must hope that the next method that is tried to stop the flow of oil from a mile beneath the Gulf of Mexico will work.  Our hearts are with the people involved in this struggle.

General Safety Issues

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING PHYSICALLY FIT

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Because the month of May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, we want to talk about how important it is to take care of our bodies by being active.  President Dwight Eisenhower started the Presidents Council on Youth Fitness back in 1956, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that our youngsters were as physically fit as their European counterparts.  Through the years, different Presidents have given the project various titles, always emphasizing fitness of young people, followed later by promoting physical fitness of all ages.

According to findings by the following: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Office of the Surgeon General, Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity, and the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, we want to highlight some valuable information.

  • The ideal requirement for adults (18 or older) is 30 minutes of physical activity for 5 or more days per week, and children and teens should get 60 minutes of activity every day for their health.  Thirty to sixty minutes of activity may be broken into smaller segments of 10 or 15 minutes throughout the day to count toward your total exercise time.
  • Physically inactive people are twice as likely to develop coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death among U.S. men and women.
  • Inactivity and poor diet can lead to overweight/obesity.  This increases the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, gallbladder, respiratory, diabetes, and other serious health problems.  Nearly 60 million Americans are obese.  Sixteen per cent of children and teens aged 6 to 19 are now 3 times more overweight in 2002, than in 1980.  The number of overweight children ages 2 to 5 has doubled since 1980.
  • Not all high school students participate in regular school physical education.  It is important that schools emphasize the need for physical education.
  • A study done by the National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE,) shows that infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers should engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily, and should not be sedentary for more than 60 minutes at a time except when sleeping.
  • One-fourth of U.S. children spend 4 hours or more watching television daily.

In the old days, we would play outside with neighborhood kids until our parents called us in for supper (dinner).  We rode our bikes, roller-skated, played hopscotch, and did all kinds of activities, simply having fun, not knowing it would possibly have health benefits in later years.

Not all kids are into sports, but parents can do things with them, like taking them bowling, playing miniature golf, or doing other fun things that keep them moving.  It’s good for mom and dad, too!  By showing them there’s more to life than playing video games for hours, texting on a cell phone all day, or sitting in front of the television or computer, they will develop healthy habits for the rest of their lives.

It’s never too late for us grownups to locate a fitness center.  Just taking thirty or forty minutes out of your day to work out, or take a daily walk (cost is free), will be worth the effort.  Many companies and schools provide places for employees and students to exercise.  You don’t have to be a professional athlete, just get out those jogging shoes or barbells and see if you don’t feel better!  Last, but not least, choose healthy foods.

General Safety Issues

PAY ATTENTION TO RECALLS

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Back in 1966, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act was enacted, giving the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the authority to issue vehicle safety standards.  They also have the right to require manufacturers to recall vehicles that have safety-related defects or do not meet Federal safety standards.  Since that time, more than 390 million cars, buses, recreational vehicles, trucks, motorcycles, and mopeds have been recalled to correct safety defects.  Also, 42 million child safety seats, 46 million tires, and 66 million pieces of motor vehicle equipment have been subject to recall as well.

You probably remember back in 2000, when Ford Explorers were prone to rollovers if a tire blew out on them.  There was much dispute between Ford and Firestone.  Firestone tires were put on new Ford Explorers at the factory.   Firestone had to recall 14 million tires that year.  Now, there is the dilemma of Toyota, which has resulted in being fined the largest civil penalty the government can assess – 16.4 million dollars. The penalty was given for failure to warn NHTSA of a dangerous pedal defect for almost four months.  Approximately 2.3 million Toyota vehicles have been recalled.  Toyota feels they did not deceive the public; however, they will be facing lawsuits from individuals affected by accidents as a result of the malfunction.

Approximately 42,000 lives are lost annually on America’s roads.  Traffic crashes are the primary cause of debilitating injuries and the #1 killer of U.S. citizens under the age of 34.  We must get unsafe vehicles off the roads in order to improve safety and save lives.  Registered vehicle owners receive a notice when a manufacturer issues a recall.  After the manufacturer discovers post-production safety concerns, efforts are made to locate every affected vehicle to correct the problem, at no cost to the owner.  Most of these recalls are voluntary; however, others may be influenced by NHTSA investigations or ordered by NHTSA via the courts.

If you receive a recall on your vehicle, tires, or child safety seats, don’t ignore it.  The safest and smartest thing to do is follow up on it, to ensure you and yours stay safe on the roads.  Some minor adjustment may need to be made and can be done quickly.  It is unknown exactly how many vehicles are on the highways today that have been recalled for some reason.  Many times, they are sold to other owners, who have no idea there was a recall on that particular vehicle; some people simply throw the card in the trash.  Used car purchasers would be wise to ask the person or business where they are buying the car if it has been subject to a recall.

Let’s keep America safe by paying attention to recalls or other warnings we may receive.  For more information, some good resources on the subject are at Recalls.gov and Safercar.gov.
Drive friendly, and stay safe!