Take Safety Home: Spring Camping
Take Safety Home: Ticks
In the United States, ticks are the leading carrier of disease to humans. Tick-related illnesses are most common from April through September. Many diseases can be transmitted by ticks, including Lyme Disease. The initial symptoms of Lyme Disease include flu-like symptoms and a red, circular rash that grows.
To avoid tick bites, always wear long pants tucked into socks or boots when working, hiking or playing in wooded areas. It may also help to wear light-colored clothing so that ticks can be seen easily and brushed off before they bite. Use insect repellant that specifically repels ticks. As soon as you come inside, check yourself thoroughly for ticks.
To properly remove a tick, use tweezers. Always make sure your hands are protected with gloves in order to prevent further infection. Flip the tick over on its back; grasp it firmly as close to the skin as possible, and pull gently until it is removed. Some commonly used methods of removing a tick (hot match, gasoline, etc.) may cause additional injury to oneself. If any parts of the tick remain in your skin, it increases the chance for infection. Flush the tick down the toilet immediately; do not crush it.
This information is provided as a service to you by Compliance Consultants, Inc.
Take Safety Home: Swimming Safely
Tragic water accidents happen quickly. The most common reason for aquatic mishaps is a lack of safety knowledge. Follow these tips to prevent injury:
- Never dive into shallow water or water where the bottom is not visible.
- Never use alcohol or drugs while swimming or boating.
- Never leave children unattended near a water source, even for a few seconds.
- Gates around pools should be self-closing and self-latching. Latches should be out of the reach of small children.
- For above-ground pools, steps and ladders should be secured when in use and removed when the pool is not in use.
- Never swim alone, no matter how good of a swimmer you are.
- Do not attempt to jump in and save a drowning victim unless properly trained and certified in lifesaving practices such as CPR. Call 911 for help.
- Get out of the water and move away from any water source if a thunderstorm is imminent.
- Wear foot protection to prevent cuts and abrasions.
This information is provided as a service to you by Compliance Consultants, Inc.
Take Safety Home: Lawn Mowers
Every year hundreds of thousands of injuries occur due to lawn mower accidents. A surprising percentage of these injuries occur to children. As you begin getting into your spring and summer lawn-care routine, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Send children and pets indoors before mowing the lawn.
- Pick up any objects, such as toys, bottles, sticks, rocks, etc. before mowing.
- Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt while mowing to protect your skin from objects that get kicked up by the mower. Don’t wear loose clothing or jewelry.
- Wear eye protection and hearing protection while mowing.
- Do not allow anyone to ride on mowers!
- Fill gas tanks before operating. Never refill a hot engine. Store gasoline in appropriate, labeled containers and away from heat sources.
- Do not mow when the grass is wet.
- Push mowers across a slope. Operate a riding mower up and down slopes.
- Before performing maintenance on a mower, be sure to remove the spark plug.
This information is provided as a service to you by Compliance Consultants, Inc.