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Cleaning for
safety
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| Nature is
undergoing a
fresh start and
so are homeowners who are ready to clean up the debris
that has been accumulating in basements, storage sheds,
and garages over the winter.
• Household and pool chemicals, paints, and poisons
should be properly marked and stored under lock and key,
away from children’s reach. Dispose of any that
are leaking, expired, or that look bad.
•
When cleaning up hazardous chemicals• wear rubber
gloves and follow the safety directions on the packaging.
Never mix chemicals in the same container if you
don’t know how to dispose of them, seek outside advice.
Never put them into the trash or pour down the drain.
• Make
sure gasoline and cleaning fluids are well marked and
stored in a cool, dry place away from the house and out of
the reach of children and pets. Use only approved containers
for gasoline storage.
• Never
use gasoline to clean skin, clothes, auto parts, or
floors.
• Clean
up work areas. Put dangerous tools, adhesives, matches, or
other work items away from children~ reach.
• Check
your barbecue grill for leaks and cracks, and be sure to
store any propane tanks away from your house and garage.
• Remove
all fire hazards, including stacks of rags, newspapers,
and magazines. Pay special attention to the spaces around
your furnace, hot water tank, fireplace, space heaters,
and dryer, as well as under the stairs. |
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OUTDOOR SAFETY
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Ready for some outdoor exercise and adventure?
Here are a few pointers.
•
Winter’s inactive muscles can take only so much
strain. Don’t overdo it
—
build
up slowly so you don’t have strains that can put you
out of commission for some time.
•
It may look appealing, but don’t wander on
frozen rivers and lakes ii~
the
spring. The ice is beginning to thaw, and you never know
just how thin the ice really is.
•
Spring’s extra rain and thawing snow can cause
normally safe rivers, streams, and creeks to turn
treacherous. Even standing on banks can be risky as they
can be undercut by rushing water and give in under your
weight.
•
Springtime is also severe weather time. If the
skies look threatening, check to see if a storm watch or
warning has been issued before you initiate outdoor
activities.
If you’re
already outside and thunderstorms threaten, go
immediately into a building or enclosed vehicle. For
tornadoes, go to the nearest safe structure, or the
basement or interior first-floor room of your home. If
there's no time to follow these precautions, take cover
in a ditch or depression in the ground.
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With warmer weather and longer
days approaching, people in West Milford Township
are emerging from their winter cocoons to focus on
long-neglected projects like spring-cleaning, home repairs, and
yard work. Many are also lacing up their shoes for their first
outdoor walk or jog of the season. These activities can be
extremely beneficial, but they also involve a variety of health
and safety hazards that can be avoided with the proper
precautions. To help ensure everyone in our community stays safe
this season, the members of Bureau of Fire Prevention offers
some safety tips on this page and suggests you copy and post them
where they can be seen by your family members and co-workers.
"These
are just a few of the safety precautions to consider during the
spring,” says Fire Marshal Michael Woch of the West Milford
Township Fire Prevention Bureau. “It’s also a great time to
replace your smoke detector batteries, make sure your fire
extinguishers are placed in proper locations around your home, and
ensure you have a working flashlight and battery-powered radio for
spring storms. By taking the right precautions when warmer weather
beckons, you and those around you can enjoy a safer, healthier
spring.”
Last modified: December 13, 2003
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YARDWORK
SAFETY
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Itching to get the yard into shape for the summer?
Here are ways to help ensure your spring spruce-up is
disaster-free.
• Limber
up. Yard chores may seem easy, but they involve
muscles you probably haven’t used in a while.
• Always
wear protective clothing when you handle pesticides
and fertilizers,
• More
than 60,000 people are treated in emergency rooms each
year for lawn-mower injuries.
/ Rake
before you mow to prevent any stones and loose debris
from launching into the air.
/ Never
operate a mower in your bare feet and avoid wearing
loose clothing.
/ Never
start a mower indoors.
/ When
refueling your mower, make sure the engine is off and
cool. Don’t spill gasoline on a hot engine — and don’t
smoke while pouring gasoline.
/ Never
leave your mower operational while unattended.
/ Don’t
use electrical mowers on wet Grass.
At
least 55,000 people each year sustain injuries from
trimmers, lawn edgers, pruners and power saws. Read
the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before
using the tools.
/ Inspect
the product for damage and don’t use it if there are problems.
/ Use
proper eye protection.
/ Make
sure blade guards are in place on all cutting
equipment.
/ Don’t
let tools get wet unless they are labeled “immersible.”
/ Unplug
all tools when not in use.
/ Make
sure the tool is in the “off’ position before you
plug it
in.
/ Store
gasoline-powered equipment away from anything that
uses a pilot light.
/ Make
sure you use the right saw for the task, and always
wait for the saw blade to stop before pulling away
from a cut to avoid kickback.
•
When pruning trees, be careful not to let metal
ladders or trimmers contact overhead wires.
•
Before you do any “hands on weed removal,
make sure you know how to identify poison ivy, sumac,
and oak, and similar toxic plants. Find out ahead of
time how to treat the rashes they cause to reduce the
irritation.
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LADDER SAFETY
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Ready to do some home repairs? On average about 145,000 people visit the emergency room each year because of ladder mishaps.
Here are a few safety steps: -
•
Read the manufacturer’s instructions that come with
your ladder They contain guidelines for weight and
height
limits as well as for the proper use of their
product.
•
Inspect the ladder before using it
to
make sure there are no loose or broken rungs.
•
Make sure the ladder is the right height for the
job. Many accidents happen when people over extend their
reach because
their ladders are too short.
• Never stand on a ladder’s
bucket shelf.
•
Make sure the ladder is completely open and
that all of its feet are planted on a firm, level
surface. Extension
ladders should not be placed at an angle that is
too extreme.
•
Avoid using a metal ladder near electrical
sources.
•
Face the ladder when climbing down and make sure
your weight is centered between the two sides.
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