Tag Archives: winter

General Safety Issues

TWENTY-FIVE BLOGS TO KEEP YOUR STAIRS SAFE FOR VISITORS (GUEST POST)

Submitted by Jeralyn Nelson of Housesittingjobs.com

The last thing any homeowner would want is for someone to get hurt coming up to or into their home.  Not only is there a chance that someone might sue you, but no one wants a friend to get hurt coming for a visit.  There are lots of things you can do that will keep your stairway safe.  Many are routine maintenance types of things, some are weather related and others have more to do with construction.  To learn more about how to keep your outside stairway safe for visitors you can check out these 25 blog entries.

Preventative Stuff

Make sure that you take a look at your front entryway and try to see it as a visitor would.  Can you easily get to the door or are there pots and decorations everywhere?  Check to make sure the light outside isn’t burnt out and other routine things.  These five blog posts will get into preventative things you can do to keep your front stairway safe.

During the Winter

Outdoor stairs can get slippery in the winter with all of the ice and snow that pile up there.  Slippery stairs are a danger for anyone trying to enter your home.  To avoid falls you need to take care of your outside steps.  These five blog articles will give you some tips to accomplish that task.

When Considering Construction

Are you tired of that old stoop and considering having a new set of stairs installed?  There are many things to consider when you are making such an improvement on your home.  You will need to make sure that the stairs are safe once they are built. Here are five blog entries that will help you make some decisions that will keep your family safe.

All About Railings

One of the most important safety features on any type of stair is the handrail.  There are many attractive options in railings on the market.  These five blog entries will show you what types of railing are available.

Hedges and Bushes

Have you ever walked up to someone’s door and had trouble finding the doorbell because there were plants and bushes hanging all over it?  Planting a bush on either side of your door is a common landscape choice, but if you don’t keep the bushes trimmed they may encroach on the walkway up to the door.  For these tips and more check out these next five blog entries.

Thanks, Jeralyn, for sharing these important tips. We all need to ensure that our steps are safe for our families as well as visitors. pb

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Protective Clothing

WINTER’S FIRST DAY!

In the United States and the rest of the northern hemisphere, the first day of the winter season is the day of the year when the Sun is farthest south (on December 21st or 22nd). This day is known as the Winter Solstice.  According to the calendars that I have seen, today, December 22nd is the First Day of Winter, the shortest day of the year.  The length of time elapsed between sunrise and sunset on this day is a minimum for the year. In the United States, there are only about 9½ hours of daylight on this day.  A common misconception is that the earth is further from the sun in winter than in summer.  Actually, the Earth is closest to the sun in December, which is winter in the Northern hemisphere.

Here is an explanation of winter weather terminology from the American Red Cross:

Winter Storm Outlook
Winter storm conditions are possible in the next 2 to 5 days.

Winter Weather Advisory
Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. When caution is used, these situations should not be life threatening.

Winter Storm Watch
Winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. People in a watch area should review their winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions.

Winter Storm Warning
Life­threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. People in a warning area should take precautions immediately.

Dress appropriately for the conditions outside; if the temperatures are extremely low, hypothermia can occur.    Those who are required to work in outdoor conditions should be trained about cold-induced illnesses and injuries.  Clothing should be layered to adjust to changing temperatures.  It is important to wear clothing that will keep water away from the skin.  Wearing the right gloves to keep hands warm, and additional protection, such as winterliners are a must for those who are exposed to the elements.

Some suggestions from OSHA includes that workers should be allowed to take frequent short breaks in warm dry shelters to let the body warm up.  Energy is needed in order to keep muscles warm, so avoid exhaustion or fatigue.  Drinks with caffeine should be avoided, but instead drink warm, sweet beverages, (sugar water or sports-type drinks).  If workers have predisposing health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or hypertension,  they are at increased risk.  Also, older workers or those that are in poor physical condition also may be at risk.

What can happen to the body, and ways to help:

Frostbite – This results in deep layers of skin and tissue; pale, waxy-white skin color; skin becomes hard and numb; usually affecting the fingers, hands, toes, feet, ears, and nose.  If this occurs, the person should be moved to a warm, dry area and not left alone.  Do not rub the affected area, because that can cause damage to the skin and tissue.Seek medical attention as soon as possible.  To properly treat frostbite, warm the skin slowly, by placing the affected area in a warm (105 degree water bath), which usually takes 25-40 minutes.  Warming too fast can cause tissue damage.

Hypothermia – Normal body temperature drops to or below 95 degrees; fatigue or drowsiness; uncontrolled shivering; cool bluish skin, slurred speech; clumsy movements; irritable, irrational or confused behavior.  If they become drowsy or confused, wrap them in warm blankets and keep them awake.  Call for emergency help, as this is a very serious condition.  Treatment is about the same as for frostbite; however, do not rub the person’s body or place them in a warm water bath, as it could stop their heart.

Regardless of the reason to be outdoors this winter, whether working, shoveling snow, skiing, or bobsledding, be prepared by wearing the right apparel.  We hope this will be a safe winter for everyone.  Pay attention to weather advisories before driving.  Allow extra time to arrive safely at your destination.

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

ARE YOU READY FOR WINTER?

Many citizens of the U.S. survived a very hot, dry summer, and tried all the safety tips offered to them to prevent them from being overcome from the heat.  Now, just as quickly, we turn around to face a cold winter.  Funny, how the climate changes each year, isn’t it?  The world keeps turning and we keep trying to adjust to Mother Nature. 

Regardless of the season, every family should have a disaster plan in place.  Here are some basic steps to follow:

  • Know what your community’s warning signals are.
  • Family should decide on two places to meet: a place outside your home for an emergency such as a fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you cannot return home. 
  • Select an out-of-area friend as your family check-in contact for everyone to call if the family is separated.
  • Post emergency phone numbers by the phones.  Have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in your home.  Have a first aid kit and supplies handy and have your family learn basic safety and first aid measures. 
  • Be sure that everyone knows how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency medical services phone number.  

Next,  have home emergency supplies on hand.  There could be a winter storm or power outage that could prevent you from leaving home. 

  •          Flashlights and extra batteries.
  •          NOAA weather radio.
  •          Non-perishable foods that do not require refrigeration.
  •          Bottled water.
  •          One-week supply of essential medications.
  •          Extra blankets and sleeping bags.
  •          Emergency heating equipment, used properly. 

If you haven’t already done so, now’s the time to winterize your home! 

  • Have your heating system checked by a professional annually.  If you heat with wood, clean your fireplace or stove.  Have your chimney flue checked for buildup of creosote and then cleaned to lessen the risk of fire.
  • Caulk and weather-strip doors and windowsills to keep cold air out.
  • If you failed to replace batteries on your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when the time changed, do it now.
  • Be sure your home is properly insulated.  If not, insulate walls and attic.  This will help conserve energy and reduce your homes’ power demand for heat.
  • Inspect and flush your water heater.
  • Clean gutters of leaves and other debris in order to not hamper drainage.
  • Wrap pipes in insulation or layers of old newspapers.
  • Cover the papers with plastic to keep out moisture.
  • Leave faucets dripping slightly to avoid freezing.
  • Know how to shut off water valves.
  • If the house isn’t very warm inside, leave cabinet doors open where pipes are.
  • Set the heat no lower than 55 degrees. 

Last but not least, a word about generators, which can provide you with piece of mind and convenience when you have a temporary loss of electricity.  Before installing a generator, disconnect from your utility electrical service, and if possible, have a qualified electrician install it.  NEVER run a generator indoors!  Carbon monoxide gas from the exhaust of the generator can spread throughout closed spaces.  Overloading a generator can damage it, and the appliances connected to it.  Never let children around generators. 

We have many more tips for winter safety.  Stay tuned and we’ll bring more later…..Till then, stay warm and safe!

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

“WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND” SAFELY!

It is tempting to stay indoors and work out at a local fitness center when the weather is very cold.  However, getting outdoors for a walk or run may be just the thing we need to boost our energy.  You don’t have to go as far as your warm weather outdoor activity, but knowing ways to be prepared for a cold weather walk or run is important.  Before you start winterizing your body, though, be sure to check with your physician if you have health problems such as heart, lung, or asthma.  Pay attention to weather forecasts, and if the wind chill is too low, opt for indoor exercise, or skip it for a day or two.  Wind chills can be extremely unsafe.  Don’t try to exercise outside if it is so cold that there is a risk of hyperthermia or frostbite. 

Because your body temperature will rise once you get going and you get warmer, you need to dress as though the temperature is about 20 degrees warmer than it actually is.  Wear layers, but avoid cotton; it traps moisture and draws heat away from your body.  We always advise you to wear high visibility clothing, even if it is daytime; it may be overcast, and you might not be seen by drivers.  You can find high-visibility gloves, hats, coats, and other clothing.  Also, wear sunglasses to block UV rays, which can damage your eyes.  Reflections on the snow and pavement can  harm your vision.   Also, be sure your shoes furnish good traction, as you want to avoid a slip or fall.  Consider wearing a slightly larger size shoe to accommodate thick socks.  Also, lip balm, earmuffs, or scarf, even a face mask to warm the air before it enters your lungs – all keep your body protected from the cold. 

The natural reaction to being outdoors, is to get to the end of the trail a little faster.  This will boost calorie burning, as well as get you back inside sooner!  Pumping your arms vigorously helps you burn more calories by speeding you up.  Take shorter steps, especially if you are on snow, or possibly ice beneath the snow, to eliminate falling.  Another clever idea is to use Nordic poles.  Plant the pole firmly at a 45-degree angle behind you, and push back forcefully against the ground to propel yourself forward.  In winter weather, it’s better to stretch after your walk/run because your muscles are looser.  To begin, start with a brisk walk or light jog to prime cold muscles.  Remember to drink fluids, as dry winter air can lead to dehydration.

My faithful personal trainer, Buddy, (Jack Russell terrier) and I skipped our daily walk last week because it was pretty nippy.  But this information makes me more determined to put his coat or sweater on, wrap myself up, and keep going, regardless of the cold.  We’ve been walking daily for 11 years, so we must quit slacking just because it’s quite a bit colder.  I hope this will encourage you to do the same.  Be sure to tell someone when you are going and give them your route, just to be on the safe side.

 

Sources:  Mayo Clinic, Health Magazine

Uncategorized

THE WINTER PARALYMPICS ARE HERE!

The Winter Olympic Games were completed on February 28th .  However, another spectacular event is taking place in March, the X Paralympic Games, being held in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada.  Dates for the games are March 13th to March 21st.

Approximately 600 athletes from 45 countries have been training  hard to win gold medals.  These games feature the best athletes in the world with various disabilities.  The slogan of the Paralympic Movement is “Spirit in Motion”.  The first Summer Paralympic Games were held in Italy in 1960.  Sweden hosted the first Winter Paralympic Games in 1976.  We look forward to cheering on our favorite athletes, and wish them all “Good Luck!”

For the Winter Paralympic Games, you will see great competition in the following events:
1.    Ice Sledge Hockey

2.    Wheelchair Curling

3.    Alpine Skiing

4.    Biathlon

5.    Cross-Country Skiing

Summer Paralympic Games include:
1.    Athletics (track and field)

2.    Boccia

3.    Cycling

4.    Equestrian

5.    Football 5-a-side

6.    Football 7-a-side

7.    Goalball

8.    Judo

9.    Powerlifting

10.    Rowing

11.    Sailing

12.    Shooting

13.    Swimming

14.    Table Tennis

15.    Volleyball (sitting)

16.    Wheelchair basketball

17.    Wheelchair fencing

18.    Wheelchair rugby

19.    Wheelchair tennis

These athletes come from all over the world to show that they have the skills and power to triumph in their chosen sport by overcoming the obstacles they contend with.  Congratulations to every competitor; you make the world proud!

Uncategorized, Weather Protection

IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR THE WINTER PARALYMPICS!

The Winter Olympic Games were completed on February 28th . However, another spectacular event is taking place in March, the X Paralympic Games, to be held in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. Dates for the games are March 13th to March 21st.

Approximately 600 athletes from 45 countries have been training hard to win gold medals. These games feature the best athletes in the world with various disabilities. The slogan of the Paralympic Movement is “Spirit in Motion”. The first Summer Paralympic Games were held in Italy in 1960. Sweden hosted the first Winter Paralympic Games in 1976. We look forward to cheering on our favorite athletes, and wish them all “Good Luck!”

For the Winter Paralympic Games, you will see great competition in the following events:

 1. Ice Sledge Hockey

2. Wheelchair Curling

3. Alpine Skiing

4. Biathlon

5. Cross-Country Skiing

 

 Summer Paralympic Games include:

1. Athletics (track and field)

 2. Boccia

3. Cycling

4. Equestrian

5. Football 5-a-side

6. Football 7-a-side

7. Goalball

8. Judo

9. Powerlifting

10. Rowing

11. Sailing

12. Shooting

13. Swimming

14. Table Tennis

15. Volleyball (sitting)

16. Wheelchair basketball

17. Wheelchair fencing

18. Wheelchair rugby

19. Wheelchair tennis

 

These athletes come from all over the world to show that they have the skills and power to triumph in their chosen sport by overcoming the obstacles they contend with.  Congratulations to every competitor; you make the world proud!

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Weather Protection

STAY SAFE IN THE SNOW AND ICE

Most of the United States has been hit with extreme cold weather so far this winter, and it looks like it’s not ready to let up yet.  Even in the far south, there’s been the danger of crops freezing.  We southerners aren’t as accustomed to contending with snow and ice as those who live in the north.  Driving on ice is a very dangerous “sport”, especially for persons who aren’t used to it!

Whether you have to get outdoors to go to work, the store, or want to continue some form of exercise regardless of the cold, it is important to take it a little slower than normal and be careful when walking in snow or ice.  There are devices that will help you keep from slipping.  They have a flat sole that attaches to shoes with Velcro, and have metal studs on the bottom, which help grip.  Easy to put on and off, they should not be used once you get inside, because they could make the floor slippery, as well as damaging it.

Here are some ideas from our friends at FEMA:

  • First, if you can, stay indoors as much as possible when weather causes dangerous conditions.
  • Dress warmly, especially paying close attention to feet and hands. Select warm gloves.
  • Wear shoes/boots that provide good traction.  Rubber and neoprene soles are better than those with leather or plastic soles.
  • Use pathways that have been cleared.
  • Put out salt or sand on your sidewalks before you try walking on them.
  • Don’t walk with your hands in your pockets, as you lose the ability to balance with your arms.  This also prevents catching yourself if you slip.
  • Heavy or bulky items can make you lose your balance; carry only necessary items.
  • If possible, use handrails.
  • At your workplace, pay attention to “ice alert” signs, to warn you of icy conditions.
  • While walking on ice, curl toes under and walk slowly.
  • If you must shovel snow, be sure you do not have any underlying health issues, as strenuous activity in extreme conditions can cause heart attack.

As with anything else at work or home, use common sense.  Most of us have to get to our jobs.  Check your local media for weather information and leave home a little earlier if the roads are going to be slick.  Maintenance workers get out very early in the mornings during winter to prepare the roads for traffic in bad conditions.  Drive and walk with care!

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Protective Clothing, Weather Protection

HOW TO STAY TOASTY IN FROSTY WEATHER

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As winter is creeping up on us, and probably already has in some sections of the country, it’s important that we know all the tricks of staying warm.  For those who work in the outdoors, it is very important to be protected from the elements.  Employers are responsible to see that working conditions do not put their employees’ health at risk, so they should inform workers on what to expect and how to protect themselves.

In earlier articles, Cold Stress Equation Parts I and II, we have gone into detail about this very subject; Part II especially describes how to recognize and prevent frostbite and hypothermia, and what to do to if a person experiences either of these.  As stated earlier, it is important that layering the right types of clothing with a waterproof top layer is a good plan.

Eating small, hot, and even spicy foods give the nervous system a warmth signal that encourages blood flow to the extremities.  Drinks with caffeine constrict blood vessels, making the extremities colder.  Alcohol is dehydrating and suppresses shivering, the involuntary muscle contractions that help the body warm itself.  Tobacco also constricts blood vessels and cools the body by reducing circulation.  (It goes without saying that alcohol shouldn’t be consumed while working, anyway, but if you are outdoors for hunting or sports,  keep this in mind – it won’t warm you up!)

There are products made especially to help keep you warm.  Keep these in mind when looking for just the right thing:

  • Slush boots, rainwear
  • Winter liners
  • Gloves
  • Earmuffs
  • Coveralls

Outdoor exposure should be limited if possible, but for those who face working outdoors on a daily basis, stretching the muscles before work helps warm up the muscles and prevent muscle pulls.  Remember to drink lots of water, as well.  A change of dry clothes can come in handy when having to endure windy, humid days.