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……………………

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

PUBLIC SAFETY-IT’S ALL AROUND US!

Have you ever stopped to think how many ways the public is protected from events that endanger our general safety from significant dangers, harm, or damage, such as crimes or disasters (natural or man-made)?  Look all around you, and see how many you can name.
When you walk into a bank, there’s a security guard.  At football games, notice the officers escorting the coaches off the field, and standing throughout the stadiums.  Parking lots or garages have security enforcement officers or personnel.  Schools have security personnel.

Frontline organizations are:

  • Police
  • Fire Department
  • EMS Personnel
  • Military Personnel

Others who serve to protect the public are:

  • Consumer Protection Agencies
  • Emergency Telephone Number Systems
  • Police Dispatchers
  • Code Enforcement Officers
  • Utility Inspectors
  • Health Inspectors
  • Animal Control Officers

The Federal Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control, Environmental Protection Agency, and many others regulate all the things that affect our everyday lives.
Federal and local government agencies plan, legislate, and oversee things that we sometimes take for granted.  Think about the National Guard, and just what that name means.

It’s up to us to comply with the laws.  Be aware of your own safety, and look around you.
There’s usually someone there to watch over you.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIMES COMES TO AN END, (FOR 2008!)

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In most of the United States, Daylight Saving Time begins on the 2nd Sunday in March and reverts to Standard Time the first Sunday in November.  So, mark November 2 on your calendar to change your clocks!  We “Spring Forward” and “Fall Backward” every year.

To ensure that we don’t “fall backward” on safety, this marks an excellent time to do a home safety evaluation.  The National Fire Protection Association recommends that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms be checked once a year.  Their figures show that around ninety per cent of homes in the United States have smoke alarms; however one-third of those are estimated to have dead or missing batteries.  They also recommend that smoke alarms be replaced after 10 years.  Some newer types of alarms have remote controls, making it easier than ever to check them.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be:

  • Installed on every level of the home, and in sleeping areas
  • Tested once a month
  • Equipped with new batteries annually

Also, keep a fire extinguisher handy, and have a fire escape plan for every member of the family.  While you are doing your home safety evaluation, also ensure that your door locks function properly, and keep your home locked.

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety, Uncategorized

HINTS FOR A SAFE HALLOWEEN

October is the month for ghosts and goblins, and chances are, you’ve already bought that costume for your little trick or treater.  What a great time for everyone  involved –  parents, kids, and those handing out treats!   A little “thank you” from a spooky monster is a treat for the ones answering the door.  The only thing the children are interested in is filling their bags or plastic pumpkins with goodies; however, safety experts recommend that before October 31st, parents start talking about Halloween safety to their children. 

Here’s some tips for parents to  remember when they are driving their kids to Trick or Treat:

  • Drive slowly
  • Be careful entering and exiting your driveway
  • Do not place children in the back of a pickup truck
  • Watch for children darting from behind parked cars

Caution your Trick or Treaters to:

  • Never accept rides or treats from strangers in cars or trucks
  • Be careful around animals, even their own.  Costumes may scare some pets
  • Go only to houses with porch lights on
  • Walk, don’t run!
  • Look both ways when crossing streets
  • Wait to eat candy until they get home and you have inspected it

Parents should also:

  • Accompany children under age 12
  • Never let them go alone (if they are older, the buddy system works best!)
  • See that their costumes are flame retardant and do not drag on the ground, and that their masks don’t restrict  their vision
  • Consider using face paint
  • Use reflective tape or reflective stickers to make them easily visible
  • Choose light-colored costumes
  • Have them carry a flashlight or glow stick
  • Know the routes older children plan to take
  • Put pets in a quiet room, away from the excitement
  • Consider using battery-operated LED lights rather than candles
  • Inspect all candy and treats and discard any that appear to be slightly unwrapped or tampered with
  • Discard any candy that might present a choking hazard for little ones

If older children are attending a Halloween party, be certain that there will be  adult supervision.  By planning ahead, you will be doing your part to ensure that it is a safe and fun night for everyone!

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