Tips to Keep You Safe

National Fire Protection week is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada. The specific week is chosen to highlight the date of October 9. Whatever week starting on Sunday and ending on Saturday that includes October 9 is designated as National Fire Protection Week.

September’s safety topic is about falls, specifically fall prevention. Falls can occur at any age and consequences may be severe at any age. Statistically however, seniors have the highest percentage of falls of any age group. One third of seniors fall annually, and 50 % of these falls represent repeat falls.

The most common definition of drowning is respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid. We most often associate drowning with water related accidents such as swimming in a swimming pool or a natural body of water like the ocean or a lake, however water submersion can occur even in a puddle. Age wise, for infants less than a year old, most drownings occur in the bathtub.

July is often synonymous with uncomfortable heat and humidity. This month’s safety article will review those amongst us who are most vulnerable to excessive heat. We will be looking at the effects of extreme heat for people as well as for pets. As this is a July safety article, we will also review safety considerations for the Fourth of July, again for both people and pets.

Buckle up for the summer's first heat wave as the weekend brings triple-digit temperatures that will stretch into next week. The National Weather Service in Tucson forecast Sunday's high in Green Valley and Sahuarita at 107 degrees. Tucson will likely reach 109.

As residents of Southern Arizona, we are fortunate to have a choice of multiple hiking trails. Our National Parks offer additional beautiful trails, and opportunities for hiking and backpacking worldwide are plentiful. This month’s article will review how to prepare for a hike that meets individual abilities and prepares you to deal with the challenges of the great outdoors.

Once again, we review our desert pests, and some of the concerns we have living in the southwest. While there are many animals that fit this definition of “pest”, we’ll talk about those which are native to the Arizona desert, and how to avoid injury if encountered. Where in our Arizona desert would we find these desert critters? What actions provoke injury to perceived foes? What toxins are released and how do they affect us? What should we do if bitten stung or otherwise injured?

“Wildfires” , defined as a large destructive fire that spreads quickly over woodland and brush that are typically uncontrolled and unplanned. Wildfires have escalated greatly in the recent past and have destroyed millions of acres of land and caused millions of dollars in property damage. The southwest states of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico are at great risk states for wildfires because of recent drought conditions and the extreme temperatures they experience.

This month let’s review common causes of kitchen fires and review the safety measures to prevent these fires: Do we take the dog for a walk and leave the oven on? Do we get caught up with a task and forget to keep an eye on the stove? Are the beautiful cotton hand crafted oven mitts left lying next to the stove safe? These examples represent a combustible fuel – the food in the oven and pot, the cotton oven mitts- which, if in contact with sufficient heat and oxygen in the air can catch fire. The combustible food is not limited to the food you are cooking.

Each month, hopefully our fire safety articles have provided you with insight to the many different types of fire and safety considerations unique to each season. We have learned how not to blow up your home and guests with Fourth of July fireworks, or while summer grilling. We have reviewed the proper treatment of Christmas trees and Christmas lights to prevent tree and electrical fires. When the weather turns cold, concerns about fireplace and chimney safety, holiday cooking, and furnaces have all been discussed. This month our goal is to enhance your general fire safety knowledge as we will look at features common to all fires.