Tag Archives: water

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK BEGINS MAY 17TH!

It’s the time of year that everyone is ready to get their boats back on the water and have fun fishing, skiing, or taking a relaxing ride on smooth water. Getting boats conditioned after a long winter’s rest is important to the success of the boat starting each time, and running as it should. Having owned a boat, there’s much more to it than just backing it into the water and taking off. The most important thing to have in your boat is a life jacket for each person.

This week’s reminder is sponsored by the National Safe Boating Council.  NSBC was organized in September, 1958, under the name National Safe Boating Committee. Their mission is to be the foremost coalition to advance and promote a safer recreational boating experience through education, outreach and training. The NSBC presently has a membership of over 330 U.S. and Canadian organizations, all with an interest in boating safety and education. The NSBC membership is diverse, with approximately 65% of the membership being nonprofit organizations and 35% being for-profit organizations. 

This year’s theme is “Ready, Set, Wear It,” referring to life jackets. By law, there should a life jacket for each passenger, as mentioned above. At times when you are fishing, and not moving, the jacket may be placed under the seats. But they must be ready for use at a moment’s notice. Wearing a life jacket can be slightly uncomfortable at some times, but even the strongest swimmer could have an accident, falling out of the boat, and possibly hitting their head. With no life jacket, their chances of surviving may be slim. 

When we had our boat, we made sure we had plenty of life jackets, even one for our Cairn Terrier, Willie. He had short little legs, and while we were fishing, he would go to the front of the boat and invariably slip and fall into the water. Our mode of rescue was a dip net, while his jacket kept him afloat. We didn’t want to take the chance that he might not be able to swim very far. 

On one particular outing, the local game warden pulled up to our boat to check our fishing license. He really got a kick out of seeing Willie in his life jacket; he said he hadn’t seen that very often. (This was several years ago, and jackets for dogs are much more popular now.) 

Have a fun summer on the water this year. Remember to use plenty of sunscreen, wear some great sunglasses, (the reflection off water can damage your eyes), wear a hat, keep some soft drinks and water in the ice chest, snacks, and have your cell phone handy in case you get stranded. The same law applies to drivers of boats, as to drivers of vehicles – don’t drink and drive! 

Stay safe and remember, wear that life jacket. After all, that’s what they are for – to save lives!

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Respiratory Safety

AID FOR THE PHILLIPINES

Following the most horrific typhoon to ever hit land anywhere,  last Friday, November 8th, almost two million people of the Phillipine Islands, were either killed, hurt, or left homeless, without food or clothes.  The hardest hit was Tacloban City, Leyte province in the central Phillipines.   The death toll remains unknown, because of the destruction and devastation thoughout the country.  President Benigno Aquino declared a state of national calamity.  Local military have been assisting citizens as best they can, passing out water and also trying to control looting. 

The people of the Phillipines are homeless, starving, and sick.  Twenty-one countries have pledged to send relief through food and sanitation products, as well as medical assistance, and money.  People are camping in the Tacloban City Astrodome, which brings back memories of the people of New Orleans, staying in the Superdome when Hurricane Katrina hit.  With thousands of people jammed inside the structure, one can only imagine the lack of sanitation.   Disease will take its toll on those who remain homeless. 

In Tacloban, a hillside mass burial was held Thursday, November 14th.  Bodies still remain in the streets.  Only few survivors have received water and food, due to the delay in reaching them.  Aid material is plentiful but because the airport was heavily damaged , planes couldn’t land, in addition,  destroyed and blocked roads had to be cleared.  Desperately needed aid has begun to reach some of the one-half million people that have been displaced by the disaster.  The U.S.S. George Washington aircraft carrier arrived on the Phillipine Sea near the Gulf of Leyte Thursday.  They will set up a position to assess damage and furnish needed food, water, and supplies.  Twenty-one helicopters aboard the carrier will be able to view and hopefully get to inaccessible places.  Six more U.S. ships are in the area, as well as the Marines.  

Over 4,000 persons have been confirmed dead, but those numbers are expected to far surpass the total.  It is going to take a long time to completely assess the damage and complete loss.  Medical aid and supplies are needed urgently.  Rescue workers and medical personnel will need personal protection, such as medical grade gloves, respirators, and other important gear to avoid disease. 

Worldwide charities will be gathering money, donations of food and clothing, and other items that can assist the typhoon victims.  Most of them have only the clothes they were wearing last Friday.  If you are able to help, please choose the charity you know will be dedicated to sending relief for the people of the Phillipines as soon as possible.

General Safety Issues

HOW TO BE SAFE WHEN HIKING ON YOUR OWN (GUEST POST)

Many camping grounds around Australia have excellent hiking trails near them, and for some holiday makers the idea of hiking the quiet open trail on their own is very appealing.  Trail hiking in solitude allows time for relaxation and self-examination.  You can move at your own pace and set yourself a physical and mental challenge while truly enjoying the bounties that nature has to offer. Whether you go hiking solo, or with a group, there are a number of potential situations you need to be ready for before you leave your camping ground or holiday accommodation. 

It will be your responsibility to ensure you do not get lost, remember to take a map, compass and GPS system, and if you do become lost in unfamiliar terrain or if the weather changes, remember to S T O P – Stop,  Think,  Observe, and Plan. 

Be aware of the danger of human attacks, and if you are a female and hiking on your own you can take pepper spray and if you meet other hikers let them think your hiking partner is close behind.  Animals can also attack if they feel threatened or are protecting their young.  If you see a snake, do not approach it, and if you are bitten use your first aid kit to treat the bite and get immediate medical attention.  Insects are more likely to bother you than any other animals, use insect repellent and avoid hiking during dusk and dawn. 

Changeable weather is another potential risk, make sure you carry the correct gear to protect you from adverse weather, and check the weather forecast before setting off from your camping ground.  Even the most well prepared hiker is at risk from injuries, so ensure your first aid kit is well stocked and that you know what to do if you are injured.  Set realistic goals in terms of how far and fast you can hike, and do not attempt a trail that is beyond your skill level.  You should always stay on the trail, not only does it protect the environment but if become sick or injured it will be easier to find you. 

Think through your hike before you go, propose a few “what if” situations, and make a detailed plan including having a trail map and compass, detailed weather forecast, and packing enough food, water and extreme weather gear, and of course your first aid kit.  Leave an itinerary with the group you are travelling with your camping ground manager, let them  know when to expect you back and what to do if you are past your check-in time.  Signalling or tracking devices are very useful and can give additional peace of mind. 

Solo hiking is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, by being prepared and knowing your limits you can stay safe and have fun as you explore Australia’s many hiking trails.

Even if you can’t hike in Australia, these tips are excellent suggestions for your excursions!

Adam Jay is an outdoor enthusiast who frequents countless camping grounds in Australia, he writes primarily on survival topics and camping tips.
 

General Safety Issues

SAFETY RULES EVERY PARENT SHOULD FOLLOW (GUEST POST)

1 Comment

Many parents believe they are doing all they can to keep their kids safe, but with safety recommendations and standards always changing, it can be hard to keep up with what’s safe and what’s not.  Here we’ve gathered 100 of the most important safety rules parents should follow to keep their kids safe and out of danger’s path.

In the House

While there’s no replacement for supervision, there are things you can do to decrease the number of risks that contribute to accidents and injuries in your home. Follow these rules to increase your child’s safety while at home.

    Signup for recall alerts. Stay up-to-date on child-related product recalls by subscribing to the Consumer Product Safety Commission recall alerts

    Turn the water temperature down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot water can scald children. By turning the water temperature thermostat down you can prevent scalds and burns

    Store medications properly. Store medications out of reach and sight to prevent accidental ingestions

    Use the right safety gates. While pressure mounted gates may work fine to keep kids confined to a room, they have no place at the top of stairs

    Safety proof windows. Children needlessly fall out of windows each year. Be sure to add window guards or locks to your windows to be sure your child isn’t one of them

    Choose appropriate toys. Choose age-appropriate toys to reduce the risk of injury to your child.

    Opt for a pet that is good with kids. When considering a family pet, you’ll want to be sure to select a pet whose temperament makes it kid-friendly.

    Clean toys without harsh chemicals. Clean children’s toys naturally to prevent the spread of germs and decrease risks associated with toxic cleaners.

    Store cleaners away from kids. Store toxic chemicals and cleaners out of the reach and sight of children to prevent accidental poisoning and chemical burns

    Be sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning properly. The proper placement of working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors can alert family members of a fire and prevent children from experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning

General Safety Issues

SAVE YOURSELF FROM ELECTROCUTION WITH SIMPLE PREVENTIVE MEASURES (GUEST POST)

Another valuable lesson on electric safety sent to us by Grace Beckett.

Electricity always finds a way to the earth, and the human body, most often, is an excellent path to earth. Generally electricity is used at a lower voltage to resuscitate a human heart. However, at higher voltages, it has the potential to stop a beating heart and cause cellular damage. The fatality of the current depends on the path it takes in the human body. It causes major destruction to the heart and brain. 

Electric shocks occur when the human body comes in contact with an electricity source. This causes an amount of electric current to pass through the layers of the skin, hair or muscles. If the voltage of these shocks is over 500V, it can cause burns on the skin. Electric shocks higher than 600V can cause cardiac damage, neural damage and finally death due to electrocution in people depending on their resistance capacity. So, avoid electrocution by following simple measures around your house. 

Protect all electrical outlets 

Maximum number of electric shock injuries is caused due to unprotected electric outlets. Children usually insert objects of metal into these objects while they are switched on, and end up hurt. You can try fixing these outlets away from your child’s reach. A safer method would be to protect these outlets with outlet covers available in the market. Never unplug or plug in an appliance when the switch is on. 

Keep an eye on extension cords

If extension cords are frayed or not used properly, they can cause electric shocks. Keep inspecting all the cords around your house for any sign of damage. Make sure that you do not overload any sockets. Do not pull the cord while disconnecting it. Pull the plug from the socket, but only after turning off the switch. 

Keep electric appliances away from water 

People generally have the habit of using blow dryers and other hair styling products in the bathroom. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination and can cause electrocution. So, do not use any electrical appliance in the bathroom or near kitchen sinks. Do not spill water near any electric outlet. Do not use any electrical appliance with wet hands. 

Ensure your circuits are grounded 

Major electric problems occur when high-power appliances and circuits around the house are not grounded. Protect all the circuits by using GFCIs – Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters – that can prevent electrocution. 

Do not be a dare devil 

When there are storms outside, it can result in frequent lightning strikes and loose live power lines around the neighbourhood. Do not be adventurous and walk into a death trap. If you are caught in a storm, look for safe shelter indoors and stay there until the storm passes away. 

What to do when someone is electrocuted 

  • Do not attempt to touch the victim while still being electrocuted
  • Move the victim only if there is a chance for immediate danger
  • Do not attempt to provide first-aid
  • Call for help immediately 

XYZ is an expert with PASS Ltd. They specialise in PAT testing courses, so you can actually book courses online and gain knowledge from them on testing electrical equipment.

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

TEN WAYS TO SAVE MONEY GOING TO THEME PARKS (Guest Post)

Nearly every kid dreams of going to one of the Disney theme parks during their childhood years, but parents are usually a little more hesitant to book the trip because of the hefty price tag that accompanies it. If you are thinking about taking a trip to a Disney park and are looking to save money, check out the following ways to save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on your trip.  Keep in mind that Disney would like you to think that buying their packages is the best way to save money, but often you can save more by buying things separately.

  1. Stay off the Disney campus.  Surrounding hotels have lower pricing to entice travelers away from staying at Disney.  Keep in mind that you will need to have a way to travel back and forth from Disney if you stay off campus.
  2. Book your trip during the off season.  Disney has many seasons ranging from “Value” to “Peak”.  Unfortunately there isn’t a 3 month period that is considered to be the off season.  Weekdays during the fall months are cheaper, and the period after Thanksgiving and before December 21st, when “Holiday Season” starts, is cheaper to book as well.
  3. Book a hotel that includes breakfast.  While breakfast is one of the least expensive meals to eat out, it can save you a surprising amount of money by eating at the hotel.  Before heading back to your room, grab some extra fruit for a snack later in the day.
  4. Bring along a soft sided cooler.  You are allowed to bring in soft sided coolers to the park, and the ones that will fit in a backpack or are a backpack are ideal.  This allows you to bring in both snacks and lunch.  Plan to stop at a discount store or a grocery store to stock up on some food to take in for when family members start to get hungry.
  5. Plan to eat your evening meal outside of the park.  By dinner time you’ve spent the majority of the day at Disney and everyone is probably ready for a break.  Take this opportunity to head back to your hotel and let everyone rest a bit and freshen up.  Then, before going back to the park, stop and eat something.
  6. Bring a refillable water bottle and flavored packets.  There are water sources around the park that you can fill up a water bottle with, but it’s well water and doesn’t taste very good, so plan on bringing some flavored packets to sweeten up the water.  Staying hydrated at the park is very important since you will be outside much of the time.
  7. Check out local ticket hubs for discounted tickets.  Disney wants you to think that you can’t buy tickets anywhere except through Disney and their affiliates, but this isn’t true.  Keep your eyes open for ongoing deals.  Sometimes you can make a donation to an Orlando hospital and the hospital will give you tickets to Disney for your family.  Different programs like this pop up all year long so keep your eyes open for deals.  Local ticket hubs can save you 5 to 10%, which may not seem like much, but once you do the math it starts to add up.
  8. Join the Cirque club to receive 35% off of tickets.  Joining the club is free and you must buy your tickets 30 days in advance to receive the discount.  The discount is only offered for the Cirque de Soleil performances that are during the Tuesday through Saturday shows.  Check the online club for applicable dates.
  9. Go to Disney Quest for half price.  If you’d like to check out Disney Quest (a virtual-reality theme park in downtown Disney) you can check for a manager’s special.  Often if you go within 2 hours or less of closing you can save half off the ticket price.  It would be something different to do and if you can go for half price it might be worth it.  This discount isn’t always offered so check while you are there.
  10. When renting a car don’t get stuck on size.  If you plan on renting a car once you reach Disney make sure to check rental sites often, because specials do change.  Rebooking your reservation could save you a bundle.  Compact cars tend to rent out first so check the next size up; you can still end up saving because the rental companies may have a bunch of bigger cars they need to rent out and as such will give you a free upgrade.

When it comes to taking young children to Disney, Disney does offer some valuable perks. If you have children ages 3 and under, purchasing a package may get you the most bang for your buck. Children under 3 years old get into Disney parks free, and they eat free at the park buffets and family style restaurants. These perks can add up to tremendous savings for families traveling with young children to Disney.

Many of these tips apply to other big-name theme parks, as well.  The best advice is to do your research ahead of time.  Six Flags, Sea World, and many other theme parks are big attractions to families.  Keeping your children safe in these parks is another big responsibility.  I have noticed many families or groups dressing alike, with the same color tee shirts so they can be easily found.  For toddlers, be sure to have their name, parents’ names, address and cell phone numbers on their clothes just in case they wander astray.  Lastly, prepare a packet of first aid products (especially band-aids and sunscreen) for much-needed relief.  Our thanks to Carrie Dotson, with summernannyjobs.org for this good advice. pb

 

 

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

***Keeping Yourself Healthy In An Unhealthy Modern Environment***

 Unhealthy environments exist all around us, whether they are rooted by our inactivity in offices while sitting at desks all day, or if they stem from psychologically damaging exposure to unpleasant scenarios. Keeping yourself healthy in an unhealthy modern environment can make all of the difference in your appearance, health and wealth, and here is how.

Physical Health
Although it would be ideal to hit the gym every day, while consuming perfectly portioned and healthy meals at every turn, it certainly is not practical. So what do you do when you cannot break away for a workout, or consume meals on the fly with the maximum health benefits? You make it up as the day goes along.

Workout at the Office
If an afternoon at the gym is out of the question, evaluate the environment around you to develop alternate physical activity.
• Take the Stairs Instead of the Elevator
• Walk to Lunch Spots & To Complete Errands
• Park Farther Away from Your Office
• Exit Public Transportation a Stop or Two Earlier than Usual
• Walk or Run Around the Building During Your Lunch Hour
• Stand While You Work
Eating Habits
Just because you are working sixty hours a week does not mean you should depend on fast food to deliver your meals, or vending machines to satiate a 2pm snacking crave. Both alternatives can lead to the ingestion of excess fat, calories, sodium and preservatives which are just as terrible for the waistline as they are your skin, hair and overall health.
• Plan Ahead and Prepare Healthy Lunches to Keep at the Office
• Turn to Healthy Snacking Options by Keeping Them Readily Available
• Drink Lots of Water Throughout the Day
• Order Healthy Options at Restaurants: Salads, Fruits, Nuts & Yogurts
• Do Not Skip Meals

Mental Health
Stress and anxiety are not only harmful to your overall physical health, but they can compromise your mental health and ability to make sound decisions throughout the day. Stress can lead to hasty decisions, oversights and lack of logic in an effort to produce results. There are a number of ways to improve your mental health throughout the day, just by making time to do so.
• Pause & Take Deep Breaths When You Feel Overwhelmed
• Take a Walk When You Are Out of Sorts to Collect Yourself
• Exterminate Toxic Relationships with Negative Friends or Family Members
• Remove Yourself from Stressful Situations as Quickly as Possible
• Remember What Makes You Happy and Think of Those Things Often

Modern Interruptions & Solutions
If the world was not complicated enough, dealing with family, friends and coworkers on a daily basis, now you are consumed by social media outlets that can enlighten you to everything everyone else in the world is doing too. Constant exposure to other people’s stress, negative behavior and varying personalities can invite stress and anxiety into anyone’s life. There are a number of steps you can take to remove yourself from unhealthy environments, even when they are occurring online.
• Avoid Upsetting News Stories and Media Outlets
• Turn Your Phone Off at Night to Sleep More Soundly
• Allow a Specific Amount of Time to Be Spent on Social Media
• Enjoy Friends & Family in Person, Whenever Possible
• Leave Your Phone at Home or in the Car During Social Visits
• Do Not Get Involved with Conversations or Arguments that Do Not Concern You

Focus your physical and mental well-being around positive scenarios, eliminating negative people, practices and situations from your life as much as possible. This application is different for everyone, so it is important to evaluate all aspects of your life to recognize either the people or the events that are causing you to maintain an unhealthy lifestyle, physically or mentally. If you are unhappy or unwell there is certainly a root to its cause. Identify it and obliterate it.

Would you like MORE energy, BETTER health, and MORE vitality in your life?  Discover the all natural health secrets that can help you feel great and live the healthy life you deserve, visit www.agingfit.com today!

Thanks to Glen Greenbaum, for this good advice on how we can be healthier if we just listen to these suggestions! pb

 

General Safety Issues, Home Safety Products

SIX SAFETY TIPS ALL PARENTS SHOULD KNOW (Guest Post)

4 Comments

New parents may not realize just how much danger their children are exposed to on a daily basis. All families have to take precautions to protect their children, so that their homes are as risk free as possible from accidents. Below are six safety tips that can help make your home safe from their infancy, through crawling and walking:

Glass
Far too many children are seen in emergency rooms for injuries due to glass furniture. Coffee tables and side tables are not required by law to use safety glass, going the safe route and putting away furniture that has glass in it is the best thing to do until your child is older.

Window Blinds
Children continue to have accidents and strangulation from mini-blind and drapery cords. This is because children love twirling around in cords,and do not realize the dangers. The only way to prevent accidents is to invest in a blind winder, so you can have all your cords stored away, without hanging down. The cords can then operate with the push of a button!

Water
Children under the age of 5 are at the highest risk of drowning, but all kids needs to be watched carefully around water. If you have a pool in your yard or hot tub, be sure to have a high fence around it, locked at all times. Alarms should be installed on any door that can lead to a pool area, and be sure that any water you have is free of toys floating around that would entice a child to go there. Babies can drown in something as small as a bucket of water! 

Storage
Cabinets and cupboards should be secured with child safety locks. Inside those cabinets are glass dishes, toxic cleaning products, medicines, heavy pots and pans and other things that can be deadly to your baby, should they get into them. Installing locks on all cabinets and even drawers will help your baby be much safer.

Windows
Deaths from open windows has risen in the past few years. Preventing falls can be easy though, by simply having window guards put on the windows. Make sure all windows are locked too, so that your children don’t have these types of accidents.

Safety Gates
Safety gates should be used around your home anywhere that a baby can be hurt. Safety gates are a must at stairways, around fireplaces and at openings to rooms that the child would not be safe in. Netting is well worth the effort too!

There are many more ways to protect your child from hazards at home. Ensure that your children are at the least risk possible when in your home by taking these preventative measures.

Grace Green writes about safety, parenting & more at http://www.boatinsurance.org..

—
Guest Post U

The University of Great Content
General Safety Issues

SOMETHING WE TAKE FOR GRANTED – WATER!

A large portion of the United States suffered a devastating drought this past summer.  As the old saying goes, “It’s either feast or famine!”  In addition to the results of little or no rain, this year’s drought caused a huge loss of wildlife and property because of wildfires throughout the state of Texas.   The drought we experienced made us realize how much we needed water for our tanks, lakes, and livestock, as well as our daily lives.  This past summer, there were small communities that ran out of water, and what they were going through was unbelievable.  In other areas of the U.S., there were floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters.

We in America are very fortunate that we have clean, readily available water.    We need to appreciate our clean water and do all we can to get clean water to those who don’t have it.  Imagine watching a mother take her child to a muddy waterhole – one that is polluted, and see that child drink from it.  People over the world are dying, because their water is full of pollution and disease.  

The Importance of Water Conservation 

We Americans waste billions of gallons of water with no regard to the fact that many other people in countries across the world would fight over the very water that we waste.  We would probably all think a little more about water that is wasted, if we had to drink the water that other folks do.  Some are losing their lives because they have no water at all.  

Here are  ways that you can help the with conservation issue:

  • Take short showers.  If you run a little water for it to warm up, catch it and use it to water your plants.
  • If people leave water bottles around, and don’t finish drinking it, you can also use that to water plants.
  • Stop running the water while you brush your teeth, wash your hands or hair, and shower or bathe.
  • Most people don’t need a huge bathtub; it’s a nice luxury, but you get just as clean in a regular-sized one.
  • If you are fortunate enough to have a swimming pool, keep it covered, to keep out the dirt.
  • You might pay attention to the amount of water you use on your yard and try to cut down. 

The Importance of Water to Our Bodies! 

You cannot be truly healthy without the proper hydration of the body.  We should drink half our body weight in ounces, minimum each day.  If you weigh 200 lbs, you should consume 100 ounces of water.  Every organ in our body heavily depends on water to function properly and to its capacity.  According to an article posted by Bob McCauley, the human body is 69% water, the brain is 85% water, bones – 35% water, blood – 83% water, and the liver is 90% water. Also:

  • In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.
  • Mild dehydration will slow down metabolism as much as 3%. 
  • The biggest trigger of daytime fatigue is lack of water.
  • Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, breast cancer by 79%, and bladder cancer by 50%. 

Remember, you are not what you eat; you are what you drink.  Water is immensly important to your health.  If we change the way we drink, by drinking pure, natural water that is good for our health, we can help our pocket book and environment at the same time.  A common-sense theory by years of study by Dr. F. Batmagheldj, shows that water works well in keeping us healthy and pain free.  Even some illnesses can be cured by water, the basis of all life, especially, your body.  Our health truly depends on the quality and quantity of the water we drink.  If you sincerely want to have a healthy lifestyle, make drinking enough natural water a regular habit in your life.  You will feel the benefit in a short time.  Water is a free investment for your long-term health. 

With that, I am going to go fill up a tall glass of ice water; and cut my shower short tonight!  Let’s all think about conserving water, the elixir of life!

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

NATIONAL HANDWASHING AWARENESS WEEK

We learned many lessons during the H1N1 Flu Pandemic in 2009, but one of the things that stayed with us is the importance of keeping our hands clean.  Germs spread easily, and everything we touch – at home, work, or traveling, contains germs.  Our bodies are built to resist many of them, but for those that we can’t, we can wash them away with a good hand scrubbing.   December 4 – 10 has been set aside as the week to make everyone aware of the importance of washing our hands.

When we are ill, we sometimes have to be hospitalized.  We go there to get well; however, many times patients acquire what are known as HAI’s – healthcare-associated infections.  These infections represent a public health issue requiring many people and organizations working together in a comprehensive effort to attack these largely preventable infections.  The Centers for Disease Control is working with partners and states to implement infection prevention tools toward the elimination of HAI’s.

One of the most important things patients can do (if they are aware), is to be sure that their caregivers keep their hands clean.  If you or a family member notices they haven’t washed their hands when they enter the room, don’t be afraid to remind them to do so.  Most rooms are equipped with hand sanitizers at the entrance of each room.  You don’t know what the patient in the next room has, so their germs are not welcome in other patient rooms.

Kimberly-Clark sponsored a study in which 1,000 adults in the United States were interviewed about healthcare-associated infections.  This study revealed that over half of the respondents had little or no awareness of HAI’s.  About fifty-six per cent of the respondents were not familiar or not at all familiar with HAI’s.  When asked to identify the contributors to HAI’s, less than one per cent were able to distinguish accurately between those that do and those that do not contribute to these infections.

After learning what HAI’s are, nearly two-thirds of all people (63%) were interested in learning more about this type of infection.  This is good news, because patients and family members, along with caregivers, have an important role to play in reducing the risk of this type of infection.  Had I not previously worked in a hospital, I am sure I would be among the many who were not aware of the seriousness of this problem.  (Hospitals strive to keep their infection rates as low as possible.)

One of the key things we can do to prevent infections, not just in hospitals or home healthcare, but in public situations, such as work, schools, shopping malls, airports, and at home is to keep our hands clean.  A little thing like warm water and soap can go a long way, according to our safety poster:

Handwashing

In addition to the poster, use a paper towel to open the door after you have washed your hands in a public restroom.  I also keep hand sanitizer in my car, so I can clean my hands after shopping.  Get your children in the habit of washing their hands often. (Easier said than done!)  Anything we can do to keep the spread of germs down, the healthier we will all be.