Monthly Archives: August 2009

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

TAKE A HIKE!

There is still time to make plans for late summer vacations!  While we certainly don’t want to rain on your parade, if hiking or camping is included in your planned activities, here are a few ideas that will help you map out a successful trip:

HIKING or CAMPING:

Whether you are a new or seasoned hiker, it pays to play it safe:

  • Always tell friends or family where you plan to hike/camp.
  • Take plenty of water, snacks and a cell phone.
  • If you are a new hiker, stay in familiar areas; it ‘s too easy to drift into unknown places.
  • In State Parks, check in with Rangers to let them know how long you plan to stay.
  • Don’t mess with wildlife!  Remember, they are wild animals, many protecting their young.
  • If camping is new to you, take shorter trips before embarking on a longer outing.
  • Wear layered clothing, easy to remove/add to be ready for weather changes.
  • Carry lightweight rain jackets.
  • Carry along a First Aid Kit.
  • Add sunscreen to your list, as well as some good safety glasses w/U.V. protection.
  • As the Boy Scouts say,  “Be Prepared!”

Before you check into the great outdoors, be sure you check out all the products you need to stay safe and comfortable.

Source: Safetyissues.com

Uncategorized

TWELVE TIPS FOR COPING WITH STRESS

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Our world is simply spinning too fast!  Most of us are trying to walk a straight line (or keep our lives straight), but instead, we are hanging on to life’s treadmill!   A little stress is a good thing- it can enhance your productivity.  However, too much stress can create or worsen physical and emotional problems.  Try to manage your stress levels through a healthy lifestyle and simple tension-reducing activities.

Try these twelve tips. Hopefully, you will be able to balance your busy schedule a little better:

1.    Develop a positive attitude.

2.    Exercise regularly; aim for 30 minutes every day.

3.    Eat right.  Protein-containing foods and those that contain Vitamins A, B, and C protect us from stress.

4.    Manage time efficiently.

5.    Warn your family when you are feeling especially tense; if they are causing the pressure, it will help them to understand how you are feeling and hopefully calm things down.

6.    Talk things out; don’t hold feelings in.

7.    Understand that every crisis gives you an occasion to grow and learn.

8.    Get sufficient sleep.

9.    Have a support network of people you can count on for help, at home and/or work.

10.    Stretch away tension; there are stretching exercises that can even be done at your desk.

11.    Give yourself a break – time alone to calm down, even 20-30 minutes, may be enough to help you focus on taking the proper time to concentrate on tasks at hand.

12.    Relax……take three or four deep breaths and loosen all of your muscles as much as possible.

Life is too short to spend worrying about things you can’t control.  Much of the tension in our lives is self-created.  We have many responsibilities, both to our families and our employers.  But if we make ourselves sick because of not taking care of ourselves, both emotionally and physically, we are going to not only let them down, but ourselves, as well.

Enjoy every day that you wake up and have events in your life that keep you busy and focused.  As the saying goes, “Stop and smell the roses!”  Life will be much sweeter when you do!

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues

When Crying Doesn’t Help

Dry-eye syndrome is a very bothersome issue that affects many people.  Dryness usually happens on its’ own, and is a chronic annoyance.  The eye’s tear film is composed of three layers: (1)mucus on the surface of the eye, (2) a watery layer, and (3) an oily top layer that holds the moisture in place.

Each of these liquids comes from a different gland in or near your eyelids, and if any gland slows down production, the results are very unpleasant.  Ironically, even crying won’t help much when the surface of your eye becomes dry and rough due to an inadequate supply of lubricating tears to wash away debris.

Investigate your environment/lifestyle for factors that may be causing this problem:

  • Dry air.  Air purifiers cut down on dust and debris, and a humidifier will help.
  • Lack of sleep.  Your eyes’ cells repair themselves during an eight-hour sleep period.
  • Fans and vents blowing in your face. Breezes feel good, but dry out your eyes.
  • Secondhand smoke.  Very irritating to eyes.
  • Dehydration. Six (8) ounce glasses of water help keep your eyes hydrated.
  • Computer/tv screen. You blink less often when staring at a computer screen or television screen.  Blinking spreads tears.
  • Contact lenses.  They absorb moisture, and inhibit the flow of cleansing tears.
  • Going hatless when outside.  A brimmed hat will minimize the sun’s ability to evaporate your tears.

There are many over-the-counter eye drops and gels that alleviate the irritation of dry-eyes. The first step in controlling the problem is to identify the cause of it.  We hope some of the things listed above may possibly help bring about a solution.  Wraparound sunglasses are a very valuable tool that protects your eyes from wind, dust, and glare.  By taking steps to keep your eyes comfortable, you will be protecting your eyesight for years to come.

Uncategorized

BACK TO SCHOOL- HOPEFULLY, WITHOUT THE H1N1 BUG!

The federal government is advising school leaders they shouldn’t have to close their doors this fall because a few students contract this new virus, which continues to spread throughout the world.  Only those schools with high numbers of students coming down with the virus should consider closing, according to a statement Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security Secretary made today (August 7th).

There are more than 55 million American children attending 130,000 public and private schools.  According to the Department of Education, 7 million persons staff those schools.

It is predicted that the new “bug” will hit schools in the fall; however, Education Secretary Arne Duncan stated the importance of continuing to educate the children, and urges parents to use common sense and tell their kids to wash their hands vigorously several times a day, and take other precautions.  He also said that the new vaccine should be ready by mid-October and schools will probably be the principal sites for the shots to be given to students.  Everyone should get the regular flu shot prior to this time.

The Centers for Disease Control last spring advised schools to close for two weeks when there were confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus.  However, the milder cases experienced by students caused them to re-think their strategy.  They do recommend that parents keep their sick students home for at least one week, if they become ill.  As the result of the spring school closings, many parents were forced to leave their kids at home alone, take off work to stay with their children, or make child care arrangements.

Schools should be planning other ways to prevent the spread of illness by placing students’ desks further apart, emphasizing hand hygiene, and any method they can come up with to encourage their students to avoid contact with someone who is ill.  Mr. Duncan is asking schools to have a plan to keep their kids learning during the period their school is closed.

Sources:
AP
Reuters

General Safety Issues, Home Safety Products

HOME SAFETY FOR TODDLERS – WINDOW BLINDS

One of the many things we do when we buy a new home or move into an apartment is choose window treatments.  Whether we have children, grandchildren, or an occasional toddler visit our home, we must be aware of certain hazards that are present.  If you select blinds to cover your windows, be sure they are the new type of cordless ones.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that on the average, once every two weeks, a toddler or infant dies from strangulation from window blind cords.  Blinds made prior to 2001 do not meet child safety regulations.

Toddlers love to climb up to look out of the window, and if they slip and fall, they could become entangled in the cords.  Infants in cribs that are placed too near a window may grab a cord, place it in their mouth, and get it wrapped around their neck.

Here are some actions you may take to ensure safety regarding this hazard:

  • Never have furniture near dangling cords in windows.
  • Buy new cordless window blinds.
  • Consider other window treatments, such as shutters or curtains.
  • If you have older blinds, get retrofit kits to make them safe.
  • Never place cribs near windows.
  • Keep the child away from blind cords.

If you want to adjust the existing blind cords that you now own, the USCPSC recommends eliminating loops on 2-corded horizontal blinds by cutting the cord above the end tassel (looks like a small wood or plastic thimble).

Remove equalizer buckle and add new tassels for each cord, or replace it with a safety break-away tassel.  Do not retie the cords in a knot, as that only recreates a new loop.  Or, you can lower blind all the way, cut cords as close to top of blind as possible and then re-install tassels.  Parents can reach, but the tots cannot!  Otherwise, use old-fashioned cord cleats, which are available at most window covering stores.

The Window Covering Safety Council provides free retrofit kits: cord stops, tassels, and tie-down devices.  Their toll-free number is 800-506-4636.  You can contact them at their website or give them a call for more information.

We just learned of a tragic accident involving some type of cord hanging from a treadmill. It’s unknown at this time just exactly how it happened, but a 4 year-old girl is in critical condition from getting strangled by this cord.  So, parents, look out for anything in your home that could be harmful!

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

WOULD IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

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You know the saying “Hindsight is 20-20”; we always think of things that might have made a difference after the fact.  Recently, a young man drowned in a local lake after falling from a boat and getting hit by a wake board.  After searching for several hours, his body was located, and he was not wearing a life jacket. (One of the rescue workers said they had never pulled anyone out of this particular lake that was wearing a life jacket.)  Without knowing exactly what caused this terrible accident, this tragedy should be a wake up call for all of us to take safety precautions on the water more seriously.

Children must wear life jackets!  Most state laws require that every other person onboard should have access to a life jacket. So, that’s normally the way it goes: the life jacket is on the floor beneath the person, or somewhere within reach.  But if the jacket is not being worn, how is it going to help?  Even if we are strong swimmers, there could be circumstances that cause us to be rendered unconscious if we fell out of a boat.  A rescue worker commented that even though wearing a life jacket is uncomfortable, it’s well worth the inconvenience when it saves someone’s life.

Just a month ago, we posted a boating article which ended with this:

“Things to remember: (1) Wear life jackets – they save lives! (2) Have that designated driver!  (3) Have a safe boat – it can save your life! (4) Be sure to take along sunscreen, and (5) have a first aid kit on your boat.”

So, YES, there are many things that can make a difference when it comes to water safety:

  • WEAR A LIFE JACKET!
  • DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE A BOAT!
  • PAY ATTENTION TO ALL PASSENGERS
  • LAKE WATER AND BOOZE JUST DON’T MIX!
  • DON’T DRIVE BOATS NEAR SWIMMING AREAS
  • COURTESY SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO AND BY JET-SKIERS

We have several more weeks of warm weather and there’s nothing more fun than going to the lake to do some skiing, fishing, camping, and just having all-around fun.  Hundreds of people will be heading to lakes to celebrate the Labor Day holiday.  Don’t let the dog days of summer end in tragedy by disregarding safe practices around water.

General Safety Issues, Hearing Protection

LISTEN UP: SOME VALUABLE INFORMATION ABOUT HEARING LOSS

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It could take only a few minutes of exposure to certain sounds for hearing loss to occur.  Data compiled from the CDC/NIOSH website contains the following information in regard to hearing protection numbers:

  • Each year, 30 million people are exposed to harmful noise at work.
  • Noise-induced hearing loss is the second most-often reported occupational injury.
  • It only takes a few minutes of exposure to certain sounds for damage to occur.
  • Hearing loss is permanent and irreversible.

Here are some scary statistics:  a newspaper press (97dB) can cause permanent hearing damage in just 30 minutes.  A chain saw (110 dB) can cause permanent damage in less than 2 minutes.  A simple hand drill (98 dB) or a tractor (96dB) can cause permanent damage in less than 30 minutes.

Noise Reduction Rating is a number that appears on the labels of all hearing protection products sold in the U.S.  In theory, the NRR equals the level of noise reduction (in decibels) provided by the earplug or earmuff, in laboratory conditions.  These conditions can be very different from actual working conditions.  Earplugs may be inserted incorrectly or earmuffs may not completely cover ears of workers, therefore the products may not furnish the level of protection listed on the package.

NIOSH has recommended that NRR data be adjusted to account for these differences.  For real world working conditions, NIOSH recommends that the NRR for earmuffs should be reduced by 25%, the NRR for formable earplugs reduced by 50%, and for all other earplugs should be reduced by 70%.  For example, a pair of earplugs with an NRR of 29 would be adjusted according to the NIOSH recommendations to 14.5 (29 dB x 50% = 14.5 dB).

Whenever the time-weighted average noise is greater than 85dB, OSHA requires the use of hearing protection.  By adjusting the NRR of a hearing protector according to NIOSH’s recommendations, and subtracting that number from the actual time-weighted noise level, it is possible to get an idea of how much noise is actually entering the ear.

An example is: a worker in a factory who experiences a time-weighted average noise level of 97 dB would need a hearing protector that provides at least 12 dB of protection.  That worker would need earmuffs with an NRR of at least 16 or formable earplugs with an NRR of at least 24, based on the ratings on the packaging.

NRR data can be misleading without a proper understanding of its usefulness as a tool.  If it is used correctly, however, it can provide valuable information to help workers choose the correct hearing protection device.

Source:
Gateway Safety

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

HERE’S A GREAT TEEN DRIVING SAFETY PROGRAM!

We want to introduce you to the “Teens in the Driver Seat” program, implemented in Texas following the graduated drivers license (GDL) law passed in 2002.  In a recent study the number of fatal crashes per 10,000 teen drivers fell by 33%, compared with federal data from 36 other states that have the GDL law over a period of 5 years.

The fact that the reduction in fatal crashes in Texas is unique is that the state has two obstacles to overcome when it comes to the law and teenage drivers: (1) they are not required to pass an on-road driving test, and (2) parent-taught drivers education is allowed.  Other methods of driver education are preferable than young drivers being taught only by their parents.

“Teens in the Drivers Seat” is a public-awareness program based at Texas A&M University.

So far, this campaign has been in 300 schools and reached more than 250,000 students statewide.  Everyone knows that teenagers listen to their peers far more than adults.  In TDS, students develop the messages and are the messengers.  An example: in one school, an obstacle course was set up in the hallway, and students sent text messages while rolling through the course in a chair, demonstrating how texting while driving causes distractions.  Many teen drivers admit that they talk on their cell phones while driving and one in four confess that they text while driving.

Students who have participated in TDS state that things they have learned are:

  • Not to have too many people in the car while they are driving.
  • Speed kills.
  • Distractions can be very dangerous.
  • Buckle up that seat belt!

If your state doesn’t have a similar program, check out Teens in the Drivers Seat on the Internet.  It has some very informative stories and ideas.  State Farm Insurance is a partial sponsor of the program.

Teaching our new drivers that driving is a full-time job and to pay attention 100% of the time they are behind the wheel, may be a life-saving lesson.

Source:
Ft Worth Star Telegram
TDS