Learning Center Safety Tips - Fall

Trying to get all your yard chores done before the onset of winter can be hazardous to your health!  Some quick tips and planning should help prevent you from becoming injured!

Fall Yard Work

Make a list
Write down what you want and need to do. Make notes. Is it something that you can do yourself or will you need the assistance of others to perform a task such as moving a large awkward object or a heavy object? Do you need full sunlight to perform the task? Does the garden hoses need to be unfrozen so you can drain the hoses and roll them up? If you’re going to be digging in the flower bed or garden, is the ground frozen? Some tasks may be easier to perform when warmer temperatures are available.

Before taking an entire afternoon or weekend to figure out the best way to get something done – you may want to check with an expert. Experts may be able to point out a better, quicker method or less expensive way of performing a task. Don’t skimp on time when preparing for painting, sanding, sawing etc.

Stretch first
Limber up before heading out to do several hours of strenuous work. Stretches and bending will help prevent feeling those aches and pains later.

Wear gloves
Wear hand protection! Slivers may be present on wooden hand tools. Dirty yard equipment may present sharp edges and biological material hazards. Chemical proof gloves should be used when handling chemicals or fertilizers. Waterproof gloves will help protect your hands and usually improve your grip when handling wet materials.

Recovery time
Recovery time after yard work should be allowed. Rushing about or rushing off to do something else can increase the chance of a hazard to exist or develop, which can cause injury to another person. Recovery time may also include a warm shower, muscle massager, or after work stretching activities to help loosen muscles.

Be realistic
Trying to accomplish several tasks in one weekend may be overly optimistic. Split your work down into small manageable steps. Over exerting yourself may put you into a state of exhaustion and increase your likely hood of an injury, strain or sprain.

School Zone Safety

Tips for motorists:

• When a school bus or children are present, slow down and proceed with caution, obeying all traffic laws and speed limits.
• Always stop for a school bus that has stopped to load or unload passengers. Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm tell you the school bus is stopped to load or unload children. Under certain conditions State Law requires you to stop.
• If you are on a two-lane roadway, you must stop.
• If you are on a roadway that has two or more travel lanes traveling in each direction and you are traveling the same direction as the bus, you must stop.
• If you are on a roadway that has at least two or more travel lanes traveling in each direction and you are approaching, meeting the bus, you do not have to stop, but merely proceed with caution.
• Be alert and ready to stop. Watch for children walking in the street, especially where there are no sidewalks. Watch for children playing and gathering near bus stops. Watch for children arriving late for the bus, who may dart into the street without looking for traffic. When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch for children walking or biking to school.
• When driving in neighborhoods or school zones, watch for young people who may be in a hurry to get to school and may not be thinking about getting there safely.
  

Tips for parents:

• Help your children learn and practice the safety rules for walking, bicycling, or riding in a passenger car, school bus or transit bus.
• Supervise young children as they are walking or biking to school or as they wait at the school bus stop.
• Be a good role model, especially when you are with your kids. Always buckle up in the car, always wear a helmet when biking, and always follow pedestrian safety rules.
  

Tips for students:

• Always buckle up when you’re riding in a car.
• Always ride in the back seat. It’s the safest place for young people.
• Always wear a helmet and follow traffic safety rules when riding your bike.
• If you ride a school bus, learn and practice the safety rules for waiting at the bus stop, getting on and off the bus, and riding the bus.
• If you walk to school, learn and practice the safety rules for pedestrians. Always cross at cross walks; obey all traffic signs, traffic lights and safety patrol instructions.
• Be a good role model for your younger brothers, sisters and friends, and help them learn and practice safety rules.
  

Fire Safety

Keep your family safe from fire year-round by following a few simple tips:

• Keep all combustible materials at least 3 feet away from heat producing devices or equipment.

• Never leave candles burning unattended.

• Never leave your cooking unattended.

• Keep matches and lighters out of reach from children.

• Be careful not to overload electrical outlets and use extension cords as temporary wiring only.

• Unplug electrical appliances after each use.
  

Be prepared for emergencies by having a home escape plan.