Spring has Sprung

April 23, 2017


After a few teasers from Mother Nature, Spring is finally here, and it was eagerly welcomed this year. Along with opening up the windows and cleaning up the yard, this is a great time to consider some health and safety ideas. Here are some recommendations from the EMT’s and Paramedics at Colonie EMS:sun

If you haven’t already, change the batteries and test the function of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon-monoxide-awareness Alarms should be located in every bedroom and in the common areas on each floor of your home. Mount them at least 10 feet from the stove to reduce false alarms, less than 12 inches from the ceiling and away from windows, doors and ducts. 

Practice evacuation and emergency drills at home with your family. Fire drills are not just for schools! Make sure you have a meeting place outside and everyone in the house knows how to get out. It is a great time to replenish or restock your emergency supplies in the home!

Spring presents its own hazards when it comes to slips, trips and falls. Although there is no longer ice and slush to worry about, as the ground thaws, dirt and gravel can loosen becoming a fall hazard. Make sure you wear the appropriate footwear with good tread and ankle support while working in the yard to give you an advantage. Also, during those April showers that’ll bring May flowers, mud and wet surfaces can be just as slippery as ice if you’re not careful. Year round, remember to be careful of small rugs or carpet corners as they are common reasons people fall inside the house. So go ahead, get your pedicures and break out the flip flops, it’s been a long winter and you deserve it… but don’t forget to walk with caution.

motorcycle

Watch out for motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians while you are driving.

Have children’s helmets and other protective gear properly sized. These are not something that children can grow into, and they definitely can be helmetppegrown out of. If protective gear does not fit properly, they will not offer sufficient protection or even cause more harm. It is also the law that anyone ages 1-14 must wear helmets while operating bicycles, non-motorized scooters and skateboards. Parents may face a fine if these laws are not followed.

A teenager wears recommended clothing and safely mows the lawn.
A teenager wears recommended clothing and safely mows the lawn.

Be careful when doing yard work. Chemicals, tools, lawnmowers etc., can cause serious injury or death. Make sure you know children and animals are in a safe place while working in the yard and especially operating power tools and lawn mowers. If you have a riding lawnmower or yard tractor, children should not sit on laps while mowing, ever!

Check yourself, family members and pets for ticks. Lyme disease and other tick borne illnesses are prevalent in this area.tickdiseases

Bees and other stinging insects are now out and active. If you or your children have known allergies, make sure there is an EpiPen or equivalent readily available. If you are not sure what the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction are, click here.  Allergies in general are predicted to be severe this year. Keep an eye on the allergy forecasts, as these may worsen illness’s such as asthma.

It is never too early to wear sunscreen. Anything above an SPF 15 is effective in reducing the risk of skin damage that can lead to skin cancer (and signs of aging) when reapplied frequently. And yes, indoor tanning counts as sun exposure. Wearing layers can also protect from the sun and wind. sunblock

From everyone here at Colonie EMS, we wish you a happy, healthy and safe Spring!

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