SOS Blog

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Fourth of July Safety Tips for Fireworks

 
Planning out your 4th of July probably includes a variety of traditional celebratory activities such as grilling, swimming, a cold beer with friends and, of course, fireworks. But does your Independence Day plan also include proper safety considerations?
If you're like most, you've probably never thought about the possible dangers that lurk among the fun and relaxation, specifically those associated with firework products. Spinners, sparklers and bottle rockets are readily available at roadside stands across the country during the months of June and July, and it's easy to stop in for a quick impulse buy on the way home or to a friend's house.
As the afternoon hours pass and one cold beverage turns to "has anyone seen my beer," the impulse to play with fireworks or take small risks you wouldn't otherwise increases. But it doesn't take an impaired awareness to make mistakes. Misinformation about fireworks is common, from where to place fireworks to how to light them and dispose of them once they've been used.


According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, roughly 230 people end up in the emergency room every single day from fireworks-related injuries during the month surrounding the 4th of July. In 2012, an average year for fireworks purchases, roughly 8,700 emergency room visits were directly related to the improper use of fireworks. Approximately 5,200 (or 60 percent) of these visits occurred during June and July. Six hundred were the result of the use of sparklers alone.
The majority of fireworks-related injuries involve burns on the hands and damage to the eyes and are associated with improper lighting, playing with fireworks, improperly lighting fireworks, reusing old fireworks and improper disposal. Fireworks and sparklers burn hot and exert an enormous amount of force and heat when detonated. When used properly, fireworks can be a fun and exciting way to celebrate the 4th this year and every year following.
But much like a grenade, fireworks can cause severe damage to your body as well as to surrounding property.
The National Council on Fireworks Safety has outlined the following useful tips to help you prevent injury and personal property damage when using fireworks:

KEEP AN EXTINGUISHER HANDY
Thousands of fires are caused by fireworks each year. An errant flight path or some hot debris can cause clothing, hair or surrounding areas to burst into flame without any notice. Having a firefighting tool ready and available will be your best chance at stopping a fire before it's out of control.

READ THE LABELS
Fireworks are labeled, but are you actually spending the time to read the instructions? Take a few extra minutes to read each label, and reassure yourself of the proper steps to take when preparing, lighting and disposing of each firework.

NEVER GIVE FIREWORKS TO CHILDREN
It’s never too early to think about promoting fireworks safety for children, and the best way to do this is to let them learn by watching. It might be tempting to let your children discover the wonderful world of fireworks early, but their limited dexterity and inclination toward a short attention span makes children and fireworks a dangerous combination.
Talk to your children about the dangers of fireworks, and help them to understand that they aren’t toys. An early knowledge about safety will last them a lifetime.

*A note about sparklers*
Sparklers are a cheap and entertaining way to get into the fireworks spirit, but they aren't harmless. The center of a sparkler can burn at up to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, and its sparks can easily create a fire when ideal conditions are present.
To include kids in the fun and keep them engaged, we recommend using a glow stick instead. Glow sticks come in a variety of colors, and they're a long-lasting and safe way to enjoy the fun without the possibility of burns or fires.


DON'T MISTAKE FIREWORKS FOR TOYS

It's easy to forget that fireworks aren't toys with all of the fun they tend to provide. But fireworks aren't a game. Never light them while you're holding them, throw them, use them for target practice or play other kinds of games with them.





LIGHT ONLY ONE FIREWORK AT A TIME
Professional fireworks are fun and entertaining to watch, so it might be tempting to want to try your own hand at something similar. But lighting multiple fireworks at once is dangerous and requires professional experience and equipment. Never try to light a bundle or a row of fireworks in an attempt to create your own fascinating 4th of July display.

Firework fuses burn at different rates, and hurrying through the process of lighting them all is a recipe for disaster.



DON'T LIGHT FIREWORKS WHILE INTOXICATED

Enjoying a cold one with friends or family is a natural part of a good 4th of July celebration, but if you've had a few too many, you may start taking risks you otherwise wouldn't normally take. Couple that impaired judgment with reduced balance and you're likely to end up a holiday statistic.








DON'T RELIGHT FIREWORKS
It's a common occurrence among fireworks purchased at roadside stands or online:
One or more of your fireworks won't light or won't explode. If you have a dud in your collection, wait 20 minutes, douse it in water, and then throw it away.


DON'T MAKE YOUR OWN FIREWORKS
You may have found some easy instructions online for creating your own fireworks extravaganza, but combining powerful chemicals and igniting them without proper testing is dangerous and results in many devastating injuries every year. Fireworks sold in stores undergo rigorous testing and abide by many predefined safety laws to ensure that, when properly used, injuries are unlikely to occur. The firework you'll create in your garage could cost you more than a few dollars in ingredients.
We hope that these fireworks safety tips provide you with the knowledge necessary to use fireworks properly and without incident this holiday weekend and beyond.

If you'd like to share a story with us or provide your own tips or cautionary tales, we're here to listen. Simply use the comment box below!

Monday, June 20, 2016

Safety Hacks for Everyone

Being prepared for any situation is the ideal scenario, but it's hardly always the reality. Life is full of surprises that range from neat or exhilarating to mildly annoying and, of course, downright awful. Preparing for the big stuff can take time and might require more time and money than you're prepared to spend. But whether you're already prepared for the big emergencies or you're still in the process of making a list, here are a few of our favorite easy safety tips that everyone should know today.



Make Your Own Rehydrating Solution 

An oral rehydration solution (or ORS) can be purchased at most pharmacies, and you might even have a few packages stocked away in your safety kit already, but did you know that the recipe for a DIY ORS requires just a couple of ingredients?

If you or a loved one are struck with serious vomiting or diarrhea, or if you've lost water rapidly through severe sweating caused by high temperatures or above-average strenuous activity, rehydrating properly is vital. Water alone will dilute bodily fluids and compromise the body’s internal balance of electrolytes and sugars, which is where a rehydration solution comes in.


Dehydration is marked by dark yellow or brownish urine, decreased or absent urination, thirst, headache, dry or hot skin, dizziness, confusion, and lethargy. If you or a loved one are experiencing these symptoms, especially in conjunction with vomiting or diarrhea, a rehydration solution is likely necessary.

To prepare your own ORS, all you need is salt, sugar and clean water. To make 4 cups of ORS, combine 6 teaspoons of sugar with .5 teaspoons of salt. Note that the ratio of sugar to salt is 12:1 - keep this ratio in mind in the event that measuring utensils aren't available and you have to guess.

Remember that although sugar is added to our solution, dehydration cannot be tackled using sugar alone. Therefore, it is important to avoid juices, sodas or other sugary drinks when dehydrated. Known diuretics such as tea, coffee, energy drinks and alcohol should also be avoided at all costs to prevent further dehydration.



Forget the Tweezers or the Needle

We've all been there: while walking barefoot, doing yard work or moving furniture, you hit a snag, literally. A small splinter of wood gets lodged in your palm, the tip of your finger or in the ball of your foot. It's painful, but so is the thought of digging it out with a pair of tweezers or a needle.

Don't worry; you're not the first to think so. Plenty of independent research has been done on the removal of splinters, from soaking the area to applying common household items or even foods.
While we can't back many of these claims with our own experiences, we do know that there are two common household products that will work in most cases for painless splinter removal without the use of tweezers or needles.

Glue

To utilize this method for extraction of splinters, first you must ensure that your glue is non-toxic. Furniture glue, wood glue, superglue or rubber cement are not options here.

Examine the direction in which the splinter has inserted itself
Apply a thin layer of glue to cover the entire area
Wait for the glue to dry
Peel the layer of glue off in the same direction as the splinter is inserted
Wash the area with soap and warm water
Cover the area with Neosporin and a Band-Aid if necessary



This trick is especially helpful with small children who will likely squirm or fuss even at just the site of tweezers or a needle and are familiar with the benign qualities of glue.


Duct Tape


You've always had your suspicions, and this seems to confirm it: Duct tape will fix anything.
The beauty behind using duct tape to remove splinters is that you're likely already well stocked whereas tweezing or sewing may simply not be your style.

Using duct tape to remove your splinter works a lot in the same way as using glue.


Examine the direction in which the splinter has inserted itself
Apply a strip of duct tape to the area
Ensure the duct tape is making proper contact with your finger, but avoid pressing down unnecessarily to make sure the splinter stays intact and doesn't splinter further
Peel the tape off in the same direction as the splinter is inserted
Wash the area with soap and warm water
Cover the area with Neosporin and a Band-Aid if necessary



Increase Your Visibility

Whether you're in your own neighborhood or trekking through unknown territory, we believe that the best way to take yourself out of harm's way before you're in it is to remain visible. From reflective clothing to LED lighting, there are plenty of easy and affordable options that will have motorists looking twice before turning into you.


If you're a regular walker, runner or cyclist, we recommend that you equip yourself with highly visible safety gear such as a vest, reflective strips or LED lighting you can clip onto belts, hats or backpacks.

*Don't Forget Fido

If you're a dog owner, it's likely that at least one of your daily walks occurs in dim, poor or no lighting. Ensure that everyone is seen well in advance by equipping your pooch with an LED of its own or a reflective collar or harness!



Know Your Surroundings

It's true in all scenarios: Knowing where you are in respect to your surroundings can be life-saving. From hiking adventures to walking alone at night, we take the proper precautions to ensure that we remain well aware of where we are.

But many of us have come accustomed to the idea of the inevitable blind spot while we're on the road. Your blind spot can easily keep other motorists and cyclists out of your line of sight, creating the perfect opportunity for a tragedy.

Many newer cars already come equipped with a blind spot mirror, but you don't have to trade in your vehicle just yet to create a safer ride for yourself and for other motorists. Self-adhesive blind spot mirrors are available at major auto shops, Sears and even through Groupon. Their low cost and easy installation makes this a smart investment all around.



Become a First-Aid Expert

First-aid can be as easy as 1-2-3, and being equipped to handle a minor emergency is one of our favorite hacks of all. Knowing proper first-aid will prepare you to deal with burns, cuts, bone breaks and more. SOS Survival Products offers a variety of first-aid courses as well as other workshops at affordable costs. You'll learn the basics needed to respond to the most common first-aid emergencies, and upon completion you receive a two-year American Red Cross Certification.

*Did You Know

You can create a splint for broken bones from common household items?

From hiking and skiing to everyday trampoline accidents, broken bones are common injuries, especially in children. While a homemade splint is not a remedy for a broken bone, creating a splint will allow you to stabilize a broken bone to prevent further damage and unnecessary pain en route to the hospital.


To create a splint, you'll need a rigid object that's slightly longer than the length of the affected limb.

Your splint will need to rest on the joint below the injury as well as the joint above it.
You will also need some items to tie the splint in place. Gauze works great, but so do shoe laces, belts or duct tape. Keeping in mind that the limb may swell, fasten the splint tightly enough to immobilize the limb, but ensure that circulation isn't compromised.

Periodically check for abnormal coloring that's pale or blueish, and ask the patient if the limb feels tingly.


Being prepared for the large and the small, living proactively and knowing how to use everyday objects for your benefit are some of the best skills a person can have.

We'd love to hear how you have improved your wellbeing and benefited from your favorite everyday DIY safety hacks. Comment below to share your story, your tips or your question!