Tag Archives: danger

General Safety Issues

WHY WE SHOULDN’T IGNORE CUTS AND SCRAPES

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Getting cuts and scrapes are just a fact of life.  Most of the time, they can be taken care of by cleaning them, using some antibiotic ointment on them, and covering them with a band-aid or gauze.  Bacterial skin infections are common – some are simply annoying, yet others can be deadly.  There’s a “super bug” lurking that sometimes gets into those cuts and causes serious problems.  MRSA, or “staph infection,” is an antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria that isn’t easy to overcome.  Many times patients pick up this type of infection in hospitals.

To help you keep from dealing with the “bad bugs”, here are some tips for prevention of infection from cuts, scrapes, and punctures:

  • First, stop the bleeding.  Hold pressure on the wound for about 10-20 minutes with a clean cloth.
  • Next, clean the area with soap and water.  Hydrogen peroxide is helpful at first, but may hinder healing if used too often.
  • If the wound has foreign material in it, use some tweezers that you have cleaned with alcohol to remove if it is along the edge, otherwise do not go any deeper, as that could push bacteria deeper into the wound.
  • Use a first-aid antibiotic ointment or cream.
  • Clean the wound three times per day.
  • Puncture wounds also must first be cleaned with soap and water.  The same steps as treating cuts and scrapes apply to these type injuries.
  • If any of these places begin draining, or redness and swelling occurs, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Stepping on nails is a common way of getting a puncture wound.  These may become more easily infected because bacteria and debris can get pushed into the tissue.  If the person is wearing tennis shoes, the foam in them can harbor bacteria (Pseudomonas) that can lead to serious infection in the tissues.  Other puncture wounds caused by bites (human or animal), wood splinters, or plant materials can easily cause infection.

Most persons in the United States have received a tetanus shot.  The period of time for a booster shot is 10 years.  However, if the wound is in a tetanus-prone area or very dirty, a booster shot would be given if the person had not received one in the last five years.

Taking the time to properly keep a wound (regardless of how small it is) clean and using some type of medication to help it heal, is a lot better than dealing with an infection later on.  Don’t just brush off a minor scrape because it could become a major pain!  Keeping a first aid kit at home, work, and in your car wouldn’t be a bad idea, as you’d be prepared all the time!

General Safety Issues

A SERIOUS THREAT

In November, the Texas Department of Public Safety released this warning to parents: Mexican cartels and gangs are recruiting in Texas schools and towns.  This is true not only in Texas, but other states that share a border with Mexico.  The Texas DPS is warning parents across the state to be aware of these violent organizations that are recruiting Texas youth in our schools and communities with the prospect of cars, money, and notoriety.  They send the message that if they get caught, the sentence will be minimal.

These cartels are constantly seeking new ways to smuggle humans and drugs into Texas and the U.S., and now use state-based gangs to support their operations on both sides of the border.  Juveniles that live along the Texas-Mexico border are particularly susceptible, due to the poverty level that their small cities have.  In 2008, teenagers from the counties along the Texas-Mexico border accounted for 9% of the population in the state, but 18% of the felony drug charges and gang-related arrests.

There are drug cartels operating training camps near the border.  They train recruits, ranging from Mexican Army deserters to American teenagers to carry out many assignments, including murder.  Young persons have no idea what they are getting into; they are risking their lives for the promise of riches.  Many do it to bring in money for their families.

Steven C. McCraw, director of the Texas DPS, warns: “As these dangerous organizations seek to co-opt our children to support their criminal operations, it is more important than ever that parents be aware of these risks, talk to their children and pay attention to any signs that they may have become involved in illegal activities.”

The U.S. Border Patrol has started a program this past year called “Operation Detour”.  Part of the operation is a film presentation that is shown to high school students, depicting the graphic side of what happens to youth who get involved with cartels.  The program will be expanded along the entire US-Mexico border.  Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and the District Attorneys in Texas border counties are working together to detect, disrupt and deter Mexican cartel-related crime along the Texas-Mexico border.

For the safety of our young people, parents must get involved if they suspect their kids are taking part in illegal activities.  The United States has a lot of work to do to curtail the demand for drugs and stop the flow of drugs into our country.

Source: Texas DPS

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

DO YOU TALK AND TEXT WHILE WALKING?

We’ve talked about drunk, drowsy, distracted, and deadly drivers in the past, but how about “distracted walkers?”  The American College of Emergency Physicians issued a warning several months ago after gathering information from across the United States about the increasing number of patients that are treated in emergency rooms after being injured in pedestrian accidents while using their cellphones to text or talk.  And worse, just this week, a 14-year old boy in Florida was killed when he stepped in front of an oncoming car that he did not see because he was texting on his cellphone.  This follows pedestrian deaths in New York and Illinois that have prompted two state lawmakers to submit bills banning texting while walking in their states.

The thought of such legislation is sure to be the source of late-night jokes, but this is a serious matter.  Several states have already banned the use of cell phones while driving in school zones, and texting while driving has been shown to be as deadly as drinking while driving.  There’s just no way one can pay attention while typing and walking or driving.  As a public relations ploy last March, (which lasted only twenty-four hours), a busy street in London was pictured with lampposts covered with rugby goalposts cushions.  This was in an area that is known for heavy digital gadget users.  This gimmick showed that persons walked into lampposts, trash containers, telephone poles, and even walls while focusing their attention on their mobile gadgets.  Most injuries are superficial; however, there have been many deaths caused by either inattention of walkers, or drivers that have hit pedestrians who were either jaywalking or stepping off a curb while texting or talking on their phone.

If bicyclists, rollerbladers, pedestrians, and skateboarders could wait to use their electronic devices after they are finished with their activities, they will have a better chance to stay in one piece.  If they receive a message, they should wait until they stop to check it out.  It is the misuse of these expensive gadgets that is getting us in trouble – both behind the wheel and now on our own two feet.  It’s been proven that multitasking leads to less efficient production than focusing on one job at a time.  True, it’s hard to believe we ever got along without cell phones because of the convenience they afford.  But trying to communicate at a time we should be thinking about where we are going, and how we are getting there, is a risk we shouldn’t be willing to take.  Better to send or retrieve that message when you reach your destination safely than while you are waiting to be seen in an emergency room.

More than 1,000 pedestrians required emergency room visits in 2008 because they were distracted and tripped, fell, or ran into something while using a cellphone to text or talk.  The number of accidents is probably much higher than that, because many of the injuries are not severe enough to need a visit to the hospital.  Ira Hyman, a psychology professor at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, recently conducted a study on this subject.  He noted that many times pedestrians using their phones don’t even notice objects or people right in front of them.  He says the term commonly applied to such preoccupation is “inattention blindness”, which means a person can be looking at an object but fail to process what it is.  He proved this when he and his students had one of the students dress as a clown and ride a unicycle around a central square on campus.  Twenty-five percent of people talking on a cellphone at the time did not even see the clown.

Hopefully, this will serve as a reminder to walk with care, just as you drive.  Teach your kids that safety should always come first.  It may be cool to walk around with an iPod, or phone, but tell them to get in the habit of thinking about the trouble these devices can cause by simply not paying attention.  This applies to folks of all ages; you could trip over your cat in your own home while you are talking on the phone.  Stay focused on the task at hand, and you will stay safe!

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

RIDE LIKE THE WIND!

Kids of all ages love to ride on ATV’s (All-Terrain Vehicle, 3 or 4 wheels).  Before you hit the trail, however, there’s a lot to think about, safety being primary.  ATV accidents cause hundreds of deaths and thousands of emergency room visits yearly.

In our area not too long ago, a couple riding together on an ATV out in the country were unable to stop when they suddenly turned onto a road and hit the back of a dump truck.  The driver of the truck saw them coming from a side road and tried to veer out of the way, but they were coming pretty fast.  When the ATV driver tried to stop, the girl was thrown off the ATV and hit the back of the truck.  The rider was not hurt but the girl lost her life.  If they had been more aware of the risks involved, maybe this could have been avoided.

Here’s some Do’s and Don’t’s that could make a difference:
DO:

  • Get properly trained.  Drivers that have had formal training have a lower risk of injury.
  • Always wear protective gear.  Head injuries are a risk, so you should purchase a helmet that is certified by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Snell Memorial Foundation, or American National Standards Institute.
  • Wear other types of clothing such as ankle boots, goggles, gloves, long pants and long-sleeved shirts.  They help avoid cuts and abrasions, as well as injuries from rocks, trees, and other debris.
  • Be sure the ATV fits you like a glove.  Many accidents are caused because an ATV is too large for the rider.  Grip reach, throttle reach, and brake reach are very important.  There should be the right clearance between the seat and your inseam to stand up to properly absorb shock while riding in rough terrain.  Clearance should be 3” to 6” when standing.  Get advice from the dealer to be sure you choose the right size.
  • Go by ATV Safety Institute recommendations for appropriate age/engine size:  Age 6 and older to 70 cc’s; Age 12 and older to 90 cc’s, and Age 16 and older to 90 cc’s and up.

DON’T:

  • Take kids on adult ATV’s. One-third of all ATV-related deaths and emergency room injuries are kids.  Those under age 16 that ride on adult ATV’s are twice as likely to be hurt as those who ride youth ATV’s.
  • Ride tandem. Most ATV’s are designed to carry only one person, who is able to shift weight more freely in all directions.  Interactive riding is critical to maintain safe control, especially on varying terrains.  Passengers make it hard for the driver to control the vehicle.
  • Ride on pavement; it is very difficult to control an ATV on paved roads and there’s the threat of collision with cars or other vehicles.  Many fatal ATV accidents happen on paved roads.
  • Ride under the influence of drugs/alcohol; reaction time and judgment are impaired, plus, it’s illegal.

ATV’s do not handle the same as a motorcycle.  Most savvy riders will acknowledge that knowing how to properly drive either an ATV or motorcycle through getting the right training is very important.  You wouldn’t put a kid in a car and tell him to put it in Drive and take off, would you?  The old saying of “sink or swim” doesn’t cut it in today’s world.  Take the time to learn “safety first”, and you’ll have hours and hours of fun while “riding like the wind!”

General Safety Issues

CANDLE SAFETY VIEWS

Candles sales in the United States amount to an estimated $2 billion annually.  This doesn’t include the accessories that go with them.  Candles are found in 7 out of 10 households.  Did you know that more than one billion pounds of wax are used each year to produce candles in America?  Thirty-five per cent of annual sales of candles are during the Christmas holiday.  The glow of candles gives a beautiful ambiance to any room in the house.  However, fires from candles can bring about serious damage and risks to all.

One-half of home candle fires start because they have been placed too close to combustible material.  The majority of candle fires are because of human error and negligence.  There are more than 15,000 residential fires in the U.S. annually that are caused by careless use of candles.  Candles left burning in the bedroom are where the majority of fires begin.  According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the hours between Midnight and 6 a.m. account for one-half of all deaths resulting from candle fires.

A common-sense approach to the use of candles in your home is the best.  With that in mind, here are some tips:

  • Each time you burn candles, trim the wicks ¼” before you burn them.
  • Never leave burning candles unattended; keep them within your sight.
  • Don’t burn them all the way down.
  • Keep candles away from children or pets.
  • Always use candleholders.
  • Place them in a well-ventilated room, and on a stable surface.
  • Avoid vents, drafts, and air currents.
  • When putting the candle out, be sure it is completely out.

One last grim reminder:  December is the peak month for fires that are started by candles.

The top five most dangerous days for fires from candles are, in order:

(1) Christmas Day,

(2) Christmas Eve,

3) New Year’s Day,

(4) New Year’s Eve, and

(5) Halloween.

There’s nothing more beautiful than candles to give your home that perfect atmosphere.  They also present fragrance to the environment, which adds to a festive mood.  We certainly don’t want to rain on your holiday parade, and encourage you to decorate anytime with your favorite types of candles.  Just exercise the same caution that you would with any open flame.

Sources:
U.S. Fire Administration
National Candle Association

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

WATCH FOR COPPERHEAD SNAKES!

Because there are many hunters and other adventurers out in the forests at this time of year, we’d like to warn you about a certain little critter that just may not have hibernated yet – the copperhead snake.  Copperheads heavily occupy the eastern United States, but are in several southern states, as well. They also live in parts of Mexico, such as Coahuila and Chihuahua.   North Carolina has the distinction of the most venomous snakebites in the United States.

“Copperhead bites are typically not fatal,” says Dr. Peter Bromley, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Specialist in Zoology.  Most bites from copperheads are not as serious as from other venomous snakes, such as rattlesnakes and cottonmouth water moccasins because they do not inject as much venom in their bites.  However, bites from copperhead snakes are extremely painful and may cause extensive scarring and loss of use of limb where bitten.  Don’t take chances; avoid these snakes.  Seek prompt medical attention.  Bites may be fatal to small animals, so if you suspect that your pet has been bitten, get him/her to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

Copperheads are distinctively marked with hourglass shaped bands on their bodies, and so-named because of the copper color of their heads.  Young copperheads have bright yellow tail tips.  These snakes normally hibernate in October, but in warmer climates, be sure to watch for them, as they are easily camouflaged by their markings, and may still be rustling around.  Take care when you are strolling through the leaves or forests!

If you live in one of the states where copperhead snakes (or any venomous snakes) reside, keep these tips in mind:

  • Keep your lawn cut low;
  • Remove rocks, limbs and other debris from the yard;
  • Wear shoes when you go outside;
  • Use extra care when you are around rocks, logs, creek banks, etc;
  • Watch for snakes to visit your garden, porches, and decks.  (They enjoy sunning, too!)
  • Keep a First Aid Kit handy  – you never know when you may need it!

Experts say that most times copperhead snakes will avoid humans; they usually freeze when they feel threatened.  Persons who try to catch or handle them risk being bitten.

It isn’t uncommon for those who live around copperheads to be bitten while doing some simple outside task.  I had a friend that got bitten when she reached into a bucket in her yard.  It took a long time for her hand to heal.

When in your yard, watch for uninvited guests; when it’s in the snake’s yard (forest, etc.), watch even closer!

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES

Northwest Airlines brought another “distracted driving” issue to the forefront recently, when one of its flights’ two pilots missed their destination by 150 miles because they were busy with their laptops.  It seems they became so engrossed in researching a newly designed work schedule system, they failed to hear the air traffic controllers frantically trying to restore contact with them.  Delta Airlines, which recently purchased Northwest Airlines, stated “using laptops or engaging in acts unrelated to command of aircraft during flight is strictly against the airlines flight deck policies.”  One former pilot noted that it is not unusual for one pilot to possibly use a laptop during flight, but it is highly unusual for two persons to use laptops at the same time.  This led to two of the biggest safety violations in commercial aviation: pilot complacency and lax cockpit disciplines.  Many airlines, such as Southwest, prohibit electronic devices, i.e. laptops, cell phones, PDA’s, unless they are approved by FAA and, in the case of Southwest, supplied by Southwest Airlines.

In the past, we have talked about distracted drivers being deadly drivers.  There has been an abundance of articles about persons in charge of trains, buses or cars causing many deaths, all because they were texting on their cell phones!  It seems the 144 persons onboard the flight mentioned above landed safely, along with the crew, but it does bring this issue to the forefront: we must not let all those sophisticated “toys” distract us from the job at hand.  Pilots of planes, bus drivers, train engineers, and all other persons who have command of vehicles should give their full attention to the safety of passengers.

It’s a sure bet that the FAA and other government officials will be looking at this incident.  It may not be the first time something like this has happened, but let’s hope it will be the last!  Regardless of working an 8-hour shift or 12-hour shift, our employer is paying us for doing our job.  We don’t get paid to sleep, play games, or use personal electronic equipment on the job.   It’s too bad that being on long flights are boring for some pilots; but considering the pay they receive, and the lives that are in their hands, giving full attention to performing their job safely is a small thing to ask.