EMERGENCY Handbook 2012 An annual supplement to
Sunday, September 23, 2012
2
The Daily Dispatch
Emergency Handbook
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Dealing with disaster:
Are you fully prepared? (ARA) — Disaster can happen quickly and without warning. Would you and your family be ready in the event of an ear thquake, fire, flood, hurricane or tornado? “Planning makes a big dif fer ence in coping with disaster,” says Charles Valinotti, senior vice president of insurer QBE. “The better prepared you are, the better you can cope in the aftermath of an emergency.” Fire and medical are the two most common emergencies, Valinotti says, so it’s impor tant to teach children to call 9-1-1 or if you don’t live in a 9-1-1 ser vice area, to post emergency numbers by your home phone. Cellphones should contain up-to-date contact numbers so emergency personnel can get hold of family members if you’re unable to. Here are other tips to help prepare you to deal with disaster: • Put together an emergency plan. Meet with your family to discuss the various emergencies that could hap-
pen and what should be ing heavy items to lower done in each case. Vali- shelves, and installing notti suggests develop- locks on cabinet doors. • Be prepared yearing an emergency communication plan if family round. Valinotti recommembers are separated mends keeping a disaster during floods, stor ms supplies kit — containing o r o t h e r d i s a s t e r s . I f at least a one-week supply of food you have and bottled to evacuate “Planning makes a water — in your home, your home p l a n s e v e r a l big difference in at all times, escape routes coping with replacing in case roads it ever y six are blocked or disaster. The months. This closed. Prac- better prepared tice your plan you are, the better k i t s h o u l d and update it you can cope in the sd teasyi g ni ant e da each year. place for • H o l d aftermath of an easy access y o u r o w n emergency.” in case you a n n u a l need to be inspection. confined E a c h y e a r, your take a close — Charles Valinotti t o look at your senior vice president of home for an home to ideninsurer QBE e x t e n d e d period. Make tify potensure all famtial hazards that could cause injur y ily members know where or damage in a disaster the kit is kept. Batter yor weather-related emer- operated radios, candles gency. “Anything that and flashlights should can fall, break, move or also be on hand if there’s cause a fire is a hazard,” a power outage. He recValinotti says. He rec- o m m e n d s k e e p i n g a n ommends securing your emergency supply kit in water heater and tall or vehicles, as well, stocked heavy fur nitur e, mov- with food, water, first aid
supplies, flares and jumper cables. In addition, he says, “It’s a good idea to keep vehicles well maintained and full of gas in case a quick evacuation is needed.” • Regularly review your insurance. Review your insurance policies and make sur e you’r e covered for replacement value — not just market value — if your house is destroyed. It’s wor th checking out flood insurance, even if your home is located in an area that’s low risk for flooding. Find out mor e at www.floodsmart.gov. And if disaster strikes, know how to get in touch with your insurance agent. “Many agents are using social media like Twitter and Facebook to connect with their customers,” Valinotti says. “Text messaging is a great tool in a crisis, so it’s important that your agent has your cellphone number.” Make sure you’re prepared for the unexpected. Planning and practice can go a long way in protecting you and your fam- It’s important to teach children to call 9-1-1 or, if you don’t live in a 9-1-1 service area, to post emergency ily in a disaster.
numbers by your home phone.
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Emergency Handbook
Sunday, September 23, 2012
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Teaching children about 911
In January of 2011, then 3-year-old Jaden Bolli, of Maple Shade, N.J. dialed 911 when his grandmother collapsed at home. The toddler had learned how to call emergency ser vices just days before from his mother. The boy told the dispatcher that it was his grandmother’s blood sugar. However, she really had suffered a stroke. Paramedics arrived in time and were able to help the woman. Bolli saved his grandma’s life. A parent never knows when an emergency will strike. His or her only hope may be the fast-thinking action of a young child who has called for help. Many parents wonder when the right time is for
teaching youngsters about 911 or calling for emergency services. It doesn’t have to be based on age but rather maturity level. A mature 3-year-old may be able to grasp the concept and learn how to use the phone. However, parents may have to wait a little longer for a less mature child. Some adults are apprehensive about teaching the 911 lesson because they fear a child may dial the number by accident or even on purpose when there is no emergency. Many a police officer has responded to a call only to find that a child has made the call. Some areas will give individuals a warning. Others may issue a fine if 911 is dialed too many
times without an emergency. This can be a deterrent to teaching about calling the police. However, with proper instruction, many children can grasp the difference between using 911 in the right way vs. the wrong way. 1) Explain the purpose of 911. It is a method of contacting the police, fire department or ambulance when there is an emergency only. An emergency is when Mom, Dad or someone else in the house is hurt and can’t get up; there is a fire; or the police are needed, like if there is a burglar or a bad fight. 2) Indicate that the adults in the house will dial the phone whenever
possible if there is an emergency. The child is learning only in case Mom or Dad can’t get to the phone. 3) Discuss the buttons on the phone. Show the child how to push them in the right order. 4) Now may be the time to also teach the child his or her full name and address. This is something many kindergartners are urged to know. 5) Roll-play with the child. Go over instances that are emergencies and non-emergencies so he or she will understand the differences between both and when 911 may be needed. Again, stress the importance that 911 should
not be dialed just for fun. Mommy is not sick if she simply has a headache! With time, children can
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grasp the concept of 911 and be a lifesaver at a time when an adult cannot reach the phone.
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Emergency Handbook
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Sunday, September 23, 2012
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Include pets in disaster planning
(ARA) — All too often when a disaster strikes, our four-legged friends are left to fend for themselves and sometimes end up lost, injured or killed. The best way to avoid this tragic scenario is to have a wellthought-out disaster plan that includes Fido, so you know where to go and what to take. “Many public shelters that are set up for disaster victims don’t accept pets so you need to find out in advance which shelters or hotels along your evacuation route will accept animals,” says Lyman Munson, vice president of risk ser vices for Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. “It is tragic, but people have actually died because they were ordered to evacuate a disaster area but stayed because they did not want to leave their pets.”
With so many different potential disasters, advance planning is the best way for everyone to survive a catastrophe and get their lives back to normal as soon as possible. Fireman’s Fund offers the following tips to protect your pets in the event of a disaster: 1) Have a disaster plan. Put together a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians along your evacuation route and outside your area that might be able to shelter your pets in an emergency. Talk to your vet, the local humane society or the local emergency management agency for information regarding community evacuation plans that include pets. Make advance arrangements to have a friend or neighbor pick up your pets
in the event you are not at home when a disaster strikes. And, plan where you will meet or how you will reach each other. 2) Make a grab-andgo disaster kit for your pets. Just as you should have a disaster kit for your family, containing important papers and other key items, you should prepare a similar kit for your pets. It should at least contain the following items: • Medication and medical records (including proof of rabies vaccination) in a waterproof container. • Leashes, harnesses, crates and carriers for transporting your pet. • A muzzle, if your pet requires one. • Food and water for at least three days. • Cat litter and litter box.
• Comfort toys. • Recent photo of your pet in case you become separated. • Name and phone number of your veterinarian. 3) If you must evacuate, take your pets. Be prepared to leave early; do not wait for an official evacuation as you might be ordered to leave your pets behind. Make sure your pet is wearing up-to-date identification. Include the phone number of a friend or relative outside your area in case your pet gets lost and you cannot be reached. And mark the crate or carrier with similar information. Birds should be transported in a secure travel cage or carrier. 4) Even after the disaster, stay cautious. Once
you return to your home, do not allow your pets to roam loose right away. While you assess the damage, keep dogs on a leash and other animals in their carriers. Familiar landmarks and smells might be gone, and your pet may become disoriented. Pets can easily get lost in such situations, so give them some time to get used to their “new” surroundings. Be patient. Try to get your pets back into their normal routines as soon as possible, and be on the lookout for stress-related behavioral problems; if these persist, talk to your veterinarian. “Planning for your pets ahead of time will relieve stress and help you and your family to focus on safety during and after a disaster,” says Disaster kits, similar to the Munson. “Safety should be one for your family, can be your primary consideration.” made for pets too.
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If someone is choking . . . (MS) — Choking is nothing to take lightly. Without quick action, lack of oxygen can lead to anything from brain damage to death. Choking can occur anywhere. As a result, it is in ever yone’s best interest to learn how to dislodge a trapped item from the airway. Southwestern Medical Center indicates that choking accounts for thousands of deaths each year across the countr y. It takes just four minutes without oxygen for the brain to fail, hence the need to respond quickly. Choking is one injur y that doesn’t discriminate by age or gender. Youngsters are often the victims of choking because their inquisitive natures cause them to put things into their mouths that don’t belong. Kids also may try to eat foods they’re not developmentally ready to eat, increasing their risk of choking. However, adults also fall prey to choking incidents. There are a number of different behaviors that can lead to choking. • Chewing pieces of food that are too large • Eating too quickly • Laughing or talking while chewing or swallowing • Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol before or during meals
The Heimlich Maneuver
Dr. Henr y Heimlich is an American physician who developed a procedure of abdominal thrusts to help
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The Heimlich Maneuver should be the only method used to alleviate choking: do not give the person something to drink. dislodge an obstruction of the airway that causes choking. The Heimlich maneuver is a series of under-the-diaphragm abdominal thrusts that lift the diaphragm in such a way that air is forced from the lungs to create an artificial cough that propels the lodged item out of the trachea, also known as the windpipe. While the maneuver is effective and is currently the only method for clearing a blocked air way recommended for adults by the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross, it is not something to do unless there’s an emergency. That’s because the Heimlich can be painful and even cause injury. The universal sign that
a person is choking is usually grabbing at the throat. People who are choking typically make no noise, so it can sometimes be difficult to tell if someone is choking unless they appear to be in distress. It is important that only the Heimlich is done to alleviate choking. Many people think it is a good idea to give the choking individual something to drink to tr y to wash down the trapped food. However, this only serves to block the airway more. The Heimlich maneuver is usually learned in conjunction with other lifesaving techniques, like CPR. Individuals can check with a hospital for classes where
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Emergency Handbook
The Daily Dispatch
Sunday, September 23, 2012
CPR has been proven to save lives Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is a life-saving method that has prevented the deaths of scores of individuals throughout the centuries. CPR is often used to keep a person alive until more in-depth medical attention can be provided. It’s an essential skill to know and can be a lifesaver for people of all ages. The American Hear t Association repor ts that ef fective bystander CPR, provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival. Despite these statistics, less than one-third of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest victims receive bystander CPR. It could be because many people still do not know how
to perform it. CPR has been around since 1740, when the Paris Academy of Sciences officially recommended mouthto-mouth resuscitation for drowning victims. In 1891, Dr. Friedrich Maass performed the first documented chest compression in humans. Roughly 10 years later, successful chest compressions were used in human resuscitation. In the 1950s, it was determined that exhaled air was enough to provide oxygenation of another person. Peter Safar and James Elan, thusly, invented mouthto-mouth resuscitation. In 1960, the American Red Cross officially adopted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and began to teach the pub-
lic the techniques. The ability to do CPR is not based on age but rather body strength. Studies have shown that children as young as 9 years old can learn and retain CPR skills. It’s impor tant to keep in mind that while CPR can keep a person alive, Automated External Defibrillators (AED) devices are needed to restore a natural heart rhythm to an individual who has suffered from cardiac arrest. Unless resuscitation is provided within minutes of collapse, an individual can rarely be saved. CPR training courses are provided for individuals at many places, often free of charge. Some hospitals even offer CPR training to new parents. Check with a
hospital, medical provider or or her back on a firm surpolice station on where CPR face. 2) Kneel next to the percan be learned. son’s neck and shoulders. 3) Open the person’s airway using the head-tilt, Performing CPR chin-lift maneuver. Put your palm on the person’s foreFor those who want to head and gently tilt the head know the basics of CPR, fol- back. Then with the other low these guidelines, cour- hand, gently lift the chin fortesy of The Mayo Clinic. ward to open the airway. Think ABC — air way, 4) Check for normal breathing and circulation breathing, taking no more — to remember the steps than five or 10 seconds. explained below. Move Look for chest motion, listen quickly through airway and for normal breath sounds breathing to begin chest and feel for the person’s compressions. breath on your cheek and ear. Gasping is not considered to be normal breathing. If the person isn’t Clear the airway breathing normally and you are trained in CPR, begin 1) Put the person on his mouth-to-mouth breathing.
If you believe the person is unconscious from a heart attack and you haven’t been trained in emergency procedures, skip mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and proceed directly to chest compressions.
Breathe for the person
Rescue breathing can be mouth-to-mouth breathing or mouth-to-nose breathing if the mouth is seriously injured or can’t be opened. 1) With the airway open (using the head-tilt, chinlift maneuver), pinch the nostrils shut for mouth-tomouth breathing and cover the person’s mouth with yours, making a seal.
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2) Prepare to give two rescue breaths. Give the first rescue breath — lasting one second — and watch to see if the chest rises. If it does rise, give the second breath. If the chest does not rise, repeat the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver and then give the second breath. 3) Begin chest compressions to restore circulation.
body weight (not just your arms) as you push straight down on (compress) the chest 2 inches (approximately 5 centimeters). Push hard at a rate of 100 compressions a minute. 3) After 30 compressions, tilt the head back and lift the chin up to open the airway. Prepare to give two rescue breaths. Pinch the nose shut and breathe into the mouth for one second. If the chest rises, give a second rescue breath. If the chest doesn’t rise, repeat the head-tilt, chinlift maneuver and then give the second rescue breath. That’s one cycle. If someone else is available, ask that person to give two breaths after you do 30 compressions. If you’re not trained in CPR and feel comfor table per forming only chest compressions, skip rescue breathing and continue chest compres-
Restore blood circulation
1) Place the heel of one hand over the center of the person’s chest, between the nipples. Place your other hand on top of the first hand. Keep your elbows straight and position your shoulders directly above your hands. 2) Use your upper
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sions at a rate of 100 compressions a minute until medical personnel arrive. 4) If the person has not begun moving after five cycles (about two minutes) and an automatic exter nal defibrillator (AED) is available, apply it and follow the prompts. Administer one shock, then resume CPR — starting with chest compressions — for two more minutes before administering a second shock. If you’re not trained to use an AED, a 911 operator may be able to guide you in its use. Use pediatric pads, if available, for children ages 1 to 8. Do not use an AED for babies younger than age 1. If an AED isn’t available, go to step 5 below. 5) Continue CPR until there are signs of movement or until emergency medical personnel take over.
Parents, Don't Wait Too Late!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
In the 1950s, it was determined that exhaled air was enough to provide oxygenation of another person. Thus, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was invented.
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Emergency Handbook
Sunday, September 23, 2012
11
How to disinfect water
Boiling water can help make tap water safe, killing most types of disease-causing organisms present.
(MS) — When a weather emergency occurs, the effects can prove devastating. Natural disasters like hur ricanes have tur ned cities upside down, floods have caused the deaths of thousands and snowstorms have shut communities down for days. A weather emergency, be it a natural disaster or a heavy storm, can contaminate the local supply of drinking water and disr upt the wastewater disposal system. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, such a disruption or contamination can directly threaten a person’s health. As a result, it’s impor tant for men and women to know how to disinfect their drinking water should an emergency occur and the supply be at risk. The easiest way to avoid health issues that arise from a contaminated water supply is to keep plenty of bottled water on hand and use as drinking water and when cooking. So long as the bottled water has not been exposed to flood waters, it will be safe to drink. If an emergency strikes and you don’t have any bottled water at home, don’t panic. Boiling water can help make the water safe, killing most types of disease-causing organisms that might be present. Boil water for one minute before allowing it cool and then store in containers for later use. In an emergency situation, the water could very well be cloudy. This is also not a cause for panic. Instead, filter the water through clean cloths or just allow it to settle. When allowed to settle, chances are the cloudy water will clear up within minutes. Once it does, use the clear
water when boiling. 1/8 teaspoon (or roughly If there’s no means to eight drops) of regular, boiling the water, you can unscented liquid household use household bleach as bleach for each gallon of a disinfecwater. Do not tant. Bleach use non-chlois ef fective at It’s important for rine bleach to killing some, men and women disinfect water. but not all, Once added, to know how to disease-causstir the bleach ing organisms disinfect their and water mixthat might be drinking water ture well, then in the water. let it stand for If the water is should an 30 minutes cloudy, filter it emergency occur before use. through clean disinfectand the supply be Once cloths or allow ed, store the i t t o s e t t l e at risk. water in clean before attemptcontainers with ing to disinfect covers. it. Once the water is clear, The treated water use this clear water for should have a slight odor disinfection. When ready of chlorine. If it does not, to disinfect the water, the repeat the process and EPA recommends adding allow the water to stand for
an additional 15 minutes. After this step, if the treated water exhibits a strong odor of chlorine or tastes strongly of chlorine, allow the water to stand exposed to the air for a few hours or pour the water from one clean container to another several times. For those who rely on well water, in the case of a flood have the water tested and disinfected once the flood waters have receded. Should a weather emergency occur and the water supply be disrupted or contaminated, heed the advice of local health departments or public water systems. More information about disinfecting water and surviving a weather emergency is available at epa.gov.
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Emergency Handbook
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Sunday, September 23, 2012
Know your fire extinguishers (MS) — Fire extinguishers are an important safety component in any home or building. They can mean the dif ference between a devastating fire or a minor incident. Although a fire extinguisher in the hands of a trained adult can be a life- and proper ty-saving tool, many people are not properly skilled in the use of fire extinguishers. A large por tion of the public has not received training on fire extinguisher use and when to use them. Sometimes the use of the wrong extinguisher can exacerbate a fire, as there are dif ferent fire extinguishers for different types of fires. Lear ning when and where to use an extinguisher can be a matter of life and death.
Extinguisher types Not all fires are alike, and fires started from different materials require the use of different extinguishing agents to safely and quickly put the fire out. There are five different types of extinguishers, and generally each will feature a symbol to show the applicable fire on which they can be used. Class A: These are used on or dinar y substances, like cloth, wood, paper, and plastics. Class B: These extinguishers are used on fires that feature flammable liquids, such as oil-based paints or gasoline.
Class C: These extinguishers are used on electrical equipment, such as tools or appliances that are plugged in. Class D: Commonly found in specific factories, these extinguishers are used on flammable metals. Class K: Combustible cooking materials, like animal oils and fats, can be extinguished with this agent. They are commonly found in commercial kitchens, but are now infiltrating residential markets as well. Multipurpose: Some extinguishers combine dif ferent agents so they are applicable for a range of fires.
When to use a fire extinguisher
Small fir es may be smothered with an extinguisher. If the fire has spread or is already large in size, it’s likely only a trained firefighter can handle the blaze. Only use a fire extinguisher in these circumstances. 1) The fire is small and contained. 2) You have already called the fire department. 3) There is little chance of being consumed by toxic smoke. 4) You can escape safely if necessary. 5) The fire is not between you and the escape route.
6) You are physically able to carry its weight and exert the necessar y pressure to operate it. Fire extinguishers should be routinely inspected and maintained to ensure they will be ef fective. Some need to be shaken to keep the dry chemicals from settling. Others need to have the pressure at the cor rect level. An extinguisher may need to be recharged or replaced if it is damaged. Individuals can talk with firefighters about possible training courses in the use of fire extinguishers. This will help a person know the correct way to handle and activate an extinguisher should it need to be used.
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Sunday, September 23, 2012
Child car safety goes beyond seats (MS) — Car accidents are the leading cause of injury for children. Ensuring kids are safe in the car goes beyond securing them in the right child safety seat. It means taking added precautions to avoid injuries. According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, nearly 250,000 children are injured every year in car accidents in the United States. Up nor th, the Canadian Transportation Safety Board reports that roughly 160,000 road accidents occur in Canada each year. This translates to 2,800 to 2,900 people killed on the road every year. Car accidents are also the leading cause of acquired disability, such as brain injury and paralysis, for children nationwide. Most people are aware that they should use the requisite child safety seat for their kids but do not heed other safety warnings. Here are some ways to keep children safe when riding in vehicles. • Recognize that having a car seat is not enough. Even parents who have child safety seats for their kids may not be using them correctly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at least 72 percent of the 3,500 observed child vehicle safe-
A driver may become distracted by movement in the car. Fur thermore, in the event an accident occurs, a child who is not wearing a seatbelt becomes a flying projectile who might injure others in the car. • Keep all limbs inside the vehicle. It may seem like a game for a child to lean his or her head or arms out of the window while the vehicle is in motion, but such behavior is inherently risky. On narrow roadways or where the car comes close to roadside signs or passing cars, parts of the body outside of the vehicle can be hit and broken or even torn off. Always make sure kids keep their arms, legs and heads inside of the vehicle at all times. • Be mindful of kids being injured when around a car. It’s not only when a child is in the car that an injur y may occur. Children who sprint into the street after a rolling ball or dash through parking lots may be hit by motorists who are not paying attention or do not react quickly enough. Drivers of SUVs and minivans often find it difficult to see a short child behind a car when backing up. An investment in a back-up camera or obstruction sensor can help reduce the risk of accident or injury.
Children moving around inside a vehicle are a risk to both themselves and the driver. ty restraints being used indicated improper use. When poor use happens, the risk that the child will suffer an injury rises. One of the reasons children are harmed in vehicular accidents is because the child is moved to a larger restraint system or an adult seat prematurely. • Do not leave a child unattended. Injuries can
occur to children when they are left to their own devices in or around a vehicle. Although there are certain safety precautions built into a car, they are not always foolproof. A child may shift a parked car into gear and roll into the street from a driveway. Other injuries may include getting hurt from powered accessories
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in the car, such as moving seats or liftgates. A kid also may become trapped in a car or trunk, succumbing to heat stroke or lack of oxygen. • Make sure kids stay buckled in. As a child graduates from 5-point harnesses to regular safety belts, they are likely to be able to unlatch the belt to 501 S. Chestnut St. Henderson, N.C.
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exit the car. Some children are prone to taking of f a seat belt while the car is in motion. NHTSA estimates note that the risk of injury by properly wearing safety belts and using safety seats correctly is reduced by 50 to 75 percent. Children moving around a vehicle are not only putting themselves at risk but the driver as well.
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Emergency Guide
The Daily Dispatch
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Highway safety
It’s not just drivers’ responsibility (MS) — Safety should be a top priority for everyone sharing the road, including cyclists, drivers and pedestrians. The following are a few tips each of those groups of travelers can employ to ensure the roads stay safe for everyone. Â
Cyclists
 • Bicyclists must follow the same traf fic rules as automobile drivers. Stop for red lights and stop signs, signal lane changes or turns, and drive on the correct side of the road. • Watch out for parked cars. Oftentimes, drivers exit their vehicles and do not check for oncoming traffic
or cyclists. You can be hit by a swinging car door. • Make yourself as noticeable as possible. This could include using a light or horn on the bike to signal your presence to drivers. • Always wear a helmet and other applicable safety equipment. • Maintain your bike so that it is safe to ride. • Do not carr y others on your bike (such as a friend or a child) if it is not designed to do so. Riding on the handlebars or behind the cyclist can be dangerous. • Avoid the use of ear buds or headphones while cycling. You want all of your senses to be available to avoid accidents. • Cycle out of the way of drivers’ blind spots so you’ll
car. be more visible. • Use caution when • Do not ride your bike on the sidewalk where you entering or exiting your parked vehicle. could injure pedestrians. • Use caution in and  around bus stops or other points of mass transit. Drivers • Regularly check the  side of the road for pedes• Be aware that you trians, especially in areas could be sharing the road where there are no sidewith pedestrians, cyclists or walks. motorcycle riders.  • Use caution when making turns or at busy intersecPedestrians tions — pedestrians could be  crossing. • Always use sidewalks • Always yield the right and crosswalks when availof way to pedestrians. • Pay attention to the able. If no sidewalk is presroad and limit distractions ent, be sure to walk against inside the vehicle. This the direction of traffic. • Use traffic signals as includes keeping the radio tuned low so that you can your guide. However, make hear sounds outside of the sure all traffic has stopped
before crossing the road or stepping off of the sidewalk. • Keep control of pets when walking on a leash, so you’re not pulled out into traffic. • Use caution at bus stops. Many injuries occur from pedestrians running to catch a bus or stepping out into traffic after exiting a bus. Remember, there will be another bus behind the one you’re chasing and safety is more important. • Wear brightly colored or reflective clothing if walking at night. • Do not cross highways or interstates on foot.  With drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists working Drivers should always yield in concert, accidents can be the right of way to pedestrians. reduced.
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The Daily Dispatch
Emergency Guide
Sunday, September 23, 2012
15
Garden injuries are largely preventable
(MS) — Gardening is often described as a relaxing and beneficial hobby regardless of a person’s age. While time outdoors in the garden can prove calming and enjoyable, there is a dark side to gardening as well. Namely the injuries that may result from various activities. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, emergency rooms in the United States treat more than 400,000 outdoor gardentool-related injuries each year. Additionally, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand has issued warnings that caution gardeners about hand-related injuries. Doctors from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine have also warned that pruning, mowing and weeding can be dangerous. Hand injuries — Cuts and even finger amputations may result from unfamiliar-
ity with pruning tools, such as hedge clippers or handheld pruners. The design of these tools is so they’ll be able to cut through small to moderately sized branches, which means it would not be too difficult for a pruner to snap through a finger bone. Injuries with these tools often occur when the gardener is distracted or the tool slips during use. Pruners may also exacerbate conditions of carpal tunnel syndrome, usually caused by repetitive hand movements, such as typing or repetitious work. The society says that prolonged, repetitive motions, such as weeding or pruning, can cause skin, tendon or nerve irritation. Rotate tasks every 15 minutes to give certain areas of the body a break. The use of battery-powered and ergonomically designed hand tools can alle-
viate pain and may prevent some injuries. Power tools require less effort for cutting, which may reduce tool slippage or misuse. Bites and bruises — Infection is another injury that people may not associate with gardening. Gardeners often come in contact with many different types of organic matter when gardening. Bacteria, fungi, and insects, as well as chemical fer tilizers and pesticides, may be found in soil. Failing to protect hands, especially those with a small abrasion or cut in the skin, enables these substances to potentially enter the body and bloodstream, and infections or rashes may result. Contact with poisonous insects is another concern. Some ants have irritating bites. There are many types of spiders that can be poisonous or inflict a painful bite.
Scorpions in dry climates can sting when uncovered in burrows. Wearing gloves, particularly leather ones, can offer protection against thorny objects, insect bites, chemicals, and other skin irritants found in the soil.
Sun damage — Spending time outdoors subjects a person to UV exposure each and every time. Gardening unprotected can mean a bad case of sunburn and the potential to develop skin cancer at a later time. Whenever spending time
outdoors pruning or just admiring the landscape, gardeners should apply a broadspectr um sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat. Try to do the majority of yard work in the early morning or early evening when the sun’s rays are the least harmful.
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Emergency Handbook
The Daily Dispatch
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Texting and driving: an epidemic (MS) — Of the many dangers on the road, text messaging while driving is one that is entirely preventable. Putting down your phone when driving can prevent thousands of injuries and even death. According to Students Against Destructive Decisions and Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, instant and text messaging while driving tops the list of driver distractions. Evidence gathered by these organizations has suggested that more than 3,000 vehicle fatalities and about 300,000 collisions a year can be attributed to texting conversations while the vehicle is in motion. The website Distraction.gov notes that, in 2010, 3,092 people were
killed in crashes involving a distracted driver and an additional 416,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver. Some people are now saying that texting while driving is equally as dangerous as driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs in terms of interfering with individuals’ driving abilities. Texting creates a crash risk 23 times greater than driving while not distracted, according to the United States. Depar tment of Transportation. Although it may seem like a driver’s eyes are of f the road for only a nominal amount of time, texting generally requires about 4 seconds, which is 4 seconds drivers are not looking at the
road. At average driving speeds, that can mean driving about 360 feet, or the length of a football field, without looking. But messaging while driving is not the only danger associated with phones and operating a motor vehicle. A study fr om Car negie Mellon University found that using a cell phone while driving reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by almost 40 percent. Therefore, texting or simply speaking on a phone while driving involves a manual distraction, a visual distraction and a cognitive distraction. All of those distractions add up to trouble. Many areas have
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banned the use of cell phones while driving. But such laws are dif ficult to enforce. A 2009 Pew Research study on teens and distracted driving found that nearly half of all people between the ages 12 to 17 have at one time ridden in a vehicle where the driver was engaged in texting. 52 percent of phone-owning teens ages 16 to 17 said they have talked on a cell phone while driving. In response to the rise of texting-while-driving accidents, some or ga nizations have taken an eye-opening approach to educating drivers about the dangers of texting. In 2010, AAA of the Carolinas star ted airing an evening public ser vice
announcement showing graphic images of a teen driver texting then getting involved in a threecar accident. The ending slogan stated, “You drive, you text, you die.” Other campaigns focus on the positives instead of the negatives, with Facebook groups promoting people who choose not to text and drive. Any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road can lead to accidents. This includes eating, changing radio stations or addressing unruly children in the back seat. Making an ef for t to reduce distractions — especially putting down the phone while in the car — can considerably reduce accident rates.
Texting generally requires about 4 seconds — that’s 4 seconds a driver isn’t looking at the road.
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Emergency Guide
The Daily Dispatch
Sunday, September 23, 2012
17
Establish a home fire safety plan (MS) — People rely on fire and smoke detectors to help keep them safe in their homes. Though fire and smoke alar ms are effective, a firm fire safety plan that will keep everyone calm should a fire occur could make the difference between life and death. The U.S. Fire Administration says that more than 3,500 Americans die each year in fires, while roughly 18,300 more men, women and children are injured each year. Cooking accounts for the greatest percentage of residential fires, followed by arson. Dryer vent fires are also a big concern. FEMA says that smoke, rather than the fire’s flames, is responsible for 75 percent of all deaths by fire. In addition to physical
injur y and material damage, fires can cause a host of problems. Psychological distress, monetar y damages and loss of pets may come with fires. Loss of irreplaceable personal items is also a concern. Although fires can be devastating, they’re also highly preventable, and smoke alarms and a home fire safety plan are two precautionary measures everyone should take. Creating an evacuation plan doesn’t have to be complicated. Such a plan can be established in a few minutes and then reinforced through practice ever y so often to keep ever yone fresh on what to do. • Begin by assessing the layout of the home. Figure out the two best exits from the home. • If your home doesn’t
have two doors, invest in a fire ladder so that one of the windows can be a point of exit. • Know how to gain access to the exits, including the best path to take to avoid injury. It’s a good idea to consider a few different scenarios. A kitchen adjacent to the upstairs staircase may become engulfed in flames and make exit by way of staircase impossible. Just because you have doors to the outside doesn’t mean they’ll present the best type of exit. • Sketch out the layout of the home and the escape plan. Smoke can make it difficult to know up from down. Be sure everyone can reach the exits even if vision is obstructed. Try it with your eyes closed. • Check fire alarms rou-
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tinely, and change batteries at least every year. • Make sure windows can be easily opened if they are an exit point. • Make note of who will be helping children or the elderly out of the home. • Establish a place where the family will meet outdoors. This area should be far enough away from the home so that everyone will be safe from smoke, flames and falling debris. Fires may ignite fuel explosions, so be sure the meeting spot is a good deal away. • Children should be instructed to run to the meeting spot immediately without waiting behind for anyone to catch up. No one should reenter the home after arriving at the meeting spot. • Do a few practice runs
so that ever yone will be accustomed to getting out quickly. • While in most cases it is better to escape and let the fire department extinguish a fire, in the event of a small fire, occupants may be able to stanch it with a personal fire extinguisher. Follow the acronym PASS to properly put out the fire. — PULL the pin in the extinguisher. — AIM the nozzle or hose at the base of the flames. — SQUEEZE the trigger. — SWEEP the foam across the fire base; do not just aim in one place. Fire safety is very important. In conjunction with smoke alarms, a fire safety plan can help everyone get out alive.
An evacuation plan can be established in a few minutes. It should be reinforced through practice every so often.
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18
Emergency Handbook
The Daily Dispatch
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Safety concerns when visiting a farm
(MS) — Kids often find farms fascinating places to visit. Playing with animals and running around in the vast outdoors are just what many kids adore. As fun as farms can be for kids, parents know they can be equally as dangerous, especially for kids visiting farms on vacation or school trips. Fortunately, there are many ways concerned parents can protect their farmfriendly kids without taking the fun out of their next visit.
Protection from chemicals Kids must be protected from chemical exposure on the farm. Exposure can happen in a number of ways, be it inhaling or breathing chemicals into the lungs or contact
between chemicals and the skin or eyes. Kids can even ingest chemicals by eating or swallowing something on the farm. Protecting kids from chemicals, such as pesticides, on the farm requires that parents educate children about caution or warning labels. Teach kids to stay away from items with caution labels. A caution label is typically used to indicate hazardous items that can cause minor or moderate injury. Warning labels are often used to indicate items that cause more serious injuries and possibly death. Another way parents can protect kids from chemical exposure is to be a good role model. When using chemicals, also be especially careful, wearing protective clothing and discarding containers and other materials prop-
how cute and cuddly such animals might appear. • Wear proper attire, including steel toed shoes. Kids should always wear helmets when riding animals. Additional safety measures parents can take include keeping kids away from stallions, bulls, boars, and rams, and emphasizing Though fun places to visit, farms pose many hazards to the importance of having an accessible escape route children. whenever working with anierly. Make sure all containers ing a farm with livestock mals. are tightly closed and stored or other animals, parents in locked cabinets that are should emphasize the followProtection from grains out of reach of curious kids. ing points so kids can enjoy the animals without risking A host of hazards exist injury. Protection from animals • Remain calm and move on a typical farm, and grain slowly and quietly when equipment is no exception. Though flowing grain might Animals present a major around animals. • Avoid an animal’s hind not excite kids who have hazard to kids when kids visit the farm. Many kids legs and approach larger ani- been around it, kids are often fascinated when they witness love animals, and that love mals at the shoulder. • Steer clear of animals grain production on a farm often takes precedence over safety. When kids are visit- with newborns, no matter for the first time. It’s very
easy for kids to get trapped in grain or swept away by flowing grain, the force of which is difficult to understand by those who have never seen grain production close up. When visiting a farm, parents should ensure that all access doors to grain storage structures are locked before letting kids out of their sight. In addition, ask if it’s possible to shut off power to grainproducing equipment. Keep kids away from grain wagons and do not permit them to enter grain storage areas. When taking kids to farms with heavy grain production, employ the buddy system and ensure each child has an adult with them at all times. Farms are fun places for kids, but parents must be diligent and emphasize safety when visiting a farm with their children.
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Emergency Guide
Sunday, September 23, 2012
19
Handling expired prescriptions
(MS) — It happens every day. You have a headache or another ailment and go to the medicine cabinet to find relief. After shaking a few pills out of the bottle, you happen to glance at the expiration date stamped on the side and realize those pain-relief pills have expired. You wonder if you will get sick if you swallow them or if you can get away with it this time. Who isn’t tr ying to stretch a dollar a little further these days? And with prescription drug costs rising and some companies cutting back on health insurance coverage, there are thousands of people who may be between plans and cannot afford to continually restock their medicine cabinets with new drugs. Is it safe to take that anti-anxiety medication even if its expiration date has come and gone? Will those acid reducers make you even more sick? These are viable questions. For the most part, medical experts say that expired drugs are reasonably safe to take. According to information published in Pharmacology Today, the expiration date stamped on over-thecounter medication is a date at which the drug manufacturer can still guarantee full potency of the drug. The expiration date on your prescription medicine bottle may be the date that the
prescription — not the medicine — expires, generally a year after the medication was filled. A law was passed in 1979 that required drug manufacturers to issue the expiration date as a means to giving consumers what they paid for, and likely to avoid litigation over drugs that are no longer effective. Medical authorities state that the majority of expired drugs are safe to take — even medications that expired years ago. However, their potency may be reduced. Liquid medications, such as oral antibiotics, may lose their potency faster than pills. Tetracycline, a broadspectrum antibiotic, is one that causes some controversy regarding safety after expiration. So it’s best to discard tetracycline pills once they have expired. Others say that nitroglycerine and hydrocodone (Vicodin) may present some dangers after expiration, but this has not been proven in any largescale study. If you need some more reassurance that those expired pills are fine to take, consider a study conducted by the US Food and Drug Administration at the request of the U.S. military. The military was considering disposing of and replacing its drug store every few years because of expiration dates, which would have come at a considerable cost. After a lengthy analysis, the
FDA determined that 90 percent of the more than 100 drugs they tested — both prescription and OTC — were still potent even 15 years after the expiration date. That doesn’t mean it is always safe or effective to take an expired pill, especially if you are self-diagnosing a medical condition and subsequently self-medicating. Medications should always be used under the guidance of a doctor who can monitor dosing and progress. Also, medications should never be shared among different members of the family for whom they were not prescribed. Individuals who stockpile medications also run the risk of some other dangers. There’s the chance of grabbing the wrong bottle and taking a medication that is not needed, a problem common with the elderly that can result in illness. With narcotic and prescription drug abuse a rising epidemic among young people, having a cabinet full of drugs could prove tempting to adolescents thinking about getting high from drugs readily available in their own homes. The best advice regarding expired drugs is when in doubt, throw them out. But if you’ve just swallowed some expired ibuprofen and are worried about side effects, chances are there is nothing to worry about.
Davis-Royster Funeral Service 926 S. Garnett Street P.O. Box 2943 • Henderson, NC 27536
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Whatever it takes… In today’s society, it is widely considered “cool” for the younger generation to reply “whatever” when they don’t like being given stern advice. However, when it comes to education, drugs and drug use, “whatever” is not the answer. Each of us are accountable for our own actions. Don’t let drugs ruin your life, be a productive citizen and provider. Picture yourselves in a room all alone, surrounded by doors, all of which are open. Then imagine a door closing each time you fail to heed stern advice, use drugs, or skip school. Now, what if each of these were doors of opportunity? Eventually, they will all close and you will be left alone to make your own way in life with limited opportunity. So when it comes to being drug free and having a good education, don’t say “whatever” but instead say “whatever it takes.”
Sheriff Peter White Vance County Sheriff’s Office
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