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SHERIDAN
MEMORIAL
Safety Tips
November 25, 2011...
According to the United
States Fire Administration, Christmas trees account
for 250 fires annually, resulting in 14 deaths, 26
injuries and more than $13.8 million in property
damage. Typically shorts in electrical lights or
open flames from candles, lighters or matches start
tree fires. Well-watered trees are not a
problem. Dry and neglected trees can be.
Old wives tales can compound the problem, as many are
under the impression that adding substances such as
fertilizer or corn syrup to the tree's water supply
help to keep it "alive". According to the US
Forestry Service's Forest Products Lab, water alone
was absorbed 7 times faster than a water and Corn
Syrup mix and three times faster than water with
fertilizer added. The more water the tree picks
up, the less flammable it is. Remember, a wet
tree is a safe tree.
Tips for keeping a Christmas tree as wet as possible:
1. Trim the bottom of the tree with a sharp saw
immediately prior to placing it in water. Trees
have vessels in the trunks that carry water up to the
branches and leaves. Crushed or dried out
vessels won't carry water.
2. Keep the tree stand full of clean, fresh
water to ensure optimal water uptake by the tree.
3. But the freshest tree you can find. Once a
tree's moisture drops below 85%, it will continue to
dry. even if it is placed in water.
For a dramatic look at just how quickly a dry
Christmas tree can become engulfed in flames, Click
Here!
October 27, 2011...
Overheated laptop batteries can suffer
thermal runaway, rupture, and in severe cases, even
combustion. The following guidelines will help keep
your laptop running cool and safe.
To promote safe use of notebook computers:
- Do not use
incompatible computer batteries and
chargers. If unsure about whether a
replacement battery or charger is compatible,
contact the product manufacturer.
- Computer batteries
can get hot during normal use. Do not use
your computer on soft surfaces, such as a sofa,
bed or carpet, because it can restrict airflow and
cause overheating.
- Do not permit a loose
battery to come in contact with metal objects,
such as coins, keys or jewelry
- Do not crush,
puncture or put a high degree of pressure on the
battery as this can cause an internal
short-circuit, resulting in overheating.
- Avoid dropping or
bumping the computer. Dropping it,
especially on a hard surface, can potentially
cause damage to the computer and battery. If
you suspect damage contact the manufacturer.
- Do not place the
computer in areas that may get very hot.
- Do not get your
computer or battery wet. Even though they
will dry and appear to operate normally, the
circuitry could slowly corrode and pose a safety
hazard.
- Follow battery usage,
storage and charging guidelines found in the
user's guide.
October 13, 2011...
Children should never be left unattended in
the bathroom. They are at risk for drowning, scalds,
poisonings and falls. Children can drown in a
few seconds and in less than an inch of water.
Scald burns occur when children are placed in water
that is too hot or when they are left
unsupervised.
To Prevent Drownings
- Never leave children
alone in the bathroom, even for a few seconds.
- Place safety locks on
all toilet lids.
To
Prevent Scald Burns
- Set the water heater
thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or less and
consider installing anti-scald devices.
- Always test the water
temperature before putting children in the bathtub
or shower.
- Turn children away
from the bathtub spout so they cannot turn on the
faucet.
To
Prevent Poisonings
- Lock all medicines,
vitamins and cosmetics out of children's reach.
- Always use
child-resistant packaging.
To
Prevent Falls
- Apply non-slip
surfaces and install grab bars in the bathtub and
shower.
- Secure bathroom rugs
with non-slip backing.
To
Prevent Cuts
- Lock sharp objects
such as razors and scissors out of reach.
- Keep first aid
supplies in a locked medicine cabinet.
October 6, 2011...
Airbags have saved countless lives in motor
vehicle collisions. They are not without risk,
however. The airbag deploys from the steering
wheel at 200 mph! Make sure that your steering
wheel is tilted up, not pointing straight at your
chest. The concussive force from the airbag
hitting you directly in the chest could stop your
heart. Make sure to have at least one foot of
clearance between your body and the steering wheel,
and always wear your seat belt. In the event of
a collision, your unrestrained forward motion would be
added to the 200 mph of the airbag deployment,
resulting in an even more traumatic event.
Children in car seats should always ride in the back
seat, and should never be placed in front of an active
airbag.
September
1, 2011...
More than 25 children each year die in
pedestrian accidents involving school buses. In
fact, three times as many children are killed in
school bus accidents while getting on or off the bus
than while riding it.
Teach your children about the 10-foot danger zone
around the school bus, where the driver can't see
children on the ground. Young children should
take eight giant steps away from the bus to be sure
the bus driver can see them. Older kids who must
cross the street should look to the bus driver for an
"OK" sign before crossing, and always cross in front
of the bus.
Kids tend to run toward the bus - don't let
them. Kids should stand on the grass or sidewalk
while waiting for the bus and not enter the street
until the driver has opened the door of the bus.
While on the bus, children should observe the
following safety rules:
- The bus driver and
others cannot see you if you are standing within
10 feet of the bus. Stay out of the danger
zone!
- If something falls
under or near the bus, tell the driver.
Never try to pick it up yourself!
- When you get on or
off the bus, look for the bus safety lights and
make sure they are flashing.
- Be alert to traffic.
When you get on or off the bus, look left, right,
left before you enter or cross the street.
- Remain seated at all
times and keep the aisles clear.
- Don't throw
objects. Don't shout or distract the driver
unnecessarily.
- Keep you head and
arms inside the bus at all times.
August 25, 2011...
Make sure you and your kids protect your
brains during athletic activities. Bicycle
helmets are designed to take the shock out of a
collision, preventing a potentially life altering
concussion. Helmets are also a good idea for
skateboarding, roller skating, kayaking, and any sport
in which hitting your head is a distinct
possibility. While your brain is well protected
by your skull, at high speeds, the brain can actually
smash into the skull, causing bruising and tissue
damage.
August 18, 2011...
Material Many children are poisoned every
year by pain relievers. This is just one of the
poisons that may be in your medicine cabinet.
Protect your children, grandchildren, nieces and
nephews by following a few important guidelines:
- Make sure all the
medications in your medicine cabinet have child
resistant closures
- Make sure the
closures are properly secured
- Check your
medications before you leave the pharmacy to
ensure they are in child resistant containers
- Throw out all your
out of date prescriptions - the chemicals in
medications change over time, and what was once
good medicine can become toxic
- Make sure all
medications are in the original container with the
original label - in the event of an accidental
poisoning, this will allow rapid identification of
the overdosed agent
- Even vitamins are
medication - supplements containing iron are
dangerous and even potentially lethal to children
in high doses
August 11, 2011...
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) have
information on a chemical's hazards, reactivity, and
proper disposal. Free MSDSs for many household
and agricultural chemicals can be found at:
http://siri.org/msds/index.php
They are also available from their manufacturer.
June 30, 2011...
Tornadic storms are an issue all over the
central plains during the summer. Last year's
tornado proves that Northeast Montana is not exempt
from danger. Knowing what to look for and what
to do can save your life, and the lives of your
family:
From the National Weather Service:
Know
the signs of a tornado: Weather forecasting science is
not perfect and some tornadoes do occur without a
tornado warning. There is no substitute for
staying alert to the sky. Besides an obviously
visible tornado, here are some things to look and
listen for:
- Strong, persistent
rotation in the cloud base
- Whirling dust or
debris on the ground under a cloud base --
tornadoes sometimes have no funnel
- Hail or heavy rain
followed by either dead calm or a fast, intense
wind shift. Many tornadoes are wrapped in
heavy precipitation and can't be seen
- Day or night - loud,
continuous roar or rumble, which doesn't fade in a
few seconds like thunder
- Night - small,
bright, blue-green to white flashes at ground
level near a thunderstorm (as opposed to silvery
lightening up in the clouds). These mean
power lines are being snapped by very strong wind,
possibly a tornado
- Night - Persistent
lowering from the cloud base, illuminated or
silhouetted by lightening -- especially if it is
on the ground or there is a blue-green-white power
flash underneath
General
Safety
Tips:
Have a safe place designated in your house, and have
emergency supplies handy. The safe place needs
to be as far from windows as possible, and large
enough to accommodate the whole family. A
mattress or sleeping bag can be a useful form of
protection from flying debris.
If you are in a vehicle or mobile home, get out.
You will be safer taking shelter in the open. To
shelter in the open, lie flat on the ground as far
from trees or vehicles as possible, and protect your
face and neck.
June 23, 2011...
Even on mild days with temperatures of 70
degrees, the temperature inside a closed car can
quickly rise to 100 degrees or more. Last year,
49 children died after being left in the car. To
keep you kids safe:
- don't leave them in a
car, which can quickly heat up, especially on a
hot, sunny day
- always lock your car
and secure the keys so that your kids can't get to
them
- warn your kids about
playing in the car by themselves without adult
supervision
- install a trunk
release mechanism, so that they cannot get trapped
in the trunk
- get your kids out of
the car first, and then worry about getting the
groceries, etc., out of the car when you get home
- make sure that child
care providers and day care workers have a plan to
make sure that kids aren't left in the day care
providers car or van
The
following are descriptions from death certificates
filed since 1998:
- a 9 month old died
after being 'left strapped in child safety seat in
a sweltering minivan for two hours -
misunderstanding between child's parents resulted
in the child being left alone in the van; one
parent believed infant was at home with other'
- a 6 month old 'baby
died when accidentally left in hot car for 3 hrs,
died when outside 90-degree temperatures rose to
130 degrees inside closed car, parents thought the
other had carried the baby from the car to crib'
- a 34 month old
'toddler who recently learned how to open a car
door apparently climbed inside family station
wagon while parent and sibling were in house'
- a 23 month old died
when a 'relative babysitting child, put child in
car for a trip to store, went back in house having
forgotten something, was distracted by something
on television, sat on couch to watch, fell asleep,
woke up two hours later'
- a 2 year old died
after a 'parent left child in car after returning
home from errand - was left for more than an hour'
- a 2 year old 'child
apparently slipped away from parents and siblings,
fell asleep atop blanket in unlocked car in
driveway of home, oldest sibling found child 40
minutes later'
June 16, 2011...
Proper hydration is something that most
people don't pay a lot of attention to. Paying
more attention to your water intake can have some very
positive effects.
Benefits of being well hydrated include:
- Increased mental
function
- Better muscle
function
- Good heat regulation
- Good digestive
function
- Decreased appetite
Dehydration
can
lead to:
- Loss of muscle
control
- Hyperthermia
(overheating)
- Loss of reaction time
- Increased hear rate
- Impaired judgment
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Many beverages actually
dehydrate your body, so it is important that your fluid
intake is balanced, and includes plenty of water.
Substances which dehydrate the body include:
- Caffeine (by
increasing kidney function and therefore urine
production)
- Sugar (by
increasing insulin levels in the bloodstream, which
causes dehydration)
- Alcohol (by
interfering with the brain's signals to the kidneys to
retain water, and therefore increasing urine
production)
June 9, 2011...
Sunburn is a serious problem during the
summer months. Make sure to protect yourself and
your family from the damaging Ultraviolet rays.
- For very long outdoor
days, wear long sleeves, pants and a hat.
- Use sunscreen of at
least SPF 15, and re-apply if excessive sweating
occurs, or if you go swimming.
- Protect your eyes as
well. Sunglasses can save you from temporary
blindness caused by a burn to the retina.
Repeated damage to the retina can cause permanent
vision problems.
Be
sure to take care of your skin every day, repeated
sunburn can lead to premature aging of the skin and
skin cancer.
May 26, 2011...
The insect populations are booming right
now. Many of them carry diseases. Knowing
how to avoid them and what to do when they bite/sting
you can be very important.
- Wear a light colored
long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a hat.
- Secure your clothing
to prevent insects from getting underneath
- Pant legs and shirt
cuffs can be secured with rubber bands or tape.
- Avoid underbrush and
tall grass when hiking.
- Use an insect
repellent and follow the directs for use.
- Be sure to read
cautionary statements on the label. Follow
special precautions when using on children.
- After being outdoors
for along period, inspect yourself for ticks or
have someone else do it.
- Shower immediately
after coming indoors.
- If you have pets that
go outdoors, use a repellent made for that type of
pet and apply according to the label.
- Be sure to check your
pet for ticks often.
- If you find a tick,
remove it by pulling steadily and firmly.
Grasp the tick with a fine-tipped tweezers, as
close to the skin as possible, and pull
slowly. Pulling too rapidly can leave the
tick's jaws under your skin, and promote an
infection. Wash area and apply antiseptic or
antibiotic ointment. Watch area for
infection. See physician if you see signs of
a rash in that area.
- Bee stings should be
removed by scraping a card across the skin, rather
than using tweezers, as the tweezers can speed the
delivery of bee venom into the body.
May 12, 2011...
Lawnmower safety reminders:
- Children should NEVER
be allowed on a riding lawnmower. Even on
your lap, accidents can happen. The horrible
results of an accident far outweigh the joy that
the child gets from riding that mower with
Dad/Grandpa.
- Eye protection and
long pants are highly recommended. Flying
rocks/twigs can cause permanent blindness and
significant bleeding.
- Shoes with closed
toes are also important. Lawnmowers will cut
toes and grass equally well, so protect you feet.
- Filling the gas can
while the engine is hot is dangerous.
Gasoline vapors are highly flammable. If you
run out of gas, go inside, have a nice cold
beverage, and let the engine cool before filling
up.
April 21, 2011...
Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
(NSAIDs) such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen
have many uses. Pain relief, reducing fevers,
and reducing the swelling of an injury are just a
few. Their ready availability has lead to a lot
of over-use. This can be very dangerous.
Notify your doctor prior to taking NSAIDs if you have
or have had any of the following conditions:
- decreased kidney or
liver function
- undiagnosed liver
problem
- recent ulcer, stomach
bleeding, gastritis
- take blood thinners
- take prednisone or
other steroids
- low platelet count
- Crohn's disease or
ulcerative colitis
- history of stroke or
other heart issues
- asthma or chronic
lung conditions
- allergy to NSAIDs or
aspirin
- nasal polyps
- acid reflux
- pregnant or
breastfeeding
- drink more than 7
alcoholic drinks/week or 2/day
- older than 65
The
last 12 weeks of pregnancy are a very important time
for fetal development, and NSAID use should be avoided
because of risks to the fetus.
April 14, 2011...
Do you know what the National Weather Service
terms mean?
Warning
| A
warning is issued when a hazardous weather or
hydrologic event is occurring, is imminent, or
has a very high probability of
occurring. A warning is used for
conditions posing threat to life or property. |
Watch
| A watch
is used when the risk of a hazardous weather
or hydrologic event has increased
significantly, but it's occurrence, location,
and/or timing is still uncertain. It is
intended to provide enough lead time so that
those who need to set their plans in motion
can do so. |
Advisory
| Highlights
special
weather conditions that are less serious than
a warning. They are for events that may
cause significant inconvenience, and if
caution is not exercised, it could lead to
situations that may threaten life and/or
property. |
April 7,
2011...
April is national eye safety month.
Common causes of injury to the eyes include:
- Flying objects (bits
of metal, glass)
- Tools
- Particles
- Chemicals
- Harmful radiation
- Any combination of
these or other hazards
It is
important to always wear eye protection appropriate to
the task at hand. When working with chemicals,
splash guards are essential. If flying objects
are possibility, ensure that the goggles you choose
will provide you the level of protection
required. If a foreign object does make its way
into your eye, resist the urge to rub it out.
Flush with plenty of water to remove the object.
On occasion, a foreign object will scratch the cornea,
the clear outer layer of the eye. This can lead
to the sensation of something in the eye long after
the object is gone. Continue to flush with water, and
have someone check the eye for you.
March
31,
2011...
Hypothermia is caused by the body losing heat
faster than it can produce it. Know the warning
signs of hypothermia and what you can do to help.
Signs and symptoms:
Adults:
- shivering, exhaustion
- confusion, fumbling
hands
- memory loss, slurred
speech
- drowsiness
Infants:
- bright red, cold skin
- very low energy
If
you notice any of these signs, take the person's
temperature. If it is below 95 degrees, the
situation is an emergency - get medical attention
immediately.
If medical care is not available, begin warming the
person, as follows:
- Get the victim into a
warm room or shelter.
- If the victim has on
any wet clothing, remove it.
- Warm the center of
the body first - chest, neck, head and groin -
using an electric blanket, if available. Or use
skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of
blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
Warming the extremities first can cause the return
of cold blood to the core and make things worse.
- Warm beverages can
help increase the body temperature, but do not
give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give
beverages to an unconscious person.
- After body
temperature has increased, keep the person dry and
wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and
neck.
- Get medical attention
as soon as possible.
March 24, 2011...
Falls down stairs can be life threatening and
lead to serious injury. Stairs are especially
dangerous for young children and the elderly.
Make sure your stairs are as safe as they can be by
following these tips:
- Make sure there is
adequate lighting at the top and bottom of the
stairs. Changes in lighting can lead to
changes in vision, which can be dangerous.
- Wear shoes or go
barefoot. Socks and stairs don't mix well.
- Ensure that there is
at least one sturdy hand rail available in case of
loss of balance. It would be best to have
one for each side of the stair well.
- Use safety gates to
keep young children off the stairs when
unsupervised.
- Keep clutter off the
stairs. It can be convenient to leave things
on the stairs, but it is also dangerous.
- Make sure there is
adequate traction on the stairs. Avoid
waxing hard surfaces, and make sure that any
carpeting is secured well with tacks.
March 17, 2011...
March is
Brain Injury Awareness Month.
A concussion is a brain injury that results when the
head moves so violently that the brain bumps against
the inside of the skull.
From Mayo Clinic:
- Signs & Symptoms
of a Concussion may include:
- Headache or a feeling
of pressure in the head
- Temporary loss of
consciousness
- Confusion or felling
as if in a fog
- Amnesia surrounding
the traumatic event
- Dizziness or "seeing
stars"
- Ringing in the ears
- Nausea or vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Fatigue
Some
symptoms of concussions may be immediate or delayed on
onset by hours or days after injury:
- Concentration and
memory complaints
- Irritability and
other personality changes
- Sensitivity to light
and noise
- Sleep disturbances
- Psychological
adjustment problems and depression
- Disorders of taste
and smell
Symptoms in Children:
Head trauma is very common in young children.
But concussions can be difficult to recognize in
infants and toddlers because they can't readily
communicate how they feel. Nonverbal clues
of a concussion may include:
- Listlessness, tiring
easily
- Irritability,
crankiness
- Change in eating or
sleeping patterns
- Lack of interest in
favorite toys
- Loss of balance,
unsteady walking
Ways to avoid concussion
include:
Wearing your seat belt on every trip, no matter how
short.
Wearing a helmet during motor sports, cycling, or any
activity where high speeds are possible.
March 10, 2011...
As the promise of spring being just around
the corner fills us all with anticipation of warmer
weather, it is important to remember that frostbite is
still a possibility if the wind picks up. The
following chart can help you to prevent frostbite:
March
3, 2011...
Plan ahead - no one ever
expects their house to burn, but knowing what to do
can save the lives of your family. Have an
evacuation plan, and practice it until you are
confident that the whole family knows what to do in
case of fire. Stay low during evacuation of a
burning house, to avoid inhaling smoke and super
heated air. Don't neglect windows as escape
routes. Hot door knobs indicate fire on the other side
of the door. Find an alternative route if
possible. Remember (and make sure kids know)
that the material things that are lost in a fire can
be replaced, but family members cannot.
February 24, 2011...
MAKE SURE YOUR KIDS
KNOW:
- How to call 911
or "0" in an emergency, and how to use a pubic
phone. Help them practice making
emergency phone calls. Be sure emergency
numbers - police, fire, poison control and
emergency medical - are by all phones.
- Their full name,
address, and phone number (including are code)
- Your
full name and your work phone
number. If you have cellular phones,
teach your children these numbers as well.
February 17, 2011...
Chemical safety tips:
- Read the labels of
products you buy and keep in your garage. If
you see the words "Caution," "Warning," "Danger,"
"Poison," or "Keep Out of Reach of Children," be
very careful to store them out of reach of
children and away from heat.
- Store poisons in a
place where children cannot see or touch
them. Use child safety locks to secure
cabinets. Examples of products to keep
locked up include: automotive fluids, anti-freeze,
paint thinner, pesticides and turpentine.
- Unless you KNOW it is
safe, do not mix products together. The
contents could mix with dangerous results.
Poisonous fumes, spontaneous fires, and explosions
are possible reactions of improperly mixing
household or farm chemicals.
February 10, 2011...
Many injuries at home
happen in the kitchen. The following kitchen
safety tips can help you stay safe while
cooking. Keep your knives sharp. A sharp
knife is a safe knife. Dull knives require
extra pressure on the blade during a cut, which can
cause you to cut yourself, rather than the
food.
When draining pasta, be
sure to pour the hot water away from your
body.
Inspect
canned goods before opening. Any rust spots or
deformities to the can are an indicator that the
contents may not be safe. For example: Bulging
cans are often infected with botulism, and contain
one of the most deadly poisons known to man!
Honey
is delicious natural sweetener, but must never be
given to infants. There is a chance of
bacterial spores that their undeveloped immune
systems can not cope with.
February 3, 2011...
Carbon
monoxide
is a tasteless, colorless, odorless gas that
interferes with the delivery of oxygen through the
body. At lower levels, carbon monoxide can cause
flu-like symptoms: headaches, dizziness, weakness and
fatigue. At higher levels, or with prolonged
exposure, it can cause confusion, disorientation,
impaired vision and coordination, brain damage, coma
and death.
Sources
of
carbon monoxide include:
- un-vented kerosene
& gas space heaters
- leaking chimneys
& furnaces
- back-drafting from
furnaces
- gas water heaters
- wood stoves &
fireplaces
- gas stoves
- automobile exhaust
from cars in attached garages
A
variety of carbon monoxide detectors, both plug-in and
battery-powered, are available at hardware, home and
discount stores. Read packages carefully and
compare features. Look for information stating
that the detector is Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
listed. Read the owner's manual completely and
be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions
regarding installation.
People
exposed
to Carbon Monoxide should be removed to fresh air and
EMS should be contacted.
January 20, 2011...
The majority of kitchen fires
occur when food is left unattended. Don't use water
to extinguish a grease fire - this will only spread the
fire. Approach a small grease fire with a properly
rated extinguisher. If an extinguisher is not
available, hold a pan lid (in hand protected with an oven
mitt) vertically to shield yourself from the smoke and
flames and turn the burner off. Then move the lid
toward the pan and ease the lid over the fire. Do
not attempt to bring the lid up over the fire and then
straight down. Once the lid is on and oxygen is cut
off, the fire will extinguish itself.
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