Take one step

6/28/2010

While there are ways to prepare before and during an emergency, what about afterwards? Consequences of disasters can be similar but not every situation is the same. Read these general instructions on how to react after an emergency:

Try to stay calm.
Check yourself and others for injuries. Give first aid to people who are injured or trapped. Take care of life-threatening situations first. Get help if necessary.
Check on neighbours, especially the elderly or people with disabilities.
Confine or secure pets.
Use the battery-operated radio from your emergency kit to listen for information and instructions.
Do not use the telephone except to report a life-threatening injury. Please leave the lines free for official use.
If possible, put on sturdy shoes and protective clothing to help prevent injury from debris, especially broken glass.
If you are inside, check the building for structural damage. If you suspect it is unsafe, leave and do not re-enter.
Do not turn on light switches or light matches until you are sure that there aren't any gas leaks or flammable liquids spilled. Use a flashlight to check utilities.
Do not shut off utilities unless they are damaged, leaking (a gas leak smells like rotten eggs) or if there is a fire. If you turn the gas off, don't turn it on again. That must be done by a qualified technician.
If tap water is available, fill a bathtub and other containers in case the supply gets cut off.
If there is no running water, remember that you may have water available in a hot water tank, toilet reservoir or in ice cube trays.
Do not flush toilets if you suspect that sewer lines are broken.
If you are in a high-rise building, do not use the elevator in case of power failure. If you are in an elevator, push every floor button and get out as soon as possible.
Pick up your children from school or the pre-determined collection point.
Stay away from damaged areas unless you are asked to help or are qualified to give assistance.
Do not go near loose or dangling power lines. Downed power lines can cause fires and carry sufficient power to cause harm. Report them and any broken sewer and water mains to the authorities.
If the power has been off for several hours, check the food in the refrigerator and freezer in case it has spoiled.
Water supplies may be contaminated so purify your water:

Three ways to purify water
1. Boil it for at least 10 minutes.
2. Add water-purification tablets.
3. Add one drop liquid chlorine bleach per litre of water (or three drops for cloudy water). Stir and let sit for 30 minutes before drinking. The water should have a slight chlorine smell.

Information from www.getprepared.ca

Category: General Safety Reminders; Fire Safety

5/18/2009

Summer Grilling Safety Tips

Gas Grill Tips

Each year many people are injured as a result of gas grill fires and explosions. Many of these fires and explosions occur when people first use a grill that has been left idle for a period of time or just after refilling and reattaching the grill's gas container. To reduce the risk of fire or explosion, perform the following safety checks:

Check the tubes that lead into the burner for any blockage from insects, spiders, or food grease. Use a pipe cleaner or wire to clear blockage and push it through to the main part of the burner.
Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes, and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing.
Move gas hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease. If you can't move the hoses, install a heat shield to protect them.
Replace scratched or nicked connectors, which can eventually leak gas.
Check for gas leaks, following the manufacturer's instructions, if you smell gas or when you reconnect the grill to the propane tank. If you detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas and don't attempt to light the grill until the leak is fixed.
Keep lighted cigarettes, matches, or open flames away from a leaking grill.
Never use a grill indoors. Use the grill at least 10 feet away from your house or any building. Do not use the grill in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or under a surface that can catch fire.
Do not attempt to repair the tank valve or the appliance yourself. See an propane gas dealer or a qualified appliance repair person.

Never store a spare gas container under or near the grill or indoors. Never store or use flammable liquids, like gasoline, near the grill.

To avoid accidents while transporting propane tanks, transport the container in a secure, upright position. Never keep a filled container in a hot car or car trunk. Heat will cause the gas pressure to increase, which may open the relief valve and allow gas to escape.

Charcoal Grill Tips

Charcoal produces carbon monoxide (CO) when it is burned. CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can accumulate to toxic levels in closed environments. Each year people die or are hospitalized as a result of CO fumes from charcoal grills and hibachis used inside. To reduce these CO poisonings, follow these safety tips:

Never burn charcoal inside of homes, vehicles, tents, or campers. Charcoal should never be used indoors, even if ventilation is provided.
Since charcoal produces CO fumes until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals.

Category: Accident Prevention; Fire Safety ; General Safety Reminders; Physical Health

5/4/2009

Fireworks Safety

On special holidays (Victoria Day, Canada Day) it's always safer to go view fireworks displays provided by local municipalities, than to buy them for personal use. The municipal displays are better and you won't run the risk of burns, loss of vision, explosions, or setting fire to nearby combustible materials.

If you can't view municipal displays and must set up a personal display, make sure you use fireworks in clear, open areas away from structures and any combustible materials, including dry plant matter.

Fireworks are no joke, if you must use fireworks, follow these guidelines:

Allow only adults to ignite fireworks. Keep children and family pets a safe distance from the ignition area.
Keep your family pets secured while you are using fireworks. Dogs have been known to chase fireworks and sustain serious burns when they catch them. Leaving them in your home is safest.
Use fireworks only when there is little to no wind. If it's windy, the fireworks can be pushed by the wind and set fire to nearby combustibles or structures.
Always read and follow the instructions on the firework itself or on the box.
If you light a firework and it does not go off, leave it alone for at least 10 minutes before going to check on it.
To be sure spent or un-ignited fireworks are out, soak them with water before disposing of them.
Keep a fire extinguisher or water hose/bucket handy.
If you are camping or at the cottage, don't use fireworks during a "no-burn" alert. These are typically issued by Ontario parks when there has been no rain in the area for many days and/or when it's very hot. Your fireworks could trigger a forest fire resulting in property damage and loss of life.

Category: Accident Prevention; Fire Safety ; General Safety Reminders

10/20/2008

Hazard Alert – Wood shop Dust Collectors

There is a serious hazard of saw dust explosion with the use of dust collectors. There have been instances of dust explosions while dust collection hoppers are being emptied. Where there is a sudden in-rush of air, dust can become suspended in the air, resulting in an air/dust mixture sufficient to explode when provided with an ignition source.

The activities listed below can cause an air/dust mixture to be created.
• opening the hopper
• opening panels to access filter assemblies
• emptying filter bags/hoppers
• cleaning filter bags/hoppers

Regular day-to-day activities such as emptying and cleaning of filter bags and hoppers can become a spark source themselves as these activities create friction which causes static charges to build up. Upon discharge, an ignition source is created, which may result in an explosion.

PRECAUTIONS:

When emptying/cleaning dust collectors or when maintaining the collection equipment itself, all ignition sources must be eliminated or removed from the area. Ignition sources may include:
• operating electrical or combustion motors
• welding/soldering operations
• grinding work
• sanding work
• nearby faulty machinery

Students should never be permitted to perform these operations.

Visit the Health, Wellness and Safety website for more information at:
http://inet.peelschools.org/departments/humres/HealthandSafetyWebsite.htm

Look for the "Health, Wellness and Safety Tips" that will be posted on the broadcast page every Monday morning.

Category: Hazard Alerts; Accident Prevention; Fire Safety

10/6/2008

Fire Hazards - Fish Lights and Oily Rags

Fire Hazard of "Fish Lights"

• The Ontario Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) has informed PDSB a concern regarding "fish lights". These products may be found in junior grades or in sensory-type rooms.

• These products do not have the approval required for electrical safety in Ontario and present a serious fire hazard.

• If this product is present in your school it must be removed immediately. It is advised that the product be returned to where it was purchased or discarded, it should not be used in residences.

Fire Hazard of "Oily Rags"

There is a serious hazard of fires with oily rag cans used in technology program workshops. Oily waste cans are designed with automatic closing mechanisms to prevent or limit combustion of oily waste (paper, absorbent pads, cleaning rags) that may reach ignition temperature if a chemical reaction occurs within the container. The self-closing lids greatly reduce any combusting materials' access to oxygen, thereby limiting or preventing fires.

Over time, oily waste containers may develop a build-up of adhesive materials around the rim of the container. This condition prevents the containers from closing and allows oxygen to enter the container, disabling the self-closing safety mechanism and greatly increasing the risk of fire.

PRECAUTIONS:
In order to prevent this, the following is recommended:
• Inspect container rims to ensure they close properly, creating a seal around the rim
• If possible, remove or clean build-up around rims to ensure they seat properly on the rim
• If a container cannot be cleaned and closed properly, it must be replaced. FM and UL approved polyethylene containers are available from vendors at lower cost than metal containers.

Category: Fire Safety ; General Safety Reminders; Hazard Alerts