Exelon home safety awareness

TOPICS – HEAT STRESS, LADDER SAFETY, HEARING PROTECTION & EYE PROTECTION HEAT STRESS
EFFECTS OF HEAT – Heat Related Illnesses:  Heat Cramps – Painful cramping and spasms of legs, arm and abdomen  Heat Exhaustion – Feeling tired, weak and dizzy accompanied by headache nausea and possible  Heat Stroke – Feeling tired, weak and dizzy. Skin feels hot and dry. May become delirious and KEY’S TO PREVENTING HEAT RELATED ILLNESS: o Drink at least a gallon of liquid a day (16 glasses) when the temperature exceeds 90 degrees and you are not in air-conditioned surroundings o Drink 8 ounces of water, juice or sports drink 2 hours before physical activity
o Drink 4-8 ounces of fluid 5-10 minutes prior to physical activity
o Drink 8-10 ounces of water every 15-30 minutes while performing physical activity
o Avoid caffeine
o Eat plenty of fruits & vegetables to maintain sodium, calcium and potassium levels
 Maintain normal salt intake and avoid foods containing high levels of salt  Avoid direct sun exposure & activities during the heat of the day o Take frequent breaks in the shade if possible
o Take a cool showers
 People with diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure are more sensitive to the effects of heat o Rest in a cool area
o Drink cold water slowly
o Massage affected muscles
o Rest in a cool area
o Lie down with feet raised
o Loosen clothing
o Drink cool water slowly
o Place cool compress or towel on forehead and body
o Remove clothing
o Sponge with cool water
o Call EMS
LADDER SAFETY
o Aluminum ladders need to be inspected for sharp edges, dents, bent steps and loose rivets o Ladders must be kept dry & clean. Wipe away any water or oils that can cause you to slip o Set-up ladder on a firm and level surface o Always lean a straight or extension ladder against a wall or fixed object o Set-up extension ladders 1’ away from the wall for every 4’ the ladder extends o Do not set-up ladders in heavily trafficked areas o Do not modify the equipment to create a longer ladder o Be sure that your extension ladder extends 3 feet beyond the roofline or work surface o When raising an extension ladder be mindful of the hazards nearby, especially power lines o Do not to place hands or fingers between sections when closing or lowering ladders o Store ladders in a sheltered area away from moisture o Before climbing, inspect the area you will be climbing o Read all of the manufacturers safety information carefully before using the ladder o Select a ladder height to prevent you from reaching out causing the ladder to de-stabilize o Do not use a ladder horizontally or as a scaffold o When doing electrical work or near a power line always use a wooden or fiberglass ladder o Do not allow more than one person to climb onto the ladder o Keep both feet on the ladder and center your body weight between the rails at all times o Do not step above the labeled maximum height, most commonly the last few rails o Never climb a ladder during rain or strong winds HEARING PROTECTION
 Noise pollution can negatively impact the body in significant ways including elevated blood pressure, impaired cognitive functioning and chronic stress  Excessive noise can cause damage to the nerves in the inner ear  Our ears can recover from a short exposure to load noise, but being around too much noise over an extended period of time will eventually cause nerve damage and hearing loss  The louder the noise & longer the exposure, the greater the chance permanent damage will occur  Noise is measure in decibels (dB) using a sound level meter  Noise can range from a silent whisper (1dB) to a jet engine (140dB)  Noise levels above 140 decibels may cause immediate hearing loss  Everyone should wear hearing protection when working around noise levels above 85 decibels dB Noise Level Examples: Use Personal Protective Equipment to Protect your Hearing  Earplugs, Ear Muffs or Both in extreme conditions EYE PROTECTION
Almost 40 % of home eye injuries occur in the yard or garden. Debris from lawn mowers or power trimmers unexpectedly can enter the eye at a high rate of speed. Prevent Blindness America offers these tips on how to protect your eyes while doing work in the yard:  When mowing, wear safety glasses with side protection or goggles. Check your yard and remove  When using a weed eater, wear safety glasses or goggles under a face shield.  Wear goggles when working with power saws or trimmers.  Turn off power tools when near an unprotected bystander, especially when young children approach. Bystanders and helpers need eye protection when around tools that are in use.  Wear goggles to protect your eyes from fertilizers, pesticides and other yard chemicals, including  Read and follow all product instructions. Obey warnings on yard chemicals and equipment. In addition, household chemicals, including bleach or other cleaners, cause 125,000 eye injuries every year. Eye protection should be worn when using any chemical and wash hands thoroughly before touching the eyes or face.

Source: http://www.choctawkaul.com/safetytip061413.pdf