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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 Frederick City 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 City of Frederick’s
Safety Department 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;
It’s 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.”
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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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