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Jun 30
Fireworks Safety
The Fourth of July holiday is quickly approaching. With warm weather and family events, the Fourth of July can be a fun time with great memories. But before your family celebrates, make sure everyone knows about fireworks safety.
If not handled properly, fireworks can cause burn and eye injuries in kids and adults. In the recent years, six deaths were linked to fireworks and hospital emergency departments treated 9,300 fireworks injuries.
The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home — period.
¬ Attend public fireworks displays, and leave the lighting to the professionals.
¬ Lighting fireworks at home isn’t even legal in many areas, so if you still want to use them, be sure to check with your local police department first. If they’re legal where you live, keep these safety tips in mind:
¬ Kids should never play with fireworks. Things like firecrackers, rockets, and sparklers are just too dangerous. If you give kids sparklers, make sure they keep them outside and away from the face, clothing, and hair. Sparklers can reach 1,800° Fahrenheit (982° Celsius) — hot enough to melt gold.
¬ Buy only legal fireworks (legal fireworks have a label with the manufacturer’s name and directions; illegal ones are unlabeled), and store them in a cool, dry place. Illegal fireworks usually go by the names M-80, M100, blockbuster, or quarterpounder. These explosives were banned in 1966, but still account for many fireworks injuries.
¬ Never try to make your own fireworks.
¬ Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water and a hose nearby in case of accidents.
¬ Steer clear of others — fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction. Never throw or point fireworks at someone, even in jest.
¬ Don’t hold fireworks in your hand or have any part of your body over them while lighting. Wear some sort of eye protection, and avoid carrying fireworks in your pocket — the friction could set them off.
¬ Point fireworks away from homes, and keep away from brush and leaves and flammable substances. Local fire departments respond to more 50,000 fires caused by fireworks each year.
¬ Light one firework at a time (not in glass or metal containers), and never relight a dud.
¬ Don’t allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time.
¬ Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in the trash can.
¬ Think about your pet or nearby animals. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed on the Fourth of July. Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk that they’ll run loose or get injured.
¬ If a child is injured by fireworks, immediately go to a doctor or hospital. If an eye injury occurs, don’t allow your child to touch or rub it, as this may cause even more damage. Also, don’t flush the eye out with water or attempt to put any ointment on it. Instead, cut out the bottom of a paper cup, place it around the eye, and immediately seek medical attention — your child’s eyesight may depend on it. If it’s a burn, remove clothing from the burned area and run cool, not cold, water over the burn (do not use ice). Call your doctor immediately.
Fireworks are meant to be enjoyed, but you’ll enjoy them much more knowing your family is safe. Take extra precautions this Fourth of July and your holiday will be a blast!
Permanent link to this article: https://estillcountyema.net/fireworks-safety/
Apr 26
Festival Safety Tips
It’s time for the Mountain Mushroom Festival and with the festival comes all kinds of great things. There is always great food, great entertainment and many great items to purchase.
The Estill EMA/CSEPP office wants everyone to have fun and be safe through the festival weekend. Here are a few safety tips to make sure you and your family have a safe and fun festival.
- When possible, visit the festival with another person.
- Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. Do not feel embarrassed to leave an uncomfortable situation.
- When asking for directions, first look for a police officer or another public employee, or go into a nearby business.
- Do not carry large amounts of cash.
- If you must carry a large amount of cash, separate it from your purse or wallet and carry it inside clothing (i.e., in a hidden pocket or a money belt).
- Be careful and alert when cashing checks, or using a cash machine. Never let someone see how much money you have in your wallet, or where you keep your money.
- Pickpockets are often attracted to crowded places. They often work in teams of two or three; one may create a distraction while the other one lifts your wallet. Be aware of someone who bumps, shoves or gets too close.
- Don’t tempt a thief by leaving your purse or wallet unattended. It only takes a second to grab it.
- Keep a watchful eye on young children and teach them where to go if they get separated from you. Have them carry an ID card or a piece of paper with their name, parents/guardians’ name and a phone number where someone can be reached.
- Make sure to have older children check-in periodically at a designated location or have them call you.
Permanent link to this article: https://estillcountyema.net/festival-safety-tips/
Apr 26
Lightning Safety
Did You Know?
In the United States there are an estimated twenty-five million lightning flashes every year!
A spark of lightning can reach 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit and contain 100 million electrical volts!2
These are some pretty staggering numbers and if you are struck by lightning they don’t paint a very pretty picture. So what is the best way to keep from being struck by this amazing force of nature? Do your best to stay away from it.
Photo courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Department of Commerce
Lightning is the number two storm related killer. In Kentucky, more people are killed by lightning in an average year than tornadoes. Although severe thunderstorm warnings are NOT necessarily issued for lightning, you should move to shelter when thunder is heard as lightning can strike 10 to 15 miles away from where rain is falling or where the storm appears to be.
- If outside, go to a safe shelter immediately, such as inside a sturdy building. A hard top automobile with the windows up can also offer fair protection.
- If you are boating or swimming, get out of the water immediately and move to a safe shelter away from the water!
- If you are in a wooded area, seek shelter under a thick growth of relatively small trees.
- If you feel you hair standing on end, squat with your head between your knees. Do not lie flat!
- Avoid: Isolated trees or other tall objects, bodies of water, sheds, fences, convertible automobiles, tractors, and motorcycles.
- If inside, avoid using the telephone (except for emergencies) or other electrical appliances.
- Do not take a bath or shower during a thunderstorm.
Keep these safety tips in mind and stay away from the potentially deadly effects of lightning strikes. Visit the National Weather Service’s Website for more on lightning safety and the science of lightning.
1 “Lightning Science.” National Weather Service Lightning Safety <http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/science.htm>
2 “Lightning Science.” National Weather Service Lightning Safety <http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/science.htm>
Permanent link to this article: https://estillcountyema.net/lightning-safety/
Apr 26
Summer Safety
POOL SAFETY
- Never leave a child unattended near water in a pool, tub, bucket or ocean. There is no substitute for adult supervision.
- Designate a “Water Watcher” to maintain constant watch over children in the pool during gatherings.
- Keep a phone at poolside so that you never have to leave the pool to answer the phone, and can call for help if needed.
- Learn CPR and rescue breathing.
- If a child is missing, always check the pool first. Seconds count.
BOATING SAFETY
- Check your boat for all required safety equipment.
- Consider the size of your boat, the number of passengers and the amount of extra equipment that will be on-board. DON’T OVERLOAD THE BOAT!
- If you will be in a power boat, check your electrical system and fuel system for gas fumes.
- Check the weather forecast.
- File a float plan with a member of your family or friend.
BUG SAFETY
- Don’t use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child.
- Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
- Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.
- To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently back it out by scraping it with a credit card or your fingernail.
- Combination sunscreen/insect repellent products should be avoided because sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, but the insect repellent should not be reapplied.
- Use insect repellents containing DEET when needed to prevent insect-related diseases. Ticks can transmit Lyme Disease, and mosquitoes can transmit West Nile Virus and other viruses.
- The current AAP and CDC recommendation for children older than 2 months of age is to use 10% to 30% DEET. DEET should not be used on children younger than 2 months of age.
- As an alternative to DEET, picaridin has become available in the U.S. in concentrations of 5% to10%.
PLAYGROUND SAFETY
- The playground should have safety-tested mats or loose-fill materials (shredded rubber, sand, wood chips, or bark) maintained to a depth of at least 9 inches (6 inches for shredded rubber).
- Equipment should be carefully maintained.
- Metal, rubber and plastic products can get very hot in the summer, especially under direct sun. Make sure slides are cool to prevent children’s legs from getting burned.
- Do not allow children to play barefoot on the playground.
- Parents should supervise children on play equipment to make sure they are safe.
CAR SAFETY
- NEVER LEAVE A CHILD UNATTENDED IN A VEHICLE. NOT EVEN FOR A MINUTE!
- IF YOU SEE A CHILD UNATTENDED IN A HOT VEHICLE CALL 9-1-1.
- Always lock your car and ensure children do not have access to keys or remote entry devices. IF A CHILD IS MISSING, ALWAYS CHECK THE POOL FIRST, AND THEN THE CAR, INCLUDING THE TRUNK. Teach your children that vehicles are never to be used as a play area.
- Make “look before you leave” a routine whenever you get out of the car.
- On a summer day it only takes minutes for your car to reach fatal temperatures inside; cracking the windows has little effect on the temperatures.
Permanent link to this article: https://estillcountyema.net/summer-safety/
Apr 26
Sun Safety
It’s almost summer! Time for cookouts, swimming, and many other outdoor activities. Many people forget to use sunscreen until it’s too late and we start to feel the burn from the hot sun. Protecting your skin from the sun’s damaging rays is vital for a number of important health reasons. Here are the top ten steps you can take to protect your health:
- When possible, avoid outdoor activities during the hours between 10 AM and 4 PM, when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
- Always wear a broad-spectrum (protection against both UVA and UVB) sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
- Be sure to reapply sunscreen frequently, especially after swimming, perspiring heavily or drying off with a towel.
- Wear a hat with a 4-inch brim all around because it protects areas often exposed to the sun, such as the neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose, and scalp.
- Wear clothing to protect as much skin as possible. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, or long skirts are the most protective. Dark colors provide more protection than light colors by preventing more UV rays from reaching your skin. A tightly woven fabric provides greater protection than loosely woven fabric.
- To protect your eyes from sun damage, wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100-percent of UVA and UVB radiation.
- Consider wearing cosmetics and lip protectors with an SPF of at least 15 to protect your skin year-round.
- Swimmers should remember to regularly reapply sunscreen. UV rays reflect off water and sand, increasing the intensity of UV radiation.
- Some medications, such as antibiotics, can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the medications you are taking.
- Children need extra protection from the sun. One or two blistering sunburns before the age of 18 dramatically increases the risk of skin cancer. Encourage children to play in the shade, wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen regularly.
Have a safe and fun summer!
Permanent link to this article: https://estillcountyema.net/sun-safety/
Oct 04
Halloween Safety Guide – Halloween Safety Tips for Kids
Kids love Halloween! They get to dress up and get free candy! What a perfect holiday! Give your kids some precious Halloween memories that they’ll have for life. Trick or treating isn’t what it used to be. It’s not as safe to let kids walk the streets alone. Send a responsible adult or older teenager with them. Have a pumpkin carving party for your children and their friends a couple nights before Halloween. They’ll enjoy looking at their creations for a few days before they have to be thrown out. Check your local grocery store or craft store for Halloween cookbooks full of tasty treats on a horror theme for both kids and adults. Serve your kids a filling meal before trick or treating and they won’t be tempted to eat any candy before they bring it home for you to check.
HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDS
Anytime a child has an accident, it’s tragic. The last thing that you want to happen is for your child to be hurt on a holiday, it would forever live in the minds of the child and the family. There are many ways to keep your child safe at Halloween, when they are more prone to accidents and injuries. The excitement of children and adults at this time of year sometimes makes them forget to be careful. Simple common sense can do a lot to stop any tragedies from happening.
! Help your child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make it fire proof; the eyeholes should be large enough for good peripheral vision.
! If you set jack-o-lanterns on your porch with candles in them, make sure that they are far enough out of the way so that kids’ costumes won’t accidentally be set on fire.
! Make sure that if your child is carrying a prop, such as a plastic or rubber scythe, butcher knife or a pitchfork, that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on.
! Kids always want to help with the pumpkin carving. Small children shouldn’t be allowed to use a sharp knife to cut the top or the face. There are many kits available that come with tiny saws that work better then knives and are safer, although they can cut you as well. It’s best to let the kids clean out the pumpkin and draw a face on it, which you can carve for them.
! Treating your kids to a spooky Halloween dinner will make them less likely to eat the candy they collect before you have a chance to check it for them.
! Teaching your kids basic everyday safety such as not getting into cars or talking to strangers, watching both ways before crossing streets and crossing when the lights tell you to, will help make them safer when they are out Trick or Treating.
Make Halloween a fun, safe and happy time for your kids and they’ll carry on the tradition that you taught them to their own families some day!
For more information contact the Estill County EMA/CSEPP office at (606) 723-6533.
Permanent link to this article: https://estillcountyema.net/halloween-safety-guide-halloween-safety-tips-for-kids/
Oct 04
Home Heating Safety
If you use gas or propane you need to know:
How to recognize a natural gas or propane gas leak in your home; if you detect a foul odor in you home or in the service line, leave the area immediately and call your local gas company.
How to recognize a gas pipeline leak; look and listen. Look for dirt blowing into the air, for water bubbling from the ground, for fire coming from the ground, dead or dying vegetation on or near a pipeline right of way in an otherwise green area, or for a dry spot in a moist field. Listen for a roaring, blowing, or hissing sound.
What to do if you suspect a gas pipeline leak; turn off and abandon any motorized equipment, leave the area immediately, warn others to stay away, and from a safe place call local emergency personnel and the pipeline operator.
What NOT TO DO; DO NOT use open flames or bring anything into the area that may spark the gas leak (telephones, flashlights, motor vehicles, electric or battery-operated tools, etc.). DO NOT attempt to operate pipeline valves.
In a natural gas emergency or suspected natural gas emergency call 911 and the gas line company. For a natural gas emergency involving Columbia Gas of Kentucky, call their toll free number 1-800-432-9515. For those residents that use propane gas from Hardy Propane Gas Company call 723-2496.
If you use a fireplace or wood stove you should know:
Have your chimney inspected by a professional prior to the start of every heating season. Creosote, a chemical substance that forms when wood burns, builds up in chimneys and can cause a chimney fire if the chimney is not properly cleaned. Always protect your family and home by using a sturdy screen when burning fires. Remember to burn only wood–never burn paper or pine boughs, which can float out of the chimney and ignite a neighboring home. Never use flammable liquids in a fireplace. For wood stoves, chimney connections and chimney flues should be inspected at the beginning of each heating season and cleaned if necessary. Burn only wood, and be sure the wood stove is placed on an approved stove board to protect the floor from heat and hot coals.
If you use electric or kerosene heaters you should know:
Buy only electric heaters with the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) safety listing. Check to make sure it has a thermostat control mechanism, and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over. Heaters are not dryers or tables; don’t dry clothes or store objects on top of your heater. Space heaters need space; keep combustibles at least three feet away from each heater. Always unplug your electric space heater when not in use.
Buy only UL-approved kerosene heaters and check with your local fire department on the legality of kerosene heater use in your community. Never fill your heater with gasoline or camp stove fuel; both flare-up easily. Only use crystal clear K-1 kerosene. Never overfill any portable heater. Use the kerosene heater in a well ventilated room.
Permanent link to this article: https://estillcountyema.net/home-heating-safety/
Oct 04
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
The Estill County EMA/CSEPP office wants you know that carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent, deadly killer claiming about 1,000 lives each year in the United States. Such common items as automotive exhaust, home heating systems and obstructed chimneys can produce the colorless, odorless gas.
The gas can also be produced by poorly vented generators, kerosene heaters, gas grills and other items used for cooking and heating when used improperly during the winter months.
1. NEVER run generators indoors. Open a window slightly when using a
kerosene heater.
2. NEVER use charcoal to cook indoors.
3. NEVER use a gas oven to heat your home.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include sleepiness, headaches and
dizziness.
If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, ventilate the area and get to a hospital. You can purchase carbon monoxide detectors that work like smoke detectors at most retail and hardware stores.
For more information contact the Estill County EMA/CSEPP office at 723-6533.
Permanent link to this article: https://estillcountyema.net/carbon-monoxide-poisoning/
Oct 04
Dangers of Alternative Heating Sources
Dangers of Alternative Heating Sources
Alternative power sources such as generators and kerosene heaters are commonly used during electrical power outages or for added heat source during extreme cold weather. Improper usage of these devices can cause carbon monoxide to build up in homes or garages, resulting in sudden illness and death.
Seek medical attention if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning and are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Early symptoms include headache, fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. Individuals who are sleeping or who have been drinking alcohol may die from carbon monoxide poisoning before ever experiencing symptoms. It is important to have a carbon monoxide detector in your home just like smoke detectors. You can purchase ones separately or there are carbon/smoke combination detectors; all can be purchased at any hardware store.
Safety Steps to Take When Using Portable Generators
- Properly follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully for your specific generator model.
- Never operate a generator inside a home, garage or partially enclosed space, even if doors and windows are open.
- Operate a generator at least 25 feet from your home, far away from windows, doors and vents.
- Secure the generator with a steel link chain and lock to prevent theft.
- Make sure your generator is properly grounded. Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to help prevent electrocution and electrical shock injuries. Do not overload the generator.
- Use a heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension cord that is free of cuts or tears and has all three prongs, especially a grounding pin.
- Install battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors in your home according to the manufacturer’s instructions and replace the batteries on a regular basis. If the detector sounds, leave your home immediately and dial 911.
Tips on Proper Kerosene Heater Use
- Properly follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully for your specific heater model.
- Be sure that wick is set at proper level as instructed by manufacturer and is clean.
- Operate a kerosene heater in a well-vented area. Leave a door open to rest of the house or keep an outside window open to ensure adequate flow of fresh air.
- Install battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors in your home according to the manufacturer’s instructions and replace the batteries on a regular basis. If the detector sounds, leave your home immediately and dial 911.
- Use only 1-K grade kerosene fuel. Colored or cloudy kerosene will give out an odor and smoke when burned and will also gum up the wick.
- Store kerosene in container intended for kerosene only. Don’t store in a gasoline can or container that contained gasoline. This will avoid using contaminated fuel or the wrong fuel by mistake. Kerosene containers are usually blue and gasoline containers are red.
- Never refuel heaters inside the home. Fill the tank outdoors, away from combustible materials and after the heater is turned off and allowed to cool. Do not fill the fuel tank above the “full” mark. This area allows the fuel to expand without causing leakage when the heater is operated.
- Never attempt to move a lighted kerosene heater. Even a carrying handle could cause burns.
- To avoid risk of fire, place the kerosene heater several feet away from all furniture, curtains, paper, clothes, bedding and other combustible materials.
- Infants, small children and pets should be kept away from heaters to avoid serious burns.
NEVER USE A CHARCOAL/PROPANE GRILL, CAMP STOVE OR PORTABLE OUTDOOR PROPANE HEATER INSIDE YOUR HOUSE FOR HEAT! These devices put out carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be deadly.
For more information please contact the Estill County EMA/CSEPP office at 723-6533.
Permanent link to this article: https://estillcountyema.net/dangers-of-alternative-heating-sources/
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Estill EMA’s Tweets
Freeze Warning issued April 24 at 3:37AM EDT until April 24 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS ift.tt/fGe6ycx
