Firework Safety Month (June - July 4th)

June to July 4th is National Firework safety month. Some of you are probably laughing and saying are you kidding me? No kidding; firework safety (or lack thereof) is a big problem. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) states there are about 9,000 to 10,000 people treated a year for firework related injuries. These are the injuries that were reported to hospitals, but this number does not take into account the injuries that are not reported.

A majority of these injuries could have been prevented by using safety measures when handling fireworks. As technology advances so does the ability of fireworks. Today you can have fireworks that display shapes, different colors, words and even designs. In a lot of states consumers can buy fireworks. Out of all the 50 states only 5 do not allow consumers to purchase fireworks for personal use. That is a very small percentage and all of those states that do not allow consumers to purchase fireworks are on the East Coast. Not only does the ability to purchase fireworks vary from state to state, what is actually considered a firework varies as well. Before you do anything or purchase anything make sure you are following your state laws. Just because someone may sell certain fireworks does not guarantee they are allowed.

With the July 4th holiday right around the corner, read on this week for tips to a safe celebration and  fun weather facts to share at your BBQ!

Enjoy the Summer - Yard Work Safety Tips

Every year the changing of the seasons brings millions of Americans outside to do seasonal yard work. The hot summer months in between spring and fall are a time of outdoor fun and relaxation but they are also is a time of more outdoor yard work. Gardens need to be planted and cared for, lawns need mowing and weeds need to be wacked.  For many people yard work is a form of fun and enjoyment. Sadly, it is also a time of aches, pains and injuries. The following safety precautions and tips will help keep you safe and injury free while you are working in your yard;

Take 5 to 10 minutes to warm up your muscles by doing light exercises or stretching before starting your yard work.

Dress properly for working outside in the yard by wearing long pants, a long sleeved shirt and sturdy comfortable shoes.

Keep children and pets away from the area when you are doing yard work.

Have the right tools for the job you are doing.

Rakes should be comfortable and the right size for your height and strength.

Wear gloves while you are doing any type of yard work to help prevent your hands from blistering.

Yard work such as raking involves repetitive motions. Changing your position often helps to prevent muscle pains and cramps from occurring.

Always watch for low branches, large rocks and tree stumps.

Be aware of uneven ground surfaces and slopes.

When you pick up leaves, do not bend over from the waist. Bend from the knees.

Do not overfill leaf bags.

Do not carry full bags of leaves over your shoulder.

When you are weeding, a half kneeling position is safer than bending forward.

Wet leaves are very slippery. Make sure to wear boots or shoes with soles that are slip resistant

When you are using a ladder make certain it is firmly on the ground. Never climb to the top of a ladder.

When you are pruning hedges, hold the pruning shears close to your body.

Enjoy the Summer - General Safety Tips

Everyone loves summer vacation with its lazy days, picnics, swimming, biking, visits to the park, and more. A few simple reminders can make your summer a safe one.

Storm Safety for Summer

Summer is also the season of lightning storms and other weather events. From tornados to dust storms, safety training for severe weather can make a big difference in the health and security of your family. Take some time to review the basics, including assembling an emergency supply kit and assigning a meeting spot in the safest area of your home.

Fire Safety

Whether you're gathered around the backyard fire pit or toasting marshmallows on a camping trip, knowing where and how to safely build a fire, as well as how to put out a fire that gets out of control, can keep you and your children safe.

Bike Safety

Kids and adults alike love riding bikes in the summer. As part of your seasonal safety discussion, don't forget to include practical bike safety like choosing a bike that fits and wearing a helmet. Teaching and enforcing bike safety in your family can save lives.

Summer Heat Safety

In addition to its burning potential, the sun can also cause people to overheat, particularly in the long, hot summer days. Observing safety tips can help prevent heatstroke and dehydration during fun activities or outside work.

Enjoy the Summer - Backyard Fire Safety Tips

Nothing says "summer" like a backyard BBQ or holiday picnic, but these fun activities also present a number of safety hazards. According to a report from the US fire Administration, summer is one of the most dangerous seasons for fire-related injuries and deaths. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to protect yourself and your loved ones while still having a great time. By knowing and practicing summer fire safety tips, you can enjoy many wonderful times in the great outdoors filled with laughter, happiness and safety.

Fireworks Safety

Fireworks are another important safety hazard in the summer months. In fact, the report from the United States Fire Safety Administration says that summer fires peak over Fourth of July weekend. Be sure to read up on fireworks safety tips to keep your celebration accident-free.


 

Grills and Outdoor Cooking Safety

Summer is all about grilling outside, but this type of food preparation can also be hazardous. Be sure to research outdoor cooking safety before you get out your grill for the season.

 

• Before using a grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line. Make sure the venturi tubes – where the air and gas mix – are not blocked.
• Do not overfill the propane tank.
• Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a barbecue.
• Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire because the flame can flashback up into the container and explode.
• Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an adult immediately. Supervise children around outdoor grills.
• Dispose of hot coals properly – douse them with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers.
• Never grill/barbecue in enclosed areas – carbon monoxide could be produced.

Create a Safety Zone Around Your House

FEMA recommends clearing all dry vegetation and debris from around your home, keeping a clear area that extends 30 to 100 feet from your house. Get rid of dry grass, leaves, vines, fallen branches, firewood, and other flammable materials within this area. Mow your grass to keep it short, and never store rags with oil or gasoline near your home.

Help Firefighters Find Your House

If firefighters need to get to your house, it's best if the property is clearly marked. Make sure your house number is clearly visible from the street.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy the Summer - Fire Safety Tips for Travel

Nothing says "summer" like a road trip or vacation , but these fun activities also present a number of safety hazards. According to a report from the US fire Administration, summer is one of the most dangerous seasons for fire-related injuries and deaths. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to protect yourself and your loved ones while still having a great time. By knowing and practicing summer fire safety tips, you can enjoy many wonderful times filled with laughter, happiness and safety.

 

Choose a Fire-Safe Motel or Hotel

When staying at a motel or hotel, choose one that has a fire sprinkler system and smoke alarms. Ask at the front desk clerk about the fire notification system and what the fire alarm sounds like. Review the fire escape plan posted in the room. Read the checklist for hotel fire safety before you settle in for the night.

Identify the Exits

Whether you're in a hotel or a restaurant or a museum, always make sure you are familiar with where the closest exits are located. This will be very important if a fire breaks out.

Don't Throw Lit Cigarettes out of the Car

Never throw a lit cigarette, match, or cigar out of a car window or onto the ground. It could ignite dry vegetation or even in rare circumstances, ignite fumes from your vehicle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy the Summer - Camping Fire Safety Tips

Nothing says "summer" like a campfire or bonfire, but these fun activities also present a number of safety hazards. According to a report from the US fire Administration, summer is one of the most dangerous seasons for fire-related injuries and deaths. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to protect yourself and your loved ones while still having a great time. By knowing and practicing summer fire safety tips, you can enjoy many wonderful times in the great outdoors filled with laughter, happiness and safety.

If you'll be spending the summer camping or just toasting marshmallows in the back yard, it's a good idea to educate yourself about campfire safety. Keep the following tips in mind.

Follow Area Rules

Always follow the campfire rules for the area where you are camping or living. Some parks and towns prohibit fires, and these rules are there for a reason. Check the local regulations before you build your fire.

Know to Stop, Drop, and Roll

It is important to make sure that all members of your family know to "Stop Drop & Roll" if an article of clothing ever catches on fire. Instead of just talking about it to young children, practice the steps together.

Check Your Surroundings

Choose a location for your campfire where it will not spread. Never build a campfire near any dry leaves or grassy areas or under overhanging tree branches. Before building a campfire, clear away all shrubbery and vegetation from the area, dig a pit for the fire, and surround it with rocks.

Be Smart About Lighter Fluid

Do not store gasoline, liquid fire starter, or any other type of flammable liquid near the campfire. It's too easy for stray flames to ignite these materials.

Keep Your Fire Away from the Tent

Do not place your campfire near the tent. It should always be placed downwind from the tent. Only use tents made from flame-retardant materials if you'll be having a campfire.

Keep It Under Control

Do not build large campfires, even if they seem impressive. It's much safer to keep fires small so they are easier to control.

Stay Nearby

Never leave a campfire lit if there is no one to attend to it. If you're going to sleep for the night, always take the time to put the fire out.

Be Prepared

Never light a campfire if you do not have the means of extinguishing it. Always keep plenty of water and a shovel near the campfire to use in an emergency and to put the campfire out when you are finished using it.

Know How to Put It Out

To extinguish a campfire douse it with water, use the shovel to bury the fire with ash and dirt. Then douse the area with water.

 

Travel Tips for Hurricane Season - #4

Hurricanes don’t happen every day, but when they do, they can cause significant damage and create chaos. Some seasons are heavily active, while others may only see one or two major storms that never make landfall. The weather is unpredictable, so opting not to travel at all during hurricane season isn’t necessary. Being prepared for the possibility, however, will ensure that you will still enjoy your vacation, while staying safe and protecting yourself as well as your investment.

Tip #4 - Set up a special hurricane preparedness plan. The key to dealing with a hurricane is to be prepared; this applies to both locals and visitors. Take heed to all hurricane evacuations. This is especially important to visitors; particularly those who don’t live in hurricane zones and aren’t familiar with the dangers of a hurricane. Research options for places to continue your trip should you have to evacuate your original destination. If you live in hurricane zone, and will be away at some point during hurricane season, arrange for hurricane preparedness for your home to minimize damage that may occur by a storm while you’re away. Provide friends and loved ones with your contact information should they need to reach you in the event of a hurricane.

Travel Tips for Hurricane Season - #3

Hurricanes don’t happen every day, but when they do, they can cause significant damage and create chaos. Some seasons are heavily active, while others may only see one or two major storms that never make landfall. The weather is unpredictable, so opting not to travel at all during hurricane season isn’t necessary. Being prepared for the possibility, however, will ensure that you will still enjoy your vacation, while staying safe and protecting yourself as well as your investment.

Tip # 3 - Inquire with lodging/transportation option about hurricane policies. Some hotels, resorts, transportation options, and other tourist venues have policies on hurricane impact. Check with your travel service provider to find out if this is available, and what’s covered. While it’s not advisable to rely on this in lieu of travel insurance, this can give you added coverage and options should unforeseen circumstances occur related to a hurricane.

Travel Tips for Hurricane Season - #2

Hurricanes don’t happen every day, but when they do, they can cause significant damage and create chaos. Some seasons are heavily active, while others may only see one or two major storms that never make landfall. The weather is unpredictable, so opting not to travel at all during hurricane season isn’t necessary. Being prepared for the possibility, however, will ensure that you will still enjoy your vacation, while staying safe and protecting yourself as well as your investment.

Tip # 2 -

Set up an additional travel destination option. While a visit to Jamaica, South Beach, or the Carolina coast are excellent and extremely popular choices for a summer vacation, these cities also see frequent hurricane activity, even in close-call brushes. Even indirect hits have been known to seriously alter travel depending on weather conditions. Flights in or out of these cities can be grounded without warning. Gloomy weather can ruin a trip to the beach or even make it dangerous to get in the water. Theme parks can suddenly close; cruises are often forced to change the itinerary, or depart hours earlier than scheduled. Having a backup plan (preferably somewhere inland) will ensure that you can still have an enjoyable trip should your plans for your first choice fall through.

 

 

Travel Tips For Hurricane Season - #1

From now until November 30, people across the US have to be prepared for the potential of a hurricane either where they live or where they plan to visit. Hurricane season coincides with one of the most active and popular times of the year to travel, leaving many feeling apprehensive about traveling to a location that can be hit by a hurricane, or traveling away from home if they live in an area affected by hurricane season.

The good news is there are some tips that can alleviate the pressure of traveling during hurricane season, and greatly lessen or eliminate the chances of a ruined vacation. Join us this week as we post four key tips to success for staying informed and being prepared.

 

#1 - Buy travel insurance. Travel insurance is a significant factor in salvaging money invested in a trip that’s been interrupted or cancelled. If your flight is cancelled, or the hotel you were planning to stay at is damaged by a storm, or you’re stuck at home bearing down and miss your cruise, you have some recourse. Travel insurance can oftentimes make the difference between having the option to plan a new trip at a later time, and losing thousands of dollars for good.

The Mystery of Double Rainbows

Double rainbows: If the hope of one pot of gold isn't enough, sometimes Mother Nature gives us the opportunity to pursue two. This double-dose of atmospheric optimism is a result of optical effects occurring in tandem.

All rainbows require the presence of the sun and rain in order to form. In order to see a rainbow, the sun must be to the viewer's back, and rain must be falling ahead of the viewer. It doesn't necessarily have to be raining on or near the viewer, but rain must be present ahead of the viewer towards the horizon. And during a particularly lucky scenario, two rainbows will form at the same time.

As sunshine breaks through the clouds and beams towards the raindrops, some of the light encounters the raindrops and bends - called refraction. When the light refracts, the process causes the sunlight to separate into different wavelengths. These different wavelengths correspond to different colors: red and orange correspond to longer wavelengths, while blue and purple correspond to shorter wavelengths. 

The refracted light waves then bounce - or reflect - off of the circular edge of the raindrop, and then they refract again as they exit the raindrop and travel through the air.

Because raindrops are relatively round when the sunlight refracts through them, the visual result is a spherical arc that soars all across the sky. Viewers who are lucky enough to see a whole rainbow will observe a colorful arc spanning the entire Earth, from end to end.

Rainbows remain a relatively rare event as they will only occur when the refracted sunlight strikes the raindrop's edge at the exact angle of 48 degrees. If the angle is less than 48 degrees, then the light will simply pass through the raindrop. Any greater than 48º, then the light reflects straight back out of the raindrop, and no refraction will occur. Without refraction, a rainbow will not form.

When two rainbows form at the same time the first and brighter rainbow is called the primary rainbow. This rainbow is created by the process described above, and only requires the light to reflect off of the raindrop once before refracting out of the raindrop. 

The second and fainter rainbow is called the secondary rainbow. It occurs when refracted light does not escape the raindrop after being reflected the first time. Instead, the refracted light reflects off the raindrop's surface a second time as well, producing a secondary rainbow with its colors reversed compared to the primary rainbow. Unfortunately, fewer light rays are available to undergo the additional refraction process, so the resulting secondary rainbow appears less vivid.

How Much U.S. Summers Have Warmed Since 1970

June is here and one summer statistic has already emerged; the season has been getting hotter across the U.S. since 1970.

Nationwide, the summer warming trend averages out to a little more than 0.4°F per decade since 1970. The places warming the fastest also happen to be some of the hottest places in the country, with a large chunk of the Southwest and all of Texas warming more than 1°F per decade.

Of the 344 climate divisions, which are set by the National Climatic Data Center and divide the country into climatically-similar zones, less than 10 percent have seen a summer cooling trend. In general, every state in the lower 48 has warmed since 1970 and the most recent decade was the warmest on record for the country.

Those trends are consistent with the overall warming that has been observed for the planet as greenhouse gases emitted by humans build up in the atmosphere.

For this summer, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is forecasting a large "U" of areas where above normal temperatures are more likely running from down the West Coast across the South and back up the Eastern Seaboard.

CPC also forecasts below normal temperatures are likely in the Upper Midwest based overarching climate conditions. While El Niño is likely to form this summer, its impacts on weather patterns in the U.S. won't generally become pronounced until fall.

What’s In A Hurricane’s Name?

Would more residents of New Orleans have evacuated ahead of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 if it had been named Kurt?  A published study suggests they would have, perhaps reducing Katrina's death toll of more than 1,800.

Because people unconsciously think a storm with a female name is less dangerous than one with a masculine name, those in its path are less likely to flee, and are therefore more vulnerable to harm.  As a result, strong Atlantic hurricanes with the most feminine names caused an estimated five times more deaths than those with the most masculine names, researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign wrote in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

When the National Hurricane Center began giving storms human names in 1953 with Alice, it used only women's. The first "male" Atlantic hurricane was Bob, in 1979.  Hurricane names currently alternate between male and female. Among those the World Meteorological Organization has chosen for 2014: Dolly, Josephine, and Vicky.

Based on the analysis of Atlantic hurricanes from 1950 to 2012, when 94 made landfall, the researchers found that names of less severe storms didn't matter. Whether people took precautions or not, the death toll was minimal and no different for male and female names.  But for strong hurricanes, the more feminine the name - as ranked by volunteers on an 11-point scale - the more people it killed.

When judging a storm's threat, people "appear to be applying their beliefs about how men and women behave," said co-author Sharon Shavitt, a professor of marketing at Illinois. "This makes a female-named hurricane, especially one with a very feminine name such as Belle or Cindy, seem gentler and less violent."

A spokesman for the National Hurricane Center declined to say whether scientists there find this analysis credible. But "whether the name is Sam or Samantha," Dennis Feltgen said, people must heed evacuation orders.

What Causes Hurricanes?

Thanks to big storms such as Hugo and Katrina, hurricanes are household names, known for sweeping in death and destruction on winds capable of topping 150 mph. But unlike tornadoes, which strike quickly and with little notice, hurricanes usually takes days to form.

 The huge, swirling storms start as tropical disturbances, when rain clouds build over warm ocean waters, generating wind speeds less than 38 mph. If the winds of the rotating storm are from 39 mph to 73 mph, it's labeled a tropical depression; at 74 mph, it officially becomes a hurricane.

A hurricane's strength is based on its wind speed and ranked using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. A Category 1 storm is dangerous, but a Category 5 storm is likely catastrophic, bringing winds faster than 157 mph. Hurricanes Hugo in 1989 and Katrina in 2005 were Category 5 storms. Though the high winds can be treacherous, the greatest threat during a typical hurricane is the storm surge, a wall of water that can be 100 miles wide and 15 feet deep and covers the coastline when a hurricane lands.

5 Quick Facts About Hurricanes

• The difference between a hurricane and a typhoon is simply where it happens. Both are tropical cyclones, called hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, and eastern Pacific Ocean, and referred to as typhoons west of the international date line in the Pacific Ocean.
• Names are given to tropical storms (which may or may not develop into a hurricane) in alphabetical order, alternating male and female names, and skipping names that start with the letters Q, U, X, Y and Z.
• It's a common myth that opening a window during a hurricane will help equalize the pressure in your home, but the reality is that doing so will only invite in more wind and debris.
• The deadliest tropical cyclone in history was Bangladesh's Great Bhola Cyclone in November 1970, which killed as many as 500,000 people.
• Superstorm Sandy, while destructive, was downgraded from hurricane status. Officially, it was Post Tropical Cyclone Sandy, but the superstorm name given by media outlets stuck.

Colorado State Increases Estimate of Named Atlantic Storms for 2014 Season

Colorado State University increased the number of storms it expects to develop during the Atlantic hurricane season to 10 from nine.

The forecast calls for four of those to become hurricanes, one of them a major system, said Phil Klotzbach, lead author of the outlook. In April, his team predicted three hurricanes, with one growing into a major storm.

“We raised the number slightly because El Nino isn’t coming on as strong as we thought,” Klotzbach said by telephone today. “We’re still pretty confident it will be a quiet season.”

Atlantic hurricanes can disrupt U.S. and Mexican natural gas and oil production and affect refineries and agriculture. An estimated $10.6 trillion of insured coastal property in 18 states from Maine to Texas is vulnerable to storm strikes, according to the Insurance Information Institute in New York.

The 30-year average is for the Atlantic to produce 12 storms during the season that runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Currently, an area of disturbed weather in the Bay of Campeche, in the southern Gulf of Mexico, has a 10% chance in the next five days of becoming the season’s first storm, said the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Will You be Ready if Disaster Strikes? -Employee Assistance Plan

With June 1 officially being the start of the 2014 Hurricane season, a business needs to be able to react immediately and confidently after a disaster, so it can quickly minimize losses and get back up and running. Follow along this week as we provide 5 valuable Emergency plans the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends developing to ensure workplaces are ready when a flood, tornado, earthquake, fire, hurricane, or other disaster occurs. 

 #5 Employee Assistance Plan 

 

Disasters can impact employees and their families. They may experience costly expenses or be forced to stay somewhere other than their homes. Support employees as much as possible as they recover from an emergency. It’s helpful to develop a plan for how your business will aid affected employees, whether by providing financial assistance, connecting employees to the appropriate public agencies and services, or offering mental healthcare to help with the emotional impact of a disaster.

Will You be Ready if Disaster Strikes? - IT Disaster Recovery Plan

With June 1 officially being the start of the 2014 Hurricane season, a business needs to be able to react immediately and confidently after a disaster, so it can quickly minimize losses and get back up and running. Follow along this week as we provide 5 valuable Emergency plans the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends developing to ensure workplaces are ready when a flood, tornado, earthquake, fire, hurricane, or other disaster occurs. 

#4 - IT Disaster Recovery Plan

 

Many business activities depend on the use of information technology. An IT disaster recovery plan includes processes to quickly restore hardware, applications, and data so the business can re-open quickly. It would also provide a plan for data backup to ensure critical files and information are kept safe.

Will You be Ready if Disaster Strikes? - Business Continuity Plan

A business needs to be able to react immediately and confidently after a disaster, so it can quickly re-open and minimize loss. Below are plans the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends developing to ensure workplaces are ready when a flood, tornado, earthquake, fire, hurricane, or other disasters.

With June 1 officially being the start of the 2014 Hurricane season, a business needs to be able to react immediately and confidently after a disaster, so it can quickly minimize losses and get back up and running. Follow along this week as we provide 5 valuable Emergency plans the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends developing to ensure workplaces are ready when a flood, tornado, earthquake, fire, hurricane, or other disaster occurs. 
#3 - Business Continuity Plan
This plan is crucial to help minimize your business’ disruption, reduce financial loss, and retain your customers. When developing a continuity plan, conduct an impact analysis to pinpoint time-sensitive or essential business functions, and the resources and processes they require. Once the initial analysis is complete, write processes for recovering these functions and resources during an emergency. Create a business continuity group that will practice, test, and be trained to implement the plan.

Will You be Ready if Disaster Strikes? - Crisis Communication Plan

With June 1 officially being the start of the 2014 Hurricane season, a business needs to be able to react immediately and confidently after a disaster, so it can quickly minimize losses and get back up and running. Follow along this week as we provide 5 valuable Emergency plans the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends developing to ensure workplaces are ready when a flood, tornado, earthquake, fire, hurricane, or other disaster occurs. 

#2 - Crisis Communication Plan

When a disaster happens, your business needs plans that will allow you to quickly and accurately communicate with customers, employees and their families, suppliers, regulators, government officials, the media, the community, and other stakeholders. Each of these audiences will want to know immediately if and how they will be impacted. A crisis communication plan will help your business get the right messages to the right people in a timely and positive fashion. Often this plan will include descriptions of key audiences and their anticipated concerns, assignments for who will communicate with each audience and how, and scripted message templates.

Will You be Ready if Disaster Strikes? - Emergency Response Plan

With June 1 officially being the start of the 2014 Hurricane season, a business needs to be able to react immediately and confidently after a disaster, so it can quickly minimize losses and get back up and running. Follow along this week as we provide 5 valuable Emergency plans the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends developing to ensure workplaces are ready when a flood, tornado, earthquake, fire, hurricane, or other disaster occurs. 

 

# 1 -  Emergency Response Plan
 
Planning for how your business will protect your employees, visitors, property, and the environment during and after a disaster includes processes for evacuation, lockdown, sheltering, and other site-specific responses. Safety is the top priority when developing this plan, and it should also include a post-disaster process for cleaning up, evaluating damage, salvaging property, and protecting undamaged property. These efforts will help reduce business disruption and damage.