Holiday Season Safety

The National Safety Council offers these suggestions to help make your holiday season merry and safe.

Decorations

Wear gloves while decorating with spun glass “angel hair.” It can irritate your eyes and skin. A common substitute is non-flammable cotton. Both angel hair and cotton snow are flame retardant when used alone. However, if artificial snow is sprayed onto them, the dried combination will burn rapidly. When spraying artificial snow on windows or other surfaces, be sure to follow directions carefully. These sprays can irritate your lungs if you inhale them.

Fireplaces

You should not try to burn evergreens or wreaths in the fireplace or in a wood stove to dispose of them. They are likely to flare out of control and send flames and smoke into the room. Also, do not burn wrapping paper in the fireplace because it often contains metallic materials which can be toxic if burned.

Candles

Never use lighted candles near trees, boughs, curtains/drapes, or with any potentially flammable item.

Toys & Gifts

Be especially careful when you choose toys for infants or small children. Be sure anything you give them is too big to get caught in the throat, nose or ears. Avoid toys with small parts that can be pulled or broken off. If you are giving toys to several children in one family, consider their age differences and the chances that younger children will want to play with older kids’ toys.

Older Adults

Select gifts for older adults that are not heavy or awkward to handle. For persons with arthritis, make sure the gift does not require assembly and can be easily opened and closed. Choose books with large type for anyone with vision impairment.

Plants

Small children may think that holiday plants look good enough to eat. But many plants can cause severe stomach problems. Plants to watch out for include: mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry, and amaryllis. Keep all of these plants out of children’s reach.

Food and Cooking

The holidays often mean preparing large meals for family and friends. Wash hands, utensils, sink, and anything else that has come in contact with raw poultry. Keep in mind that a stuffed bird takes longer to cook. For questions concerning holiday turkey preparation and cooking call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers in covered shallow containers (less than two inches deep) within two hours after cooking. Date the leftovers for future use.

Alcohol, Parties & Driving

Being a smart party host or guest should include being sensible about alcoholic drinks. More than half of all traffic fatalities are alcohol-related. Use designated drivers, people who do not drink, to drive other guests home after a holiday party.

Stress

The holiday season is one of the most stressful times of the year. You can’t avoid stress completely, but you can give yourself some relief. Allow enough time to shop rather than hurry through stores and parking lots. Only plan to do a reasonable number of errands. When shopping, make several trips out to the car to drop off packages rather than trying to carry too many items. Take time out for yourself. Relax, read, or enjoy your favorite hobby at your own pace.

Heat Stroke: Prevention

From WebMD

When the heat index is high, it’s best to stay in an air-conditioned environment. If you must go outdoors, you can prevent heat stroke by taking these steps:

• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat.

• Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more.

• Drink extra fluids. To prevent dehydration, it’s generally recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water, fruit juice, or vegetable juice per day. Because heat-related illness also can result from salt depletion, it may be advisable to substitute an electrolyte-rich sports drink for water during periods of extreme heat and humidity.

• Take additional precautions when exercising or working outdoors. The general recommendation is to drink 24 ounces of fluid two hours before exercise, and consider adding another 8 ounces of water or sports drink right before exercise. During exercise, you should consume another 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

• Reschedule or cancel outdoor activity. If possible, shift your time outdoors to the coolest times of the day, either early morning or after sunset.

• Monitoring the color of your urine. Darker urine is a sign of dehydration. Be sure to drink enough fluids to maintain very light-colored urine.

• Measuring your weight before and after physical activity. Monitoring lost water weight can help you determine how much fluid you need to drink.

• Avoid fluids containing caffeine or alcohol, because both substances can make you lose more fluids and worsen heat-related illness. Also, do not take salt tablets unless your doctor has told you to do so. The easiest and safest way to replace salt and other electrolytes during heat waves is to drink sports beverages or fruit juice.

• Check with your doctor before increasing liquid intake if you have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention.

• If you live in an apartment or house without fans or air conditioning, try to spend at least two hours each day — preferably during the hottest part of the day — in an air-conditioned environment. At home, draw your curtains, shades, or blinds during the hottest part of the day, and open windows at night on two sides of your building to create cross-ventilation.

• If you’re a senior who either can’t afford to buy or run an air conditioner, check with your local Area Agency on Aging for programs that can assist you. One such program is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Heat Stroke: Symptoms and Treatment

From WebMD

Heat stroke is the most serious form of heat injury and is a medical emergency. If you suspect that someone has heat stroke — also known as sunstroke — you should call 911 immediately and render first aid until paramedics arrive.
Heat stroke can kill or cause damage to the brain and other internal organs. Although heat stroke mainly affects people over age 50, it also takes a toll on healthy young athletes.

Heat stroke often occurs as a progression from milder heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat syncope (fainting), and heat exhaustion. But it can strike even if you have no previous signs of heat injury.

Heat stroke results from prolonged exposure to high temperatures — usually in combination with dehydration — which leads to failure of the body’s temperature control system. The medical definition of heat stroke is a core body temperature greater than 105 degrees Fahrenheit, with complications involving the central nervous system that occur after exposure to high temperatures. Other common symptoms include nausea, seizures, confusion, disorientation, and sometimes loss of consciousness or coma.

Symptoms of Heat Stroke
The hallmark symptom of heat stroke is a core body temperature above 105 degrees Fahrenheit. But fainting may be the first sign.

Other symptoms may include:
• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness and light-headedness
• Lack of sweating despite the heat
• Red, hot, and dry skin
• Muscle weakness or cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid heartbeat, which may be either strong or weak
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

First Aid for Heat Stroke

If you suspect that someone has a heat stroke, immediately call 911 or transport the person to a hospital. Any delay seeking medical help can be fatal.

While waiting for the paramedics to arrive, initiate first aid. Move the person to an air-conditioned environment — or at least a cool, shady area — and remove any unnecessary clothing.

If possible, take the person’s core body temperature and initiate first aid to cool it to 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit. If no thermometers are available, don’t hesitate to initiate first aid.

You may also try these cooling strategies:
• Fan air over the patient while wetting his or her skin with water from a sponge or garden hose.
• Apply ice packs to the patient’s armpits, groin, neck, and back. Because these areas are rich with blood vessels close to the skin, cooling them may reduce body temperature.
• Immerse the patient in a shower or tub of cool water, or an ice bath.
• If emergency response is delayed, call the hospital emergency room for additional instructions.

After you’ve recovered from heat stroke, you’ll probably be more sensitive to high temperatures during the following week. So it’s best to avoid hot weather and heavy exercise until your doctor tells you that it’s safe to resume your normal activities.

5 Camping Safety Tips

Now that the weather has gotten warmer, many families are using this time to go camping and experience the outdoors. We at iidon Security would like to make sure that you do this as safely as possible. To help, here are 5 camping safety tips:

1. Always use a flame retardant tent and set up far away from the campfire.

2. Only use flashlights or battery powered lanterns inside the tent or any other closed space, not liquid filled heaters or lanterns.

3. Always build your campfire downwind from your tent. Clear all vegetation and dig a pit surrounded by rocks before building your campfire.
4. Store liquid fire starter (not gasoline) away from your tent and campfire and use only dry kindling to freshen a campfire.

5. Always put out a campfire when going to sleep or leaving the campsite. To extinguish a fire, cover with dirt and pour water over it until it is cool to the touch.

Before, During, and After a Tornado

Material Courtesy of FEMA

PREPARING BEFORE FOR A TORNADO

Every state is at some risk of tornadoes and the damage that they leave behind. Some tornadoes are clearly visible, while rain or nearby low-hanging clouds obscure others. Occasionally, tornadoes develop so rapidly that little, if any, advance warning is possible. To begin preparing for any disaster, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.

When your area is under a Tornado Watch, be alert to changing weather conditions and listening to NOAA Weather Radio or to commercial radio or television newscasts for the latest information. Ready.gov has Planning Tools for whether you are a business, school and workplace, Indian country, or anything in between.

Through the use of everyday technology, individuals, families, responders and organizations can successfully prepare for, adapt to and recover from disruptions brought on by emergencies and/or disasters. With effective planning, it is possible to take advantage of technology before, during and after a crisis to communicate with loved ones and manage your financial affairs.

TAKING COVER DURING A TORNADO

If you are under a tornado warning, seek shelter immediately! Most injuries associated with high winds are from flying debris, so remember to protect your head. Go to a pre-designated shelter area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.

If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck. Put on sturdy shoes. Do not open windows.

Continue to monitor your battery-powered radio or television for emergency information.

RECOVERING AFTER A TORNADO

After the storm has passed, you should still be aware of weather changes and insecure structures. After a disaster strikes, use extreme caution when returning home. You may be anxious to see your property, but do not return to your home before the area is declared to be safe by local officials. Before entering your home, be sure to take the following measures:

• Check for loose power lines, gas leaks and structural damage;
• Keep a battery-powered radio with you so you can listen for emergency updates and news reports;
• Use a battery-powered flash light to inspect a damaged home; and
• If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering

Text, email, and use social media to let everyone know you’re okay. Avoid making phone calls to free up the lines for first responders. You can also let your family and friends know you are safe and well after an emergency via https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php. This website is designed to help make communication between family members and friends easier.

If you are a parent or guardian, keep in mind that children affected by disasters can have trouble coping with the effects and aftermath of disasters. Even children who are not directly affected by a disaster can have fears. For tips on talking to children and helping to support them after a disaster, Ready offers a “Listen, Protect and Connect” coping guide.

Individuals and families impacted by the storms and tornadoes can apply for assistance in one of three ways:

• Online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov;
• By phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362); or
• By web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov

Thunderstorms and Lightning

Local media sources and a weather radio are your best sources of information during a severe weather event.

Thunderstorms affect relatively small areas when compared with hurricanes and winter storms. Despite their small size, ALL thunderstorms are dangerous! The typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes. Of the estimated 100,000 thunderstorms that occur each year in the US, about 10 percent are classified as severe.

Basic Information: Thunderstorms

The National Weather Service considers a thunderstorm “severe” if it produces hail at least ¾ inch in diameter, winds of 58 mph or stronger, or a tornado.

Every thunderstorm needs: Moisture to form clouds and rain; Unstable air (warm air that can rise rapidly); Lift- cold or warm fronts, sea breezes, mountains, or the sun’s heat are capable of lifting air to help form thunderstorms.

Straight-line winds are responsible for most thunderstorm wind damage.

Flash floods and floods are the #1 cause of deaths associated with thunderstorms… more than 140 fatalities each year.

“The National Weather Service considers a thunderstorm “severe” if it produces hail at least ¾ inch in diameter, winds of 58 mph or stronger, or a tornado.”

 

Basic Information: Lightning

Lightning forms as a result from the buildup and discharge of electrical energy between positively and negatively charged areas.

Lightning causes an average of 80 fatalities and 300 injuries a year.

Lightning occurs in all thunderstorms; lightning strikes the Earth 20 million times a year.

Most lightning fatalities and injuries occur when people are caught outdoors in the summer months during the afternoon and evening.

Many fires in the western US and Alaska are started by lightning.

The air near lightning strike is heated to 50,000 OF – hotter than the surface of the sun!

The rapid heating and cooling of the air near the lightning channel causes a shock wave that results in thunder.

Rubber-soles of shoes or rubber tires provide NO protection from lightning.

Do NOT take a bath or shower during a thunderstorms.

“Lightning causes an average of 80 fatalities and 300 injuries a year.”

 

Basic Tornado Information and Safety

After the storms that moved through our area last night, we at iidon Security Associates thought it might be helpful to get out some basic information about tornadoes and tornado safety. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the severe weather events last night.

“Be aware of flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.”

Tornado Basics
• A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground.
• Tornadoes may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms within the funnel. The average tornado moves from southwest to northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.
• The average forward speed is 30 mph but may vary from nearly stationary to 70 mph.
• The strongest tornadoes have rotating winds of more than 250 mph.
• Tornadoes can accompany tropical storms and hurricanes as they move onto land.
• Waterspouts are tornadoes which form over warm water. They can move onshore and cause damage to coastal areas.
• A tornado warning is issued when a tornado funnel is sited or indicated by weather radar.

When and Where Tornadoes Occur
• Tornadoes can occur at any time of the year.
• Tornadoes have occurred in every state, but they are most frequent east of the Rocky Mountains during the spring and summer months.
• In the southern states, most tornadoes occur between March and May, while peak months in the northern states are during the late spring and summer.
• Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 and 9 PM, but can happen any time.

How Tornadoes Form
• When unseasonable warm humid air collides with a cold front, intense thunderstorm clouds form and tornadoes may develop.
• Before thunderstorms develop, a change in wind direction and an increase in wind speed with increasing height creates an invisible, horizontal spinning effect in the lower atmosphere.
• Rising air within the thunderstorm updraft tilts the rotating air from horizontal to vertical.
• An area of rotation, 2-6 miles wide, extends through much of the storm. Most tornadoes form within this area of strong rotation.

General Tornado Safety
• In a home or building, move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement, or to the innermost part of the building.
• Stay away from windows.
• Get out of automobiles – Do Not try to outrun a tornado in your car.
• If caught outside or in a vehicle, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Avoid areas with many trees.
• Be aware of flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.
• DO NOT STAY IN A MOBILE HOME DURING A TORNADO.
• Listen to weather reports frequently if storms are predicted.

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