A New Year- A New You! Health and Safety Tips to Kick Start the New Year

As we embark upon a New Year, many people will be thinking of New Year’s Resolutions as well as reflecting on their past and what they can do better in their future. As avid educators for health and safety, we would like to share with you some great health and safety tips to guarantee you more awareness in the New Year.

·         Make sure your kids as well as you are knowledgeable on how 9-1-1 works as well as when and when not to call 9-1-1. You can check out one of our previous blogs here that provides this information: http://cellphonesally.blogspot.com/2012/12/how-9-1-1-works.html

·         Strive to be healthy! Keep doctor check-ups and vaccinations up-to-date. Your health is very important so make sure to get flu shots and yearly exams. You can ask your health care provider for any suggestions on tests or exams you should get to guarantee you’re living a strong, healthy life.

·         Manage Stress Better! It is important to keep a healthy balance in life. Try not to over-commit. This can easily lead to getting sick. Remember to manage your time well and most importantly, stay positive and take time for you when you need to relax.

·         Prevent injuries and put Safety first! Being alert and aware of your surroundings is always important to your well being. Make sure to look both ways before crossing the street, know your location and be prepared for anything. Parents should also discuss fire safety and with children during the cold months of the year. Never leave fireplaces, candles or stoves unattended.

·         Stay Active! Keeping our bodies moving is important to our health. This can be as simple as walking for 30 minutes three times a week. Whatever your workout of choice, incorporate it into your daily life and better yet, get the whole family involved in fun activities that keep everyone active.

Cell Phone Sally would like to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Safety Tips for the Holidays

The holidays are a time of year when people get together and enjoy extra time with family and friends. While this can be one of the most joyous times of the year, we must also put safety first. Follow these tips to keep you and your family safe this holiday season.

Christmas Trees

Many families will participate in buying a natural Christmas tree for their home this year. Some things to keep in mind include always keeping the tree watered. When a tree does not get watered, it dies and dries out. If it were to catch on fire, it would be extremely dangerous.

Check out this link and view the short video on Christmas trees and how quickly a dry tree catches fire opposed to a watered tree: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/holiday-seasonal/holiday.shtm

Other tips for trees include placing a tree in areas that are not close to heat, a fireplace or candles. After the holidays are over, the best way to dispose of your tree is to take it to a recycling center or have it picked up by a community service.

Holiday Lights and Decorations

Decorating can be jolly and fun, but safety is still a must when putting out your holiday décor. Make sure to inspect your holiday lights for possible frayed wires or broken lights. Replace broken lights and throw out lights that are not working properly. Make sure to not overload your electrical outlets either. Too many plugs into one outlet can be a serious safety hazard. Instead, buy extension cords and multi-outlet plugs.

Candle Care

Candles can be nice but they can also be dangerous if you don’t take the proper precautions when using them. Candles should be in stable holders and somewhere that they cannot be easily knocked over. Never leave a candle burning in the house when no one is home- an unattended candle can lead to a burning home so always blow your candles out. Better yet, just buy the battery-operated flameless candle. They look and feel the same but are much safer for your home.

The Center for Disease Control went above and beyond to help the community stay safe this holiday season. They created a nifty song called “12 Ways to Health Holiday” song. You can check it out here: http://www.cdc.gov/family/holiday/12ways.htm

How 9-1-1 Works

Many people know to call 9-1-1 in an emergency, but do they know the ins and outs of how 9-1-1 works? By knowing how 9-1-1 operates, it can help the public understand what goes into emergency services. Without 9-1-1 services, lives would not be saved and dangerous situations would not be resolved. 9-1-1 plays a huge role in our lives whether we are aware of it or not. Below we share with you how 9-1-1 works.

99% of the United States currently has access to 9-1-1 services. Throughout the U.S., 9-1-1 receives over 200 million calls a year. 9-1-1 call-takers deal with all types of calls ranging from domestic disputes and break-ins to health emergencies and accidents of all kinds.

People should be aware that there is not a central 9-1-1 call center for everyone.  9-1-1 centers are located all over the U.S. and are usually referred to as a PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point). According to the current FCC registry, there are 8,334 PSAPs throughout the U.S. When you dial 9-1-1, you are connected to the closest PSAP in your area.

Here is a breakdown of what happens when you call 9-1-1 for help:

·         9-1-1 Calls are routed to the closest PSAP
·         An operator retrieves information from the caller regarding the emergency and then alerts the proper service (police, fire fighters, and EMS) then alerts the proper service (police, fire fighters, and EMS)
·         Remember to always know your location and let the 9-1-1 operator know immediately
·         Emergency services are dispatched and help is on its way!

YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o00L9fgOX7s

More Specific Information on 9-1-1: http://people.howstuffworks.com/9-1-1.htm

 

How to Deal with an Intruder in your Home

It’s the middle of the night and a noise wakes you up. Your first thought: Oh no, someone is in my house! In another scenario, you could be at work while your kids are at home and someone attempts to break into your home. What do you do and what do you tell your kids to do if this happens to them or you? Each year roughly 16% of American homes deal with some type of property crime or theft. With the following helpful tools, you can help protect yourself and your family from intruders in the home.

Getting Away from an Intruder

It is important to talk to your family about what you will do if someone is in your home. If you are your loved ones are able to escape the home safely, then do so and run to the nearest neighbor to call 9-1-1 for help. Teach your children how to get help from a neighbor or the police if they are in danger or hear someone trying to break in while they are home alone.

What to Do Once the Intruder is Inside

Once the intruder is inside, it is best to be as quiet as possible so you do not alert the intruder to your presence. If you are able, make your way to a safe room. This can be a closet or a bathroom where you have a deadbolt lock. Get you and your family into the safe room, lock the door and call the police. It is a great idea to keep a phone charger in your safe room so that you don’t have to worry about your phone losing a charge. Once you dial 9-1-1, tell the operator your address first and then quickly explain the situation in a quiet voice. Talking quietly will protect your safety.

Coming in Contact with an Intruder

Make sure to arm yourself with a blunt or sharp object for protection. Be prepared to use the object if the intruder is able to get to you. People tend to think they will get in trouble for hurting someone, but when your life is threatened, you must act accordingly. Never take aggressive action unless it is your only option because escaping is always the best route. If the intruder has a weapon, remain calm and cooperative for you and your family’s safety. Do not make eye contact and be prepared to fight for your life, if necessary. If you do hit the intruder, make sure to run to safety afterwards.

What to do to Prevent Break-Ins and Intruders in the Home

Many break-ins can be prevented. Make sure your front and back doors are durable and strong. It is always a good idea to have dual deadbolt locks on these doors as well. This will prevent people from pushing their way into your home. Make sure you also have your windows locked at all times! The majority of break-ins happen through the front or back door as well as windows left unlocked.

Other Tips to Avoid Being Burglarized

-       Get a dog as a pet- they are great at keeping intruders out!

-       If you have your keys on you, push the alarm button on them if you hear an intruder. The loud noise is likely to scare them away

-       Keep bedroom doors locked at night

-       Keep your cell phone next to your night stand

-       Install Alarm Systems (If you can’t afford an alarm system, try just posting stickers on your windows from an alarm company- they won’t mind the advertising and it can deter a thief from breaking in)

-       Take a Self-Defense Class to help you learn how to protect yourself

YouTube Video on Break Ins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXzhfB5VlGM

YouTube Video of a Break In: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7cIW4uMAko

More Helpful Information: http://www.rd.com/home/what-to-do-if-someones-trying-to-break-into-your-home/

http://www.clean-organized-family-home.com/intruders.html

 

How to Handle an Emergency Situation

Emergency situations happen every day and knowing how to react to these emergency situations is important and could potentially save lives. The most important thing to remember in any emergency situation is to stay calm and collected. People can tend to panic during scary situations, but this can only escalate an emergency situation. Follow these simple steps if you ever find yourself in an emergency situation:

• If you are at home, work or school, it is always good to know where your emergency phone numbers and first aid kits are located.

• Take deep breaths because your brain functions better with more oxygen.
• Figure out your surroundings and what is needed of you or what you can do to help.
• Dial 9-1-1 and get professional emergency medical help as soon as possible when someone is in danger, seriously hurt or injured.
• Know what information (who, what and where you are) to provide to the 9-1-1 dispatcher. If you are unable to make the phone call, see if there is someone around you who can dial 9-1-1 for help
• Make sure to listen to the 9-1-1 dispatcher on the phone and do not hang up. Follow their instructions and remember to remain calm.
• Remain calm and wait for the police and emergency specialists to arrive. Remember that the emergency specialists know what they are doing so stay out of their way when they arrive.

By following these simple steps, emergency services can get to you and the emergency quicker. If there is ever an emergency around you or happening to you, never hesitate to call 9-1-1. 9-1-1 is here to help you and make sure you are safe and ok! 

Check out this site for what to do in specific emergency situations: http://www.emergencycareforyou.org/EmergencyManual/WhatToDoInMedicalEmergency/Default.aspx