The following tips and informational how-to's are intended to assist you in your quest to be more safe in your life, both at home and at work.

REMEMBER-ACCIDENTS HAPPEN...TO BE PREVENTABLE!®

FALL PREVENTION FOR AGING ADULTS IN THE HOME

Deaths from falls is a growing safety concern as the nation's population ages. The following tips will help to prevent falls in and around the home.

• Wear proper footwear. The risk of falling increases if in stocking feet or barefoot.
• Install handrails in stairways and grab bars in the bathroom near the toilet, in the shower and along the tub.
• Keep living areas well lit and place a night light in the bathroom.
• Use non-skid throw rugs.
• Store frequently used items in easy-to-reach areas.
• Exercise regularly.
• Monitor medications.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER SAFETY TIPS

Fire extinguishers work by removing one of the components of a fire (oxygen, reacting substances, heat or the fuel source) to stop it from growing.

1. Ensure you choose the right type of extinguisher. A type ABC extinguisher is recommended because it covers most of the hazards encountered in the home.
2. An ABC extinguisher (listed on bottom of label on extinguishers) covers wood, paper, flammables/gasoline and electrical. The extinguisher should be UL (Underwriters Laboratory) listed.
3. Ensure extinguishers (between 5-9 lbs) are placed in kitchens, garages, basement workshops and heating/cooling unit areas. Check the gauge/charge on the extinguisher monthly to ensure it is in the green region
4. If needed, keep out of reach of young children but accessible in the event of a fire.
5. In the event of a small fire (waste paper basket sized):

• Ensure you have an escape route;
• Place unit on floor or solid surface;
• Pull coiled pin to engage;
• Aim at base of fire-starting at about 10 feet away;
• Squeeze the black trigger with a sweeping motion;
• BACK AWAY! Never turn your back on the fire!

"Every year in early spring, millions of Americans pull out the charcoal or gas grill from the shed, porch or outside, where it sat all winter long. We don't always take precautions prior to starting it up again for the first time."-Excerpt from Milton Jacobs' book, SAFE? Reflections on Living a Safer Life

HOME SAFETY TIPS

1. Have emergency phone numbers handy such as the poison control center and your primary care physician and even cell phone numbers of key contact people. Unintentional poisoning is one of the leading causes of death in the home!

2. Plan escape routes and meeting areas and practice it with your children and others in your home.

3. Assess your home for fire hazards and other safety hazards (damaged electrical cords, poor storage of flammables-i.e. propane cylinders, uneven floors, etc.) and fix those issues. Ensure you have an ABC fire extinguisher and are familiar with its use.

ELECTRICAL OUTLETS

Using tamper resistant outlets, as required in the 2008 National Electrical Code, could almost eliminate electrical hazards that occur when children stick foreign objects in electrical outlets. According to U.S.Consumer Product Safety Commission data, nearly 7 children are treated each day in hospitals for shocks and burns from electrical outlets, resulting mostly from children placing household items into the outlets.

-Courtesy of Professional Safety, Journal of the American Society of Safety Engineers, June, 2008.

SAFETY IS NOT COMMON SENSE!