The awesome colored leaves in your neighborhood have probably dried out by now and are begging to be stomped on making that great crunching noise. You know what that means – no, not just the end of October – Halloween! Who doesn’t dig dressing up and getting candy? Whether you’re a skeleton, witch or this year’s “it” character have fun and stay safe. Here are some tricks ‘n tips for both the young and the young at heart:

Wishing all a safe and spooky Halloween!

Sources: American Red Cross and Los Angeles Fire Department

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Who knew? “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees is not only a great song to dance to but it also provides an ideal beat to perform chest compressions as part of CPR on a heart attack victim.

Dr. David Matlock, of the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine at Peoria, tested his theory on a small group of 15 doctors and medical students. Matlock discovered that having the small study group listen to “Stayin’ Alive” aided them in performing chest compressions on dummies at the correct speed.

So, what is the proper speed? The American Heart Association (AHA) calls for a rate of 100 chest compressions per minute. Where does the 1977 “Saturday Night Fever” anthem stand? A close 103 beats per minute.

After five weeks of practicing CPR on dummies while listening to the disco tune the study group was then asked to perform it without hearing the music. Instead, the group was asked to keep the song in their heads while performing CPR. The group again kept up a decent pace.

Matlock’s findings will be presented at the American College of Emergency Physicians meeting in Chicago later this month.

What do you think? Is it a fun coincidence or really a great learning tool? Take a moment to comment once you finally got the song out of your head. Can you believe that classic is over 30 years old?

Source: Reuters

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The common cold, sore throats – you think those are bad but what about the flu? Sometimes people mistake the common cold or a sore throat for the flu but anyone who’s ever had the flu knows you get slammed with what seems like every symptom possible (fever, headache, exhaustion, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, diarrhea, vomiting, etc.).

Although the flu symptoms sound really attractive most people try to avoid it like the plague. Flu season can start as early as October and lose its steam as late as May. So, are you getting a flu shot this season? If you are, October and November are considered the best times to get one so you’re ahead of the game. If not, do you have any flu season precautions or just chance it? It’s a bit unrealistic to wear gloves and masks while out and about but it is easy to wash your hands properly and sanitize to prevent the spreading of germs and bacteria.

The American Lung Association has a cool Flu Clinic Locator tool on their website to quickly help you find where you need to go to get your flu shot - check it out.

Sources: American Lung Association, CDC, WebMD

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On February 13, 2008 President Bush signed into law the “The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008” (P.L. 110-185). This means that a business placing less than $800,000 of equipment into service this year would be able to immediately deduct up to $250,000 of its investment in 2008.

The equipment write-offs under IRS Code Section 179 (“Section 179”) have increased from $125,000 to $250,000. The updated code will allow you to elect to expense the first $250,000 of qualified equipment purchases in 2008. This will accelerate the depreciation deduction in year one, thereby doing away with traditional depreciation methods over a five- or even a seven-year period.

If you’re a dentist or doctor maybe you’ve been thinking about adding an AED (automatic external defibrillator) or patient monitor to your office. Wouldn’t now be the perfect time?

This tax provision is valid through 2008 and pertains to small- and medium-sized businesses. In 2009 the expensing amount is expected to revert back to $125,000.

Sources: PennWell Dental Group, Knol, The White House, CNNMoney.com

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The 2009 Emergency Medical Products Catalog is now at the printer. It’s only a matter of a few short weeks before it starts arriving in your mailbox. The Emergency Medical Products Team was overjoyed at all the people who took the time to vote on their favorite EMP Catalog cover and comment on what they liked and what they felt could be done better. EMP compiled your votes and suggestions to come up with the best cover of the bunch. So, what cover can you expect to see in your mailbox? Here it is:

The new 2009 EMP Catalog is featuring over 75 hot new products including the L.A. Rescue Camo Day Pack. You’ll still find all your tried and true favorite medical supplies - infection control, airway maintenance, diagnostic equipment, etc. - by brand names, and great pricing for all budgets.

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Your home should be a safe haven. But do you regularly check for home fire hazards? If not, there is the potential for danger. Fire departments responded to nearly 400,000 home fires in 2006. That’s why the theme of Fire Prevention Week 2008 is “It’s Fire Prevention Week: Prevent Home Fires!”

From October 5-11, 2008, fire safety advocates will spread the word to their communities that, with a little extra caution, preventing the leading causes of home fires – cooking, heating, electrical and smoking-materials – is within their power.

Source: NFPA

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Did you know that the law requires the U.S. flag be lowered in tribute on only a few days each year? Quite appropriately, one of these days is the observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

On October 16, 2001, President George W. Bush approved legislation requiring the U.S. flag to be lowered to half-staff on all Federal buildings to memorialize fallen firefighters. Public Law 107-51 requires this action to occur annually in conjunction with observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

Let your local media know that U.S. flags across the country will be lowered on Sunday, October 5, 2008. This includes the U.S. Capitol and the White House, as well as buildings in your local community.

Remember to lower the U.S. flags at your home, fire department, and business. Encourage your local community to follow the Federal Government’s example. When you lower your flag this year, you will recognize the brave men and women who died protecting their communities from natural and manmade emergencies and disasters and those who carry on the proud tradition.

You may also want to ask your state and local officials to include lowering the flag in a proclamation recognizing the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

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