9-1-1 Holiday Safety Tips to Remember as You Celebrate with Loved Ones

The holidays are when people get together and enjoy extra time with family and friends. This might be the first time in a while you have celebrated with loved ones due to the pandemic. It is essential to put safety first as we plan the holidays. Follow these great reminder tips to keep you and your family safe this holiday season.

Christmas Trees

Many families will buy a natural Christmas tree for their homes. Some things to keep in mind include always keeping the tree watered. When a tree does not get watered, it dies and dries out. This then becomes a fire hazard.

Other tips for trees include placing a tree in areas not too 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 community service.

Holiday Lights and Decorations

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

Traveling During the Holidays

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the safest way to avoid spreading or contracting COVID-19 is to stay home and celebrate the holidays with family virtually. If you do travel, please wear masks in crowded areas, practice social distancing and wash your hands often.

Also, make sure to never post on social media when you are out of town. If the wrong people get ahold of this information, your home could be burglarized.  It would be best if you kept an eye on your digital security. Many transactions during the holidays give more opportunities to fall prey to identity theft. Remember to only shop at reputable online stores and use a virtual private network to add an extra layer of security to your surfing.

Calling 9-1-1 During the Holidays

Please remember that 9-1-1 is for emergencies only.  When we dial 9-1-1 for anything other than an emergency, we take away emergency resources from someone who could need them. But if you do see an emergency or are involved in one, please do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 for help.

Cell Phone Sally wishes you a safe holiday season!

Back to the Basics: When and When Not to Call 9-1-1

Have you ever found yourself in an emergency? Did you call 9-1-1 for help? For decades we have learned the basics of when and when not to call 9-1-1. But we usually learn at a young age and never really discuss it again until a situation arises where we might need help.

With many accidental calls occurring daily around the country, we decided to bring it back to the basics and review when and when not to call 9-1-1. Before we do that, let’s review the definition of an emergency in the dictionary:   a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action. To take that a little further, an emergency, in our case, is when an event occurs that requires police, firefighters, or an ambulance.

When to Call 9-1-1

• When lives are at risk (examples include a medical emergency, a severe car accident, or a fire, to name a few)
• When you need the police, fire department, or paramedics

When Not to Call 9-1-1

•  As a game or joke
• When there is NOT an emergency (Be careful not to accidentally dial 9-1-1 when you stick it in your back pocket.)
• As practice

Once you call, the first question most 9-1-1 call-takers will ask you is, “What is the location of your emergency?” Without this critical piece of information, they are unable to route emergency services to you. Make sure if you are calling, you always know your location. You might not always know the specific address, but anything you can provide to help get emergency services to you quickly can help. Some examples include knowing cross streets, landmarks,  and mile markers too.

What are some other numbers you can call for help?

What a great question! Maybe you require assistance in another way. Here is a list of resources that can help you in other ways:

Poison Control 1-800-222-1222

National Suicide Hotline 988

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline 1-800-950-(NAMI) (6264)

Practice Smart and Safe Living During National Safety Month

This year marks the 25^th year to recognize National Safety Month. Unfortunately, accidental injury is the third leading cause of death for the first time in our history. According to the National Safety Council, an American is accidentally injured every second and killed every three minutes by a preventable event, like a drug overdose, vehicle crash, fall, drowning, or another preventable incident. While this might be the case, that doesn’t mean there are no measures to put in place to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones. So use this time to get into action and be prepared for anything!

Below are some safety issues and tips that can assist you in living a healthier life:

Emergency Preparedness

When it comes to emergency preparedness, you can never be too prepared. Planning can keep you and your family safe when an emergency might strike. From natural disasters to terrorist attacks to blackouts, emergencies can be downright scary. But, the better prepared you are, the calmer you can be in conquering these emergencies.

How can you be prepared?

·          Purchase or build an emergency supply kit. (www.ready.gov/build-a-kit)

·          Write down a family emergency plan and figure out where to meet up when an emergency occurs. (www.ready.gov/make-a-plan)

·          Learn what to do when it comes to various types of emergencies. (www.ready.gov/be-informed)

Ergonomics

Let’s face it. Most jobs include sitting for the majority of the workday. While sitting at a desk all day might not sound hazardous to your health, it can cause many back and neck problems. A body that rests stays resting, which is why it is good to get up regularly and move around when working at a desk all day.  Other jobs have potential hazards at work, so it is essential to practice good ergonomics (fitting a job to a person). This can help lessen muscle fatigue, increase productivity and prevent unwanted injuries.

Below are some basic safety measures while working:

·       Lift items correctly 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 imperative to not participate in distracted driving. How can we eliminate distracted driving? Keep your phone out of your hands and put it away, and try not to eat or do any other type of activity while driving. Distracted driving is hazardous- almost 1 in 5 crashes (that’s 17 percent!) where someone was injured involved distracted driving.

Here are some additional tips from the National Safety Council:

·       Making sure every passenger buckles up every trip.

·       Designating 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.

·       You are 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 essential always to be aware of your surroundings. For example, did you know that one in three older adults falls each year? Unfortunately, many of those falls lead to health problems, including broken bones. According to the CDC, in 2002, more than 12,800 people over 65 died, and 1.6 million were treated in the ER due to falls.

Common hazards in the home that to be aware of are usually the reason for these falls. With this checklist, you can learn how to fix these hazards and help 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: One in 12 workers are dealing with an untreated substance use disorder.  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 more prepared! If you do ever find yourself in an emergency, please do not hesitate to contact 9-1-1 for immediate help.

Celebrating 9-1-1 Education Month and 9-1-1 Telecommunicator Week

April marks the recognition of 9-1-1 Education month as well as National 9-1-1 Telecommunicator Week (April 11-17, 2021).  During this time, 9-1-1 entities all over educate how more important than ever 9-1-1 education is for both adults and children. For over 40 years, 9-1-1 has served as an essential part of emergency services. This month symbolizes the importance of public education about 9-1-1 the proper use of this service. 

While many people are aware of the significance of 9-1-1 and using it correctly, there are still many people who are not. An example is by cutting down on misuse or abuse of 9-1-1. This will really help 9-1-1 telecommunicators (also known as 9-1-1 call-takers) respond to real emergencies quicker and more efficiently.

Learning about 9-1-1 safety can be lots of fun with the right educational tools and there are many out there. Some examples of 9-1-1 entities throughout the U.S. who do a great job include Charleston County 9-1-1 and West Central Texas Council of Governments, and Greater Harris County, just to name a few (check out their Facebook pages!). The Commission on State Emergency Communications also created Cell Phone Sally along with her friends in 2010 to assist in conveying three basic messages to the public: when to call 9-1-1, how to call 9-1-1, and what to say in case of a police, fire, medical or poison emergency. To learn more about Cell Phone Sally visit her Facebook page or the CSEC website.

You can also check out www.know911.org and see the selection of publications and educational materials geared toward adults, seniors and children that assist in education and importance of 9-1-1.

Last but not least, in showing gratitude during 9-1-1 Telecommunicator Week, take the time to thank a call-taker for their dedicated service. A little appreciation goes a long way. Below, you will find the Texas Governor’s Proclamation for TC Week. Thank you call-takers for all that you do!

Fire Prevention Week: A Great Time to Review Fire Safety and Prevention

October 4^th through 10^th marks Fire Prevention Week. Since we are home now more than ever, it’s important we know how to stay safe! Do you know what the five leading causes of house fires are? The biggest causes of fires include candles, cooking, heating, smoking, and electrical. By learning tips to prevent fires, we can all do our part to help lower the amount of house fire occurrences.

Following these tips will help you be more informed and better prepared.

Fire Prevention Tips

·       The leading cause of fires is unattended cooking. Make sure you are always monitoring any food when you are cooking- this means frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. Never leave your cooking unattended.

·       When cooking, make sure to always keep a lid in reach. A grease fire can get out of hand quickly. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the top of the pan and shut off the burner. Leave it covered until it cools.

·       Keep cooking areas a kid-free zone! A good three feet of distance away from the stove and hot items will help ensure no one gets hurt accidentally.

·       Space heaters are also a leading cause of fires. Keep anything that can catch fire and burn at least three feet away from a heater.

·       Keeping heating equipment and chimneys in good working condition by having them cleaned and inspected once a year.

·       Make sure you have working smoke alarms in your house. You should test them monthly. By having working smoke alarms, you cut your chances of a house fire in half!

·       Smoking alarms should be in each bedroom and in hallways and areas right outside of bedrooms.

·       Never leave a candle burning unattended. Keep space around burning candles so nothing can catch fire.

Looking for more tips on how to practice fire safety and prevention? Check out all the videos and resources available at the National Fire Protection Association. And always remember- if you find yourself in an emergency, never hesitate to call 9-1-1 for help.

Hurricane Safety: What You Need to Know

Hurricanes are a destructive force. They can eliminate landmarks, homes and, even take lives. It is important to know hurricane safety and to be prepared in an emergency.  By reviewing these tips, you should know what to do before a hurricane, during a hurricane and after a hurricane hits your region.

The best time to prepare is before hurricane season starts (in June). Follow these simple steps:

·       Gather items and put together an emergency kit that can last you several days. For tips on what should be included in your emergency kit (water, food, and supplies) please visit  https://www.ready.gov/kit.

·       Write out your family’s emergency plan. Before an emergency happens, sit with your family, or loved ones and discuss your plan. How will you get in touch with each other? Where will you go? And what will you do? You can find lots of emergency plans on the www.ready.gov website.

·       Look over your insurance coverage. You want to make sure you and your property are covered before an emergency occurs. Review all the coverage you pay for because you might need additional flood insurance.

If a hurricane is moving in the direction of where you live and depending on the severity, it might be best to evacuate. If you will need to evacuate your home, let friends and family know. Follow these important tips:

·       Secure your home. Board windows up to protect glass from breaking. It is best to buy these supplies early, so you aren’t in a rush to get supplies you need to protect your home.

·       Stay alert and informed. Listen to the news and weather station so that you know what is always going on.

·       Listen to orders of local officials. If there is a mandatory evacuation, it is incredibly important you listen and follow orders to stay safe and evacuate.

·       Take refugee in your home. If you do not have to evacuate, the best places in your home to take cover are the interior hallways, interior rooms, and closets. Stay away from windows including glass doors.

After a hurricane strikes, we sometimes think the worst is over. But the damage left by the hurricane can cause a lot of upset and stress as well. Follow theses tips to ensure you are ready:

·       If you had to evacuate, you can return home once officials have given the all clear and say it is ok to return home.

·       Check the outside of your home for any damages. Look out for loose power lines, gas leaks and structural damage that needs to be reported or fixed.

·       Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the leading causes of death after storms in areas dealing with power outages. Never use a portable generator inside your home or garage.

·       If you do not have power, use battery powered flashlights. Please do not light candles.

·       Continue staying informed by watching the weather channel.

Remember all these tips to ensure you are prepared for a hurricane should it come your way. And if you ever find yourself in an emergency, please do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 for help!

The Basics of 9-1-1: Things to Remember When Calling 9-1-1 in an Emergency

We are all taught at a young age how to call 9-1-1. We are also taught what is an emergency and what is NOT an emergency. But as we get older, we sometimes tend to forget some of the things we learned as kids. In this blog we will review the basics of 9-1-1 so that when you are in an emergency, you can ensure you are prepared for whatever comes your way. 

When should I call 9-1-1?

Here we will break down the basics of what is considered an emergency and what is not an emergency. Remember, only call 9-1-1 for emergencies. Leave the other important calls or needs of assistance for 311 to handle or provide you with the right entity you need to reach. And never use 9-1-1 as a joke.

An emergency is when something happens and you need the police, firemen, or an ambulance. Some examples of an emergency can include a house on fire as well as any type of accident where someone is hurt such as a car accident. These are just a few examples of when to call 9-1-1. But if, say, your cat is suck in a tree? That would not be considered an emergency, because cats cans get down from trees on their own.

Below are some important tips to remember.

WHEN to call 9-1-1:

·       When there are any lives at risk

·       When you need the police, fire department, or paramedics

When you should NOT call 9-1-1:

·       If there is no emergency

·       For animals (except when they pose a threat to the safety of a person)

·       As a game or prank, or a joke

·       To practice

How do I call (or text!) 9-1-1?

Phones come in all shapes and sizes. Different types of phones include landlines, cell phones, and voice-over IP phones.  To call 9-1-1 on a corded landline phone, pick the phone up off the receiver and then you will hear a dial tone. Push the “9” button, push the “1” button, and then push the “1” button again. Wait for it to ring and connect you with 9-1-1 for help!

The phones that have no curly cords and that you can take all over the house are called cordless phones. These phones have a base and a cord attached to the wall. These are still landline phones, though, and not considered cell phones. To call 9-1-1 on a cordless phone, press the on or talk button, wait and listen for the dial tone, and then push the "9" button, push the "1" button, and then push the "1" button again. Then, the 9-1-1 call-taker will answer your call for help.

There are also many variations of cell phones, but the most used today is the smart phone with a touch screen. To call for help, find the keypad or also known as dial pad, push the “9” button, push the “1” button, and then push the “1” button again, then press the send button to connect the call. The send or “on” button is usually green or has a green icon of a phone.

What do I say when 9-1-1 answers my call for help?

It can be nerve-wrecking to call 9-1-1 for help in an emergency. You want to make sure you give all the important information and get someone (or you) help in an emergency as quickly as possible. Here are some tips to help children remember what to do when they are on the phone with 9-1-1:

·       Remember to remain calm and speak slowly.

·       Tell the 9-1-1 call-taker what is wrong and where you need help (the address of the emergency, or landmarks, cross streets, or mile-markers).

·       Speak clearly when the 9-1-1 call-taker asks you questions and answer them as best you can.

·       Stay on the phone until the 9-1-1 call-taker tells you it is ok to hang up.

Remember, if you ever need to call 9-1-1, a friendly and helpful call-taker is ready to assist you. For educational videos on 9-1-1, please visit our YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/user/CellPhoneSally911.