EMS Guide to Hurricane Preparation 2017: Keep Your Family Safe!

Last updated on September 13th, 2017 at 12:22 pm

Editor’s note: we first ran this post September 26, 2016.  In light of  this year’s unprecedented hurricane season – and hopefully in time to help those of you in hurricane Irma’s path better prepare to weather the storm – we decided to run it again.  Be safe everyone!

We are barely into September and already dead in the middle of hurricane season. While the thought of being in hurricane season may not concern most people, the thought of getting ready for a hurricane can cause some worry and panic if left to the last minute.  The long lines, the financial cost, and finally the letdown when yet another hurricane comes and goes and turns out to be nothing more than a windy, rainy day has made properly preparing for hurricanes a bother and an afterthought. I realize that hurricanes, unlike earthquakes can take days and sometimes weeks to happen and give ample time to prepare, but the fact remains that proper preparation and planning can avoid putting you and your family in danger both during and after a storm.

As an EMS provider, I would like to share with you some of the basic hurricane preparation tips that we tell people and also share with you some of the issues that I have seen in the aftermath of storms and weather events.

INSIDE YOUR HOME.

• How many people will you be preparing for? Will it be just the people in the house or will there be extended family or grandparents as well.   Preparing for four people and housing more will deplete supplies very quickly.
• Do the people in the plan have special needs, handicaps or medications that need to be filled? What about medical devices that require power?  Beds, oxygen tanks, breathing machines, asthma machines etc.  All need to be considered.
• If you have a baby or small child, do you have an ample supply of diapers, formula, medication, clothing etc.
• Food and water. Buying nonperishable food is recommended, and having at least a 3 day supply is recommended as well. How will we cook the food?   Propane tanks should be filled and ready, does a barbecue need to be purchased or brought inside?    Refrigerators and freezers should be set very low to preserve food in times of power loss.   Enough water should be purchased to keep people hydrated during times of power loss and no air conditioning to avoid any heat or dehydration issues.  Water should also be considered for cooking needs as well.
• Do you have enough batteries to power devices? Do you have a power generator in the event of a loss of power for an extended amount of time?  There are many different sizes depending on your power needs.  Do you have gas for your generator?  When storing any type of fuel, please do so in a well ventilated area and not in the living area as fumes may be toxic.  NEVER RUN YOUR GENERATOR IN OR NEAR THE LIVING AREA. Carbon monoxide from the exhaust can be fatal.  The generator or any motorized device should be run outside, in a well ventilated area, well away from where people are gathered or living.    Do you have extension cords to run into your home from the generator?  Make sure you buy properly rated cords or you could risk a fire starting from overheating of the cords.
• All pets should be brought in during the storm and enough food and water should be on hand for the pet inside the home.  Will there be different pets in the house and could that cause problems?  Do the pets take any medication that need to be filled before the storm?  Do any of the people staying in your home have any pet allergies? And will this be a possible issue?
• First Aid supplies. During a storm, EMS providers and fire trucks cannot go outside once the winds hit a certain miles per hour and may prevent us from responding to your home in an emergency.  Having a basic first aid kit and supplies such as band aids, gauze, ice packs, ace bandages etc. will help in times of delayed response by EMS.

OUTSIDE YOUR HOME

• Patio items. Are there any items that may fly way during a storm?  Patio furniture, above ground pools, Barbecues, boats, golf carts etc..  If it can be brought inside then it is recommended, but if it cannot then secure it the best you can or try to find an alternate storage site.
• Securing your home. Do you have impact windows and doors?   If not, then are there any hurricane shutters that need to be put up?  Do you own hurricane shutters?  If not there are places that sell them in standard sizes.  Do we have any lingering roof or window issues that may worsen during a heavy rain and wind event?   A little drip can turn into a lot more very quickly.    Do you have a flooding issue around your home?   Sandbags may need to be filled and placed as well.
• Vehicles can get severely damaged when left outside in a storm.  If you have nowhere to store your vehicle then I recommend pulling it as close to the building as possible to avoid as much exposure as possible and it can provide some protection to the structure as well.   Having the vehicles fully fueled beforehand is recommended in case of emergency and also to avoid the long lines at the gas station that always result.
• Sheds and outside storage. In hurricane Andrew here in south Florida, there were numerous reports of tool sheds being sent air born and the tools inside become very sharp and dangerous projectiles in the process.   Please secure sheds and storage as much as possible and bring tools inside if possible.
• Items attached to the home. Any items on the roof such as turbines or whether devices can be ripped off leaving very large holes in the roof and should be removed and capped if possible.    Below ground pools should be lowered to avoid damage to the pool as well as the overflowing possible causing flooding towards the home.

For those of you in Florida today – September 8, 2017 – as well as those of you who may find yourselves in similar situations throughout this hurricane season:
Please listen for, and act on evacuation orders. These orders are given after careful consideration and many meetings with informed people. Deadly flood surges are expected in areas of south Florida. So please heed the evacuation orders given by the mayor.

Being 100% prepared for a hurricane truly depends on your needs and the needs of those around you.  The list of possibilities is endless but the basics are not.  What things do YOU and YOUR FAMILY need to survive on a daily basis?  Is a question that should be asked, and contrary to your kid’s beliefs, internet is not one of them.   The basic essentials of shelter, food, water, and medicines trump all else.  The overall list can be long and daunting and looks much worse when done at the last minute.  But having the essentials on hand at the beginning of hurricane season leaves time to accomplish everything else thus making that list not so bad. Having been born and raised here in South Florida and gone through hurricane Andrew, I can tell you firsthand that the supplies we had made all the difference and it will for you as well.   I hope this list has served as a guide and a good place to start for you.

Thank You

Beware the Power of Tools in Little Hands

Last updated on April 19th, 2016 at 01:19 am

Kids are fascinated by many things they see their parents do around the house. Things like cleaning, exercising, cooking, and painting just to name a few, but there are fewer things around the house that kids are fascinated by more than tools.  Not just regular tools, not just big tools, any tools, and especially power tools.  Many of us have taken the time to secure everything in our homes to make sure that the kids are as safe as they can be.  But I bet if we look in the garage of most, if not all of us, we will find a battery in a charger that powers some sort of tool, and it will be in pretty close proximity to the tool it powers.   Kids are curious and very fast learners. If your child has seen you clip that battery into the tool (like loading a clip into a handgun in their favorite video game or TV show), then there is a good chance they have already figured out how to do it themselves.

Gone are the days when all tools required an extension cord, now virtually every home tool has a battery pack you can charge and reuse over again.  Just look at the ads on TV for the battery operated weed eaters, lawn mowers, chain saws, drills, nail guns,  the list goes on and on, and this only makes turning on these tools kids find in the garage or tool shed that much easier.   Non-power tools were estimated to have caused over 3000 injuries in children in the U.S last year, and power tools were estimated to have caused near 4000 injuries as well.  What can we do?  The answer like anything else is education and planning.   If you have these tools in your home or on the property, please take the time and introduce the children to them and impress upon them how dangerous they are and how nobody ever touches them without an adult around.   Much the same way you teach about weapons, scissors, and other dangers in the home, tools should be on that list as well.

Tool safety should be taught and emulated by adults.   If you are going to teach your kids about tools then take the time and plan it right.  Some things to think about are:

• Eye protection. This is always a must and if you don’t do it, they won’t want to do it.
• Proper setting. Make sure you are working in a well-lit, well ventilated area.
• Proper dress. Make sure kids learn about covering up for protection from debris. Eyes, head, arms, legs.
• RESPECT for the machine. Kids must understand they are working with dangerous tools.
• Proper footing. Please don’t have your child stand on a wobbly chair and try using a tool.  Good footing is a must.
• Proper ways to hold and use tools.
• Proper cleaning and storage.

These are just a few of the things to think about when teaching tool safety.  Kids are quick studies and teaching basic safety before an accident may prevent one from occurring.   Some major stores like Home Depot and Lowes have great kids workshops that are free and allow the kids to get hands on with tools and start on the road to using and learning about tools.  As is true with any dangerous items, locking them up is always best, but not always possible, so do your best to keep them out of reach of the children. And as a side note, beware the charging batteries.  There are numerous reports of battery chargers overheating and catching fire. Please read the recommended times to charge the batteries from the manufacturer.

I hope this helps and I hope to see all your kids building great things in the future!

Be Safe!

Video: Stairs, Water & More – Preventing Child Accidents at Home

Last updated on December 29th, 2015 at 11:40 am

Katrina Phillips of the Child Accident Prevention Trust explains how to make your home childproof and prevent avoidable accidents.

https://youtu.be/6JMn7gguZng

Editor’s Note: Video Highlights

There are hazards all around the home. This video covers the following key accident risks and areas of the house:

• Stairs – barriers are needed at the top and bottom of stairs to protect young children – and toys at the top of stairs can be a risk for all family members
• Bathrooms
  • Don’t leave cleaners under the sink or by the side of the toilet or bath – even if they have “childproof” caps – many 3-year olds can open these containers
  • Scalding bath water is a major hazard – always make sure the water is the right temperature before filling the bath

Note: In the UK, generally hot and cold water run through separate taps – so the advice in the video is UK-specific. In North America, the usual advice for bath water is to get the water running to the right temperature before filling it for your child – and to reduce the temperature of your hot water heater to avoid accidental scalding.

• Bedrooms
  • If  your window can fully open, invest in window locks to prevent falls
  • Beware of window blind cords – young children can get wrapped in these and strangled
• Kitchen
  • It’s important to keep pot handles and electric leads or cords away from edges of counters and small hands
  • Also ensure your cabinets have childproof locks – especially if they contain cleaners
• Family Room or Lounge
  • Beware of hot cups of coffee or tea – Did you know a baby’s skin is 15 times thinner than an adult’s? – so hot liquid can do them much greater harm
• Transportation Safety
  • Car seats are critical for kids – but ensure you have the correct seat for your child’s age and weight
  • Ensure your child always uses a helmet with a bike – even if just around your yard / driveway
  • Check out the video for more safe biking tips for your child – a healthy way to get around

Watch Out Parents – That’s Not Candy!

Last updated on September 18th, 2015 at 08:39 pm

When it comes to cleaning our homes, I am assuming that we all do it or have it done at some point.  Have you ever stopped to think about not only what you are cleaning with but also what it looks like or smells like to a child? Candy!!

Everything in our home requires some kind of cleaner, from the carpet and tile to the dishes and pets. It is no secret that companies go to great lengths to attract people to buy their products and the use of bright colors and fruity smells are just some of the tactics commonly used in these campaigns. While the color of your cleaner is of no consequence to you, it may be very attractive to a child. Common cleaning liquids used for mopping are easily mistaken for juice if left unlocked or unattended.  The little gel packs used for things like dish washers and clothes washing machines are very easily mistaken for candy. The pellets placed in your garbage disposal to make it smell better, if left unlocked or unattended can easily be swallowed.  The list of household cleaning chemicals and their colors is endless.

The most important things to remember are that:

• All chemicals should be locked and secured when not being used.
• You should know the number for poison control by memory: 1-800-222-1222…and
• When in doubt, do not hesitate and call 911.

Thank You and Be Safe.

Is The Food in Your House Safe to Feed Your Family?

Last updated on March 2nd, 2018 at 12:45 pm

Food poisoning is a real issue in American households and restaurants.  It is estimated that 48 million food-borne illnesses are reported each year.  That is pretty staggering when you think that the entire population of the United States is 318 million – 15% of the population is affected each and every year!  Infants, children, the elderly and those that are already sick are the most vulnerable.  We would be remiss if we did not discuss the basics in food safety.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics along with ConAgra Foods has put together an excellent website on food safety.  They have put food safety basics in 4 categories: WASH, SEPARATE, COOK & REFRIGERATE.

WASH
This includes cleaning your hands, your food items and all food preparation surfaces.

SEPARATE
Be sure to keep all raw meat, poultry and fish separate from other food until it is ready to cook.

COOK
Make sure all foods are cooked to a proper temperatures .  Also make sure any leftovers are reheated to at least 165 degrees.

REFRIGERATE
Refrigerate leftovers immediately in shallow containers to below 45 degrees.  Do not keep leftovers beyond the suggestion times.

When cooking with your kids and teenagers, be sure to teach them food safety.  Learn more details of each of these areas of WASH, SEPARATE, COOK & REFERIGERATE on the Home Food Safety website.

The Dangerous Side of Holiday Decorating: Keep Your Family Safe

Last updated on September 13th, 2015 at 12:11 am

It’s time.  It’s time to start opening up those bins and getting ready to decorate your home for the festivities to come. Decorating is always the part we love and hate at the same time because we know whatever we put up, we are going to eventually have to take down and there has always been a tiny worry of injury when decorating, whether it’s the tree in the house or the lights and extras on the outside of the house, it’s never really been a big deal.

Seeing an increase in our holiday injury emergency room runs prompted me to take a look at some statistics on the subject and what I found was very eye opening.   For the years 2004-2008 the Electrical Safety Foundation provided these statistics :

Decorating Statistics

• In 2004-2008, an estimated 1,170 home fires per year began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees. These fires caused an annual average of 8 deaths, 54 injuries, and $19.1 million in property damage.
• Christmas tree and holiday decoration fires result in twice the injuries and 5 times more fatalities per fire than the average winter holiday fire.
• On average, 260 home fires begin with Christmas trees each year, resulting in 12 deaths, 24 injuries and $16.4 million in property damage.
• An additional 150 home fires per year begin with holiday lights and other decorative lighting, causing another 8 deaths, 16 injuries, and $8.9 million in property damage each year.
• Candles started 45% of home decoration fires.
• December is the peak time of year for candle fires.
• Christmas, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Day are the top 3 days of the year for candle fires.
• Roughly 5,800 people per year were treated in hospital emergency rooms for falls associated with holiday decorations.  More than half of these injuries were caused by falls from ladders or roofs while decorating outdoors.
• CPSC estimates that each year, about 4,000 injuries associated with electric extension cords are treated in hospital emergency rooms.  50% of these injuries involve fractures, lacerations, contusions, or sprains from people tripping over extension cords.  13% of these injuries involve children less than five years of age; electrical burns to the mouth accounted for 50% of the injuries to young children.

Household Injuries and Accidents:

• More than 30,000 non-fatal shock accidents occur each year.
• Each year in the U.S., more than 100,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms due to a scalding injury.  
• Hot tap water accounts for nearly 1 in 4 of all scald burns among children and is associated with more deaths and hospitalizations than any other hot liquid burns.
• Each day, nearly 7 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for electrical shock or burn injuries caused by tampering with a wall outlet.
• In 2007, over 98,000 children ages 14 and under were treated for burn injuries in hospital emergency rooms.
• The most common causes of product-related thermal burn injuries among children ages 14 and under are hair curlers, curling irons, room heaters, ovens/ranges, and irons.
• In 2009, ranges and ovens were involved in an estimated 17,300 thermal burn injuries seen in U.S. hospital emergency rooms.  36% (5,600) of these burn victims were under the age of 5.
• Heating equipment accounted for 58,660 injuries reported to hospital emergency rooms in 2009.  Space heaters accounted for 19% of the total injuries, but more than two-thirds of the thermal burn injuries.
• For every 10 poison exposures in children, approximately 9 occur in the home.

Fatality Statistics:

• Each year, there is an estimated average of 60 electrocutions associated with consumer products.  The three most common product categories associated with electrocutions are small appliance, power tool, and lighting equipment.
• Every year in the U.S., more than 2,600 people are killed in home fires.
• In the U.S., injury is the leading cause of death among children and young adults, and nearly half of these accidents occur in the home, according to the National Safety Council.
• Worldwide, accidental injury kills more than 2,000 children each and every day.
• According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 70 percent of child-related electrical accidents occur at home, when adult supervision is present.
• Fires and burns are the third leading cause of unintentional death among children 14 and under.
• On average, 184 people die each year from non-fire, carbon monoxide poisoning associated with consumer products.  The two most common product categories associated with non-fire carbon monoxide deaths are engine-driven tools (38%) and heating systems (38%).

So as you can see, Decorating can be dangerous business and should be given the proper respect and preparation it deserves.  Mixing people, electricity, water, and fire are not a good mix.

Be safe, be prepared and Happy Holidays.

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