All posts by pat brownlee

General Safety Issues

TIPS TO STOP BURGLARS FROM TARGETING YOUR HOME (GUEST POST)

From working long hours and feeling overloaded at work, it is possible for us to pay less attention to the importance of home security. However, burglars will always find the easiest way in and they love your busy schedules. Most burglaries are crimes of opportunities, and that can make you and your family the potential victims. Also, when burglaries happen, police often have difficulties tracking them down.  So, making sure your home is completely secured when you are at work or away from home is always important since vacant homes can always be the targets.  It is good to take caution to minimize the damage or reduce the risk of burglaries. And there is definitely a lot more to keep your home safe than simply locking the door. Here is a list of safety tips that you can use to make your home less attractive to burglars: 

Light up Your Home – Remember to light up your interiors and exteriors. Motion detecting lights are a great deterrent to burglars. If they try to break into your house after dark, the motion flood lights will scare them away when the lights turn on all of a sudden. These lights also draw the neighbors’ attention, and your neighbors can easily notice what is happening when you are not at home.  

Alarm Your House – In addition to double-checking that all your doors and windows are locked, a home security system can be smart choice by monitoring your house day and night. Common security system features include motion sensors and sirens, and you just need to make sure that the alarm is loud enough so that you can make your house a less attractive target. Also, make sure to consider customized security systems to fit your home’s unique needs because a customized security system gives you the flexibility to add wireless security cameras and other home automation equipment. Therefore, even the smartest burglars will think twice before breaking into your house. 

Be Mindful of Your Trash – There is no need to show the whole world that you just bought a fancy purse! A bunch of empty boxes or bags out is apparently an open invitation to burglars. Remember to cut the boxes down and put them in the trash bag before throwing them out. 

Display Nothing Valuable – If someone can easily look into your window and see all valuables you have in open sight, you’d better keep them somewhere else. Some fancy electronics placed in front of a ground-floor window can obviously make your house an easy target. Do not leave anything valuable for the world to see even if you really want to show off. 

Befriend Your Neighbors – Make friends and know your neighbors because maybe your neighbors can help you in an emergency one day. In too many cases we spend time at work, and your neighbor can be the person who let you know if there is a stranger lurking around or if someone is trying to break into your house when you are not home. Therefore, make friends with your neighbors and ask them to look out for your house can definitely help you fight against burglars. 

Do Not Leave Your Key in The Mailbox – This is a very common home security tip, but many people still tend to ignore it. Leaving your key in the mailbox or under the doormat is another open invitation to burglars who want to enter your home. Do not hide keys because burglars know where they are. 

Now it is your turn to think about if your home is really safe when you leave for work. Protecting your home and family from burglaries should be on your list of top priorities.

 

These safety tips are provided by Lynn L. on behalf of Protection 1®, one of the largest and most respected national security companies in the U.S., please check out:

Visit Protection 1 – http://www.protection1.com/

Home security – http://www.protection1.com/home-security-systems/

Home automation – http://www.protection1.com/home-automation/

 today for more expert knowledge on best practices for keeping house safe.

General Safety Issues

National Fire Protection Association Diamonds – What Do They Mean? (Guest Post)

NFPA Diamonds – What Do They Mean?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an organization that supports research, training, and education on the topics of fire-related hazards. In promoting their goal of reducing fire and other hazard-related hardships, they have created standards and codes to alert of and prevent hazardous situations. 

The NFPA specified a system to identify hazards in section 704 of the National Fire Code. Referred to as NFPA 704, the code developed a hazard identification system that is arranged in the shape of a diamond and uses colors, numbers, and symbols to identify the potentially hazardous materials held within a container or structure. 

The NFPA 704 signs are usually referred to as NFPA diamonds, 704 diamonds, or NFPA placards. The colors used on the signs are blue, red, yellow, and white, each for a type of chemical hazard. A number ranging from 0 to 4 or symbol is labeled within each colored area to alert of the severity of each hazard. 

The Blue Diamond – Health

The blue section of NFPA diamonds identify health hazards associated with each material. Health hazards can range from skin irritants to carcinogens, and are numbered based on their potential damage to a person’s health when the material is exposed to fire conditions. 

With each progressing level of hazard, emergency response personnel would adjust their level of personal protection. This would range from standard firefighting gear like helmets and face shields to specialized protective equipment such as vapor-protective suits. 

A rating of zero denotes that there is no additional hazard beyond that of a normal combustible material such as paper and wood. Examples of these chemicals would be denatured alcohol and peanut oil. 

Materials rated as one can cause irritation but only slightly lingering injury. Materials with this rating include acetone, turpentine, and methane. 

If exposure to chemicals rated as two is not habitual or chronic, but still extraordinary, temporary incapacitation or lasting injury may occur. Ammonia gas, benzene, chloroform, and styrene carry this level of hazard. 

More serious is the rating of three, which includes hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide, and mustard oil. Chemicals such as these may cause serious lasting injury, even during a short period of exposure. 

NFPA diamonds for materials that pose the greatest health risks have blue areas marked with four. These materials can cause death or major residual injury with the shortest exposure times. These hazardous materials include sarin, hydrogen cyanide, and chlorine. 

The Red Diamond – Flammability

NFPA diamonds’ red section alerts and identifies flammable hazards. The same scale of zero to four is used. Materials with a zero rating typically will not burn. Even if materials have a high rating as a health hazard, this does not mean that it is necessarily a high risk to combust. Chlorine, with the health rating of four, has a zero rating for flammability. 

Materials that need to be pre-heated before ignition can start commonly include oils, such as whale oil and corn oil, along with many types of wax. These materials are rated in level one on NFPA diamonds. 

Materials that will only combust when exposed to high temperatures or moderate heat have the rating of two. Camphor, diesel fuel, and pine tar are included in this rating. 

Flammability rating three includes materials that can combust under almost all ambient temperatures. In workplaces, these would also be known as open flame hazards, and include gasoline and crude petroleum. 

The most flammable materials are rated the highest at four. Propane, hydrogen gas, and methane are examples of materials that will quickly or completely vaporize at normal temperatures and pressures, or will disperse in the air and combust. 

The Yellow Diamond – Reactivity

Chemical reactivity on NFPA diamonds is measured in the yellow section. Reactivity refers to a material’s tendency to interact with other materials and the rate of the reaction. 

Corn oil, chlorine, and methane, all with varying ratings for health and flammability hazards, share a zero reactivity rating. These materials are normally stable, even under fire conditions. 

Materials that are also normally stable, but may become unstable at higher pressures and temperatures, are rated at one on NFPA diamonds. Lye, despite its high health hazard rating, is rated at this level. 

Chemicals that react violently and even becoming explosive with water, or at elevated temperatures and pressures, have a NFPA diamond reactivity rating of two. Potassium and lithium are two elements that carry this rating. 

Materials that react explosively with water, or are able to explode with a strong source of combustion, such as gaseous fluorine, have a level three rating. 

The most explosive materials, capable of detonation at normal pressures and temperatures, such as trinitrotoluene (TNT), are the most reactive, and NFPA diamonds have a four rating for these. 

The White Diamond – Special Notices

There are symbols in NFPA diamonds that alert responders to materials that can pose additional or increased hazard and require special precautions. Two symbols are included in the 1990 edition of the NFPA 704 standard.  They are: “W” and “OX.” 

“W” refers to materials that react unusually with water, such as with calcium. Calcium is used in a variety of processes, and when exposed to water a reaction creates hydrogen gas, which is extremely flammable. 

“OX” symbolizes oxidizing materials on NFPA diamonds. Flammable materials need oxygen to complete the chemical reaction and burn. Oxidizing materials allow chemicals to burn without oxygen. A chemical as common as hydrogen peroxide, found in medicine cabinets to clean wounds, is a strong oxidizer, and could keep a fire burning through this type of reaction. 

By understanding what the sections of NFPA diamonds alert responders to, and that the numbers correspond with severity levels, you can avoid unnecessary risks in the workplace around potentially hazardous materials. This helps increase safety in your workplace and reinforces the reason why the NFPA created the 704 standard and the NFPA diamond signs.

 

About the Author: Stephen Luke is a writer for SafetySign.com, a leading supplier of chemical safety signs, traffic signs, parking signs, and more.

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Respiratory Safety

APRIL IS INJURY PREVENTION MONTH, SO PLAY IT SAFE!

 Our parent company, Texas America Safety Company, is dedicated to providing the very best safety products for all types of business, from construction, office, manufacturing, healthcare, oil field, law enforcement, to the military.  Because April is Injury Prevention Month, we want to tell our readers that “Safety” is our middle name, and we are encouraging everyone to be as safe on the job, on the road, or at home or play as they can be. 

Safety is a keystone in every company’s foundation. Without a strong safety program, all other aspects of a company’s performance suffer.  Every company should have the goal of providing the best personal protective equipment and safety training for the entire work fleet.  Employees may become bored with the usual safety meeting presentations, so it is important that they are able to participate and be a part of the company’s plan in order to be in compliance with OSHA standards.  New employees should have the opportunity to understand what they are expected to do on their job – be trained the right way to do things, and have it explained in their home language in case they don’t comprehend English very well. 

There are many statistics on how many persons are injured or killed annually in car accidents, home accidents, sports, and work.  Our main objective is to help protect those who go to work every day with the plan of coming home safely at the end of their shift.  If you observe someone at your workplace who is “an accident waiting to happen,” tell your supervisor before it actually does!  We know there will always be someone who takes chances on the job, knowing they are at risk.  One false move may be their last.  Anyone who gets behind the wheel knows they are at risk of being in an accident.  The best advice is to pay attention to the other driver, and forget about the cell phone and other distractions.  Farmers know the best ways to operate equipment and how to handle animals.  They also know that an accident can happen at any time.  Construction workers are at the top of the list for injuries.  There are  many hazards for most jobs; we just can’t be too cautious about being injured. 

We ask that everyone uses a strategy to avoid becoming injured.  Taking your time and doing the job right, whether it is yard work, housework, playing sports, office work, or physical labor, do it right, and don’t risk having to go to the hospital.  Lost work time costs the employer; it may require hiring another person to replace someone temporarily while the worker recovers. 

Our EMT’s, firefighters, and law enforcement are to be commended, as they are the first responders in times of accidents; they treat the injured and rush them to hospitals for care.  Their jobs are not easy ones, and even they sometimes get injured on the job.  

Whether your job requires eye, head, hand, respiratory protection, or any other equipment, check out www.tasco-safety.com for your special needs.

Let’s all play it smart and stay safe.

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues

CONVERTING A LOFT? READ THROUGH THESE SAFETY TIPS BEFORE YOU BEGIN….(GUEST POST)

Converting A Loft? Read Through These Safety Tips Before You Begin… 

Converting a loft can substantially increase both the value and size of your home. But it’s important to adhere to all building regulations as you go through the process. Simply Loft Ladders offers advice on what you need to know.

A loft conversion is a home improvement that’s fairly easy to execute and also boost’s the equity of your property as well. In addition to following the guidelines of the building regulations, it may be necessary for you to get permission first in order to convert it, although this usually only pertains to listed buildings. Talk to your local city board whether you need permission to convert a loft. Building regulations are the least accepted standards with regard to design and construction regarding loft conversions. Here are the five primary categories they fall in:

1. Fire Safety

Naturally, fire safety is a crucial aspect relative to any converted loft. Therefore, the building regulations are as follows:

– The newly installed walls and floors must be able to resist fire for a minimum of 30 minutes. Also, any door panel that’s glazed should employ fire-resistant glass. 

– All loft conversion plans must include a self-closing fire door. 

– You must incorporate a plausible escape route in case of fire. 

– Every room in the new loft must include a proper escape window which adequately meets the minimum requirements of 18in. x 18in. 

– The new loft must have standard fire alarms properly installed throughout. 

– The escape window must be easily accessed from the outside with a ladder. 

2. Structural Stability

– You must install steel beams in your new loft in order to support the joists. 

– If your new loft is intended to be used for anything other than simply storage, it’s required that you install new ceiling joists. 

– If your new loft is going to be used as a standard living area, then it must be built to spec in order to support a great deal of weight. Therefore, the building regulations demand that the load-bearing walls and joists are strong enough to handle that level of weight. 

3. Loft Staircases

The staircase in your loft is one of the most important features of your newly converted loft, so it’s important that it’s safe. 

– Although there isn’t any standard width that your loft staircase must meet, ideally it should be wide enough to ensure everyone’s safe passageway should there be any kind of an emergency. As a result, the width should be a minimum of 2ft. 

4. Loft Insulation

– The building regulations of every loft conversion states that it must by completely insulated, including each internal wall. 

5. Loft Ventilation

– Newly converted lofts are required to incorporate background and rapid ventilation, which indicates they are required to have a window that equates to 1/20th in size of the entire floor area. 

– The roof in the new loft must be properly ventilated in order to prevent condensation. 

– The insulation and roof must have at least 2in. of air space in between them. This does not apply to older properties where there isn’t any roofing felt. 

– If you intend to install a new bathroom, you must also install mechanical ventilation. 

Follow these guidelines to ensure your new loft is safe as well as beautiful. 

Submitted by Phillippa Carr, a freelance writer, who has published articles on property renovation, home design, and DIY, and currently represents chcbuild.co.uk.

Ergonomics, Eye Protection

HOW TO ENSURE EYES’ HEALTH WHEN WORKING IN FRONT OF COMPUTER ALL DAY (GUEST POST)

 Most of the jobs nowadays require the use of computers. Some professionals even stay and work in front of the computer for 8-12 hours daily. Working hard does not mean compromising your health. Here are some of the things that you can do to protect your eyes from working at the computer for long hours. 

1. Adjust the Lighting of Computers

Use of proper lighting may help eye strain. When we are working in front of a computer for so many hours daily, we have to make sure to take care of our eyes. Eye strain is caused by excessive bright light, to avoid this, we can change the brightness of our monitor screen. Doing so will help us make our eyes comfortable. 

Aside from adjusting the light of our computers to make our eyes feel better. We should also have ambient lighting in our offices. Make sure to eliminate exterior lights and avoid working under overhead fluorescent lights. 

2. Upgrade Your Display

Office staff should always protect the health of their employers. If they have an extra budget they should replace the old-tube style monitor with flat-panel LCD. Screens of these monitors usually have an anti-reflective surface and are easier on the eyes of the user. 

Flicker of images is one of the major cause of computer eye strain. Which is not an issue with LCD screens. Selecting the highest resolution possible for the screen is the best solution to this problem. 

3. Modify Work Station

Another cause of eye strain is the improper posture into the computer when we are working. To prevent this, we can adjust our workstation and chair to the correct height. 

If our work requires looking at the printed page and then on the screen, then we should place the written pages on the copy stand. Light the copy stand properly and is adjacent to the monitor. We can also use desk lamp to see this written pages clearly. 

4. Keep Distance from Monitor

Always remember to keep distance at the monitor for it is really dangerous to our eyes. We should have a distance of at least 50-100cm from eyes. Offices should also purchase and use ergonomic furniture to enable their employers to position their computer 20-24 inches from the eyes. The most comfortable and ideal position of our head and neck to the screen should be about 10-15 degrees below our eyes. 

5. Consider Computer Eyewear (Use anti-radiation glasses)

Protect our eyes from too much light of the computer. The use of anti-radiation glasses will help a lot. The company may not afford it but if we have an extra budget, maybe we can buy it for ourselves. There are also normal computer glasses that we can wear. We can consult our eye care professional regarding this matter. These glasses will surely bring greatest comfort to our eyes. 

6. Blink More Often

When we are working in front of the computer, we should blink more often while we stare at the monitor. It is very important because blinking moistens our eyes to prevent dryness and irritation. To help us reduce the risk of dry eyes, we should blink 10 times every 20minutes.  

7. Take Frequent Breaks

Rest our eyes for 10-15 minutes and avoid looking at the monitor for a long time. We can take a rest for our eyes by closing our eyelids for a moment. We can also look at the distant objects for 10 seconds to relax our eyes.

 We should also make a supplementary of five-minute breaks throughout our work day. This will not only prevent the risk of our computer vision syndrome but can also help us avoid neck, back, and shoulder pain. When we are doing these five-minute breaks, we can stand, and do some stretching.  

8. Exercise Your Eyes

We can also use our mini breaks to exercise our eyes. Having an exercise for eyes help us avoid focusing fatigue that leads to eye strain. Looking far away from our computer monitors relaxes our focusing muscles inside the eye. Here are some exercises that we can do for our eyes: 

Exercise #1: Move eyes in circle from left to right. This should be 6-8 times and then repeat the process to the opposite side. 

Exercise #2: Move eyes from top to bottom for 10-12 times carefully. We have to do it slowly to avoid hurting our eye muscle. 

Exercise #3: Move eyes from left to right horizontally for 10-12 times. And do it opposite direction. 

 

About the Author:

Dawn Atkins loves reading, writing and traveling. It is her dream to set foot on Paris. She is currently a junior college student who works as a part-time contributor for bestessay.com. Dawn’s goal in life is to have her own business someday.

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

USING LADDERS AND STEPLADDERS SAFELY (GUEST POST)

Using Ladders and Stepladders Safely

Different types of ladders threaten safety in different ways. The most basic ladders used in a wide variety of working environments include single ladders, trestle ladders, extension ladders and stepladders. Let’s look at the risk associated with ladders, and how you can protect your safety while using them.

Single Ladders

A single ladder consists of two vertical bars joined by a series of horizontal rungs, with flattened “safety shoes” attached at the bottom for stability on the ground. These ladders may topple over sideways if you fail to tie off or otherwise secure them at the top. You can also create a dangerous imbalance if you step above the maximum safety level marked on the rungs, or if you have to reach out too far from the ladder to perform your work. Set the ladder up so that your body will not be too far from the wall; this may require selecting a shorter ladder than the one you’re currently using, but the extra effort could spare serious injury.

Ladder-1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Position your ladder so you can work without reaching too far.

Extension Ladders

Extension ladders add an extra element of danger because of the multiple moving parts involved. An additional section called a fly section allows the ladder to shorten or lengthen, but this section must be firmly locked into position by rung locks. Make sure these and any other moving parts are in good condition before attempting to use an extension ladder. If your crew is setting up in a hurry, watch out for the possibility of setting the ladder upside-down by mistake (with the fly section on the bottom). The fly section lacks the safety shoes necessary for a stable foothold.

Trestle Ladders

Trestle ladders are also called “A-frame” ladders because they consist of two base sections that extend outward at an angle to each other; extension trestle ladders have centrally-mounted fly sections as well. The primary danger in trestle ladders lies in the fact that they become very unstable on anything less than perfectly even ground. Always be aware of the terrain when setting up a trestle ladder, and make sure the spreader joints are completely locked. As with single ladders, never stand on a rung higher than specified on the ladder’s warning labels.

Stepladders

Stepladders can vary from small A-frame devices that are a few feet high to full-size ladders for work at ceiling level. True to their name, these ladders offer steps on side of the base, and support rungs on the other. Never use the support rungs as steps; they are not meant to bear that kind of weight. Also, keep in mind that the top cap is not a step! In fact, you shouldn’t even stand on the top rung, because it makes the stepladder dangerously top-heavy and makes you vulnerable to toppling over.

Ladder-2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch your step when using a stepladder.

All ladders should be carefully inspected before any kind of use. Any obvious flaw, such as a bent frame or spreaders that won’t lock, mean that you should retire the ladder for good. But putting a damaged ladder away is not safe enough; someone will inevitably take it out and use it by mistake. Dismantling or destroying an unusable ladder will ensure that no workers can accidentally injure themselves with it.

Wearing the proper clothing and accessories can also make on the job ladder use safer. Rubber-soled shoes can help climbers maintain solid traction with the rungs, especially in wet or dirty conditions. Products such as DuPont Tyvec Anti Skid Boot Covers can fit over regular boots if extra traction is needed. A tool belt eliminates the need to carry objects in the hands, which can interfere with your grip on the ladder’s rungs. Body harness kits such as the ConstructionPlus Roofers Kit can also help prevent falls.

Just as the right shopping cart plugins can protect online retailers and security alarms help keep office buildings safe against burglary, smart use of ladders and safety tools can prevent catastrophe in many construction, repair and maintenance applications. So take care and climb safely!

William Reynolds has worked as a freelance copywriter since 1997. William specializes in website content, ghost-blogging, print marketing content and audio/video scripts.

(Images courtesy of David Castillo Dominici and imagerymajestic /FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

 

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

THIS WEEK’S SAFETY FOCUS IS NATIONAL WORK ZONE AWARENESS

April 7 – 11, 2014:  National Work Zone Awareness Week – “Work Zone Speeding: A Costly Mistake”

The 2014 theme highlights the consequences of speeding through a work zone. These costs can take on various forms, including fines, jail time or even a life. By highlighting these impacts, the intent is to inform drivers and encourage them to drive carefully through work zones.  National Kickoff Event is to be held Tuesday, April 8 at the State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement project in Seattle, Washington.

Worker Safety:  The leading cause of highway construction worker injuries and fatalities is contact with construction vehicles, objects, and equipment. These injuries and deaths are preventable through a number of good practices.
As our highway infrastructure ages, many transportation agencies are focusing on rebuilding and improving existing roadways. This means more roadwork is being performed on roadways that are open to traffic. At the same time, traffic continues to grow and create more congestion, particularly in urban areas. To avoid major queues during peak travel periods, urban areas are seeing more night work. The combination of more work done alongside increasingly heavier traffic and greater use of night work can result in increased safety considerations for highway workers. However, there are regulations and available resources on good practices that can help workers perform their jobs safely.

Worker Visibility:

•MUTCD Part 6 Section 6D.03 – Requires the use of high-visibility safety apparel by workers who are working within the rights-of-way of Federal-aid highways.
•High Visibility Standard – Provides a guide for the design, performance specifications, and use of high-visibility and reflective apparel including vests, jackets, bib/jumpsuit coveralls, trousers and harnesses.

Many drivers become irritated when they see the “Work Zone – Fines Double” signs preceeding the work zone.  It is better to observe the law in order to not receive a fine for speeding while driving through that zone.  Not only are the workers exposed to traffic, they are also staying alert to avoid being backed over or run over by the heavy equipment working around them.  Their line of work is very unsafe.  The flaggers are also very close to traffic whizzing by them.  It is your duty as drivers to observe the signs and keep the safety of our highway workers in mind at all times.  When you pass through one of these work areas, drive as though your son, brother, sister, or a loved one were out there; it might help you slow down.

The United States Department of Transportation/ Federal Highway Administration brings this important message annually  in order for all drivers to know how important the safety of highway workers is.   Drive safely.  As one of their signs says, “Watch for Workers – Give Us A Brake!” 

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation; Federal Highway Administration

Back Safety, Ergonomics, General Safety Issues

HOW TO AVOID INJURIES WHEN MOVING TO ANOTHER HOME (GUEST POST)

Moving at times can be emotionally difficult but it can be equally fun. It is possible that your body would be undergoing considerable stress. In some cases, the possibility of minor or severe injuries cannot be ruled out. Hiring a moving company is a good move to avoid such injuries. Here are some tips to keep you safer while moving.
 
Keep the box weight in mind while packing. Ensure that these boxes weigh less than 50 pounds. Any weight below 50 pounds can be easily lifted without a strain. If you feel strain while lifting the box, then it would be above 50 pounds. Ask the moving company that you have hired for lifting all heavy weights. However, if you do choose to move the boxes on your own, then you need to learn the proper way of lifting the boxes. Never bend over to lift a box, but rather sit on your heels and lift the boxes with your entire lower body. (You may consider using a lifting belt for support.)  Make sure that you have rented the proper equipment. This is necessary to save you from back strain and for moving larger items that weigh heavily. Always remember to use straps as they are needed for securing the boxes. Whenever you pass any item or box, make sure that the other person has a firm grip on it before you let it go. This is one common cause of accidents.
 
Before you start moving, take a close look at your new home. Inspect the entire property to find out for any possible dangerous areas. Always note any uneven sidewalk. Any steps that are present in the front walkway need to be clearly seen. Mark such steps with a chalk as often people are easily distracted while moving items and this may result in a fall or possible injury.If the walkway or the entrance to your new home comes out to be wet in any way, then use a mat. Any area that is more fragile needs to be made safe with a mat. This would be necessary to prevent a fall while moving items. Other possible hazards such as poles, posts or tree branches need to be looked at as they may pose a problem for your moving process. 
 
Always keep your children out of the process of moving. Keep them with a baby sitter or with a neighbor.   On the day you decide to move, always remember to wear the proper clothing and footwear that would assist rather than inhibit the process of moving. Do not wear loose sleeves to shirttails that would snag.Accidents occur without any warnings. So you need to be prepared for all situations.  Have information about the local hospital, doctor, dentist and pharmacy. With youngsters, you never know what would happen next. A chipped away tooth, a bloody lip or any possible infection may result. Hence, you need to know the nearby hospital. Always make sure that you do not run out of adult pain relievers, as well as children’s pain relievers.  Moving is a stressful time.

 Author Bio: Stephen Roshy is a passionate writer and blogger. He has years of experience in writing content on various industries. Useful information for this article is provided by http://www.help2movela.com. Get in touch with Mr. Roshy on Facebook , Twitter and Google+.

General Safety Issues

APRIL – ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH

CADD Announces 2014 NCADD Alcohol Awareness Month Theme –
“Help for Today. Hope For Tomorrow”
Alcohol Awareness – The Key to Community Change, Personal and Family Recovery
28 Years of Improving and Saving Lives Through Prevention, Treatment and Recovery

Each April since 1987, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) sponsors NCADD Alcohol Awareness Month to increase public awareness and understanding, reduce stigma and encourage local communities to focus on alcoholism and alcohol-related issues. This April, NCADD highlights the important public health issue of underage drinking, a problem with devastating individual, family and community consequences.

With this year’s theme, “Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow,” the month of April will be filled with local, state, and national events directed toward educating people about the prevention and treatment of alcoholism. Local NCADD Affiliates as well as schools, colleges, churches, and countless other community organizations will sponsor a host of activities that create awareness and encourage individuals and families to get help for alcohol-related problems.

Alcohol use by young people is extremely dangerous—both to themselves and to society, and is directly associated with traffic fatalities, violence, suicide, educational failure, alcohol overdose, unsafe sex and other problem behaviors.

This year’s awareness campaign will place a special emphasis on underage drinking, a problem that costs $62 billion every year. The fact remains that alcohol is more likely to kill young people than all illicit drugs combined; even more startling: annually, over 6,500 people under the age of 21 die from alcohol-related accidents and thousands more are injured. 7,000 American kids are taking their first drink every day, all of whom are under the age of 16. One-fourth of children have alcohol-use disorders in their own family.

“Underage drinking is a complex issue,” says Greg Muth, chairperson of the NCADD Board of Directors, “one that can only be solved through a sustained and cooperative effort. As a nation, we need to wake up to the reality that for some, alcoholism and addiction develop at a young age and that intervention, treatment, and recovery support are essential for them and their families,” says Muth. “We can’t afford to wait any longer.” 

Of course, we understand that alcohol abuse is really a systemic problem affecting the entire country, including every demographic. To combat this, we must take strong preventive measures, but also be aware of the signs of alcohol abuse so as to identify and assist those with problems.

The signs are many, and not always apparent. Those that have an alcohol problem often neglect their responsibilities at home, work or school. They also drink while engaging in risky behaviors, such as driving. Abusers also commonly drink as a way to relax and “unwind,” all the while causing more problems because of their alcoholism. This abuse results in a high tolerance, and eventually can lead to physical/psychological addiction.

Alcohol abusers may become dependent on drinking. When they do stop, they often experience short-term withdrawal symptoms including anxiety, delirium, tremors and general difficulty performing tasks. For these abusers, alcohol goes from simply a way to relax, to a necessary activity in order to get through their everyday life. Some addicts become quite skilled at hiding their addiction until the inevitable unraveling takes place.

Whether a person decides to use alcohol or drugs is a choice, influenced by their environment–peers, family, and availability.  But, once a person uses alcohol or drugs, the risk of developing alcoholism or drug dependence is largely influenced by genetics.  Alcoholism and drug dependence are not moral issues, are not a matter of choice or a lack of willpower.  Plain and simple, some people’s bodies respond to the effects of alcohol and drugs differently. 

Research has shown conclusively that family history of alcoholism or drug addiction is in part genetic and not just the result of the family environment.  And, millions of Americans are living proof, based on personal, firsthand experience, that alcoholism and drug addiction run in families, plain and simple.

 Genes provide the information that directs how our bodies respond at the cellular level.  Research indicates that over 99% of our genes are the same and the 1% that are different account for visible differences (hair color, height, etc.) and invisible differences, such as our risk of diabetes, heart disease or addiction to alcohol or drugs.

Therefore, our health is the result of the interaction between genes and environment.  As an example, our risk of developing high blood pressure is influenced by both genetics and environment, including diet, stress, and exercise.   Certain diseases, like sickle cell anemia or cystic fibrosis, are caused by an error in a single gene.  However, most diseases, such as alcoholism and drug dependence, are considered genetically complex and involve variations in a number of different genes.

“Alcohol dependence and dependence on other drugs frequently co-occur, and strong evidence suggests that both disorders are, at least in part, influenced by genetic factors.  In recent years, researchers have identified numerous genes as affecting risk for dependence on alcohol and drugs.  These include genes involved in alcohol metabolism as well as in the transmission of nerve cell signals and modulation of nerve cell activity.”

Drinking alcoholic beverages affects different persons in different ways.  Some become very happy while others may see the “down side” of everthing.  Alcohol is a depressant, and certain genes in ones chemistry may indicate that they should not choose this as a way of relaxing.  Studies show that there are genetics involved, but I have known people who had problems with alcohol that had families that didn’t drink at all.  A physician once explained that some people enjoy drinking beer the same as others would enjoy a glass of tea.  

Many times you can’t get someone to seek help unless they want to get help.  Do what you can to encourage that person to find counseling or other programs; if it’s a young person, try to help them face the fact that they have a problem before they or someone else gets hurt. 

Sources: NCADD;  TheGazette 

 

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

IT’S ALREADY APRIL – WHICH MEANS IT’S TIME FOR APRIL SAFETY OBSERVANCES!

Let’s get started on the list of April Safety Observances:  April 1st through April 7th is Medication Safety Week.  The next week, April 7th through April 11th is National Work Zone Awareness Week.  In addition, the monthly observances are Alcohol Awareness Month, National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and Injury Prevention Month.  Rounding out April observances for safety is Workers’ Memorial Day, April 28th.  So, we are going to have a lot to think about this month.  Hopefully,  these monthly reminders will help us all stay safe.  Because we are already into Medication Safety Week, let’s focus on that issue.  Here are good ideas that would work well for anyone who takes several prescription medications: 

  • Be sure to keep all prescriptions filled — It is important to have all current medication on hand and to dispose of old prescriptions and medicines every other month to avoid taking anything that’s close to or past its expiration date.
  • Make a list of medications — Compile a comprehensive list and have complete understanding of what each medication does. If you are unsure about a medication, ask the physician who prescribed it for more information. This list should be available to each physician the patient visits.  Find out what time of day to take each medication; some work well in the mornings, and others work better before bedtime.
  • Use a pillbox to help remember when each medication should be taken — To reduce “pill burden,” organize medications in a simple pillbox with separate compartments for each day of the week. A schedule should also be available in print form to double check the accuracy of the pillbox.
  • Do not take medication that is not prescribed — Medications that are not prescribed by a medical professional can have unintended side effects on one’s health and other prescriptions. Also, it is vital to continue to take all medication for the duration prescribed, even if the condition improves. (Do not take someone else’ prescription drug.)
  • It is not safe to mix alcohol and prescription medications — This combination can be especially dangerous when taking medicine for sleep, pain, anxiety, or depression.

Below are some good ideas for monitoring the meds you are given: 

1. Store medicine in a dry and cool place.

2. Always make sure to read medicine labels carefully. Be sure to notice what side effects may occur taking that particular medication.  Note any additional instructions on your prescriptions and ensure that they’re followed as directed. Some medicines are supposed to be taken on an empty stomach, others should be taken with food.

3. Always consult with a doctor before taking supplements.  Some of these supplements are made from natural ingredients; however, they still may be hazardous for certain types of people (such as those who are pregnant and individuals with liver or kidney problems).

4. Keep all medications out of the reach of children.  Children may become victims of accidental overdose of prescription medicines, due to the fact that they either found something in a purse, on an open counter, or an unsecured medicine storage cabinet.  Don’t take chances.

Last, but not least,  driving under the influence of certain medications (prescription or over-the-counter) can be very risky.   It is a fact that it is as dangerous as drinking while driving, or texting while driving.  Regardless of whether the driver is a teenager or senior citizen, persons should not get behind the wheel if they are  not completely alert.  Also, if you work with machinery, don’t take any type of medication that causes you to become drowsy.

Let’s not abuse medications, only take them for the intended purpose.  With your physician’s approval, exercise and proper diet, monitoring blood pressure, and other methods can possibly lower the need for medicines.