Monday, June 29, 2015

Stay Safe during Your Independence Day Celebrations

This weekend many friends and families will come together to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day, the 4th of July. While many will want to celebrate with fireworks, it is important to keep in mind the dangers that come with using fireworks. Did you know that 230 people on average go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries during and around the month of July?

Fireworks can quickly create fires from the combination of heat and dry weather. Not only are they dangerous because they can start fires, but they can also cause serious burns and sometimes eye injuries. We want you to celebrate in the safest way possible this year so please take the time to follow these guidelines when using fireworks.

o   Know where your fire extinguisher is and keep it close if you will be using fireworks. (Note: In most cities, they do not allow you to set off fireworks in the city limits so please remember to obey laws at all times.)

o   Have close access to your water hose in case a fire erupts and the extinguisher cannot stop the fire on its own.

o   If a fire does get out of hand, please do not hesitate to contact 9-1-1 for help.

o   If you have pets, please keep them inside on this day and evening. Fireworks can be very scary for pets and spook them badly.

o   If you choose to play with fireworks, make sure when you throw away the remains that they are free of heat and fire. This will eliminate chances of the trash igniting in flames.

o   Keep fireworks out of children’s reach or hands. Fireworks should only be handled by adults to protect children from accidentally harming themselves. (Fact: Sparklers burn at temps of about 2,000 degrees which is hot enough to melt some metals!)

o   Never attempt to make your own fireworks.

o   Never set off fireworks inside.

o   Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly to ensure safety.

o   When setting off fireworks, make sure to aim them away from where people are standing.

o   Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

 
We all know fireworks are meant to be enjoyed so please enjoy the beautiful designs, colors and sounds that they create- but always keep safety in mind. Happy 4th of July!!

 

Check out this info graphic on fireworks:

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Practice Safe Living during June: It’s National Safety Month!

From the youngest of ages, we are taught “safety first!” There is a reason for this: Injuries are a leading cause of disability for people of all ages – and they are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 44. While this might be the case, that doesn’t mean there are not measures you can put in place to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones.

Here are some safety issues that you can brush up knowledge on:

Emergency Preparedness
When it comes to emergency preparedness, you can never be too prepared. Planning ahead can keep you and your family safe when an emergency might strike. From natural disasters to terrorist attacks to blackouts, emergencies can be a scary. But the more prepared you are, the more calm you can be in dealing with these emergencies.

How can you be prepared?

·         Get or build an emergency supply kit. (www.ready.gov/build-a-kit)
·         Make a family emergency plan and figure out where to meet during an emergency. (www.ready.gov/make-a-plan)
·         Learn what to do in each type of emergency (www.ready.gov/be-informed)

Ergonomics
Much of today’s workforce spends a lot of time sitting throughout the work day because a lot of jobs are done on computers. While sitting at a desk all day might not sound hazardous to your health, it can be! Other jobs have potential hazards at work too which is why it is so important to practice good ergonomics (fitting a job to a person). This can help lessen muscle fatigue, increase productivity and prevent unwanted injuries.

Here are some basics for staying safe while working:

·         Lift items properly and safely
·         Take short breaks and stretch your muscles when doing strenuous work
·         Wear protective equipment
·         Get enough rest before work so that you are alert
·         Take steps to manage stress

For more information on ergonomics that fit your job, visit https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/.

Transportation Safety
We all know how important it is to wear your seatbelt. But it is also extremely important to not participate in distracted driving. How can we eliminate distracted driving? Keep your phone out of your hands and put away, and try not to eat or do any other type of activity while driving. Distracted driving is very dangerous- almost 1 in 5 crashes (that’s 17 percent!) where someone was injured involved distracted driving. So remember, when in the driver’s seat, focus on driving first and protect yourself and those around you.

Here are some additional tips from the National Safety Council:

  • Making sure every passenger buckles up every trip
  • Designating an alcohol and drug-free driver or arranging alternate transportation
  • Getting plenty of sleep and taking regular breaks to avoid fatigue on long trips
  • Never using a cell phone behind the wheel,
  • Staying engaged with your teens’ driving habits. An NSC survey found many parents are more inclined to loosen household driving rules during the summer.  
Slips, Trips, and Falls

It is important to always be aware of your surroundings. Did you know that one in three older adults falls each year? Many of those falls lead to health problems including broken bones. According to the CDC, in 2002 more than 12,800 people over the age of 65 died and 1.6 million were treated in the ER due to falls.
Common hazards in the home that are easily overlooked are usually the reason for these falls. With this checklist, you can learn out how to fix these hazards and prevent unnecessary falls: http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/pubs/English/booklet_Eng_desktop-a.pdf.

Prescription Painkiller Abuse
Prescription painkiller abuse is a growing epidemic in the U.S. Here is a scary fact: About 18 women die every day from a prescription painkiller overdose. It’s time we change those statistics!

Learn how to use medicines safely with these helpful tips from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/everyday-healthy-living/safety/use-medicines-safely.

Remember to focus on safety this month and you are sure to come out ahead! If you do ever find yourself in an emergency situation, please do not hesitate to contact 9-1-1 for immediate help.