Sure, we all remember the “This is your brain on drugs” PSA from the eighties but have you checked out any of the latest PSAs featured on YouTube? If not, you should check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/usgovhhs.

The US Department of Health & Human Services has their own special YouTube page featuring videos submitted by everyday people about steps you can take to prevent the spread of the flu.

Of course the tips in these videos are all common sense and courtesy (wash your hands, cough into your sleeve, stay home if you’re sick, carry a flu kit) but the videos are still fun to watch and best yet you have until September 16th to vote on which one is your favorite. The winner will receive a $2500 cash prize.

While you’re bebopping around on the web test your “Readiness Quotient” on WhatsYourRQ.org and see how you rank against people in your area. Are you prepared in the event of an emergency? Do you have a first aid kit handy? How about a flashlight and backup batteries?

For old time’s sake:

Sources: Flu.gov, WhatsYourRQ.org, YouTube.com

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Not only is this Sunday Father’s Day it’s also the kick off of Lightning Safety Week. Lightning, the nation’s deadliest weather phenomena, strikes year round but summer is its peak season.

Over the past 30 years, lightning killed an average of 58 people per year. This is higher than the 57 deaths per year caused by tornadoes and average 48 deaths to hurricanes. However, since lightning generally claims one or two victims at a time and does not cause mass destruction it is underrated as a major risk. Documented lightning injuries average about 300 per year in the U.S. but obviously without all the lightning injuries being documented the true number will never be known.

Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from the area where it is raining. That’s about the distance you can hear thunder. So, if you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance and should seek shelter immediately. The National Weather Service has a great tag line: “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”

Once indoors stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity. Stay away from pools (indoor or outdoor), tubs, showers and other plumbing. Wait 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before going outside again.

If someone should be the victim of a lightning strike know that they do not carry an electrical charge, are safe to touch and need urgent medical attention. Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death for those whose lives are taken. Some lives may be saved if the victim receives the proper first aid immediately. Call 9-1-1 immediately and perform CPR if the victim is unresponsive or not breathing. If an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) is available, use it.

Lightning is dangerous but with common sense and proper first aid training you can greatly increase the safety of yourself and others.

Source: NOAA.gov

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Did you know that each year during the 60 days surrounding the end of the year holiday season almost 11,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms due to injuries sustained while decorating? A gut reaction may be to snicker or maybe a flash of Chevy Chase trying to hang Christmas lights on his house in the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation has just flashed through your head. These injuries, ranging from falls, cuts, shocks, burns, etc., are no laughing matter. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that each year an average of 240 fires involving dried-out Christmas trees results in 16 deaths and millions in property damage. Can you guess what other fire hazard results in 170 deaths and $390 million in property damage annually? You guessed it – candles are the culprit according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

These statistics and holiday hazards seem like a killjoy but it doesn’t have to be that way. With a few simple safety precautions and staying alert your holiday can be full of peace and joy.

Check out these helpful suggestions:

Trees and Decorations:

Lights:

Candles:

Fireplaces:

Stay safe and warm.

Happy Holidays,
Emergency Medical Products

Source: EHS Today

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The holidays are upon us and it won’t be long before we’re ringing in the New Year. With the New Year so quickly approaching the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Ready Campaign is reminding Americans to Resolve to be Ready in 2009. This nationwide effort is designed to encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies in the coming New Year.

Emergency preparedness is a simple three step process:

1. Get an emergency supply kit
2. Make a family emergency plan
3. Be informed about the types of emergencies that can happen in your area and their appropriate responses

These simple steps may take a few moments of your time now but could save your life and others in the event of an emergency or national disaster. Keep in mind to have a supply kit not only in your home but your car as well. You never know when an icy road or snowstorm could leave you temporarily stranded. Emergency kits should contain the basic necessities such as water, food, and first aid supplies to help you survive until help is available - for a complete checklist check out: www.ready.gov.

By committing to Resolve to be Ready in 2009 and following the simple emergency preparedness steps in advance you will minimize the impact of emergencies and their effect on you and your loved ones.

Lan Lamphere provides a wonderful website – www.LanLamphere.com - and an AM public radio show called OvernighAM that covers an assortment of public interest topics including emergency preparedness, current events and more. Take a moment to check out Lan Lamphere and listen live or read his articles online.

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) bloodborne pathogen standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030, requires that employers supply employees with proper instructions, equipment, personal protection equipment (PPE) and disinfectant to safely clean up body fluid spills. This OSHA safety standard applies to employees who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material.

Does this apply to you? Yes. Whether you work in law enforcement, EMS, a factory, hospital, doctor’s office, customer service, warehouse, etc. this applies to you. No matter how dangerous, mundane or completely rocking your work environment, this applies to you.

OSHA compliance would mean being provided with all the items necessary to properly clean up and dispose of any reasonably anticipated spill. As an employee you must be protected from:

The supplies needed to meet these OSHA regulations may be purchased as a biohazard spill kit or as individual items. However, it is usually best practice, more convenient and economical to buy spill kits as a whole instead from a reputable and respected source as opposed to piecing supplies together.

OSHA states that the PPE your employer provides should be based upon an employees reasonably anticipated exposure while performing a task or procedure. However, it is impossible to anticipate or predict the degree of exposure to every possible circumstance or situation that could arise.

Flu season is now upon us and it can and usually does sneak up on someone. What if that someone doesn’t make it to the restroom and now there’s vomit on the office or classroom floor? Who’s on puke patrol? Let’s say someone in the factory has an accident on the production line and now there’s blood in more places than you thought possible? Who’s on blood clean up duty?

Accidents can happen any time. Make sure you and your employer are prepared with an OSHA compliant spill kit and infection control supplies.

Sources: OSHA, Sharps compliance Inc.

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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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In the midst of this year’s tropical storm season the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reminding Americans to “Get Prepared.” Check out this official press release:

DHS’ Ready Campaign Reminds Americans To “Get Prepared” As Tropical Storm Hanna Moves Toward The U.S. With Tropical Storms Ike And Josephine Behind It

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
DHS Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010
For Immediate Release
September 3, 2008

WASHINGTON — As Gustav continues inland, Tropical Storms Hanna, Ike and Josephine serve as stark reminders of the need for Americans to be prepared. The Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign encourages citizens to get an emergency supply kit, make an emergency plan, and be informed about what to do if these Tropical Storms gain strength, turn into hurricanes, and head in their direction. As seen with Gustav, hurricanes and tropical storms also produce tornadoes, flooding and power outages that affect citizens for hours or even days after the initial storm has passed. Ready wants to make sure citizens are on alert and listening to what local authorities are advising them to do.

Ready recommends having a three-day supply of water for each individual in your family, including pets, along with non-perishable food, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries and a flashlight. It is also important to consider your family’s unique needs such as medication and any important documents like property insurance. Additionally, pet owners should check which shelters in the area will take animals in case of evacuation. Also, Ready recommends citizens along the Atlantic Coast have a “to-go” kit that includes basic essentials such as food and water as well as blankets and clothing in case they must evacuate on a moment’s notice.

Ready’s Web site, www.ready.gov, is a free resource where individuals can find an emergency supply checklist, download an emergency plan and link to local information. Ready also has resources and tools available on its Web site to help business owners ensure their business plans stay up and running, talk to their employees and protect their assets. For information in Spanish, visit www.listo.gov. Individuals can also call 1-800-BE-READY or 1-888-SE-LISTO for more emergency preparedness information.

February 2008 marked the Ready Campaign’s fifth year at the Department of Homeland Security. Launched in 2003 in partnership with The Advertising Council, Ready is designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. It has proven to be one of the most successful campaigns in Ad Council’s more than 65-year history. Since its launch, the campaign has generated more than $756.5 million in donated media support. Individuals interested in more information about family, business and community preparedness can visit www.ready.gov.

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The heavy rain and storms that hit the Midwest have left many areas in a state of emergency. The Midwest floods have caused damage or loss of homes and businesses, destruction to infrastructure, and even death. Flash flood warnings still abound, river water levels are dangerously high and sandbagging operations have gone into effect to prevent dam collapses and levee breaks.

The flooding disaster has left people with flooded basements, garages and living areas. Wet basements, leaking garages and saturated homes may cause the spread of harmful bacteria, fungus, mold, mildew, and spores without proper sanitation. There are many sanitizers on the market for the cleaning and removal of decontaminants but which cleaners are going to kill, disinfect and neutralize the affected areas best?

New to the market is DepHyze™, the world’s safest and most effective antimicrobial and chemical decontaminant. It kills bacteria, viruses, spores, molds and fungus up to 99.99999%. It’s totally biodegradable and offers 100% odor negation. The DepHyze™ product line features carpet cleaner and deodorizer, surface cleaner and surface spray, hand sanitizer, and laundry detergent.

Bleach and alcohol based cleaners work well however they do not have long lasting effects. Bleach based cleaners send mold into an inactive state only to return once the bleach has dissipated. Alcohol based cleaners only kill for 8 seconds and only to a rate of 99.99%. While 99.99% may sound impressive the DepHyze™ product line kills up to 99.99999%. DepHyze™ products also leave a long lasting zone barrier killing fungus, molds, MRSA, Norovirus and other pathogens for future protection.

The flooding in the Midwest has left people no choice in rerouting their ways to work and school, financial loss due to repair and most of all an emotional reaction to Mother Nature’s effects. While your loved ones, neighbors and communities are recovering from the devastation lend a helping hand, share a smile and stay safe.

DepHyze™
DepHyze™ Carpet Cleaner and Deodorizer
DepHyze™ Decon 3D Surface Cleaner
DepHyze™ Foaming Hand Sanitizer
DepHyze™ Laundry Detergent
DepHyze™ Ultra Clean Surface Spray

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