Did you know Prevent Blindness America declared September as Sports and Home Eye Safety Month? According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) half of all eye injuries take place when doing everyday chores such as cleaning, doing yard work or working in the garage. Wearing eye protection helps prevent 90% of eye injuries. However, the AAO reports that a staggering 78% of injured people were not wearing protective eyewear when the accident took place.

Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America commented, “All too often, when we’re working around the house and doing chores that we’ve done a thousand times before without incident, we forget about the risks we take by not protecting our eyes. But all it takes is one split-second accident that could damage your vision for a lifetime.”

Prevent Blindness America strongly supports the AAO and the American Society of Ocular Trauma (ASOT). In their recommendation every household should have at least one pair of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved eyewear. The eyewear should have the “Z-87” logo stamped on the frames and are relatively inexpensive.

Safety eyewear should be worn when working with chemicals (bleach, acid, etc.) or equipment (car, yard, etc.) After working with any of these products it’s also important to thoroughly wash your hands or use a strong hand sanitizer.

Although accidents can and will happen you can always take extra precautions to avoid them or limit the potential damage. Safety glasses, emergency eye care and eye care products are a small investment to pay for a lifetime of vision.

Sources
Occupational Hazards
Prevent Blindness America

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This September marks the fifth annual National Preparedness Month (NPM) and Emergency Medical Products wants to know are you ready? This year’s focus of NPM is to encourage citizens to take these important preparedness steps:

Get a Kit – So, what should you put in your kit? When thinking about preparing for a possible emergency it’s best to think about your basic survival needs - fresh water, food, clean air, and warmth.

When preparing your own emergency supply kit these items are some of the recommended items: 3 day supply of 1 gallon of water and non-perishable food per person per day, first aid kit, flashlight, batteries, all in 1 tool, and a battery operated radio. Click here for a complete, printer-friendly check list.

Make a Plan – Your family needs to have an emergency plan. You may not all be together when a disaster strikes so it is best to plan ahead of time. A few basic questions to answer when making this plan are: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations. What natural and man-made disasters could occur in your area? Make a plan for each different situation. Click here for more information and a family emergency plan template.

Be Informed – Research what emergencies could occur in your area and how you should handle them. Learn the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government. Stay up to date on community and state information.

Get Involved – Once you’ve prepared your emergency preparedness kit, made your emergency plan, and you’ve informed yourself, what’s next? Stay involved. Learn more about Citizen Corps, which actively involves citizens in making our communities and our nation safer, stronger and better prepared. Talk with your neighbors, your local fire and police departments, school districts, etc.

To find out how prepared you are take the “What’s Your Readiness Quotient” quiz.

Ready America Brochure
NPM 2008 Press Release

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) declared nearly $1.8 billion in grants to uphold state, urban area, and tribal government endeavors to better the nation’s readiness, response, and recovery capabilities for both man-made and natural emergencies.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff commented, “These awards reflect a continued and serious commitment to first responders throughout the homeland, particularly in the highest threat areas.”

Where is the money going for the Fiscal Year 2008?

Homeland Security Grant Program - $1.69 billion (consists of four programs)

State Homeland Security Program Tribal - $1.6 million given to 12 tribes to enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities

Operation Stonegarden Grants - $60 million to land Border States to boost law enforcement border security operations, including for the first time northern Border States

Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program - $60 million to enhance catastrophic incident preparedness in designated Urban Areas Security Initiative jurisdictions

Nonprofit Security Grant Program - $15 million to sustain target-hardening activities at 232 nonprofit organizations considered a high risk of international terrorist attacks

The five supported grant programs are direct objectives outlined in the National Preparedness Guidelines, the National Incident Management System, the National Response Framework, and the National Infrastructure Protection Plan.

Do you believe the grants were distributed appropriately? Do you think people should own Disaster Kits and Emergency Kits – such as an Earthquake Survival Kit or Disaster Kit - for their own protection? Take this week’s democracy poll and comment on why you feel the way you do.

Source:
DHS Press Office

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MyClyns is the only ready to use non-alcohol, first response spray providing immediate personal protection against a potentially harmful exposure that is safe to use on your eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. All this and it has a convenient pen-like design that makes it super easy to carry.

Check out these comments courtesy of MyClyns.com:

“Upon completion of the call my partner and I had an opportunity to use “MyClyns” personal protection spray to provide exposure protection. It was an easy and fast product to use. The best part was that it was right there in my pocket.

Thank you for providing us with additional personal security.”

Scott Waddell
NREMT-I
Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Assoc.

“Mr. Buckler, I applied the MyClyns spray on a deputy’s hands after an incident that occurred in a cell between two inmates. One of the inmates had received a laceration on his chin and some of the blood from that laceration got on one of the deputy’s hands. I then took the MyClyns spray from a Sergeant and applied it to the deputy’s hands. After I applied the MyClyns spray to his hands he rubbed the solution over the exposed areas.

Having the MyClyns spray readily on hand is a great idea. Having that availability to this spray really makes the deputies feel more comfortable about being in a situation where there could be a chance of being in contact with blood born pathogens.”

Sergeant
Cambell County Detention Center

“We recently purchased MyClyns for all our first responder and ambulance personnel. Just one week after we had distributed MyClyns, we received a call from the local Police Department for a Police Officer that had been spit in the eyes by a person being detained. Our Firefighter/Paramedic used MyClyns on the officer and now the police department is interested in obtaining it.

Several days later we had another exposure to a crew member from a glucose monitoring lancet. Again a Firefighter/Paramedic immediately applied the MyClyns solution. In addition to providing the extra level of protection, having MyClyns available definitely helped reduce the anxiety in both the Police Officer and our Firefighter; while the source patients were being tested for blood borne pathogens. Fortunately the tests were negative.

MyClyns is now standard equipment for us as part of our infection control plan.”

Capt. Andy Swartzell, RN
EMS Quality Improvement Coordinator/Infection Control Officer
San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District

“Everyone was very happy about the product, I let a few try the sample you left and they were amazed that the product did not burn in any way. Several of the Deputies also are carrying MyClyns. Thankfully, no one has had to use it so far but they feel better just having it available. I have told several colleagues about it.”

Allen Kay, RN
DeKalb County Corrections

MyClyns is currently on special this month at Emergency Medical Products for only $23.70.

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Yakima City Council, in Washington, hosted a public hearing last night to vote on whether an increase in the current EMS levy should be put on November’s ballot. If the proposed increase of $3.43 per month for the average home-owner passes in November the city would have $1,300,000 more to spend on emergency medical services. Included in these services are new equipment, enabling firefighters to responder faster, as well as putting a paramedic on each fire truck, and adding another dispatcher.

Deputy Fire Marshall Ron Melcher commented, “This would increase the survivability for anyone cause now you’ve got a paramedics and now advanced skills can be performed on you sooner.”

While one would hope this vote passed favorably with flying colors it unfortunately did not. While many community members gladly supported the proposal the business community had a number of questions and didn’t want to rush into something so permanent.

How do you think your community would vote if this was proposed in your city? When a victim’s life is at risk and the paramedics have not made the scene yet what does your fire department do? Take this week’s poll and share your thoughts on the issue.

Article Sources
KNDO/KNDU
Yakimaherald.com

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Nestlé Prepared Foods Company, located in Kentucky, is recalling Lean Pockets Spinach Artichoke Chicken sandwiches that may contain pieces of plastic the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Monday. The Class I Recall products were produced on May 23, 2008 and distributed to retail establishments nationwide.

Consumers should look for the following information on the side of 9-ounce boxes of Lean Pockets Spinach Artichoke Chicken Sandwiches:

• “Best Before” date of “Nov 2009″ followed by a package code beginning “8144 544616”
• Establishment number “P7721A”

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact Nestlé Consumer Services Center at (800) 350-5016.

Airway Obstruction Manikins and Trainers

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Emergency Medical Products (EMP) will be exhibiting at the Firehouse Expo July 22-27, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland. EMP hopes to meet all you fire, rescue, and EMS professionals at the Baltimore Convention Center. Stop by the EMP booth (#2505) and pick up your free first aid kit!

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The Emergency Services Blog by Emergency Medical Products is now featuring a poll. Take a minute to see what the burning question is and who’s thinking what. It only takes a few seconds and you’ll see results immediately. Our first poll – Who are you voting for this fall? John McCain? Barack Obama? Rock the Vote!

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You’ve most likely been warned but now the time has come. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a public health advisory that if you’re still using a Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Asthma Inhaler it’s time to get with your doctor to make a change.

The production and sale of the ozone damaging CFC propelled albuterol inhalers will not be available after December 31, 2008. CFCs harm the Earth’s ozone layer which protects us from ultraviolet radiation. Healthcare professionals are urged to transition patients to the hydrofluoralkane (HFA) propelled albuterol inhalers now.

The FDA noted HFA propelled albuterol inhalers may taste and feel different (softer) than the CFC propelled albuterol inhalers. The FDA also stressed the importance of priming and cleaning in order to prevent any blockage of the medicine reaching the lungs.

There are currently three approved HFA propelled albuterol inhalers: Proair HFA Inhalation Aerosol, Proventil HFA Inhalation Aerosol, and Ventolin HFA Inhalation Aerosol. In addition, an HFA propelled inhaler containing levalbuterol, a medicine similar to albuterol, is available as Xopenex HFA Inhalation Aerosol. All of the above HFA propelled inhalers are safe and effective replacements for CFC propelled albuterol inhalers.

FAQ
More Info

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On November 24 2008, a new federal regulation (23 CFR 634) goes into effect mandating that anyone working in the right-of-way of a federal-aid highway must be wearing high-visibility clothing that meets the requirements of ANSI / ISEA 107; 2004 edition class 2 or 3. This requirement will apply to all emergency responders.

Emergency Medical Products currently carries the Gerber Thriller X Reversible Duty Jacket. The Duty jacket is available in Black, Navy, or Brown reversing to a Lime-Yellow ANSI 107 Class 3 garment. This garment meets the highest level of the ANSI high visibility standard for protection, and comes with a removable liner for extra warmth.

Emergency Medical Products is an official Gerber Outerwear distributor. Please contact our customer service department at 800.558.6270 if interested in any Gerber High Visibility Garments or Gerber Outerwear Products. If you need it, we can get it.

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