Top 10 Spring Cleaning Ladder Safety Tips
Ladders are very useful for spring home cleaning projects both inside and outside your house. While ladders provide a useful benefit, they can pose a risk of injury. With both indoor and outdoor spring cleaning projects in full swing, it is a good time to talk about ladder safety tips. If you are planning to wash windows or clean out your gutters then you are likely going to be using a ladder.
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Read MorePrevent a Catastrophic Injury: Power Washing Safety
Spring cleaning project season is here. Many people choose power washing to clean their concrete, brick, decking and siding of winter grime and buildup because of its efficiency over other methods. If you have never used a power washer before or aren’t very familiar with them, you should know that power washers have the potential to cause catastrophic injury when they are not handled properly. The reason that pressure washers are so dangerous is the water pressure that they create: a garden hose delivers water pressure at about 50 pounds per square inch (psi) compared to pressure washers that can generate 1,500 to 4,000 psi. The good news is that most power washer injuries are preventable when good safety measures are followed.
Read MoreSpring Safety Tips
Spring is often the best time to start cleaning the outside of our houses and driveways as people prepare for the warmer, dryer months ahead. It is also a good time to check that our safety devices are functioning properly. Following through on spring safety tips can help to prevent injuries.
Read MorePreventing Figure Skating Injuries
Figure skating is a challenging but enjoyable sport for many children and adolescents but the element of competition adds to the risk for figure skating injuries. In 1999, figures were eliminated from competition and a new figure skating judging system – put in place in 2003 – emphasizes advanced techniques such as lifts and throws, spinning, jumping and connecting moves. As a result, it is more important than ever for children to be taught by responsible and experienced coaches who will insist on sound technique and other smart practices, proper equipment and reasonable training schedules.
Read MorePrevent Foodborne Illness: When to Throw Away Perishable Food after a Power Outage
Perishable foods such as cracked eggs, meat, poultry and seafood begin to grow dangerous bacteria when it sits in the “danger zone” temperature range between 40°F and 140°F for more than two hours. It is the growth of dangerous bacteria that is the underlying cause of 48 million foodborne illnesses each year. Of these 48 million people, about 3,000 people die and approximately 128,000 people are hospitalized.
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Read MorePortable Generator-Related Deaths: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Portable generators have many uses including heating and lighting campsites and as backup electricity for when the power goes out unexpectedly. Many businesses and some households keep generators on hand for just this reason. Anyone using a portable generator should be aware of the dangers that it can pose if not used in a safe way; namely the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Research conducted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission between 2004 and 2013 found that generators were the cause of 81 percent of the 808 deaths attributed to engine driven tools.
Read MoreJanuary Deadliest Month of the Year for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
A five year study on carbon monoxide poisoning statistics between 1999 and 2004 was completed and released by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in December, 2007. The research team found that January was the deadliest month of the year for carbon monoxide poisonings in the United States. They attributed at least two deaths per day from carbon monoxide poisoning in January, which was three times the carbon monoxide poisoning rate recorded in August and July. Unintentional exposure to carbon monoxide was the cause of 15,000 emergency room visits in each year of the study with an average of 439 people dying each year.
Read MoreHow to Prevent a Slip and Fall Accident on Icy Walkways
Winter in the Pacific Northwest means many days (and nights) with ice and snow on the ground. These slippery conditions means a dramatically increased risk for a slip and fall accident on icy walkways. Simple preventative measures on the part of walkers and property owners can help reduce the chances of a serious slip and fall injury.
Read MoreSlip and Fall Accidents on Icy Walkways: Premises Liability
Slip and fall accidents on icy walkways can be particularly dangerous because they often mean falling onto unforgiving cement. In the Pacific Northwest, there is a risk of slippery ice between the end of October and the beginning on March.
Read MoreNew Year’s Eve Party: Social Host Liability WA State
New Year’s Eve parties are a popular way to celebrate the holiday with friends and family; and champagne for toasting is often involved. Hosts decide how to decorate their home, what food and beverages to serve and who to invite. If the social host chooses to serve alcohol they should be especially wary if there are minors present; it is illegal in all 50 states to serve alcohol to a minor. Some adults mistakenly believe that allowing teenage children and their friends to consume alcohol under their roof is safer than somewhere else. If an intoxicated underage guest causes injury to themselves or another person or property while at the party or after leaving the party, social host liability may come into play.
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