Tips on How to Work Safely Around the Outside of Your Home This Fall
The Statistics Say It All
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the number of deaths caused by accidents are climbing higher every year. In fact, one person dies every five minutes as the result of an accident. Car accidents, of course, top the list, but these accidental deaths are also caused by such things as falling, poisoning, and electrocution.
Besides the number of accidents being on the rise, the number of accidents taking place at home are also climbing. Since 1992, the number of deaths from home accidents have risen a whopping thirty percent.
Avoid Falls
Falls are the number one accidents that happen at home. You can help avoid falls and work safely around the outside of your home this Fall by using these tips:
1. Never stand on items like buckets, cement blocks or railings to reach high places outside of your home. Never climb up trees or stand on your roof either. Use a ladder to safely climb up to high places instead.
2. Inspect your ladders every time before you use them. Using a ladder isn’t going to lessen your chances of falling if it’s creaky and unsteady. If you’re using an extension ladder, have someone help steady it by holding it at the bottom. But, to work safely, never allow two people to be on a ladder at the same time. And, when it comes to extension ladders, make sure you use the safety locks before you start to climb. Use extension ladders vertically, never lay them down and use them as a cross over.
3. It’s easy to trip and fall when you’re trying to work safely around the outside of your home. To avoid this problem, keep your work area clear of tools, materials, trash and other refuse.
Use Caution With Poisons
1. Store all poisons you use around your home away from the reach of children or pets. Keep your garage or storage shed locked if you store poisons like gasoline in there. When you’re using gasoline, fill up mowers and other equipment only when they’re shut off and cool, never when they’re hot.
2. Another tip on how to work safely around the outside of your home this Fall, is to wear safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes from splashes whenever you pour a poison. You should also use heavy rubber gloves and wear long sleeves to protect your skin.
3. When you’re using any type of poison, never set the container down and leave it uncapped and unattended.
Electricity Safety
1. Never lay down power tools such as electric hedge trimmers, chain saws, leaf blowers, et cetera, without shutting them off first. Kids and pets, and even adults, won’t be able to accidentally bump them and turn them on.
2. When you purchase power tools, look for ones that are double-insulated. They have plastic bodies that help reduce their users getting electrocuted. If you’re going to use an electric power tool in a wet or damp place, use a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
3. To work safely around the outside of your home this Fall, only use extension cords that are specifically designed for outdoor use. They are heavier and made to prevent moisture damage. Always inspect extension cords before using them to make sure they’re in good condition too.
