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!®

HANDWASHING TIPS AND SEQUENCE

Inadequate hand hygiene contributes to food related illnesses. There are 5,000 deaths per year from food borne illness.-Center for Disease Control

1. Prepare hand towels PRIOR to washing hands.
2. Wet hands with warm water.
3. Use dispenser and dispense soap.
4. Scrub hands inside web of fingers, back of hands, fingernails and wrists for 15-20 seconds.
5. Rinse in downward fashion.
6. Use paper towel to dry hands and open door.
7. If use air dryer, use elbows.
8. An alcohol based hand sanitizer can be used as a substitution.

"Because of my frequent travels, I undertook a study of observing how many men washed their hands after using the restroom. I was surprised that only 44% thoroughly washed their hands!"-Excerpt from Milton Jacobs' book, SAFE? Reflections on Living a Safer Life

EATING OUT-SAFETY TIPS

52% of food borne illness reported were caused from eating in restaurants and delis during the years 1998-2004.-Center for Disease Control.

1. If there is a restaurant inspection posted, check the rating. If the rating is unsatisfactory, you may want to reconsider trying a different establishment.
2. Observe the "general" cleanliness of the restaurant and bathroom (if used). If there is no soap or paper in the bathroom, report it to the supervisor! Then, you may consider eating at a different establishment.
3. The server should never handle your food or the eating areas of your utensils. Also, be leery of smudges or lipstick on your glass.
4. Order well cooked burgers and meat. If food is not hot, return it!
5. Look to make sure exits are not blocked with chairs or tables.
6. Try to stay away from salad bars, if possible. The more people that handle and re-handle food, the higher likelihood of contamination. Order a side salad from the kitchen.

"An associate at the local donut shop is touching money, trash, and other people's hands. This person is also touching a piece of wax paper to pick up your donut. This wax paper is then placed in your bag along with your donut. You then use it to take the donut from the bag and use it to eat and wipe up with. Talk about transferring germs."-Excerpt from Milton Jacobs' book, SAFE? Reflections on Living a Safer Life

FOOD SAFETY TIPS FOR YOUR HOME

Every year, there are 76 million cases of food borne illness and 325,000 hospitalizations.-Center for Disease Control

1. Keep refrigerator at 40 degrees farenheit or below (confirm with a thermometer).
2. Keep freezer at 0 degrees farenheit.
3. Use the 2 hour rule. Do not keep cooked foods out for more than 2 hours.
4. Do away with the 5 second rule. If your food falls on the floor, pick it up and throw it away!
5. Use food thermometer during cooking and clean it when finished.
6. Below are some common items stored in the refrigerator or freezer and the length of time they should be kept*:

• Eggs/fresh in shell: 3-5 weeks in refrigerator
• Mayo/opened: 2 months in refrigerator
• Cooked meat leftovers: 3-4 days in refrigerator and 2-3 months in freezer
• Fresh poultry: 1-2 days in refrigerator and 1 year in freezer
• Pizza: 3-4 days in refrigerator and 1-2 months in freezer

*Source: USDA 2006

"Most people wash their fruits and vegetables prior to eating, but not many people think to wash their meats, which can reduce the possibility of consuming pesticides, herbicides and fecal material."-Excerpt from Milton Jacobs' book, SAFE? Reflections on Living a Safer Life

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

BICYCLE SAFETY FOR CHILDREN

In 2005, there were 485,669 emergency room visits related to pedacycles. Below are safety tips to help keep you out of the ER.

1. Tune up your bicycles and observe habits. Check:

• Chain for slackness/guard
• Handle bar for tightness
• Bike size is correct for child
• Child's riding habits (jumping/ramps/etc.)
• Check brakes for functionality and security

2. Inform children of security ground rules for safer riding. It is ok to have fun, but running into rocks for fun is NOT fun when you spend 4 hours in the ER!

3. Wear a bike helmet and other accessories as needed (shin pads, etc.) Ensure the helmet:

• Is level on the head
• Straps make a "Y" just below the ear
• Straps are snug
• Helmet does not move more than 1 inch when you grab the front of the helmet and apply pressure
• Stabilizers and pads are in place
• Helmet is oriented in proper position
• Take child to store to try helmet on before buying it. Once bought, we tend to "make it fit"!

LIGHT BULB/MERCURY SPILLS IN THE HOME

Installing compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) is a simple way for homeowners to reduce energy bills while also doing something beneficial for the environment. However, CFLs do contain small amounts of mercury, which must be disposed of properly. Also, if a CFL breaks, certain precautions and procedures must be followed.

What to do when a CFL breaks:

• Open a window and leave the room for at least 15 minutes;
• Wear disposable gloves and pick up the broken pieces;
• Take a damp cloth and wipe and clean the area;
• Use duct tape to pat the area to remove any other small pieces. Do NOT use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
• If a CFL breakes on a rug or carpet, removal all materials as above, and if vacuuming is needed, after vacuuming, remove bag, empty and wipe the canister and double bag the debris.
• Place all broken pieces, cloth, disposable gloves and duct tape in two sealed plastic bags and dispose of in household garbage outside, if permitted.
• Check with your state to see if you have a recycle program in your town to dispose of CFL properly.

SAFETY IS NOT COMMON SENSE!