• Deformities – differences in the natural body
• Open injuries – indicated by visible blood
• Tenderness – to gentle touch
• Swelling – of the tissue around an affected area.

Learn more at the next first aid class held by The Safety Center.

Recognizing a Stroke -  Remember the “3″ steps, STR

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

1. S – Ask the individual to Smile.
2. T – Ask the person to Talk and Speak a Simple Sentence.
3. R – Ask them to Raise Both Arms.

The new sign of a stroke is to – Ask them to “Stick” out Your Tongue. Note: If the tongue is “crooked”, if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

A Neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reversse the effects of a stroke… TOTALLY.  He siad the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

1. Smile.
2. Raise both arms.
3. Speak a simple sentence.

If the person has any trouble with these three tasks, they may be having a stroke. You should do the following:

• Call 911 immediately.
• If your trained in it’s use and it’s available provide “Emergency Oxygen”.
• Keep the person calm, comfortable, and reassure them with positive words and in a calm voice.

Remember Stroke treatment is time sensitive!

Source: American Safety and Health Institute

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, Immediately call 911.

The ladder type is the designation that identifies the “maximum intended load” (working load) of the ladder. Ladder types are as follows:

• Extra Heavy Duty IAA Maximum intended load 375lbs
• Extra Heavy Duty IA Maximum intended load 300lbs
• Heavy Duty I Maximum intended load 250lbs
• Medium Duty II Maximum intended load 225lbs
• light Duty III Maximum intended load 200lbs

Two additional points:

• Make sure NOT to overload your ladder.
• Don’t exceed either the “maximum intended load” or the manufacturer’s rated capacity.

For more information see WAC 296-876-40005 (in Washington State) or your local OSHA office.

Wear suitable clothing in cold temperatures and protect susceptible areas. In cold weather, wear mittens (not gloves); wind-proof, water-resistant, many-layered clothing; two pairs of socks (cotton next to skin, then wool); and a scarf and a hat that cover the ears (to avoid substantial heat loss through the scalp).

Before anticipated prolonged exposure to cold, don’t drink alcohol or smoke, and get adequate food and rest.

If caught in a severe snowstorm, find shelter early or increase physical activity to maintain body warmth.

1. Shelter the victim from the cold and move the victim to a warmer place. Remove any constricting jewelry and wet clothing. Look for signs of hypothermia (lowered body temperature) and treat accordingly.
2. If immediate medical help is available, it is usually best to wrap the affected areas in sterile dressings (remember to separate affected fingers and toes) and transport the victim to an emergency department for further care.
3. If immediate care is not available, re-warming first aid may be given. Immerse the affected areas in warm (never HOT) water — or repeatedly apply warm cloths to affected ears, nose, or cheeks — for 20 to 30 minutes. The recommended water temperature is 104 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep circulating the water to aid the warming process. Severe burning pain, swelling, and color changes may occur during warming. Warming is complete when the skin is soft and sensation returns.
4. Apply dry, sterile dressing to the frostbitten areas. Put dressings between frostbitten fingers or toes to keep them separated.
5. Move thawed areas as little as possible.
6. Re-freezing of thawed extremities can cause more severe damage. Prevent re-freezing by wrapping the thawed areas and keeping the victim warm. If re-freezing cannot be guaranteed, it may be better to delay the initial re-warming process until a warm, safe location is reached.
7. If the frostbite is extensive, give warm drinks to the victim in order to replace lost fluids.

• DO NOT thaw out a frostbitten area if it cannot be kept thawed. Refreezing may make tissue damage even worse.
• DO NOT use direct dry heat (such as a radiator, campfire, heating pad, or hair dryer) to thaw the frostbitten areas. Direct heat can burn the tissues that are already damaged.
• DO NOT rub or massage the affected area.
• DO NOT disturb blisters on frostbitten skin.
• DO NOT smoke or drink alcoholic beverages during recovery as both can interfere with blood circulation.

TUNING THE RADIO – (65% of drivers do this)
When you take your eyes off the road for 2 seconds, going 60 MPH, you travel 176 feet blindly. If you listen while you drive, tune the radio before taking the road and don’t change channels while driving.

USING CELL PHONES – (over 70% of drivers do this)
Using a wireless phone while driving increases your chance of getting into an accident by 400%! A survey of 837 drivers with cell phones found that almost half swerved or drifted into another lane, 23% had tailgated, 21% cut someone off and 18% nearly hit another vehicle while using the phone.
“Hands-free” phone features can’t prevent you from becoming involved in a conversation and losing concentration. We strongly suggest that calls never be made or received while a vehicle is in motion.

EATING/DRINKING – (60% of drivers do this)
Eating or drinking while behind the wheel is the # 1 cause of accidents. If your schedule is too tight to allow for a meal break, talk to a supervisor. If you do stop to get a meal while on the road, eat the meal while parked. Keep your water container safely stowed or in a beverage caddy to prevent it spilling and distracting you, and don’t drink while in motion.

TALKING TO/DEALING WITH PASSENGERS – (75% of drivers do this)
Those of us who transport passengers, particularly fragile individuals or people with special needs, should always be sure our passengers are calm, secure and if necessary properly supervised before taking the road. Are all wheelchairs tiedowns and passenger seatbelts securely fastened? You may need another adult to supervise a vehicle full of children. Once you are driving, your attention should not have to be drawn to a crisis in the back of the vehicle.

You should check your smoke detectors every six months! When you set your clocks for daylight savings time you should change your batteries.

Smoke detectors should be located in all bedrooms and hallways, near the doors and heating and air conditioning vents is best.

Don’t forget all families should have an exit plan, and they should practice often.