When you work in the field of safety, and so does your husband, it makes for interesting living situations. I no longer stand on a chair or stool to reach something on the top shelf. There are now ear plugs and safety goggles beside the lawn mower and weed eater in the garage. We have two fire extinguishers – one by the stove and one in the pantry. Our smoke detectors are checked twice a year from a ladder where three points of contact are maintained at all times. There is even an old Emergency Response Guidebook in my car for looking up UN numbers when I travel. Having lived this way for several years now, it surprises me when friends and family talk about near misses they have. Take heart other safety professionals, there is a month dedicated to our cause. June is National Safety Month.
The National Safety Council has outlined topics for each week of the month and even provides free downloadable resources in English and Spanish for each topic upon signup. I encourage you to do so as the resources are great. The link to the National Safety Council site can be found here. To sign up for the free materials, look to the right side of the website. Let’s take a look at each week and expand on the ideas.
This year the topics are as follows:
- Week 1: Stand Ready to Respond
- Week 2: Be Healthy
- Week 3: Watch Out for Dangers
- Week 4: Share Roads Safely
Stand Ready to Respond
For “Stand Ready to Respond” the focus is first aid and emergency response. Be aware and know how to respond appropriately in an emergency. The first step in many emergency situations is recognizing how you can best be of help. Have all emergency numbers, aside from 911, close to you or put them in your mobile phone for easy access. If and when you have to make that emergency call, be ready to answer some basic questions about the situation. Consider getting trained in CPR and First Aid.
Be Healthy
For “Be Healthy” the focus is on our overall health and the medicine we take. Almost everyone I know is at an age where eating healthy and exercising is important. I’m not ashamed to admit that turning 30 and 40 impacted my metabolism and not in a good way. In terms of medications we all have them around the house. Some are needed daily while others are just for occasional use. What is important is if they truly are out of reach of children as every bottle states.
Watch Out for Dangers
For “Watch Out for Dangers” the focus is awareness. We should all be watching for possible places or situations that could be hazardous to ourselves, children and even the elderly. I constantly see people walking around a store or parking lot using their mobile phones. Can you truly be aware of your surroundings, other people or yourself when you are trying to have a conversation with another person at the same time? Think about your home. Consider if there are locations that could be unsafe for a young child or an elderly person should they visit.
Share Roads Safely
For “Share Roads Safely” the focus is pretty straightforward. Share the roads with other drivers including new teen-aged ones, road side work crews, bicyclists and motorcyclist. As a driver you are constantly making decisions. To do that well, driving should be the only thing you do with no distractions.
We should all be focused on being safe and avoiding injury. This goes for not just our work lives but our home lives as well. ICC Compliance Center is ready to help with all of your safety needs. We can provide you with signs, labels, packaging and many other “safety” services. Check us out today!
