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Summer '04 PBFD Newsletter
| Vol.2, Issue 2
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| This bulletin contains
detailed safety information that could save the
life of you or a loved one. |
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Summer Safety
Tips |
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| With summer upon us, more and
more people in the Pelham area will be enjoying the outdoors.
Unfortunately, sun, heat, and fair-weather activities such
as swimming, biking, picnicking, and lawn mowing also present
their share of hazards. To help ensure everyone in the community
enjoys a safe summer, the members of the Pelham Batesville
Fire Department offer the following safety tips. |
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Heat
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Overheating can cause
muscle cramps, chills, nausea and dizziness, among other
symptoms. At it's worst, it can lead to heat stroke, a
medical emergency. Don't do too much, too soon. After long
periods of inactivity during the winter the body is not
ready for strenuous exertion---especially in hot temperatures.
 Drink
plenty of water before and during hard or strenuous work
in the heat. You'll need to drink more water than your
thirst indicates.
Take
frequent small drinks, which are more effective than gulping
down large amounts at once.
When
possible, schedule heavy work for the cooler hours of the
day, such as early morning or late evening.
Take
frequent rests, lower the workload as heat increases.
When
possible, start with less strenuous work and gradually
build up the intensity so you can acclimatize yourself
to the heat.
Never
leave children alone in a car during the summer---even
for a few minutes with the windows rolled down.
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Sun
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Protect
yourself from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Overexposure
can lead to eye problems, sunburn, or even skin cancer.
Use
UV protective sunscreens with a protection factor of at least
15 whenever you are in the sun for long periods of time. Even on
cloudy days UV rays can get through.
Wear
wide-brimmed hats in the sun; baseball caps don't cover enough
of your face and neck.
Choose
sunglasses that block 99-100% of UV light. Wraparound glass
are best.
Babies
under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight.
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Swimming |
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The Centers for Disease Control
reports that drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related
death among children 1-14 years old.
Always
swim with a buddy, never alone,even if you are an experienced
swimmer.
Never
leave kids alone while they are in or near a pool, even if
they can swim.
Know
your limits. Don't get overly tired.
Don't
swim if you are chilled, overheated, immediately after eating,
or in storms.
Alcohol
and swimming don't mix.
Don't
chew gum or eat while you are swimming. You could easily choke.
Obey
"no diving" signs. It means the area is unsafe for headfirst
entries.
Always
enter the water feet first if you don't know the depth. Check
for submerged obstacles.
Always
dive with your hands in front of your head.
Surround
your pool on all sides with a sturdy 5' fence. Make sure young
children can't reach the gate latch.
Keep
rescue equipment (life preserver, long pole with a hook on
the end) near your pool.
Slips
and trips are common on slippery surfaces. Discourage running
in a pool area.
Don't
body surf in waves bigger than 3' on sloped beaches or near
sandbars.
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Fireworks Safety Tips from the Consumer
Product Safety Commission and the National Council on Fireworks
Safety. |
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Every year thousands of people---most
of them children---are treated in emergency rooms for serious
injuries related to fireworks. Fireworks (sparklers and firecrackers
included) are not toys. We recommend that they be used only
by trained professionals. The only safe way to enjoy fireworks
is at a distance. If you still plan on using fireworks and/or
sparklers, despite these warnings:
Always read and follow label directions.
Have an adult present.
Buy from reliable sellers.
Use outdoors only.
Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket).
Never experiment or make your own fireworks.
Light only one firework at a time.
Never re-light a "dud" firework (wait 15 to
20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).
Never give fireworks to small children.
If necessary, store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
Dispose
of fireworks properly by soaking them in water and then
disposing of them in your trashcan.
Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
The shooter should always wear eye protection and never
have any part of the body over the firework.
Stay away from illegal explosives.
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Biking
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It's important to wear a protective
helmet while bike riding. The American Medical Association
reports 75% of cycling deaths are caused by head injuries.
Wear
a protective helmet when in-line skating or using scooters.
Ride
near the curb, single file, in the same direction as traffic.
Keep
to safer, less-traveled routes.
Don't
do stunts---they can lead to serious injury.
Be
alert to road hazards such as potholes, rocks, and glass, that
can cause you to lose control.
Make
yourself visible. Wear bright clothing during the day, wear
a reflective vest or use reflective tape on clothes at night.
Never
ride at dusk without a headlight and red taillight or large
reflector in the back.
Know
traffic laws and signals.
Make
sure your bike is well maintained.
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Play Grounds
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Each
year about 200,000 children are treated in emergency room for
playground equipment-releated injuries, according to the
Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Make
sure protective surfacing such as double-shredded bark mulch,
wood or rubber chips, fine sand or fine gravel is about
6-12" deep under and around all playground equipment.
Make
sure all equipment is carefully maintained and checked for
loose hardware, projections, splinters, rust and chipped
paint, moving parts that may crush or pinch, scattered debris
and tree roots.
Supervise
and teach your child safe play.
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Gasoline |
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Summertime
also means gas-run tools from lawn mowers and trimmers to
weed eaters and saws. Follow warning labels on dangerous
equipment.
Use
an approved safety container with a self-closing lid so vapors
cannot escape---never bring gas inside your living quarters.
Don't
smoke while handling gas.
Don't
use gas near sparks, flames, hot surfaces and sources of
static electricity.
Don't
use gas to clean paintbrushes.
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Lawn Mowing |
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Before
your mow, clear the yard of rocks, sticks, or anything else
that might fling.
Wait
for grass to dry before mowing. Wet grass might make your
slip or clog the mower chute.
Clear
a clogged chute using a stick---never your hands---with the
mower off.
With
a riding mower, mow up and down sloped areas so you're less
likely to tip.
Never
leave a running mower unattended.
Keep
kids and pets away while you're mowing.
Never
refuel a hot mower.
Never
mow in bare feet or sandals. Wear heavy-duty shoes with non-slip
soles.
Avoid
wearing loose clothing that could get caught in the machine.
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Severe Storms |
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In the event of an electrical
storm:
Get
inside a house, large building, or automobile.
Don't
stand near a single tall tree or the tallest tree in a
group.
Get
out of and away from water.
In the event of a tornado:
Buildings: Go
to the basement, interior room, or hallway on the lowest
floor.
Car/Mobile
Home: Go immediately to a substantial structure or designated
shelter.
Outdoors: Lie
flat in the nearest ditch or depression, cover your head
with your hands.
In the event of a flash flood:
Leave
the building you are in immediately if ordered to evacuate.
Go
to higher ground, do not try to walk through flowing water
more than ankle deep.
Do
not drive through flooded areas even if they look shallow
enough to cross.
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Picnics/Camping |
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Carry
an insect sting kit if you have a known allergy. To decrease
the risk of insect bites avoid wearing perfumes and clothes
with floral patterns.
To
help prevent food poisoning, keep food cold foods cold and
hot foods hot. Don't store perishible foods in a hot car.
Keep
kids away from grills and lighter fluid.
Keep
grills away from anything that can burn.
Be
aware of tiny deer ticks that carry Lyme disease. When in
a potentially infested area, apply insect repellant that
contains deet, wear light-colored, long-sleeved-shirts, pants,
and socks, and know which symptoms to watch out for.
Learn
to identify poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Wash
the contact area with soap and water as soon as possible.
Do
not build a fire near tree trunks, fallen trees, or overhanging
branches.
When
extinguishing a campfire, let it die down, then break up
the coals or logs and soak them with water. |
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