Tips to Keep You Safe

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.

The coming colder weather in months ahead will be the peak season for home fires due to the use of heating devices: Fireplaces, chimneys, furnaces, and space heaters. Let’s highlight the prevention of these types of fires by reviewing how to select, use, maintain, and properly locate these devices in your home.

Let’s talk about fire safety that centers around two special Christmas traditions: Christmas Trees and Christmas lights. If we identify the risks related to these traditions, we can offer simple adjustments to our habits and a few practical tips that can contribute to a warm, cozy, and safe holiday season.

With Holidays fast approaching, lets cover a few cooking, food, and personal safety tips to ensure that your holiday gatherings are enjoyable. Specifically, we’re going to talk about everyone’s favorite day in November: Thanksgiving! Why single out Thanksgiving?

National Fire Prevention Week is celebrated this year October 9- 15. Fire Prevention Week was initiated by the National Fire Protection Agency in 1922 to commemorate the Chicago Fire of October 9, 1871. This October, therefore, marks the 100-year anniversary of Fire Protection Week. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the First Fire Protection Day in 1820. Fire Protection week was made official in 1922 for the Sunday through Saturday period which includes October 9. It is the longest running public health and safety observance on record.

One Fall (Autumn) is inevitable every year, but the second type of fall does not have to be inevitable. Consequences of the second type of fall for any age group can be severe, even life changing. Seniors, however, are particularly vulnerable to falls. In fact, falls are a leading cause of injury for people over the age of 65, and a contributing factor for accidental death in this age group. It is reported that one third of people over 65, fall yearly. Within this group, 50% of these falls represent recurrent events.