About this column:
Local emergency services providers share prevention tips, ideas and information to help keep you safe and sound.Before heading outside to garden or do other yard work, remember accidents can, and do, occur at home. More than 200,000 injuries are associated with yard and garden equipment each year, according to the National Safety Council. But by taking some simple precautions, you can reduce the chance of being injured. As the weather becomes warmer and days are longer, we spend as much time as we can outdoors enjoying our backyards. Many of us tackle do-it-yourself projects and others are happy just being outside. But, to be safe, it is important to remember the following safety tips when working in …
Falls have become a public health crisis, according to the American Trauma Society. They are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among older adults. One out of every three adults age 65 and older falls each year. Of those, two out of three will fall again within six months. Of those reported, 20-30 percent will sustain moderate to severe injuries, which will prevent them from returning home or living alone again. As an experienced ER/trauma nurse I have encountered many traumatic injuries that are direct results of falls. The older adult population supersedes any other age group in …
A record number of 49 children died of heat stroke in 2010, which resulted from being left in motor vehicles. The website kidsandcars.org warns parents and caregivers to take extra precautions to prevent leaving children alone in cars. This year’s reported cases are already on the path to supersede last year’s fatalities. Children’s thermoregulatory systems are not as efficient as an adult’s and their body temperature heats up at a rate of three to five times faster than that of an adult’s. In less than 30 minutes, the temperature inside a car can increase 35 degrees. Even on a mild 75 …
The Farmington Hills Fire Department wants to ensure a safe 4th of July holiday for all of our residents. As in years past, only a professional, public display fireworks company, which has conformed to strict safety guidelines and passed all safety inspections by local Fire Inspectors, can display the really big, and loud fireworks we all seem to love and associate with the 4th of July. If you’re just not quite sure what’s legal, here are few guidelines: Most legal fireworks have a fuse at the top of the cone or cylinder. Legal fireworks cannot leave the ground, spin, fly, or make a loud “…
Extreme heat conditions are defined as summertime temperatures that are substantially hotter and/or more humid than average for your location during that time of the year. After a cooler than normal spring, temperatures have skyrocketed into the 90’s, which is definitely above average for early June. Heat related injuries and deaths are preventable, yet annually many people succumb to extreme heat. Elderly people (65 years and older), infants and people with chronic medical conditions are the most prone to these heat related injuries. “People suffer heat related injuries when their bodies …
Don’t look now, but summer may finally be here. We went from winter to summer, back to a soaking wet spring, and now, the warm weather appears to be here. Warm weather usually means finding a place to cool off, and a pool is usually the first choice of many. Having a pool is a lot of fun, but sometimes dangerous. It’s a fact that more children are killed each year in swimming pool accidents than by handguns! Submersion incidents usually happen in familiar settings; 89 percent of these incidents happen in the family’s own pool or one owned by a friend or relative. These incidents happen very …
As the weather gets nicer, more and more people are taking to the streets here in Farmington Hills on bikes. Bicycle riding is fun and healthy, but it can also be dangerous if you don’t follow the rules of the road and wear a helmet. It is important to remember that a bicycle is not a toy. It’s a VEHICLE! So, be cool, and follow some basic safety tips the next time you ride. Before getting on your bike, make sure it’s ready to ride. Inspect it to be sure all of the parts are secure. Check the tires and be sure the brakes work. Also remember to: Wear a properly fitted helmet - The helmet …
The Oakland County Department of Emergency Response and Preparedness has released the dates for the testing of the outdoor warning system for 2011. When sirens are activated, a three-minute tone will alert residents of a test on the first Saturday of the month at 1 p.m. The one exception is on Wednesday, March 30 at 1 p.m., when sirens will be tested in recognition of Severe Weather Awareness Week. There will be no test in April. Any other activation outside of the times listed below indicates that a tornado has been sighted or strongly indicated on radar and/or a severe thunderstorm with 70 …
Most cities have ordinances regarding the clearing, accessibility, and visibility of fire hydrants. After the recent snow storm, we have numerous hydrants that are blocked, inaccessible or completely covered and the Farmington Hills Fire Department is asking for your help. “If we can’t spot a hydrant when there’s a fire, that’s a huge problem for everyone involved,” said FHFD Lieutenant Denny Hughes. “Lives are at risk if we can’t operate effectively on a fire scene.” Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner or snow removal company, Hughes asks everyone to do their part in assuring that …
The heart of winter is here, and pet owners should take extra precautions with their pets’ wellness and safety. Cats and dogs need protection from the cold weather, just like we do. Families can help their pets enjoy a happy and healthy winter by incorporating pet safety into their daily winter routines. Veterinarian Dr. Peter Eeg says some pets are better suited than others for staying outdoors in the cold. “There’s a common misconception that all dogs will be fine if left outside, but all dogs need our help and intervention during the cold months,” he said. “Just as we take extra …
Maybe your entire schedule is on your Blackberry or your computer. Or maybe you do things the old fashioned way, and add dates and reminders to your calendar. Either way, here is a list of fire and safety preparedness tips that will jog your memory to do some important things to help keep you and your family safe. January: Ice safety – Be extremely safe when walking onto frozen bodies of water.Emergency Kits – Now is the time to get a "72 Hour" emergency kit ready for your home and one for your car. Check fhready.com for more info. February: Severe Cold – Take precautions to help yourself, …
Each year fires during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in damage. According to the Farmington Hills Fire Department and the United States Fire Administration (USFA), there are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday. By following some of these tips, you can greatly reduce your chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty. Preventing Christmas Tree Fires Selecting a Live Tree for the Holiday Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should …
After a mild fall, winter has hit us with a vengeance, and weather predictions are calling for temperatures to continue to drop all week. Add a brisk wind to the mix, and it will seem much colder. It's not that unusual to see wind chills down to 0 degrees or lower. Here are a few simple tips to protect your health and safety: If you have to go outside, make your trip as brief as possible. Wear a hat, scarf, gloves or mask. Remember that mittens are warmer than gloves. Wear water-resistant boots and jackets. Dress in layers of loose-fitting clothing. Stay dry and don't overexert. Cold …
Which tree should you buy? Artificial tree lovers perpetuate the argument that once-living
trees contribute to deforestation. Tree farmers, in turn, point out that the first artificial tree was made by a toilet brush manufacturer, thus making artificial trees nothing but big green toilet
brushes. Now, the Farmington Hills Fire Department isn't about to tell you which tree to buy,
since that is a personal decision. But there are more than a few factors to consider when buying
a tree or before you set up the one you've already bought. Here are some facts about both trees that you may find …
