Tag Archives: spring

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

IT’S SPRING! (I THINK!)

Spring has made a late arrival here in North Central Texas, but Old Man Winter still thrives in other parts of the United States. With the arrival of warmer weather, all the weeds and other plants loaded with allergens start spreading their cheer around us!   Folks who have allergies are not looking forward to the misery associated with them. 

It’s also the time to plant gardens, mow the yard, and clean up and fix up what the cold weather left behind. As you prepare to start your seasonal yard work, stock up on face masks, goggles, gloves, sunscreen, and plenty of allergy medicine! Be sure your power equipment is in good shape, as it usually needs an annual checkup to be sure everything is running as it should. 

There is so much to look forward to during spring and summer: baseball, swimming, outings, summer camps, and hopefully, being with family more. Kids are anxiously awaiting summer break from school, so this means we need to be careful when driving down neighborhood streets. 

Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms are also a part of spring that we would rather not have to deal with. So far, there have been fewer tornadoes for this time of the year than usual. But, as it warms up, conditions will make the atmosphere right for twisters. 

Be sure that you have a plan, just in case you must leave your home in the event of a severe thunderstorm, or worse, tornado. Every member of the family should know where to meet. A care kit should be packed with enough water for at least three days, non-perishable food, medicines, pet food, flashlight, blankets, and other supplies. Keep your cell phone charged at all times, just in case. 

Information from The Weather Channel shows that even as we push deeper into the heart of spring tornado season, 2014 has so far completely spared Americans the agony and grief of tornado-related deaths. The year’s long early safe streak has put 2014 in rare territory, historically. The modern era of tornado records began in 1950 with the advent of the storm database maintained by NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center. This year has now gone on longer than any other calendar year in that era without a tornado fatality. 

Another recent year’s long quiet streak ended rather violently when this April 20th marked the 10th anniversary of 2004’s first killer tornado, also an F3 in Illinois. Eight people died on April 20, 2004 when a twister smashed into Utica, Ill., causing a tavern to collapse. 

Even including what are likely incomplete historical records from the mid 19th to early 20th centuries, 2014 already ranks among the top 10 years with the longest fatality-free start. It’s possible that some of those older years in the record had undocumented tornado deaths, which would move 2014 even higher in the rankings if we had perfect knowledge of what happened back then. 

With no tornadoes reported Monday, we now have to go back 99 years to find a calendar year when the first documented tornado death came later in the year – that was 1915, when the first recorded death came on May 5.

We are thankful that so far that we have not had any deaths as the result of tornadoes. Let’s hope that 2014 will continue to be a low record for killer storms.  Be prepared by listening for important warnings from your local television stations, NOAA, and the Weather Channel. 

Source: The Weather Channel

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues

MARCH ROARED IN LIKE A LION; GOES OUT LIKE A LION! WHAT’S UP?

This winter has been an unusual one, and that is an understatement!  According to ABC News, “It’s been more than seven weeks since Punxsutawney Phil failed to see his shadow, (haphazardly) signaling an early spring. Last Friday, an Ohio prosecutor jokingly indicted the famous weather-rodent on one count of fraud, claiming he “did purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause the people to believe that spring would come early.” The prosecutor said he would seek the death penalty for the groundhog.

None of us want to see poor Phil face the death penalty, but across the U.S., folks are very unhappy with his prediction.  Those in the Northeast are still under snow – there have been many highway accidents because of inclement weather, and frankly, enough is enough!

Just today, my husband said the weather prediction for N. Central Texas is a high of 80 degrees on Monday, followed by a high of 48 degrees on Tuesday.  Mother Nature has been blessing us with a few cold days, (some extremely cold), then warmer weather, then overnight a drop of 30 degrees.  This is mild, compared to what many others across the U.S. face on a day-to-day basis.

Hopefully, April will glide into our lives with those April Showers that so many areas desperately need.  Let’s anxiously await the wildflowers that decorate the roadsides, and feel that release of tension that Spring brings.  (Should have been here March 20th!)  Another unwanted gift arrives in the spring, and that is allergies!  Stock up on the medications that work for you, and be prepared.  Also watch for the bees, mosquitoes, and other critters that sometimes bring so much misery, we will be ready to face fall again before you know it.  Are we ever sastisfied with the weather?

On another subject, in previous years, our Blog4Safety has mentioned Safety Observances for the month of March.  This year, we received so many wonderful guest contributions that our schedule has been full.  We thank all the authors that have sent in wonderful safety tips, and hope they will keep them coming!

March is National Nutrition Month, Workplace Eye Wellness Month, Save Your Vision Month, National Patient Safety Awareness Week, and National Poison Prevention Week – topics we have touched on from time to time.  Every one of these is important to all of us – each month of the year!  When we are at work and experience hazardous conditions that endanger our vision, our employers should see to it that proper eyewear is furnished, according to the particular risk, along with any other protection you may need in performing your tasks.

Happy Easter!  Let’s look forward to baseball, spring activities, and everything that takes place during a safe month of April.

Uncategorized

NOTES ABOUT APRIL

On April 1st, we’ve probably all been the victims of innocent pranks, either at school, or our place of work.  It’s all in fun, and can’t be too bad for only one day.  Just remember to be ready for someone to try to trip you up on April Fools Day!

This week, Christians observe Good Friday on the 2nd of April, followed by Easter Sunday on the 4th.

Focusing on health, the month of April is Cancer Control Month, time to renew our commitment to fighting this dread disease by knowing more about prevention and early detection.  Persons are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles through exercise, proper diet, and regular checkups by their physician.  Go to www.cancer.org, or www.cancer.gov for in-depth information to learn about research and what you can do to stay healthy and help others.

Since 1987, April has been designated as Alcohol Awareness Month, to raise public consciousness and educate people about the devastating effects alcohol can have on our youth, individuals, and families.  In the U.S., the Number One drug choice for young people under age 21 is alcohol, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.  Every day in America, 7,000 underage youths take their first drink.  The misuse of alcohol and drugs has a huge effect primarily on families; however, these problems carry over to the workplace, as well.  For more information on this problem, go to www.niaaa.nih.gov.   If you suspect a family member or co-worker is dealing with this problem, encourage him/her to get help.

Three other April reminders:
1.    Income tax filing deadline is the 15th.

2.    Earth Day is observed on the 22nd.

3.    Administrative Professionals are honored on their special day, the 22nd.

Although the first day of Spring occurred in March, April always brings feelings of new beginnings.  Enjoy your thirty days of April, and keep safety in mind when you start more outdoor activities.  When you get in the mood to do those outdoor chores, don’t be fooled. Wear your safety glasses when mowing or edging the grass and gloves for gardening and other tasks.

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety, Weather Protection

SPRING FEVER, “HAY FEVER” OR SINUS?

With the onset of Spring, several of us will have our fair share of either allergies or sinus problems.  Blooming flowers and trees are great to look at, but the little blossoms that float in the air we breathe can cause health problems.  Let’s look at these two common illnesses: allergies and sinus.  Allergy symptoms are often confused with a cold or flu.  Allergies are the immune systems’ reaction to generally harmless substances and continue off and on, much longer than a cold.

Symptoms of allergies are:

  • Sneezing
  • Watery eyes
  • Repeated ear and sinus infections
  • Loss of smell, taste
  • Hoarseness
  • Coughing
  • Wheezing
  • Cold symptoms that last more than 10 days without a fever

Sinuses are air-filled spaces behind the forehead, nasal bones, cheeks, and eyes, with openings to the nose, and serve as conditioners that filter and humidify the air.   If the sinuses become blocked, miserable headaches occur, as well as these other symptoms of acute sinusitis:

  • Nasal congestion
  • Greenish nasal discharge
  • Facial or dental pain
  • Eye pain
  • Night cough
  • Fever
  • Sore throat

Here are some suggestions if you are plagued by sinus or allergy problems:

  1. Take a non-drowsy decongestant during the day to avoid pressure build up.
  2. Avoid smoke and irritants that increase your chance of developing sinus/allergy difficulties.
  3. Check the pollen counts in your area before you go outdoors.
  4. Use a saline mist spray to keep sinuses healthy.
  5. If you work in dusty environments, use a respirator.
  6. If you are prone to allergies, protect your eyes with goggles or wraparound glasses.
  7. Do not take antihistamines that could cause drowsiness while driving or working.