Seasons change, but Quest for Zero stays the same

Published Oct. 8, 2015
By Steve Serrette
72nd Air Base Wing Safety Office

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla, -- As the season changes from summer to autumn, the weather turns cooler, days become shorter, leaves change color and drop from the trees, pumpkins seem to be everywhere and the seemingly never-ending home projects continue.

Autumn is usually a busy time for home improvement projects, many of which you'll probably be tackling indoors and outdoors during the last blast of good weather.
The following autumn safety practices and precautions will serve to keep you and your family safe as everyone gets to enjoy the beautiful season.

Home and Work Fire Safety:
· All home (and work, when permitted) space heaters must have at least a 3-foot circumferential clearance and be powered through a hard-wired wall outlet -- not an extension cord or power strip. Always keep them away from water, curtains and other flammable items. Never leave a space heater unattended and purchase one that shuts off automatically if it falls over.

Remember: Space heaters are not allowed in the Tinker workplace unless under very extenuating and temporary circumstances. Those temporary usage circumstances must be addressed by the facility manager and the supervisor of the work area. The Base Energy Awareness manager with the 72nd Air Base Wing Civil Engineer Directorate must be included in the process and give permission for the space heater to be used. If you have a heating issue in the workplace, the facility manager must submit a work order for CE repair.

· Ensure your home heating furnace or fireplace is properly serviced and functioning as designed -- have a professional clean the chimneys and inspect the fireplace.

· Use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks from flying out.

· Never leave a burning fire (such as a fireplace, stove, candle) unattended. That also includes going to bed or sleep and leaving the item burning.

· Do not use the stove, barbecue grill or oven to heat the home.

· Have a properly functioning, preferably electrically powered, carbon monoxide detector.

· Have one or more properly functioning smoke alarms in the residence. Check or change the batteries annually.

· Ensure that there are adequate, of the correct type and properly charged fire extinguishers available. Fire extinguishers are the second line of defense behind smoke detectors and can be the difference between a small inconvenience and a life-changing event.

· My advice is never to use candles. If you choose to ignore my advice, remember while candles are a great way to provide a warm glow to a room they are also a major cause of fires in the home. According to the National Candle Association, almost 10,000 home fires start with improper candle use annually. Never leave candles burning if you leave the house or go to sleep, and keep your candles away from pets and children.

· Reconsider leaf-burning. Recent research has revealed that burning leaves produces dangerous and cancer-causing chemicals. Homeowners are urged to avoid disposing of leaves this way. If you decide to burn leaves, wear a correct and properly fitting protective mask. Burning leaves should only be attempted far away from a house or other structures on the property. Always check the weather (and wind) forecast before starting to burn leaves.

Roof and Rain Gutters:
· To keep water from entering your home, inspect or have a professional inspect the roof, including the flashing around the roof vents, for leaks and damage.

· Inspect, or have a professional inspect (and clean) the rain gutters and associated downspouts for clog-causing debris.

Ladders:
· Cleaning gutters with a ladder is definitely a two-person job, and be sure you are being safe on that ladder. We sometimes take ladder use for granted, but a fall can cause serious, lifelong injuries or death.

· Each ladder is different, choose wisely and read the instructions for things like weight limits, uses, etc.

· Before climbing, place all feet of the ladder on a firm, level surface, not on rocks, boards or other ladders.

· Spreaders, the devices that hold the front and back sections of a stepladder in an open position, should be completely open and locked before any weight is placed on the ladder.

· Face the ladder when climbing up and down; keep your body centered between both side rails and use your hands to hold you in place.

· Always use a ladder that is tall enough for the job at hand. A great number of ladder accidents are the result of using a ladder that is too short.

Pets:
· Paints: Most water-based latex paints aren't highly toxic but could cause stomach upset. Specialty paints can contain heavy metals. Never use paint thinner or solvents to remove paint on your pet's coat or skin, as these could cause a chemical burn.

· Tools and supplies: Be mindful of nails, tacks, screws, electrical cords on power tools and even insulation, as all are potential threats. Chewing on electrical power cords can cause electrocution or burns to the mouth. Eating nails and other hardware can cause damage to the stomach and intestines or a blockage. Try and stick to real food.

· Solvents: Mineral spirits, paint thinners and other solvents can lead to skin irritation and damage to the eyes, mouth and stomach as well as central nervous system depression.

· Glue: Some construction glues only cause stomach upset, but expanding adhesive products can cause life-threatening blockages.

· Human medications: Many painkillers are deadly to cats and dogs. Never leave medications where a playful animal could knock them over and eat them.

· Antifreeze: Necessary for your car, deadly in even small doses if lapped up off the garage floor or drive by your pet. Clean up spills immediately, since even a teaspoon can have disastrous results. Gasoline and oil should also be stored where animals can't get to them

· Plants: Many common house and garden plants have beautiful blooms and are tempting, but are also poisonous for Fifi and Fido. Some popular items to look out for are lilies, including Easter lilies, tiger lilies and rubrum lilies. Other common landscaping plants and trees that can cause problems if chewed or eaten include azaleas, oleander, yews, apple trees, carnations, delphinium, geraniums, lobelia, mock orange, morning glory, oak trees and vinca.

Rakes and Pains:
Brightly colored fallen leaves are one of the charms of autumn, but raking them also sends thousands of people to emergency rooms each year. Raking is vigorous exercise, and you should pay close attention to your arms and back to avoid injury.

To prevent injury from raking, be sure to:
· Warm up for at least 10 minutes with some stretching and light exercise.

· Use a rake that is comfortable for your height and strength. Wear gloves or use rakes with padded handles to prevent splinters and blisters.

· Keep your vision free of impediment, like hats or scarves and beware of large rocks, low branches, tree stumps or uneven surfaces.

· Vary your movement, alternating your leg and arm positions often. When picking up leaves, bend at the knees, not the waist.

· Wet leaves can be slippery; wear shoes or boots with slip-resistant soles.

· Do not overfill leaf bags, especially if the leaves are wet. To avoid back injury, you should be able to carry bags comfortably.

· Never throw leaves over your shoulder or to the side. The twisting motion required to do so places undue stress on your back.

Driving:
There are few things more beautiful than an autumn drive in the countryside, but this season brings some unique hazards for drivers. Since the days become shorter in autumn through spring, more driving will occur when it's dark outside, the following is helpful to remember:

· For some people, the onset of darkness, regardless of the time, can and does lead to drowsiness behind the wheel, which will lead to car crashes and accidents.

· Plan for more rest during the upcoming seasons.

· Because of the increase of school children, be very diligent around school zones, neighborhoods and playgrounds.

· Exercise due caution when driving, bicycling and motorcycling over wet leaves as they have a tendency to make for slippery braking. Slow down.

· Stay on top of your tire pressures throughout the seasons, as the temperature varies from night to day.

Always think about your personal safety and the Quest for Zero Safety campaign.
(Some thanks to ehow.com; aaos.org; State of New Mexico: Autumn Traffic Safety News)