Category Archives: Uncategorized

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

There are various opinions about the origin of this holiday, which is celebrated by the United States and Canada.   Some facts we have found are that the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in Texas, by the Spanish explorer, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado in 1541.  Pilgrims gathered in 1621 to celebrate a successful harvest.  In the United States, in 1939, the fourth Thursday in November was named as the official holiday.  The second Monday in October is Canada’s national Thanksgiving holiday.  There are probably many other theories about when and how the holiday began, but the main theme of today’s article is to have a Happy and Safe one!

This is the time of year when folks become rushed, getting ready for the big day!  The most dangerous and deadly time of the year is from now through the end of the year, according to traffic statistics.  Drunk drivers, drivers and passengers who are not wearing seatbelts, and those simply in a big hurry, account for accidents that can cause not-so-happy memories for all involved.  Even if you are going to save lots of money getting to that “Black Friday” sale the day after Thanksgiving, consider the consequences and slow down!

Following those grim reminders, are a few basic, common sense hints to make your holiday feast successful:

  • In planning your meal, keep in mind those who might have food allergies.
  • Childproof your home.
  • Prepare the meal safely; use protective gloves when handling hot dishes.
  • If you choose a fresh turkey, do not purchase it until 1-2 days before you plan to cook it.
  • Thaw your frozen bird in the refrigerator 24 hrs per each 5 lbs.
  • Lest you forget to thaw the turkey, you may thaw it in the microwave if it isn’t too big; be sure to use the power level for thawing, and cook immediately once it is thawed.
  • Leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking.
  • Use the refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days.
  • Keep Fido or Tabby safe this Thanksgiving; a little turkey meat won’t hurt, but don’t give them bones from the bird, as they can splinter and be dangerous.  Foods that are spiced with garlic, etc., are not meant for animals.  Your beloved pets will be just as happy with their regular diet.

We hope that each and every one will travel safely, not eat too much, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Uncategorized

HEALTH LITERACY

Health Literacy is an individual’s ability to read, understand, and use healthcare information to make decisions and follow instruction for treatment.  A 1995 study by two United States hospitals found between 25 and 60 per cent of patients could not understand medical directions, standard informed consent or basic healthcare materials.  This can lead to medication errors and adverse medical outcomes.
This influences all segments of our population; however, in certain demographic groups, it has been found that the following groups experience problems in understanding their medical treatment, etc.:

  • Elderly
  • Recent immigrants
  • Persons with low general literacy

This is not always true; some very intelligent persons have problems following instructions from their physicians because they forget to ask important questions or simply feel that they are taking too much of their doctor’s time (even though they may have waited for hours to see him/her.)

Effective preventative measures such as visual aids, brochures that are easy to read, or DVD’s can be provided patients.  Everyone needs to be given clear information at each visit, not medical jargon.  A program called “Ask Me 3” is designed to bring public and physician attention to this issue, to let patients know each time they talk to a nurse, pharmacist, or physician, ask:

1.    What is my main problem?
2.    What do I need to do?
3.    Why is it important for me to do this?

The safety of every patient is important to all healthcare providers.  Patients must meet them halfway to do all they can to understand and follow their physician’s instructions.

Wikipedia, Under the GNU Free Documentation License

Uncategorized

DRUNK DRIVERS

Pardon the pun, but the statistics on alcohol-related accidents are truly staggering!  Of 42,000 people who die on U.S. Highways annually, more than 18,000 lives are taken due to drunk drivers.  One in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident in their lifetime.

A terrible accident just happened two days ago in a small Texas town.  While passing through this little town, a driver forced one man’s car off the street, kept going, only to nudge another company vehicle innocently on its way to work.  As law enforcement was notified, the driver moved on out of town.  In a matter of minutes, going at a high rate of speed, he hit another vehicle so hard that it became airborne, slamming head-on into a tree, taking an innocent person’s life.  The driver was taken to a nearby hospital, where a blood sample was obtained, resulting in an intoxicated manslaughter charge.  The accident happened around 8:30 a.m., and the driver was on his way to a deer lease.  We can never know what possessed this person to get behind the wheel in this condition.  The family of the deceased can now only grieve over their loss, caused by such thoughtlessness.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has an organized campaign to improve conditions on the roadways.  Some projects they have been able to get approved are:

  • High Visibility Drunk Driving Crackdowns – Twice yearly during high-risk periods such as Labor Day and the December Holidays.
  • Sobriety Checkpoints – Evaluating drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment at specific points of the roadways.  Signs may be posted in advance.  Average time of stop would be the equivalent of a traffic stoplight.
  • Smart Vehicle Technology-Within the next five years, car manufacturers may have developed DADSS (Driver Alcohol Detection Systems for Safety).
  • Ignition Interlocks – Convicted drivers have to blow into a device about the size of a cell phone that is connected to the starting circuit of the vehicle.

Designated drivers play a valuable part toward the protection of their friends who are impaired, as well as the innocent folks in the other lane.  As the saying goes, “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk!”

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Topic Ideas

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Hey everyone.

I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you to everyone who checks out this blog.

We set up this blog to share general information about safety issues.  Work related, home safety, driving safety, etc.  We strive to give accurate, up-to-date information on a range of topics.

While I have a list of topics and articles planned for the site, I am always looking for more content.  If you have any topics or ideas you would like to see discussed here, please let me know.  My main goal here is to give information on topics that you care about.

You can either comment on this article, or email me.  Just click here to go to our contact page and drop me an email.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

OFF-THE-JOB SAFETY

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It is proven that companies that promote off the job safety as well as on the job safety have lower workplace/injury/illness rates than those who do not.  Off the job accidents average $700 per employee per year for costs in medical and other expenses, and $1,000 per employee per year in medical costs for dependents.  Lost time production, training new workers, lost sales, insurance expenses and administrative costs add up for the employer.  It pays for companies to organize a safety program for that addresses the importance of a safe home and play atmosphere.

Just because whatever we want to do away from work is our time, some of the things that we do result in injuries that take us away from work more than we want to be!  One of the main causes of loss of life and injury outside the workplace is the motor vehicle accident.  Whether it is driving a race car, boat, regular auto, or engaging in sports, shopping, cooking….. accidents are  there– just waiting to happen!

Many companies assign teams, which include senior managers as well as employee representatives to plan the type of safety training that applies to the individual family’s needs.
Team leaders would develop a program for families ensuring parents, spouses, children, and friends are included.  Success would depend on keeping the employees interested in the program.  Make it fun for everyone to discuss and share experiences of accidents they may have been involved in, and how it could have been prevented.

Some suggested topics that the teams could work on:

  • Driving topics, i.e., fighting traffic, for residents of larger cities; and rural driving problems that are encountered by workers living in rural areas.
  • Staying safe while enjoying outdoor activities
  • Shopping safely with children- shopping cart accidents cause head injuries in toddlers
  • Home Safety – make checklists
  • Effects of alcohol
  • Boating Safety
  • ATV’s
  • Cooking Safety Outdoors
  • Playing Sports
  • Holiday Safety

Keeping the program diversified is the key to success.  Prizes or gift certificates could be awarded to the team having the most involvement, according to employee and family participation.  Making safety a priority at home and work results in a more secure world for all.

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!

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