BLJ's Self Defense.Com BLOG

Safe Steps to Reduce Falls

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 05:26:31 -0400

Safe Steps to Reduce Falls

Millions of Americans are only a step away from becoming victims of the leading cause of unintentional home injuries - falls. According to The State of Home Safety in America™ (2004) conducted by the Home Safety Council, falls are by far the leading cause of unintentional home injury death. Falls account for an average of 5.1 million injuries and nearly 6,000 deaths each year. The vast majority of fall deaths occur among people age 65 and older and fall death rates are higher for males. In an effort to reduce injuries among people of all ages, the Home Safety Council encourages families to identify and correct potential falling hazards in and around the home.
Home Safety "Walk-Through"
Walk through your home to identify and remedy potential falling hazards. What to look for: Prevent Falls * Have handrails on both sides of stairs and steps.
Make sure handrails go from the top to the bottom of stairs. Have lots of lights at the top and bottom of the stairs. It is easy to trip on small rugs
. Tape them to the floor or do not use them at all. Keep the stairs clear. Have nightlights in the bedroom, hall and bathroom.
Have a mat or non-slip strips in the tub and shower.
Have a bath mat with a non skid bottom on the bathroom floor.
Have grab bars in the tub and shower.
Wipe up spills when they happen.
Protect Young Children
Always watch young children.
Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs..
Window guards can keep a child from falling out the window. Have window guards on upstairs windows.
Cover the ground under playground equipment with a thick layer (9-12 inches) of mulch, wood chips or other safety material.
Outdoors
Put bright lights over all porches and walkways.
Have handrails on both sides of the stairs.
Put ladders away after using them.
Store ladders on their sides, in a shed or garage.
Keep sidewalks and paths clear, so you don’t trip.
Fix broken or chipped steps and walkways as soon as possible.

Holiday Safety Tips

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:43:58 -0400

Halloween represents a time of fun and festivity. Candy corn, costumed kids and carved pumpkins set the scene. Follow these simple tips provided by the Home Safety Council to make sure your Cinderella or Frankenstein does not get spooked by holiday dangers: Be sure all children under age 12 trick-or-treat with an adult since they may be walking at night and in unfamiliar territory. Only permit trick-or-treating at the homes of friends and neighbors you know well. When purchasing costumes and accessories, buy only those marked “flame retardant” or “flame resistant”. Avoid costumes made of long, flowing material and accessories that can move or blow over open flames. If the costume requires altering, sew or tape up a hem at the bottom or even use a belt to hold the costume up. Choose costumes that are light, bright and clearly visible. Apply reflective tape to the front and back of costumes to help motorists see your child. Avoid costumes that block your child’s vision and increase the risk of a fall. Be sure that costume accessories, such as knives and swords, are made of soft, flexible material. To keep vision clear, consider using face paint instead of a mask. Provide your child with a flashlight as part of their costume, to light the way and signal drivers of his or her presence. Never carry candles, torches or other open flames as part of a costume. Be sure that shoelaces are tied tight so they don’t present a falling hazard. Pumpkins on neighbors' steps and porches can also trip kids up. Make sure all children in the group carry an ID card that includes their name, address and emergency phone numbers (including area code), in case they get separated from the group. Stress the importance of walking, not running, from house to house, especially after dark. Children should not cross yards and lawns where hidden objects can cause falling incidents. Examine all treats thoroughly before allowing children to eat them. Throw away open treats, those not in their original wrapping and homemade goodies from unknown sources. Slice open fruit to check for foreign objects. Contact the Poison Control Center Hotline if you believe your child has consumed anything hazardous. The national hotline number is 1-800-222-1222. Notify local police of any suspicious candy. Tell children to sit down when they eat and to take small bites. Young children should never help carve a pumpkin. As an alternative, decorate pumpkins with markers, paint or stickers. Whether in your own home or a neighbor's, parents should be aware of any decorations that can pose fire, falling or choking hazards. Spooky decorations may pique your child’s interest and make them want to explore, so make sure to keep decorations with small, loose parts out of young children’s reach. When hosting trick-or-treaters at your home, keep these safety tips in mind: Do not use candles when decorating porches to prevent costumes from catching fire. Light jack-o-lanterns with small flashlights instead of candles. Only burn candles when an adult is in the room and paying attention. Put them in a place that is well out of the reach of children. Blow the candles out when adults leave the room or go to sleep. If you have children in your home, store candles, and especially matches and lighters out of their sight and reach in a locked cabinet. Provide bright walkway and porch lighting to help prevent falls. Make sure your lawn is clear of things that could be tripped over, such as pumpkins, ladders, garden hoses, flowerpots, bikes and animal leashes. Do not overload electrical outlets with holiday lighting or special effects, and do not block exit doors. Do not use dry ice as a special effect as it can cause severe injury if eaten. Offer treats wrapped in their original packages. If you decorate your home with candles, keep them well away from crepe paper, leaves and other flammable objects. Extinguish all candles when leaving the room.

Hurricane COMMUNICATION PLAN

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 06:57:51 -0400

Hurricane COMMUNICATION PLAN
When Hurricane Katrina and Rita hit the Gulf Coast, many people did not know what to do. The Home Safety Council wants every family to be ready in case something like this happens where they live. Being prepared starts with having a conversation. It is important for your family to talk about the kinds of things that can happen in your area and know what to do if something happens where you live. Develop a family communication plan and assemble disaster supply kits that are stored in an identified place in the home.

Your communication plan should include:
Places in and out of your town where you and your family could meet.
Phone numbers of in-town contacts.
An address and phone number of someone out of town (this could be a friend or relative). You can write this information on a card that each family member keeps with them.
Help your children feel safe.
Discuss and learn together about the different types of weather that can affect your area.
Tell your children that you or another grownup will be there to help if something happens.
Talk about how a relief worker, firefighter, police officer, teacher, neighbor or doctor might help.

Put a list of emergency numbers by each telephone in your home. Tell you children what each number is for. You should also list the work and cell phone numbers of family members.

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

Sat, 6 Sep 2008 06:15:11 -0400

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH
DURING NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH THIS SEPTEMBER, HSC OFFERS ADVICE AND RESOURCES TO HELP FAMILIES PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES Tornados, hurricanes, wildfire, earthquakes, flooding and human-caused fires and disasters often happen unexpectedly, leaving families no time to prepare to evacuate or to shelter in place in their own home. In support of National Preparedness Month, the Home Safety Council (HSC) is urging families to make a communications plan and assemble readiness kits now, in order to be ready for the unexpected later. A recent HSC survey found that while more than half of survey respondents (58 percent) have experienced a disaster first-hand, very few have taken action to prepare for another emergency. In fact, only 25 percent of those polled have assembled basic emergency supplies such as water, food and clothing.
“When a disaster occurs, it’s already too late to make an emergency plan,
” said Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. “The time to get ready is now, before disaster strikes. By investing a few minutes today, families will have the knowledge, supplies and the plan needed to safely and securely make it through any type of emergency situation.
” To help families get ready, HSC offers these tips and resources: PREPAREDNESS TIPS FOR FAMILIES Develop a Family Communications Plan: Being prepared starts with having a conversation. HSC encourages families and neighbors to talk about the kinds of disasters that can occur in their area and to make a plan to stay safe if a disaster should arise. Family communication plans should include: Places in and out of town where you and your family could meet. Phone numbers of in-town contacts. An address and phone number of someone out of town (this could be a friend or relative). A card for each family member to keep with them with this information written on it.
Put Together a “Ready-to-Go Kit
”: HSC encourages every family to keep the following items in a backpack, tote or duffle bag in order to be ready if an emergency situation forces them to leave home. One gallon of water per person A small amount of cash Food that does not have to be refrigerated A manual can opener Plastic/paper plates, cups and utensils Flashlight and extra batteries Battery-operated radio and extra batteries Change of clothes Card with your contact information and the number of someone out of state to call Pet food and supplies for one or more days; and leash or carrier Small first aid kit Personal hygiene items, soap and hand sanitizer Important: Plan ahead for family members who take medicines and wear eyeglasses, hearing aids, dental appliances, etc. Rather than storing these items in your
“Ready-to-Go” Kit, determine the best way for your family to prepare to take these essential items in an emergency. In some cases, it may make sense to store them in the same area as the Kit. But for families with young children, it’s very important to keep all medicines locked up.
“Ready-to-Stay Kit”:
It is equally important for families to have extra supplies on-hand in the event an emergency situation forces them to remain in the home for several days.
A “Ready-to-Stay” Kit contains all of the items in the “Ready-to-Go” Kit plus a few others.
Prepare a “Ready-to-Stay” Kit with the following additional items stored in a plastic tub or other large, sturdy container. Three gallons of water for each family member Canned food and snacks for at least three days Toilet paper Non-scented bleach Blankets Books and games to keep busy Paper and pencils

Home Safety Tips : Communication Plan 8-29-2008

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:23:35 -0400

Home Safety Tips : Communication Plan

Home Safety Tips : Communication Plan COMMUNICATION PLAN When Hurricane Katrina and Rita hit the Gulf Coast, many people did not know what to do. The Home Safety Council wants every family to be ready in case something like this happens where they live. Being prepared starts with having a conversation. It is important for your family to talk about the kinds of things that can happen in your area and know what to do if something happens where you live. Develop a family communication plan and assemble disaster supply kits that are stored in an identified place in the home. Your communication plan should include: Places in and out of your town where you and your family could meet. Phone numbers of in-town contacts. An address and phone number of someone out of town (this could be a friend or relative). You can write this information on a card that each family member keeps with them. Help your children feel safe. Discuss and learn together about the different types of weather that can affect your area. Tell your children that you or another grownup will be there to help if something happens. Talk about how a relief worker, firefighter, police officer, teacher, neighbor or doctor might help. Put a list of emergency numbers by each telephone in your home. Tell you children what each number is for. You should also list the work and cell phone numbers of family members.

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:25:53 -0400

Home Safety Tips : Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

CO Poisoning Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly gas that is difficult to detect because it is odorless and invisible. As a result, it is known as
“the silent killer
” According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), this poisonous gas kills nearly 300 people in their homes each year. CO is produced by fuel-burning appliances and equipment in our homes. If you have heating, cooking or power equipment that uses fuels such as oil, natural gas, coal, wood, propane, gasoline, etc., then your home is at risk for potential CO poisoning. Homes with attached garages are also at risk, because vehicles left running in the garage can cause CO to seep into the home. CO poisoning can be prevented by proper care and use of household equipment. CO alarms can provide early detection if CO leaks or accumulation occurs. Both are important for your safety. If you suspect CO poisoning in your home, call the appropriate responding agency, usually your local fire department or 9-1-1. Keep all emergency response numbers posted by every telephone. CO alarms are different from smoke alarms, and have different functions. CO alarms do not provide early warning of a fire. Smoke alarms do not provide early warning of CO exposure. Your home needs both CO and smoke alarm protection. Symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to symptoms of the flu, and can include headache, dizziness, nausea and shortness of breath. To distinguish between symptoms of flu and CO poisoning - if you feel better after leaving home and then worse again when you return, it may be CO exposure causing the symptoms. If your CO alarm sounds check to see if it is plugged in properly, or if battery-powered, check the battery to be sure the device is operating. If you suspect that CO is leaking in your home, follow these steps: Open windows and doors to ventilate the rooms, or in severe cases of CO exposure, evacuate the home. Call to report that you suspect CO is accumulating. Usually the appropriate agency to call is the fire department or 9-1-1. Seek immediate medical treatment for anyone who has severe symptoms. Follow the advice of the responding agency before re-entering your home, and quickly obtain repairs as needed.

Hurricane Safety

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:04:31 -0400

The Atlantic hurricane season begins in June and lasts through the end of November. There are simple steps families can take before and after a storm that will go a long way toward increased hurricane safety. Being prepared starts with having a conversation. Talk about the kinds of things that can happen in your area. Develop a family communication plan and assemble disaster supply kits that are stored in an identified place in the home. By following these hurricane preparedness guidelines, you can increase your family’s safety as well as the stability and security of your home. If you live in a coastal area, install hurricane shutters to protect windows and doors from powerful winds. Remove dead and diseased trees and branches. Weak trees and branches are easily broken off by hurricane winds and may damage a home. Identify items in the yard that should be brought inside in case of a hurricane. Items such as lawn furniture and trash cans may become airborne during a severe storm. If in a coastal community, elevate the home. This can help minimize the damage to property because of floods and storm surges. Hurricanes bring intense rainfall. Keep rain gutters, outside stairwells, window wells, drain lines and down sprouts clean to prevent flooding. Ask an insurance agent or local emergency management office for information about the National Flood Insurance Program. Regular homeowner policies do not cover damage from flooding that may result from a hurricane. Every family should have a disaster plan which helps avoid or lessen the impact of a natural disaster.

Use Home Safety Council guidelines to develop a family emergency plan and create a disaster supply kit. During a storm, gather your family in the safest area of your home, an interior room without windows, usually on the first floor of the house or building.

Always follow official instructions before, during and after a hurricane. If evacuation was necessary, do not return home until authorities say to do so. After returning home, stay away from all storm damaged areas
.
Make a Ready-to-Stay Kit. Put together the things you will need if you have to stay home for several days. Keep extra water. Plan to be without power.

Make Ready-to-Go Kit. Put together the things you will need if you have to leave quickly. Put flashlights and extra batteries in the kit. Use strong bags and mark the date you packed your Ready-to-Go Kit. Pack extra water in bottles.

Listen to the radio or television to find out if you should leave or stay at home.
If you will need a ride, ask someone ahead of time.

Summer Tips to Beat the Heat

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:47:39 -0400

Summer Tips to Beat the Heat

For most of the country, the threat of heat-related overexertion escalates in July, especially for anyone working in the summer sun. When temperatures are more than 10°F above average for several days in a row, it’s easy to suffer from dehydration or sunburn without even realizing the change.

The National Safety Council urges people who work outside or enjoy outdoor recreational activities such as golf or gardening to: Drink plenty of fluids. Your best choices to replace the water, salt and minerals your body loses are cool (not cold) water, fruit juice or sports drinks with electrolytes. Skip alcoholic and caffeinated beverages. During strenuous activity, these beverages will dehydrate rather than replenish you. Eat light. Consuming smaller, well-balanced meals more often and avoiding heavy-protein diets will minimize your body’s heat production and water loss. Reduce strenuous activities or reschedule them for the coolest times of day. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing that reflects heat and sunlight. Prevent sunburn. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 about 20 minutes before sun exposure. It’s also important during a heat wave to confirm the well-being of your employees, family members and neighbors who may be susceptible to heat-related illness, at least twice a day.

Surviving the Hot Weather

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 19:46:41 -0400

Surviving the Hot Weather

Surviving the Hot Weather Heat illness includes a range of disorders that result when your body is exposed to more heat than it can handle. The human body is constantly engaged in a life-and-death struggle to disperse the heat that it produces. If allowed to accumulate, the heat would quickly increase your body temperature beyond its comfortable 98.6° F. Who is at risk? Heat-related illness can affect anyone not used to hot weather, especially when it's combined with high humidity. Those especially at risk: Infants, young children, elderly and pets Individuals with heart or circulatory problems or other long-term illness Employees working in the heat Athletes and people who like to exercise (especially beginners) Individuals taking certain medications that alter sweat production Alcoholics and drug abusers Heatstroke Heatstroke is the most serious and life-threatening heat-related illness. In certain circumstances, your body can build up too much heat, your temperature may rise to life-threatening levels, and you can become delirious or lose consciousness. If you do not rid your body of excess heat fast enough, it "cooks" the brain and other vital organs. It is often fatal, and those who do survive may have permanent damage to their vital organs. Symptoms of heatstroke The victim's body feels extremely hot when touched. Altered mental status (behavior) ranging from slight confusion and disorientation to coma. Conscious victims usually become irrational, agitated, or even aggressive and may have seizures. In severe heatstroke, the victim can go into a coma in less than one hour. The longer the coma lasts, the lower the chance for survival. What to do Move person to a half-sitting position in the shade. Call for emergency medical help immediately. If humidity is below 75%, spray victim with water and vigorously fan. If humidity above 75%, apply ice packs on neck, armpits or groin. Heat Exhaustion Heat exhaustion is characterized by heavy perspiration with normal or slightly above normal body temperatures. It is caused by water or salt depletion or both (severe dehydration). Heat exhaustion affects workers and athletes who do not drink enough fluids while working or exercising in hot environments. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: Severe thirst, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting and sometimes diarrhea. The affected person often mistakenly believes he or she has the flu. Uncontrolled heat exhaustion can evolve into heatstroke. Other symptoms Profuse sweating Clammy or pale skin Dizziness Rapid pulse Normal or slightly above normal body temperature What to do Sit or lie down in the shade. Drink cool, lightly salted water or sports drink. If persistent, gently apply wet towels and call for emergency medical help. Heat Cramps Heat cramps are painful muscular spasms that happen suddenly affecting legs or abdominal muscles. They usually happen after physical activity in people who sweat a lot or have not had enough fluids. Victims may be drinking water without adequate salt content. What to do Sit or lie down in the shade. Drink cool, lightly salted water or sports drink. Stretch affected muscles.

Think Safe Be Safe: Fire Prevention Tips

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 05:36:30 -0400

Think Safe Be Safe: Fire Prevention Tips

Think Safe Be Safe: Fire Prevention Tips According to the Home Safety Council’s State of Home Safety in America™ Report, fires and burns are the third leading cause of unintentional home injury and related deaths. Fire safety and survival begin with everyone in your household being prepared. Follow these safety measures from the Home Safety Council to reduce the chance of fire in your home:

Prevent Fires Caused by Cooking:
Always stay in the kitchen while cooking. Keep things that can burn, such as dishtowels, paper or plastic bags, and curtains at least three feet away from the range top. Before cooking, roll up sleeves and use oven mitts. Loose-fitting clothes can touch a hot burner and catch on fire. Never leave barbecue grills unattended while in use. Keep grills at least ten feet away from other objects, including the house and any shrubs or bushes. Always stay by the grill when cooking.
Prevent Fires Caused by Heating:
Store matches and lighters in a locked cabinet. Keep space heaters at least three feet away from things that can burn, such as curtains or stacks of newspaper. Always turn off heaters when leaving the room or going to bed. * Have a service person inspect chimneys, fireplaces, wood and coal stoves and central furnaces once a year. Have them cleaned when necessary. Keep things that can burn away from your fireplace and keep a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace.

Prevent Fires Caused by Smoking:
Use “fire-safe” cigarettes and smoke outside. Use large, deep ashtrays on sturdy surfaces like a table. Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before dumping them in the trash. Prevent Fires Caused by Candles: Never leave burning candles unattended. Do not allow children to keep candles or incense in their rooms. Always use stable, candle holders made of material that won’t catch fire, such as metal, glass, etc. Blow out candles when adults leave the room.

Prevent Fires Caused by Gasoline and Other Products:
Store gasoline in a garage or shed in a container approved for gasoline storage. Never bring or use gasoline indoors; and use it as a motor fuel only. Close the lid on all dangerous products and put them away after using them. Store them away from the home and in a safe place with a lock. Don’t plug in too many appliances at once. Keep Your Family Safe At Home Make a fire escape plan for your family. Find two exits out of every room. Pick a meeting place outside. Practice makes perfect
– hold a family fire drill at least twice each year. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. For the best detection and notification protection, install both ionization- and photoelectric-type smoke alarms. Some models provide dual coverage. The type will be printed on the box or package. Put them inside or near every bedroom. Test them monthly to make sure they work. Put in new batteries once a year. Know how to put out a small pan fire by sliding a lid over the flames. Teach every family member to
“Stop, Drop and Roll
” if clothes catch fire. Consider having a home fire sprinkler system installed in your new home, or when you remodel. Learn how and when to use a fire extinguisher. If you have a fire in your home, once you get out, stay out. Do not go back inside for any reason.

Disaster Planning July 25 2008

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:49:48 -0400

Disaster Planning

No one knows how or when a disaster will strike. But everyone should be prepared. A disaster is a sudden event that causes great harm to people and property. The disaster might be severe weather, such as a hurricane or a tornado. Or it might be a flood, an earthquake, or a volcano. Disasters can be caused by people too. A large fire might threaten an entire community. Chemicals might spill from a truck. A terrorist attack might threaten air, water, or personal safety. Being prepared starts with having a conversation. Household members need to talk about the kinds of things that can happen where you live. Develop a family communication plan and assemble disaster supply kits that are stored in an identified place in the home. If a disaster does strike, go to an inside room of your home, or to the room with the fewest windows. Bring your disaster supply kit with you. Listen to a battery-powered radio for news and instructions. Sometimes household members are away from home during a disaster. Or emergency officials might advise you to leave your home. In either case, you and your loved ones will need a place to meet. Pick a friend or relative’s house outside your neighborhood. Be sure to pick this place before a disaster strikes so you can be prepared. Also, memorize the phone number of a relative that lives out of state. Use it if you become separated from your loved ones. Let that relative know where you are so your loved ones can find you.
Make a disaster supply kit
Listed below are things to put in your disaster supply kit. Keep them together in a
duffel bag,
large plastic tub,
or covered trash can so they can be easily carried. Take the kit with you if you have to leave your home. Food and Kitchen Supplies three gallons of water for each person (enough for three days) canned or packaged food that won’t spoil (enough for three days) canned juices, milk, and soups special food and other items for babies or older adults food and water for pets non-electric can opener paper or plastic plates and cups and plastic eating utensils Basic Equipment pocket knife battery-powered flashlight and radio, along with plenty of extra batteries blanket or sleeping bag for each person set of tools paper and pencils plastic sheeting and strong tape garbage bags Clothes and Personal Care Items sturdy shoes and a change of clothes for each person toilet supplies, including soap and a bucket with a tight lid extra eyeglasses for those who wear them first aid kit, including any prescription medicines needle and thread puzzles, toys, and games Valuables cash, travelers checks, or credit card copies of important documents, kept in a waterproof container extra set of car keys

Home Fire Safety Tips July 18,2008

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:12:15 -0400

Home Safety Tips : Home Fire Safety Tips

How and When to Use a Fire Extinguisher Home Safety Council’s State of Home Safety in America™ report identifies fires and burns as the third leading cause of unintentional home injury related death. While portable household fire extinguishers are not designed or intended to fight a large or spreading fire, knowing how to properly operate one may prove vital in the event of a small fire. If fire strikes, the Home Safety Council advises people to put their safety first, and belongings second. In many cases, the safest response is to evacuate the home and call the fire department. Under no circumstances should children be encouraged or taught to fight a home fire. With proper training, the right portable fire extinguisher can enable you to control a containable fire until the fire department arrives, helping protect your property. The Home Safety Council recommends the following guidelines if you plan to use a fire extinguisher at home: Before the Fire Select the most appropriate size and type of fire extinguisher(s) for your home Choose the largest fire extinguisher you can physically handle. Read all the directions. Know how to use an extinguisher. If possible, get training from your local fire department or workplace that will let you practice putting out a fire. Keep the instructions so you can review them from time to time. Mount the extinguisher near an exit door, out of reach of children. Fighting a Small Fire Make sure everyone else is leaving the home. Ask someone to call the fire department from outside. IF THE FIRE IS STILL SMALL AND NOT SPREADING, quickly get your extinguisher. Start with your back to the exit, making sure the fire does not block your escape route. Stand 6 -8 feet away from the fire. Then, remember the word PASS: PULL the pin out to unlock the operating lever. AIM low: Point the extinguisher nozzle (or hose) at the base of the fire. Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent. Be prepared! It will come out with force. Sweep from side to side, moving carefully toward the fire. Keep the extinguisher aimed at the base of the fire, sweeping back and forth until all the flames are out. Watch the fire area. If the fire re-ignites, repeat the process. Important: If the fire does not go out quickly, or if you feel at risk in any way, leave immediately and let the fire department handle it. Fighting a fire can be dangerous. Only adults who know how and when to use an extinguisher should attempt to put out a fire. Children should not use fire extinguishers. After a Fire Even if you believe the fire is out, have the fire department inspect your home to look for hidden hot spots that could flare up later.

Home Fire Safety Tips July 10,2008

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 06:13:08 -0400

BLJ's Blog Home Fire Safety Tips July 10,2008

Think Safe Be Safe: Fire Prevention Tips
According to the Home Safety Council’s State of Home Safety in America™ Report, fires and burns are the third leading cause of unintentional home injury and related deaths. Fire safety and survival begin with everyone in your household being prepared. Follow these safety measures from the Home Safety Council to reduce the chance of fire in your home:
Prevent Fires Caused by Cooking:
Always stay in the kitchen while cooking. Keep things that can burn, such as dishtowels, paper or plastic bags, and curtains at least three feet away from the range top. Before cooking, roll up sleeves and use oven mitts. Loose-fitting clothes can touch a hot burner and catch on fire. Never leave barbecue grills unattended while in use. Keep grills at least three feet away from other objects, including the house and any shrubs or bushes.
Prevent Fires Caused by Heating:
Store matches and lighters in a locked cabinet. Keep space heaters at least three feet away from things that can burn, such as curtains or stacks of newspaper. Always turn off heaters when leaving the room or going to bed. * Have a service person inspect chimneys, fireplaces, wood and coal stoves and central furnaces once a year. Have them cleaned when necessary. Keep things that can burn away from your fireplace and keep a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace.

Prevent Fires Caused by Smoking:
Use “fire-safe” cigarettes and smoke outside. Use large, deep ashtrays on sturdy surfaces like a table. Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before dumping them in the trash.
Prevent Fires Caused by Candles:
Never leave burning candles unattended. Do not allow children to keep candles or incense in their rooms. Always use stable, candle holders made of material that won’t catch fire, such as metal, glass, etc. Blow out candles when adults leave the room.
Prevent Fires Caused by Gasoline and Other Products:
Store gasoline in a garage or shed in a container approved for gasoline storage. Never bring or use gasoline indoors; and use it as a motor fuel only. Close the lid on all dangerous products and put them away after using them. Store them away from the home and in a safe place with a lock.
Don’t plug in too many appliances at once.
Keep Your Family Safe At Home Make a fire escape plan for your family. Find two exits out of every room. Pick a meeting place outside. Practice makes perfect – hold a family fire drill at least twice each year. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. For the best detection and notification protection, install both ionization- and photoelectric-type smoke alarms. Some models provide dual coverage. The type will be printed on the box or package. Put them inside or near every bedroom. Test them monthly to make sure they work. Put in new batteries once a year. Know how to put out a small pan fire by sliding a lid over the flames. Teach every family member to “Stop, Drop and Roll if clothes catch fire. Consider having a home fire sprinkler system installed in your new home, or when you remodel. Learn how and when to use a fire extinguisher. If you have a fire in your home, once you get out, stay out. Do not go back inside for any reason.

Home Fire Sprinkler Systems: Nothing Protects Better

Fri, 4 Jul 2008 06:29:39 -0400

Home Fire Sprinkler Systems: Nothing Protects Better
Every home needs working smoke alarms on each level. The sound of the smoke alarm warns you there is fire. The sound gives you extra time to follow your escape plan. That helps you get out safely. If there is a fire, a fire sprinkler system turns on automatically. It sprays water on the flames. It keeps the fire small or puts it out. Having working smoke alarms, a fire escape plan, and a fire sprinkler system is the best way to stay safe from a fire. Fire sprinklers save lives and prevent injuries. They also keep the fire and smoke from ruining your things. Many people have seen fire sprinklers at work. They’ve seen them in hotels and hospitals and schools. But many people don’t realize that they can have fire sprinklers installed in their homes too. Having fire sprinklers at home is very important. More than 80 percent of fire deaths happen at home. Learn more about fire safety by visiting MySafeHome.org, where you can explore a virtual home to identify dangers and the ways you can prevent injury. Home Safety Council Supports Sprinkler Education
The Home Safety Council is a member of the Board of the HFSC. To learn more about this powerful fire protection technology and to watch animated clips of how home fire sprinklers work, visit the HFSC's Web site: www.homefiresprinkler.org. HFSC offers a free educational web site for children in grades K-5. Sprinkler Smarts teaches basic fire safety and helps children become familiar with home fire sprinkler systems. SEE SPRINKLERS IN ACTION The United States Fire Administration Recommends Fire Sprinklers Gregory B. Cade, administrator of the United States Fire Administration (USFA) has announced an official USFA position advocating residential fire sprinkler systems. Noted Administrator Cade in the announcement,
“All homes should be equipped with smoke alarms and automatic fire sprinklers, and families should prepare and practice emergency escape plans.
” Fire Team USA View a real-time fire demonstration and watch sprinklers extinguish the blaze in seconds. Fire Sprinklers vs. Flashover The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides online still photos and video clips depicting a fire with and without fire sprinklers present. Watch flashover occur in the non-sprinklered demonstration. With and Without Sprinklers
– a Visual Comparison The Tualatin Valley Fire Department (Ore.) Web site offers a photographic comparison of two home fires; with and without a fire sprinkler system.
Fire Sprinklers in Your Home
If you are making changes to your home, or planning to build a new home, talk to someone at your fire department about having a fire sprinkler system installed. Ask for help finding a qualified sprinkler installer. If you are moving, ask your real estate or rental agent to show you homes that have fire sprinkler systems already installed. Fresno Fire Department PSA Watch this amusing video about the value of home fire sprinkler systems. How Fire Sprinklers Work Piping is installed behind the walls, just like regular plumbing. This piping keeps water ready in case of fire. Sprinklers are attached to the pipes. The sprinklers are in the ceiling or on the side walls. Sometimes they have special covers on them. That helps them blend into the ceiling. Fire sprinklers are made so they turn on when a fire raises the temperature near the sprinkler. Most home fire sprinklers turn on at about 135°F. If there is a special cover, it falls off at about 130°F. Fire sprinklers are not like smoke alarms. They do not turn on when there is smoke in the room. Fire sprinklers can only turn on when a fire raises the temperature. And each fire sprinkler works on its own. They do not spray water all together. When fire sprinklers turn on, they put water right on the flames. Only the sprinkler(s) closest to the fire will open. Usually only one sprinkler is needed in home fires. The sprinkler turns on very quickly. It turns on while the fire is still small. This controls or puts out the blaze. It limits the amount of heat and poison smoke made by the fire. That saves lives. In most home fires, the sprinkler will put out the fire before the fire department arrives. Then firefighters turn off the water supply. Know the Facts There are many myths about home fire sprinkler systems. Here are the facts: Sprinklers stop or slow down a fire. They keep it from growing and spreading. That gives you and your family the time you need to get out and call the fire department. The main job of fire sprinklers is to save lives. But fire sprinklers also protect your home and your things. Sprinklers turn on while the fire is still small. That holds down the fire and smoke damage to a home. Fire sprinklers put far less water on the fire. They usually spray about 25 gallons of water per minute. In a home that doesn’t have sprinklers, a fire will keep growing and spreading. When firefighters arrive several minutes after they get an emergency call, they will have to put about 250 gallons of water per minute on the fire. And they will use powerful fire hoses. When a home doesn’t have fire sprinklers there is far greater damage from a fire and from water. Even though you may have seen it in movies, fire sprinklers do not spray water all at once. In most home fires only one sprinkler is needed to put out the fire. Cigar smoke or smoke from burned food cannot turn on a sprinkler. The nonprofit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) estimates that fire sprinklers add about 1-1.5 percent to the overall cost to build a new home. The cost is part of the new home mortgage, just like plumbing is.

Home Fire Safety Tips June 27,2008

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:35:21 -0400

Home Fire Safety Tips
Children & Smoke Alarms
Did you know that despite a piercing 70-85 decibel signal, children often sleep through the sound of a home smoke alarm? A quick response is essential in a fire emergency, so if children don't waken to the signal, parents and caregivers must wake them. Interconnected smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference. Interconnected smoke alarms are hard-wired into a home's electrical system and each alarm is connected together so that when one alarm signals, they all signal, no matter where the fire starts. With interconnected smoke alarms, you'll have early warning of the fire wherever you are, because the smoke alarm in your room will sound at the same time as the alarm in the room with the fire. If your children or someone else in the household isn't aroused by the smoke alarm, you'll be able to waken them, hastening their safe escape. Danger: Even with interconnected alarms, emerging research has demonstrated that sleeping children may be able to tune out the blaring sound. Make sure your children wake and properly respond when the smoke alarms signal. Empowering children with basic fire escape skills is a very good idea - everyone should know to react immediately to the sound of the alarm and how to get outside quickly. But before assuming children will react appropriately to a late-night fire, parents must learn if their children will be roused immediately or sleep through the smoke alarm. Even those who awaken to the sound of the alarm may be groggy or move with indecision. Learn if your children will awaken To find out for certain, the Home Safety Council urges parents to hold regular family fire drills. Children can participate in the drills by helping to draw the fire escape plan. Once kids have mastered fire escape skills, hold a drill when children are sleeping to learn how they will respond to the sound of the smoke alarm. Push the "test" button on the closest alarm during the drill. If children don't readily waken and demonstrate the ability to move with decision, parents must make a contingency plan for awakening them in family drills and in a fire emergency. Important: Children aren't the only ones who sleep through smoke alarms. Research shows that teenagers and even adults can tune out the loud sound while they sleep. Additionally, people with hearing impairments may not be able to hear conventional alarms; special smoke alarms with strobes and/or vibration are available for purchase online and through local fire equipment distributors. Make sure everyone in your family is protected by the early warning that smoke alarms provide. Every-level fire protection Every home should have working smoke alarms on each level, and protecting each sleeping area. The Home Safety Council recommends installing smoke alarms inside bedrooms as well. For the best detection and notification protection, install both ionization- and photoelectric-type smoke alarms. Some models provide dual coverage.
The type will be printed on the box or package. For additional protection from fire, consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your new or remodeled home.

Step-by-Step Fire Drill Narration June 20,2008

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:18:47 -0400

Step 1. Make a home fire escape plan.
First, working together as a family, draw a floor plan of your home. On your plan, find two ways out of every room, especially the bedrooms. Mark where all the doors are in your home. Mark where all the windows are. Draw the location of all your smoke alarms. Mark the place outside where everyone will meet. Next, post emergency numbers next to every phone. Help your children memorize 2 things: 9-1-1 or the emergency number for your fire department. The street name and number for your home.
Step 2. Test your smoke alarms.
Go through your home and test all the smoke alarms. If a fire happens at night, the alarms will wake you up in time to get to safety. Be sure you have at least one alarm on every level of your home and inside every bedroom. There are different types of alarms. It’s best to have both ionization AND photoelectric alarms in your home. Smoke alarms don’t last forever. If yours are 10 years old or older…or if you’re not sure how old they are, replace them with new alarms. The Home Safety Council recommends having interconnected smoke alarms. These alarms are linked together so that if one alarm operates, they all go off at once. Why is this important? If a fire starts far from where you’re sleeping, the alarm nearest you will sound at the same time the one nearest the fire goes off. This gives you precious extra time to get your family members and help them to safety. Make sure to put fresh batteries in your alarms at least once a year, or when the alarm “chirps,” signaling the power is low. Keep extra batteries on hand at all times so your alarms are always working. Choose a brand you can trust.
Step 3: Clear the way If there is a fire
you may have as little as 2 to 3 minutes to get your family to safety. You have to snap into action and get out fast! Keep your exit routes clear at all times. Move everything off the stairs and out of the way. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.
Step 4: Walk through the plan with every member of your family.
Show your children exactly what to do when the smoke alarm goes off. Roll out of bed and crawl over to the door. Using the back of the hand, feel the doorknob and the cracks around the door for heat. Tell your children if it feels cool, it’s safe to open the door a little and peek out. If you don’t see any smoke, go out the door to your meeting place outside. If the space around the door feels warm it may mean fire is near the door. You’ll need to use your second way out…most likely a window. To exit from an upper story window it helps to have an escape ladder. Choose a model that fits your window. But don’t practice actually going out from an upper floor as the risk of falling is great. Use your ladder only in a real emergency. Remember, smoke rises. Teach your kids to “get low and go” if they see smoke. Bend down or crawl on your hands and knees to the nearest exit. The air will be clearer and easier to breathe near the floor. Because children and older adults often sleep through the sound of the smoke alarm, they’ll need help getting to safety in a real fire emergency. Assign an adult to help every member of the family who needs it. Make this part of your plan.
Step 5. Do the drill.
Push the button on your smoke alarm so everyone knows the sound it makes if there is a fire. This will start your fire drill. Take your cell phone or portable phone with you. Have the assigned grownups go to each child’s room. Watch them roll out of bed and crawl over to the door. Make sure they feel around the door before opening. Tell them it’s cool. Watch them open the door a crack and peek out. Follow them as they crouch or crawl quickly using their primary escape route out the door to the meeting place. Close all the doors behind you. Once you get to the meeting place, pretend to call the fire department. Ask the kids if they know what the number is. Ask them to tell you the address of your home. Stress how important it is to get out and STAY OUT. Once you escape, no one should ever go back inside for any reason. The fire department has the training and equipment to go inside a burning building.
Step 6. Talk about the drill.
Tell your kids what a great job they did. Reassure them that in a real fire, you will be there to help them get to safety. But it’s always good for everyone in the family to know the plan. If possible, run the drill again. This time, pretend the door feels warm or they see smoke in the hallway when they peek through the crack. This means you’ll use your second way out. Tell your kids to keep it closed. Turn on the light in the bedroom. Grab a white tee shirt of towel and kneel by the window. Wave the shirt so people can see you from outside. Tell your children you will come to the room to help them out. (If you have a fire escape ladder, explain how you will use it.) Keep practicing until you can be sure that everyone in your home can get to the meeting place fast – try to get there within 3 minutes. Put your escape plan on the refrigerator where everyone can see it. When guests come to visit overnight, ask your kids to talk them through the plan. Practice a home fire drill at least twice a year.

Home Safety Tips : Poison Safety Tips 06-13-2008

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:57:05 -0400

Think Safe Be Safe: Poison Prevention Tips

Home Safety Council research shows that poisoning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury related death in the home. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) more than 92 percent of the 2.4 million poison exposures reported in the latest year studied occurred in the home. Yet, the Home Safety Council found that most families are not taking the appropriate precautions to reduce the risk of poison exposure. Poison prevention is for everyone, not just children. The Home Safety Council's poisoning prevention advice can help individuals and families keep their homes safer from poisonous and toxic products, chemicals and gases, regardless of the ages of the occupants. Homes with young children need to take extra precautions. Follow these guidelines to keep your family safe from poison exposures at home: Be Prepared Know to call 1-800-222-1222 if someone takes poison. Call the Help number if you have a question about poisons. Keep the number by every phone. Call 9-1-1 if someone won’t wake up, is having trouble breathing or is having seizures. If the person seems okay, but you think they may have taken poison call 1-800-222-1222. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a deadly gas that you cannot see or smell. The gas collects when fuels are burned. * Have a service person check heaters, stoves and fireplaces every year to see that they work well. Have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector near the bedrooms. This will tell you if the gas level is too high. Push the “test” button on the detector so everyone will know the sound it makes. Know the things in your home that are poisons. Read the labels of the products you use in your home. If the label has the words “Caution”, “Warning”, “Poison” or “Danger”, keep out of reach of children and lock them away. Read the labels and follow directions when using these. Protect Young Children Take all medicines and medical supplies out of purses, pockets and drawers. Put them in a cabinet with a child safety lock. Have child safety caps on all chemicals, medications and cleaning products. Lock all dangerous items and products in a cabinet. Cosmetics (make-up) can be poison too. Keep medicines and cleaning products in their original containers with the original labels intact. Store all dangerous products away from food and drinks. Be especially aware of products with fruit shown on the labels, which could be confused as being edible. Keep each family member’s medicines in a separate place, so they don’t get mixed up. Carefully measure doses and track medicine given/received. In the Bathroom Keep all chemicals, cleaners, medicines, cosmetics and other toxic and/or caustic products in their original containers with the original labels intact. Have a medicine cabinet you can lock. Dispose outdated prescriptions properly and keep them locked out of reach of curious teenagers and young adults. In the Garage and Storage Areas Chemicals, fuels (such as gasoline), car fluids (such as anti-freeze), pesticides (such as bug killers), and lawn and garden products (such as fertilizer) are poison. Keep products in their original containers. Close the lid and put all dangerous products away after using them. Store them where children cannot reach them; use locks on cabinets. Close and put away dangerous products after using them. Clean up spills as soon as they happen. When Using Motors Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a deadly gas that you cannot see or smell. The gas collects when fuels are burned. Never run a motor or vehicle engine inside an attached garage, as deadly carbon monoxide can enter your home this way. Use portable generators outside only. Do not use it inside your home or garage. Use a barbeque grill outside only. Do not use it in your home or garage.

BLJ's Blog June 7 2008 Scald Prevention

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:30:23 -0400

Scald Prevention

A scald is an injury caused by hot liquid or steam. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 3,800 injuries and 34 deaths occur in the home each year due to scalding from excessively hot tap water. The majority of these accidents involve older adults and children under the age of five. People of all ages can be burned by liquid at 140 degrees Fahrenheit in as few as thirty seconds. It takes only five seconds for a young child to be injured by 140 degree liquid; and only one second at 160 degrees. According to a Home Safety Council survey of American parents, 71.5 percent of those surveyed did not know the correct setting for their hot water heater, 120 degrees F. The Home Safety Council and H2otStop teamed up to educate families about safe hot water practices. Follow this simple advice from the Home Safety Council to help reduce the risk of scald injuries at home: Set your water heater at 120 degrees F or less or just below the medium setting. Test the water before your children get in the tub. When children are in the tub, watch them closely. * Babies and young children have delicate skin. Install special tub spouts and shower heads that prevent hot water burns. When drinking hot drinks, keep them away from the edge of tables and counters so children can not reach them. Put hot drinks and food in the middle of the table. Do not put hot drinks on low tables, where children can reach them. Avoid drinking hot drinks when you are holding a young child. Using a “commuter mug” with a tight-fitting lid can help reduce a hot spill if the beverage tips over. Treat a minor burn injury immediately with cool running water for 3-5 minutes. Do not apply ice, which can harm the skin. Do not apply butter or lotions because this can keep the skin temperature hot, increasing the injury. Apply a sterile bandage to the injured area. If the scald is serious, get medical treatment fast. Use heavy pot holders when cooking. Keep children away from the range when you are cooking. Test micro-waved and heated food for heat before feeding young children. Turn pot handles toward to back of the range.

Making Your Home More Secure

Sat, 31 May 2008 08:49:24 -0400

If you are like most folks, your life centers on your home. It is your shelter, your gathering place and where you keep important objects and possessions relevant to your family's everyday life. You don't want anything bad to happen to it, and you don't want strangers hanging around the place. But there are times, particularly during vacations and holidays, when you just have to leave your home alone. There is no way around it unless you have someone you can really trust who is willing to housesit for you. In this How-To we look at ways to make your home more secure when you're away, as well as when you are at home. Think Like a Burglar According to law enforcement officials, the following facts are true: Most break-ins occur in the daytime. Most break-ins are committed by teenagers. Vacant homes are inviting targets. Burglaries are often crimes of opportunity. You don't have to be wealthy to get robbed. People who steal for the challenge, like the cat burglars in movies and literature, are few and far between. Since there are real penalties associated with crime, people who engage in it are usually concerned with how easily they can get by with what they plan to do. Your sole possession may be your television or stereo, but if it is easy to get to it, someone may decide to make it their own. Therefore, regardless of your economic standing, the best deterrent against crime at your home involves making access difficult for potential burglars. Have you ever had a bad day at work?--One of those days that make you want to throw up your hands and go back home to bed? As a homeowner, that is the kind of day you want any potential burglars that come sniffing around your home to have. Your goal is to install measures that will get in their hair and nip at their heels. If someone wants to get in your house bad enough, he can get in--but, you don't have to make it easy for him. There are many things that can be done to take advantage of what police consider to be the three worst enemies of a criminal: light, noise and time. Why should a burglar work himself to death and risk being caught at a well-secured house when easier prey is right down the road? Especially when there are locks at every point of entry, an alarm is blaring and the exterior of the house is lit up like a World Series game! Shed Light on the Situation It's funny, but people engaged in illegal activities don't care much about receiving a lot of exposure while plying their trade. It might have something to do with the threat of the criminal justice system--or of an upset homeowner with a shotgun and an attitude. When planning your home security, capitalize on this fact by refusing to cooperate with potential criminals. Although many burglaries take place during the day, the same rule still applies: burglars want to be inconspicuous. Most folks are at work during the day. As a bonus, the kids are at school and the neighborhood is quiet. If a burglar can look like a meter-reader, delivery person or professional mover, so much the better for his enterprise. Brazen daytime criminals may be harder to guard against, but there are a few important things you can do to help deter them from attempting to crack your house. (Later we'll discuss methods to thwart criminal efforts when they do try.) Organize or participate in a neighborhood watch program. These programs are effective. They work to make an unfavorable atmosphere for crime. Post signs--neighborhood watch signs let potential criminals know that neighbors watch out for neighbors in your community. Also, post signs stating that you have a monitored security system in your house. It doesn't matter whether you really have one or not; potential criminals will think twice before putting it to the test. Keep bushes close to the house neatly trimmed. Large unruly shrubbery provides a hiding place for criminals who are trying to gain access to your home. There are several things you can do to make your home less vulnerable at night. Many people are home in the evening, so burglars must rely more on being hidden from view to do their dirty work. Remember, light is one of a criminal's three main enemies. Don't give them places to hide. Motion activated flood lights are an inexpensive way to shed light on unexpected visitors. Positioned near points of entry, they automatically expose the area any time someone (or some thing) comes near. Street lights cast a pale glow over a wide area. If you don't have one, your electric company may be willing to cooperate with you and your neighbors if you express sufficient interest. Make sure your bushes are neatly trimmed, and don't position outbuildings close to points of entry to your main house. Objects that cast large shadows or otherwise obscure areas near points of entry to your house are marks in the pro column for criminals evaluating your property. Be sure to have operational porch lights. Peepholes are important for allowing you to see who is at the door before opening it. Don't rely on the little chains which are often installed on doors to prevent them from opening more than a few inches--you might get a nasty surprise! Be Home Whether You're Gone or Not Although some burglars are brazen enough to break in and steal from a family watching TV in the next room, most burglaries take place when the homeowners are away. So, make the house seem like it is occupied even while you are gone. If possible, it is always good to have a trusted neighbor visit your house to open and close drapes and turn lights on and off. Have a neighbor collect your mail and newspapers, too. If this isn't possible, call and have delivery stopped while you are away. If you are to be gone for an extended period of time, arrange to have the yard maintained while you are away. You want the place to look just as it would if you were home. Turning your lights on and off is easy, even if you don't have someone to do it for you, since programmable timers are available which can be set to do the job. The simplest timers available can turn lights on and off at the same time each day. If your house is watched over the course of several days, these timers may not be totally convincing since their performance will be predictable. More sophisticated programmable timers can vary these times by day, and new digital timers offer variable and random programming for a much more realistic touch. If you are creative with these timers you can set them to create the illusion of someone moving through the house and switching lights on and off. Also attach radios and even televisions to the timers to more fully create the illusion that someone is at home. Lock It Up So far we have only discussed ways to deter someone from attempting to break into your house. Suppose they decide to try; what will happen then? In two-thirds of completed burglaries, the burglar entered the home through unlocked windows or doors. Could the home-owners have made it any more simple? Time is another enemy of criminals. Make sure that getting into your house is going to take a while. Hopefully, the burglar will give up and go to greener pastures. Garages Garages which are attached to houses are inviting to criminals. If a burglar can gain access to the garage, he can work unseen for long periods of time to get into the main house; plus, he can often use the homeowners own tools to do it! If you have windows in your garage, keep them covered. There is a lot about your garage you don't want potential criminals to know about. For example: Are there valuable tools inside, or tools that will help with the break-in? Is the car present? Is there access to the attic from inside the garage? Is there a ladder inside which could aid in reaching upper windows even if the door going into the main house is securely dead bolted? This person is after your hard-earned stuff. Keep him guessing. Keep garage doors locked at all times with a good quality padlock when you are away. It is a good idea, although not practical for home owners with automatic garage door openers, to do this all the time--even when you are at home. Garages (or carports!) with attic access provide a convenient way to get into the house through the ceiling. At the very least, keep the attic access securely locked. Seal it completely and provide access only from inside the secured area of the house if possible. If the door separating your garage from your main house is an ordinary interior door, replace it with a solid core exterior door with a deadbolt lock. And keep it locked! Having to unlock the door each time you arrive at the house is less inconvenient than being robbed. Patio Doors Patio doors are another weak link in the security chain. They suffer from the combined weaknesses of windows and doors. To prevent sliding glass doors from being lifted from their frames, install shims along the top frames. These fit in the tracks between the top of the door and frame and prevent the door from being raised high enough to be removed. Patio door locks are not particularly reliable. Install locking pins which go through the doors and frames. A thick wooden dowel or piece of angle iron placed along the bottom track of a sliding door will wedge it shut and prevent it from being opened even if someone breaks the lock. You can also drill through the door frames where they overlap and insert a hollow screw which will prevent the doors from moving. Exterior Doors Wooden exterior doors should be of solid core construction. For the best protection, doors should be metal with metal frames. Metal frames are less susceptible to tampering than wooden frames. Glass panel doors should have either safety tempered or security screen glass if breaking the glass would allow someone to reach through the door to unlock it. Standard key-in-the-knob locks provide little security. All exterior doors should include deadbolt locks with at least a one-inch throw. Deadbolt locks are available with single or double cylinders. Double cylinder locks provide additional security because they require a key for operation from both outside and inside, preventing someone from being able to open the door by breaking a glass, reaching in and flipping the bolt. Keys should be readily available to people trying to get out of the house, however, in case of an emergency. Exterior doors should not be hinged to open outward. In this case, the door can be taken down by removing the hinge pins. Remount the door with the hinges inside. If this is not possible, install hinges with nonremovable pins. Don't hide your keys on or around the house, and never put your name on your key chain. An honest person might return your keys, but a dishonest person would have access to everything they were made for--and could find out where you live! Windows All windows should be locked or pinned. Commercial products are available to do the job, but even if you don't have the budget for commercial hardware, several simple and inexpensive solutions are available to greatly increase the security of your windows. Drill a 3/16" hole through the inside window frame and into, but not through, the outside frame. A pin, nail or bolt can be inserted into this hole, securely locking the window closed. Taking the extra time to thread a bolt into this hole will prevent someone from being able to open the window even if they break the glass to undo the stock window latch. The bolt could be easily backed out with a screwdriver when you need to open the window. Pay special attention to basement windows. Bushes or trees may hide these windows, providing a place for criminals to work without being seen. You may wish to reinforce the windows with security bars, wire mesh or Plexiglas. Draw Attention to the Crime Noise is another of the burglar's worst enemies, and you can generate a lot of it with the many alarm systems now available. From monitored and hard-wired systems, to battery powered local alarm components, there are many options available. Having an alarm system may certainly reduce the possibility of a burglar successfully robbing your home, and may increase the possibility that you or a neighbor will see something that may incriminate the bumbling burglar who was unfortunate enough to set it off. Alarms do not, however, reduce the need for adequate locks and other security measures. Alarm Systems Monitored alarm systems are the most effective, but also the most expensive. With these system, the monitoring company automatically calls your home when the alarm goes off. If there is no answer, or if the person who answers gives the wrong password, the police are dispatched to your house. Before investing in one of these systems, shop around and collect references from installers and monitoring companies. Unmonitored alarms serve a single purpose--they are obnoxious and nerve-racking by design to draw attention to themselves and, by extension, to any criminal activities that may be taking place in their vicinity. They are deterrents only. If ignored, they will do nothing to prevent a burglary, and unmonitored alarms depend upon someone in the neighborhood to call the police. Many of these types of alarms are no longer expensive and can be purchased and installed easily by homeowners. In Case the Burglar Succeeds If your alarms and neighborhood watch work well, and if your local police respond quickly, your family stands a reasonable chance of losing little property in a burglary. Nothing ruins a burglar's day when she is trying to steal someone's property quite like seeing the flashing lights of police cars. Unfortunately, burglary victims seldom see their valuable property again once it has successfully been stolen. There are steps that should be taken by every homeowner, which will help when the time comes to settle with their insurance company. Maintain lists and photographs or videotapes of your possessions. This will make it easier for the insurance company to establish the value of the possessions, which have been stolen (or lost in a disaster). Keep these lists, photos and videotapes, as well as special items like small family heirlooms or small objects of high value, in a fireproof safe. These safes are readily available and are thorns in the sides of fleet-footed criminals. Mark your valuables with an engraver or ultra-violet marker. If any items are recovered, even if they are damaged, the fact that they are clearly marked as being yours may be useful evidence in the case against the person who violated your home.

Personal Safety 05/22/2008

Thu, 22 May 2008 16:45:03 -0400

Personal Safety
Here you will find information on how to stay safe, and keep yourself from becoming a victim of crime. Many people cite crime and fear of crime as a determining factor in how they feel about their neighborhood, but in fact criminal victimization in 2004 was at its lowest level since 1973, according to the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics. Figures for murder, rape, robbery, and assault were highest in the early 1980s, peaking in 1982 at 52.3 victimizations per 1,000 people age 12 and over. But by 2004 this figure had dropped to 21.1 per 1,000. The decline in violent victimization was experienced by persons in every demographic category surveyed - gender, race, origin, and household income. Young people ages 12 to 24 were still the victims of the most violent crimes (an average of 83.7 victimizations per 1,000 people), while those 65 or older were victimized at a much lower rate (9.1 per 1,000 persons). While violent crime was down, crimes that used modern technology were up: identity theft cost consumers some $5 billion in 2004, according to the U.S. Postal Service. Preventing crime is everyone’s business - children, youth, adults, and seniors must all work together to protect themselves, their families, and their neighborhoods. Tips Ask law enforcement for a free home security survey. Make sure you have sturdy metal or solid wood doors at all entries into your home and that sliding glass and similar doors are properly secured. Trim the shrubbery around your doors and windows so crooks don’t have a place to hide. Do not give out personal information over the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact or know with whom you are dealing. If you’re a senior, use direct deposit for your Social Security check and other regular payments. If you notice someone following you when you’re driving, head for the nearest busy, brightly lighted area. Write down the license number and make and model of the car. Call 911 or your local emergency number. Always lock car doors and take the keys when you leave your car, even if you’ll be gone “just for a minute.” Don’t leave valuables in view in the car. Leave them in the trunk or, better yet, take them home immediately. As you walk down the street or through the parking garage, walk alertly and assertively. Don’t weigh yourself down with too many parcels. Take several loads to the car if necessary. If you carry a purse, hold it close to your body; if a wallet, keep it in a front pocket. Don’t display your cash or any other inviting targets such as pagers, cell phones, hand-held electronic games, or expensive jewelry and clothing. When traveling, carry only the credit and ATM cards you absolutely need. Leave the others at home, safely stored. Make sure your home is secure when you are traveling—all deadbolts locked, lights left on timers, newspapers stopped, and mail held at the post office or collected by a trusted neighbor who has your travel schedule.

Children & Smoke Alarms

Fri, 16 May 2008 05:40:50 -0400

Children & Smoke Alarms

Did you know that despite a piercing 70-85 decibel signal, children often sleep through the sound of a home smoke alarm? A quick response is essential in a fire emergency, so if children don't waken to the signal, parents and caregivers must wake them. Interconnected smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference. Interconnected smoke alarms are hard-wired into a home's electrical system and each alarm is connected together so that when one alarm signals, they all signal, no matter where the fire starts.
With interconnected smoke alarms, you'll have early warning of the fire wherever you are, because the smoke alarm in your room will sound at the same time as the alarm in the room with the fire. If your children or someone else in the household isn't aroused by the smoke alarm, you'll be able to waken them, hastening their safe escape.
Danger: Even with interconnected alarms, emerging research has demonstrated that sleeping children may be able to tune out the blaring sound. Make sure your children wake and properly respond when the smoke alarms signal. Empowering children with basic fire escape skills is a very good idea - everyone should know to react immediately to the sound of the alarm and how to get outside quickly. But before assuming children will react appropriately to a late-night fire, parents must learn if their children will be roused immediately or sleep through the smoke alarm. Even those who awaken to the sound of the alarm may be groggy or move with indecision.
Learn if your children will awaken
To find out for certain, the Home Safety Council urges parents to hold regular family fire drills. Children can participate in the drills by helping to draw the fire escape plan. Once kids have mastered fire escape skills, hold a drill when children are sleeping to learn how they will respond to the sound of the smoke alarm. Push the "test" button on the closest alarm during the drill. If children don't readily waken and demonstrate the ability to move with decision, parents must make a contingency plan for awakening them in family drills and in a fire emergency.
Important: Children aren't the only ones who sleep through smoke alarms. Research shows that teenagers and even adults can tune out the loud sound while they sleep. Additionally, people with hearing impairments may not be able to hear conventional alarms; special smoke alarms with strobes and/or vibration are available for purchase online and through local fire equipment distributors. Make sure everyone in your family is protected by the early warning that smoke alarms provide.
Every-level fire protection
Every home should have working smoke alarms on each level, and protecting each sleeping area. The Home Safety Council recommends installing smoke alarms inside bedrooms as well. For the best detection and notification protection, install both ionization- and photoelectric-type smoke alarms. Some models provide dual coverage. The type will be printed on the box or package. For additional protection from fire, consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your new or remodeled home.

Home Safety Tips : Home Fire Safety Tips 05-09-2008

Fri, 9 May 2008 07:36:44 -0400

Think Safe Be Safe: Fire Prevention Tips
According to the Home Safety Council’s State of Home Safety in America™ Report, fires and burns are the third leading cause of unintentional home injury and related deaths. Fire safety and survival begin with everyone in your household being prepared. Follow these safety measures from the Home Safety Council to reduce the chance of fire in your home:
Prevent Fires Caused by Cooking:

	Always stay in the kitchen while cooking.
	Keep things that can burn, such as dishtowels, paper or plastic bags, and curtains at least three feet away from the range top.
	Before cooking, roll up sleeves and use oven mitts. Loose-fitting clothes can touch a hot burner and catch on fire.
	Never leave barbecue grills unattended while in use. Keep grills at least three feet away from other objects, including the house and any shrubs or bushes.

Prevent Fires Caused by Heating:

	Store matches and lighters in a locked cabinet.
	Keep space heaters at least three feet away from things that can burn, such as curtains or stacks of newspaper. Always turn off heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.
*	Have a service person inspect chimneys, fireplaces, wood and coal stoves and central furnaces once a year. Have them cleaned when necessary.
	Keep things that can burn away from your fireplace and keep a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace.

Prevent Fires Caused by Smoking:

	Use “fire-safe” cigarettes and smoke outside.
	Use large, deep ashtrays on sturdy surfaces like a table.
	Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before dumping them in the trash.

Prevent Fires Caused by Candles:

	Never leave burning candles unattended. Do not allow children to keep candles or incense in their rooms. Always use stable, candle holders made of material that won’t catch fire, such as metal, glass, etc.
	Blow out candles when adults leave the room.

Prevent Fires Caused by Gasoline and Other Products:

	Store gasoline in a garage or shed in a container approved for gasoline storage. Never bring or use gasoline indoors; and use it as a motor fuel only.
	Close the lid on all dangerous products and put them away after using them.
	Store them away from the home and in a safe place with a lock.
	Don’t plug in too many appliances at once.

Keep Your Family Safe At Home

	Make a fire escape plan for your family. Find two exits out of every room. Pick a meeting place outside. Practice makes perfect – hold a family fire drill at least twice each year.
	Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. For the best detection and notification protection, install both ionization- and photoelectric-type smoke alarms. Some models provide dual coverage. The type will be printed on the box or package. Put them inside or near every bedroom. Test them monthly to make sure they work. Put in new batteries once a year.
	Know how to put out a small pan fire by sliding a lid over the flames.
	Teach every family member to “Stop, Drop and Roll” if clothes catch fire.
	Consider having a home fire sprinkler system installed in your new home, or when you remodel.
	Learn how and when to use a fire extinguisher.
	If you have a fire in your home, once you get out, stay out. Do not go back inside for any reason.

Nicole Kidman speaks out: "Say NO to Violence against women"

Sat, 3 May 2008 05:32:08 -0400

Nicolle Kidman has been a Goodwill Ambassador for UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women) for over 2 years now. She is the spokesman for the "Say NO to Violence against women" a global internet campaign initiated by UNIFEM. This particular campaign fund is to help women around the world by strategically investing in areas that make women safer and prevent gender-based violence. "The Say NO campaign provides people all over the world with an opportunity to add their names to an ever-growing movement of people demanding that ending violence against women be made a top priority for governments around the world," stated Nicolle Kidman. You can show your support by posting your signature on the campaign's website: www.saynotoviolence.org. The UN Foundation issued a challenge grant that it would donate $1 to each of the first 100,000 signatures posted on the "Say NO to Violence against women" internet site. Mr. Tim Wirth, President of the UN Foundation, followed up on his challenge recently and presented to UNIFEM a $100,000 check contribution to the Trust Fund. The UNIFEM's Say NO internet campaign will continue thru November 25, 2008, which is the globally recognized date to end violence against women.

Backyard Safety Checklist

Thu, 1 May 2008 13:49:12 -0400

Information Provided Below is for your family safety Prevent Drowning • Drowning can happen very fast. • Most of the time you will not hear someone drowning. • a ditch. Drowning can happen in any standing water, such as a swimming pool, a pond or • A swimming pool should have a fence that goes all the way around it. • The fence should have a gate that closes by itself. • When children are in the water, stay close enough to touch them. • Adults should keep their eyes on children every second they are near water. • Stay awake and sober when watching children in or near water. • Only adults can safely take care of children in or near water. • Don’t ask children to baby-sit younger children around water. • Store large buckets upside down, so water cannot fill them up. omesafetycouncil.org Prevent Falls • Put bright lights over all porches and walkways. • Have handrails on both sides of the stairs. • garage so children cannot climb on them. Put ladders away after using them. Store ladders on their sides; in a shed or • Keep stairs clear of things that you can trip over. • Fix broken or chipped steps and walkways as soon as possible. • decks. If you have young children, use a safety gate to prevent falls from porches or • mulch, wood chips or other safety material. Cover the ground under playground equipment with a thick layer (9-12 inches) of esafetycouncil.org Prevent Poisoning • (such as bug killers), and lawn and garden products (such as fertilizer) are poison. Chemicals, fuels (such as gasoline), car fluids (such as anti-freeze), pesticidesesafetycouncil.org • Close the lid on all dangerous products and put them away after using them. • Store them in a safe place with a lock. • Know to call 1-800-222-1222 if someone takes poison. • Keep the number by every phone. mesafetycouncil.org Prevent Burn Injuries • Use gasoline only as a fuel for motors. • a lock. Store gasoline in a container designed just for gasoline in a shed or garage with • Gasoline can catch fire with only a tiny spark. • Gasoline must never be brought indoors, even in small amounts. • gasoline inside a building. Use gasoline only outside. The vapors (fumes) are very dangerous if you bring • Fill gas tanks away from smokers. • Fill mowers and gasoline-powered tools outside, before starting the job. • Re-fuel only after the tool has completely cooled down. council.org Keep Children Safe • Keep children indoors while mowing or using other dangerous outdoor tools. • Keep children far away from barbecue grills when cooking. • them. Store all sharp tools pointing downward. All garden equipment and tools should be kept where children cannot reachStore them where children cannot see or touch them.