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Posted June 2007

Spring is Here!

With warmer weather and longer days approaching, people are emerging from their winter cocoons to focus on long-neglected projects like spring cleaning, home repairs, and yard work. Many are also lacing up their shoes for their first outdoor walk or jog of the season. These activities can be extremely beneficial, but they also involve a variety of health and safety hazards that can be avoided with the proper precautions.

Nature is undergoing a fresh start and so are homeowners who are ready to clean up the debris that has been accumulating in basements, storage sheds, and garages over the winter.

1. Household and pool chemicals, paints, and poisons should be properly marked and stored under lock and key,

    away from children’s reach. Dispose of any that are leaking, expired, or that look bad.

2. When cleaning up hazardous chemicals wear rubber gloves and follow the safety direction on the packaging.

    Never mix chemicals in the same container. If you don’t’ know how to dispose of them, seek outside advice.

    Never put them into the trash or pour down the drain.

3. Make sure gasoline and cleaning fluids are well marked and stored in a cool, dry place away from the house

    and out of the reach of children and pets. Use only approved containers for gasoline storage.

4. Never use gasoline to clean skin, clothes, auto parts, or floors.

5. Clean up work areas. Put dangerous tools, adhesives, matches, or other work items away from children’s

    reach.

6. Check your barbecue grill for leaks and cracks, and be sure to store any propane tanks away from your house

    and garage.

7. Remove all fire hazards, including stacks of rags, newspapers, and magazines. Pay special attention to the

    spaces around your furnace, hot water tank, fireplace, space heaters, and dryer, as well as under the stairs.

Itching to get the yard into shape for the summer? Here are ways to help ensure your spring spruce-up is disaster-free.

1. Limber up. Yard chores may seem easy, but they involve muscles you probably haven’t used in a while.

2. Always wear protective clothing when you handle pesticides and fertilizers.

3. More than 60,000 people are treated in emergency rooms each year for lawn-mower injuries.

   - Rake before you mow to prevent any stones and loose debris from launching into the air.
   - Never operate a mower in your bare feet and avoid wearing loose clothing.
   - Never start a mower indoors.
   - When refueling your mower, make sure the engine is off and cool. Don’t spill gasoline on a hot engine — and

      don’t smoke while pouring gasoline.
   - Never leave your mower operational while unattended.
   - Don’t use electrical mowers on wet grass.
At least 55,000 people each year sustain injuries from trimmers, lawn edgers, pruners and power saws.
   - Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before using the tools.
   - Inspect the product for damage and don’t use it if there are problems.
   - Use proper eye protection.
   - Make sure blade guards are in place on all cutting equipment.
   - Don’t let tools get wet unless they are labeled “immersible.”
   - Unplug all tools when not in use.
   - Make sure the tool is in the “off” position before you plug it in.
   - Store gasoline-powered equipment away from anything that uses a pilot light.
   - Make sure you use the right saw for the task, and always wait for the saw blade to stop before pulling away

     from a cut to avoid kickback.

Ready for some outdoor exercise and adventure? Here are a few pointers.

1. When pruning trees, be careful not to let metal ladders or trimmers contact overhead wires.

2. Before you do any “hands on” weed removal, make sure you know how to identify poison ivy, sumac, oak and

    similar toxic plants. Find out ahead of time how to treat the rashes they cause to reduce the irritation.

3. When pruning trees, be careful not to let metal ladders or trimmers contact overhead wires.

 
4. Before you do any “hands on” weed removal, make sure you know how to identify poison ivy, sumac, oak

    and similar toxic plants. Find out ahead of time how to treat the rashes they cause to reduce the irritation.

5. Spring’s extra rain and thawing snow can cause normally safe rivers, streams, and creeks to turn treacherous.

    Even standing on banks can be risky as they can be undercut by rushing water and give in under your weight.
 

6. Springtime is also severe weather time. If the skies look threatening, check to see if a storm watch or warning

    has been issued before you initiate outdoor activities. If you’re already outside and thunderstorms threaten,

    go immediately into a building or enclosed vehicle. For tornadoes, go to the nearest safe structure, or the

    basement or interior first-floor room of your home. If there’s no time to follow these precautions, take cover

    in a ditch or depression in the ground.

Ready to do some home repairs? On average, about 145,000 people visit the emergency room each year, because of ladder mishaps. Here are a few safety tips:

1. Read the manufacturer’s instructions that come with your ladder. They contain guidelines for weight and

    height limits as well as for the proper use of their product.

2. Inspect the ladder before using it to make sure there are no loose or broken rungs.

3. Make sure the ladder is the right height for the job. Many accidents happen when people overextend their

    reach because their ladders are too short.

4. Never stand on a ladder’s bucket shelf.

5. Make sure the ladder is completely open and that all of its feet are planted on a firm, level surface. Extension

    ladders should not be placed at an angle that is too extreme.

6. Avoid using a metal ladder near electrical sources.

7. Face the ladder when climbing down and make sure your weight is centered between the two sides.

“These are just a few of the safety precaution to consider during the spring,” says of . “It’s also a great time to replace your smoke detector batteries, make sure your fire extinguishers are placed in proper locations around your home, and ensure you have a working flashlight and battery-powered radio for spring storms. By taking the right precautions when warmer weather beckons, you and those around you can enjoy a safer, healthier spring.”

Tips to Prevent a Fire:

 1) Install and maintain a quality smoke detector.

 2) Learn the causes of fire.

 3) Inspect your home to eliminate or control fire hazards.

 4) Install at least 5-pound A-B-C type fire extinguishers in the home and teach family

     members how to use them.

 5) Establish a well-planned escape route with the entire family.

 6) Hold practice fire drills until all family members are thoroughly familiar with the plan.

 7) If you have an older home, have the wiring checked by a qualified electrician to make

     sure it meets current building codes.

 8) Have your chimney and fireplace cleaned and inspected yearly for creosote build-up,

     cracks, crumbling bricks or mortar and any obstruction.

 9) Keep storage areas clean and tidy.

 10)Keep curtains, towels and potholders away from hot surfaces.

 11)Store solvents and flammable cleaners away from heat sources. Never keep gasoline

     in the house.

 12)Inspect extension cords for frayed or exposed wires or loose plugs.

 13)Keep and eye on your cooking and stay in the kitchen.

 14)Wear short or close-fitting sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can catch fire.

 What to do in case of a Fire:

 Remain CALM, but take IMMEDIATE action. If it is a home or High-Risk Fire:

    1) If you smell smoke or the smoke detector goes off, call the fire department and

        activate the nearest pull station at once.

    2) Before you open the door, feel the door by using the back of your hand. If the door

        is warm or hot, do not open the door.

    3) If the door is cool, open it a little to check the hallway.

        If you see smoke, do not leave.

    4) If there is no smoke in the hallway, leave and close the door. Go directly to stairs

        to leave.

    5) If you can't escape, use-wet towels or tape to seal the door and any room

        supply vent.

    6) If you have a balcony and there is no fire below it, go out.

    7) If there is fire below, go to the window. Do not open the window, but stay

        near the window.

    8) If there is no fire below, go to the window and open it. Stay near the window.

    9) Hang a blanket or towel out the window to let people know that you are there

        and need help.

    10)Be calm and wait for someone to rescue you.

    11)NEVER USE THE ELEVATOR.

     Cooking fire

     1) Call the fire department immediately

    2) Slide a pan lid over the flame to smother a grease or oil fire, the turn off the heat

        and leave the lid in place until the pan cools. Never carry the pan outside.

    3) Extinguish other food fires with baking soda. Never use water or flour on cooking

        fires.

    4) Keep the oven door shut and turn off the heat to smother an oven or broiler fire.

What to do After a Fire:

 1) Do not enter a fire-damaged building unless authorities say it is ok.

 2) When entering a fire-damaged building, look for signs of heat or smoke.

 3) Have an electrician check your household wiring before the current is turned back on.

     Do not attempt to reconnect any utilities yourself. Leave this to the fire department

     and other authorities.

 4) Beware of structural damage. Roofs and floors may be weakened and need repair.

 5) Contact your local disaster relief service, such as American Red Cross or Salvation

     Army, if you need housing, food, or personal items, which were destroyed in the fire.

 6) Call your insurance agent. Keep records or all clean up and repair costs.

 7) Do not throw away any damaged goods until an official inventory has been taken.

 8) If you are a tenant, contact the landlord.

 9) Secure personal belongings or move them to another location.