Winter Safety: Tips to Keep Safe This Season

With winter coming underway, temperatures occasionally drop down to mid twenties from time to time, don't forget to prepare your home, family and your pets. If you know of any older adults, don't forget to check on them from time to time when temperatures drop drastically. When you are outdoors for long periods of time, make sure you wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Take some basic precautions to ensure your family safe throughout the season. (Be Prepared to Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter)

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

With the winter season upon us, temperatures at time can get low enough for people needing to turn the heat on. Please be cautious when turning on the heat to warm up the residence, and please note that although carbon monoxide detectors can save lives, less than 1/3 of American homes have one installed. To not to get carbon monoxide poisoning, remember simple tips like these:

• Replace batteries for carbon monoxide detectors during spring and fall.
• Do not heat your home with gas range or oven.
• Never run a car or truck inside an attached garage (National Safety Council: Winter Safety Tips)

For more tips on how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, check it out on the CDC website.

Take These Steps for Your Home

Winter is here, despite the fact that we are in the south region of Texas without ice and storms, it is still

important to stay prepared and check in with the National Weather Service for winter related alerts and other weather events.

• Install weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows.
• Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks.
• Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available.
• Learn symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
• Check on family and neighbors who are especially at risk from cold weather hazards: young children, older adults, and the chronically ill. If you have pets, bring them inside (Be Prepared to Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter)

How Will You and Your Family Keep Yourselves Safe This Month?

Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out During a Fire

I hope that as the daylight hours are getting slightly shorter and hopefully cooler weather, you and I are taking the time spending with our family and friends, in sports, arts and crafts as well as other activities. I also hope that you had taken the time to check and possibly change out the batteries of your fire alarms, they do need to be changed at least once per year. (NSC: National Fire Prevention Week)

National Fire Prevention Week is October 8th to 14th this year, with the theme "Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways to Get Out!"

Most of our homes should have at least one working smoke alarms, are a family's first indication of a fire when it sounds. Once that alarm sounds a fire can spread quickly, leaving only a minute or two to escape, according to the National Fire Protection Association. It is extremely important for all households to have an escape plan and practice using at least 2 different ways out of the house. As our September post reminds us, National Preparedness Month teaches us how important it is for every single one of us to plan ahead, because disaster doesn't.

We should all take action to prepare, because we are all able to help first responders in our community by training how to respond during an emergency and what to do when disaster strikes. It takes time and effort to help as many individuals, families, and communities around us engage in preparedness actions.

What You Can Do to Plan Ahead!

There are many ways for you and I to plan ahead before the fire starts, here are some of the tips to keep your home safe from fire:

1. Install both types of smoke alarms and change batteries at least once a year in these devices
2. Plan and practice escape routes and agree on a meeting place outside of your home; be prepared to assist young children, family members with special needs and pets
3. Know two ways out of every room in the home 
4. Learn how to use your fire extinguisher
5. If your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop and roll. (National Preparedness Month: Ready.gov)

More Fire Prevention Education Resources

There are additional education resources available on fire prevention, check it out here:
Fire Prevention Week Education Resources

What are the Two Ways Out that You and Your Family Would Use?

Summer Safety: Water and Fire Safety

Summer is here! With many family members taking time off, visiting friends and family across the county and possibly abroad. Some would be attending various festivals and events many with fireworks especially this month, it is important to remember while we are having fun, safety is #1 key.

Water Safety

Importance of water safety can’t be overstated, drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 2, but  anyone can be at risk. In 2013, 3,391 people over all age groups have drowned. (NSC Safety in and Out of the Water, 2017)

Water safety should be practiced with adults, knowing how to perform all following tips under our belts can save our as well as another’s life. According to an American Red Cross survey, only 56% of adults say they swim are able to perform five critical water-safety skills that could save their lives. Some of these include:

• Floating or treading water for one minute without a flotation device
• Stepping or jumping into water over your head and returning to the surface
• Exiting a pool without using a ladder 
• Swimming 25 yards without stopping (NSC Safety in and Out of the Water, 2017)

Fire Safety

The National Safety Council advises everyone to stay away from all consumer fireworks and to only enjoy fireworks at a public display conducted by seasoned professionals. In 2015, 11 people died and about 11,500 were injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. (Best to Leave Fireworks to the Experts)
There are some fireworks that are legal for consumers to purchase and use, but not necessarily legal. It is highly advised for everyone to only enjoy fireworks at a public display conducted by seasoned professionals. Check out this video by the NFPA.

Summer is a wonderful time to spend with family and friends outside, and outdoor activities are a great way to be active and stay in shape. Make sure you don't put an end to the fun because of a preventable injury.

Remember to report any issues of unsafe playgrounds to the owner or park district as necessary. Children under 6 yrs old should be supervised at all times by an adult. (Like to Play Outside? NSC Shares Some Tips for Staying Safe)

How are You Staying Safe This Summer?

Celebrating National Safety Month

June is National Safety Month, and National Safety Council  has provided some pointers to help raise awareness on what it takes to Keep Each Other Safe. Some of the focus this month includes reducing leading causes of injury and death at work, on the road and in our homes and communities. 

The Need to Get Good Sleep 

Do you know that we need to be recharged to be in charge of our daily activities, such as in the workplace, at home or on the road? According CDC, 1 in 3 adults don’t get enough sleep. It is also estimated that 37% of American workforce is sleep deprived. We need proper sleep to recharge ourselves, face the day and avoid injuries at home and at work. Some tips  to help you be alert: 

• Create and follow a sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.  7-9 hours each day preferred  
• Make sure your bed and pillows are comfortable and support restful sleep 
• Avoid using electronic devices before bed which can inhibit sleep (Recharge to be in Charge)      

Work Ergonomically

According to American Chiropractic Association, approximately 80% of the population will experience a back problem at some point in their lives, and 31 million will experience lowback pain some time.  

To help prevent these issues before it starts, here are some general guidelines: 

v  Prevent lower back pain by staying healthy and active. Carrying extra weight and smoking can make you more susceptible to back injuries. 
v  Make sure chairs have proper lumbar and arm support, and can be adjusted for height
v  To take short breaks. Look away from your screen every 15 minutes, take micro breaks in between bursts of heavy typing and don’t forget to take a rest break every 30 or 60 minutes. (Work Ergonomically)

How Will You Increase Safety Awareness?

Summer Safety Tips

Summer is just around the corner, and with the heat rising and more activities we will be doing outside, such as running Summer Reading programs, tours and outreach with our staff and our customers, be sure to keep our safety thinking caps on and stay safe!

Rising Heat Indicators

Summer heat can be dangerous and even deadly! Hundreds of deaths occur each year in the US caused by heat exposure. In Houston, we have about 100 days every year with temperature reaches at least 90 degrees and with high humidity percentages. Let’s keep the following Summer Safety Tips in mind while at work and home.

General Guidelines

Whether you’re working or playing outside in the summer, anybody not accustomed to the heat is at risk for a heat-related illness. Take steps to protect yourself:

✓ Wear appropriate clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat

✓ Take frequent water breaks

✓ Apply sunscreen with SPF 15+

✓ NEVER leave kids or pets unattended in a vehicle (National Safety Council Outsmart Summer Danger)

Cars, Children and Pets

Temperatures inside a vehicle can reach up to 140 degrees F within minutes.

Properly supervise children during outdoor play and monitor them closely and frequently.

Check your pet(s) frequently for unusual behavior patterns that may be early warnings signs for heat exhaustion and possible heat stroke.

Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles while you run to do a quick errand.

Have a Safe Summer!