Posts from — February 2009

Gary knew a thing or two about ladders and chainsaws. He saw no reason why that troublesome branch, a mere twelve feet off the ground, couldn’t be removed easily enough with a few quick cuts.
He propped his ladder against the tree, clambered to the limb, and revved up the chainsaw.
What Gary didn’t know was that when he cut the branch, it would snap back violently and knock him off the ladder, and that he would land flat on his back, requiring a year of expensive and painful rehabilitation to his arm and shoulder.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 25,000 chainsaw injuries require emergency treatment each year.
Be Prepared
* Buy a chainsaw based on the type of work you plan to do, and with the best safety features.
* Read and follow all operating and maintenance instructions and settings. Review safety tips the first time you use the saw each year.
* Before your first use, attend a safety training course. If a course is not available, practice with someone who knows how to use the saw.
* Call a professional for jobs above your shoulder or off the ground, or if you have any doubt about your skills.
* Use leg chaps, safety footwear, snug-fitting clothing, protective gloves, impact-resistant goggles, and hearing and head protection.
* Use only a low kickback saw chain, and repair and replacement parts specified by the manufacturer. Keep a spare chain on hand.
* Do not use a chainsaw when you’re tired, if you are under the influence of alcohol or medications, or if the weather is unsuitable.
* Keep your work area clean of branches and other objects that could cause kickback.
* Clear other people and animals out of your work area.
* Be sure the chain blade is sharp and at the proper tension.
* Check safety features before cutting.
* Clean dirt, spilled fuel, and sawdust from your saw. Make sure the handles are clean and dry.
* Don’t work alone. Chainsaw accidents are usually serious.
* Use extreme caution when cutting small brush and saplings. Slender material may catch the cutting chain and be whipped toward you, or pull you off balance.
* Always plan a clear retreat path before cutting any tree.
* Stand on the uphill side of a log when cutting. The log may roll.
* Be sure your body is clear of the natural path the saw will follow after completion of the cut.
When The Cutting Starts
* Start the chainsaw only on clear, level ground, not on your leg. The area should be free of debris. Move ten feet away from the fueling area.
* When sawing, use a well balanced stance. Do not overreach.
* Hold the saw firmly: right hand on the rear handle; left hand on the top handle; and your thumbs locked around the handles. Lock your left arm while cutting.
* Cut with the part of the saw closest to the motor end, not the tip.
* Let the chain do the work. Don’t force the saw through the cut.
* Kickback is a serious hazard. Typically, kickback results when the saw tip comes in contact with a solid object or tough piece of wood; when the saw tip touches the bottom or side of the cut; and when the cut sections pinch together. Stay alert!
* Start all cuts at top speed (full throttle) and continue at top speed.
* Take your hand off the trigger between cuts.
* Be sure the chain does not rotate when the controls are in the idle position.
* Watch the moving chain until it comes to a full stop before moving the saw near your body.
* Set the chain brake when the saw is running but no cutting is being done.
* Turn off the saw and make sure the chain has stopped before making any adjustments or repairs.
* Inspect the blade for any cracks at least once an hour during use. If you find any, replace the blade.
* Refill the tank only when the engine is cold, and the saw is not running.
* Carry a chainsaw with the engine stopped, the cutter bar facing backwards, and the muffler away from your body.

Source: http://www.brunkco.com/

Before you received your license, you had to learn how to drive. You had to train your mind about starting, turning and stopping the car so that you would not hurt yourself or others. The same is true about all motor vehicles. The safety of all involved, from the driver to the passengers, to everyone around the vehicle is first and foremost.
Safety applies to just about everything we do, including when you get a new scooter. Gas scooters and electric scooters require you to be safety conscious.
Electric scooters can be either of the sit down type with a seat, or a stand up without a seat. Before riding your electric scooter follow these guidelines:
1. Always ensure that the tires are inflated to their recommended pressures. A weak or low tire can cause you to skip while turning and will eventually cause a flat.
2. Make sure that there are no exposed wires, especially around the wheels. An exposed wire can be hazardous to the proper functioning of an electric scooter if it gets cought or frayed, can possibly catch fire.
3. Make sure that the rider knows how to properly use the brake and throttle. When you first get your electric scooter, you need to get familiar with it’s controls. A new rider can easily get out of control if he or she does not know how to properly use the throttle or brake.
4. New riders need to become familiar with the feeling of riding their new scooter. Start out slow and work your way up. Open the throttle just a little to get going
and get used to the way the balance feels. When you are comfortable, you may give it a little more juice.
Gas scooters can be a little intimidating for some. Even if this is not the case, care and paying attention are mandatory. Following these guideline will ensure long term happiness and less opportunity for an accident with your gas scooter.
1. Be extremely careful upon startup. Depending on how the idle is set, when you start your gas scooter, it may want to take off immediately. ALWAYS keep one hand on the brake to prevent this.
2. Gas scooters can get away from you in a flash. The throttle on gas scooters are usually of the motorcycle twist type and if you are not careful, you can end up opening it all the way with ease.
3. Depending on the scooter, all come with rear brakes, and some come with front brakes as well. For the scooters that come with front brakes, we recommend that you do not have the front brakes too tight. If by accident, you hit the front brakes and they are tight, then you could end up going over the top. Our recommendation is to disable the front brake, but others would disagree. Point here is get used to which is the front and which is the rear to prevent wiping out.
4. All gas scooters vibrate while riding. Some more than others. Be ready for your legs to vibrate while you ride. If you have a seat, it is more comfortable, but depending on your scooter, a seat may not be an option.
It is important to remember that all scooters need to be treated with respect and by taking the time to get to know your scooter, you will have more time to enjoy it.

Source: http://www.articlehub.us/

There are hundreds of thousands of plants on earth. Many of them we have as landscaping or in the house for décor. What many people don’t know is that the most beautiful plant can be poisonous for your dog.
Like the stunning lilies many of us get at Easter or the aloe vera plant we use for burns. These plants are poison for your dog. Ferns, avocado and ivy are also poisonous.
Your pooch may never touch any of these plants or he/she may simply take a sniff and move on. Puppies are typically the worst offenders when it comes to eating plants and flowers. They eat nearly everything.
There’s also the dog that throughout his/her life will chow down on whatever they can sink their teeth into. These challenging pups would consume a tree if left alone with it long enough.
To keep your dog safe, put plants out of reach. Also, train your “Fido” to “leave it” or “off”. If your dog does happen to munch down on a poisonous plant, immediately call your veterinarian or animal emergency hospital and follow their advice. If you need to take your dog to see a veterinarian, bring the plant or a piece of it so it can be properly identified.
The following is a list of the most common poisonous plants for dogs. Read it and check it before shopping for plants or landscaping.
*
Cyclamen, hydrangea, kalanchoe, poinsettia.
* Diffenbachia, christmas rose, flamingo plant, foxglove,
* Marijuana, morning glory, mushrooms
* Nightshade, onion, tomato plant, tropic snow dumb cane
* Ivy plants: branching, english, neddlepoint, devil’s & glacier
* European bittersweet.
* Cycads, heavenly bamboo, holly, jerusalem cherry, mistletoe,
* Oleander, precatory bean, rhododendron.
* Saddle leaf, cutleaf & tree philodendrons, sago palm, yucca.
* Chinese evergreen, cordatum, cornstalk plant, dumb cane.
* Golden pothos, green gold nephthysis,
* Marble queen, mauna loa, peace lily, nephthytis, peace lily,
* Red-margined, warneckei & striped dracaenas
* Taro vine.
* Aparagus, emerald, lace & plumosa ferns, australian nut.
* The Following Lilies: asian, easter, glory, japanese show, day, red, orange day, rubrum, stargazer, tiger & wood.
* Avocado, buddist pine, chinaberry tree, yew, lacy trees,
* Macadamia nut, madagascar dragon tree.
* Queensland nut, schefflera.
* Amaryllis, autumn crocus, daffodil, elephant ears, gladiolas, hyacinth, iris.
* Lily of the valley, narcissus, tulip.
Dogs are precious and make our lives richer. They depend on their human to keep them safe and warm. Do a good job. The rewards are endless.

Source: http://www.articlehub.us/

Summer is a great time for children to be outside exploring and playing. Help them safe on their adventures by teaching them about electrical and natural gas safety.
If you are enjoying a breezy day flying a kite together, make sure that you are in a large open area, far away from overhead hydro power lines. Never use metallic wires as a kite string. Metallic balloons and model airplanes should be kept away from overhead lines.
There is no denying that children are climbers but teach them to stay away from the fences that surround electrical substations. The fences are there to keep people away from the dangerous high voltage equipment inside a local community power substation. .
Speaking of climbing, children should never ever climb on trees that are close to utility power lines. Nor should they climb utility poles. The only people allowed to climb should be the trained power utility employees. And if your child ever finds a poor animal stuck up on top of a power or utility power, be sure that they know not to rescue it themselves but to call the help line at the local power or Phone Company.
Padmount power transformers look like nice short metal filing cabinets on a cement slab to kids. Another fun toy to be a climbing play structure to many children. These padmounted power transformer boxes are locked to prevent people from coming into contact with the very dangerous and deadly high voltage
equipment on the inside of the locked box. If you do spot a broken or compromised lock or a padmounted transformer with its door open stay away from it and report it immediately to the power utility and your local police.
And what is summer without water and swimming in the hot and humid weather. Whether it is at your own backyard, condo or apartment swimming pool, the lake or cottage camp or even the home bathtub, the dangers of water and electricity are all and always the same. Keep electric appliances, cords and toys away from any sort of water.
Similarly if cleaning be very careful of flammable cleaning solvents. Not only can these solvents cause intoxication from the fumes with kids but as well a spark or an open flame from a match can ignite the flammable fluids and even their vapor. Even the spark from an innocent light switch can ignite the vapor of a flammable cleaning fluid vapor. And never for convenience or just laziness on a long weekend, at the cottage, have lake or home used flammable gasoline as a cleaning fluid.
If a summer trip or outing takes you in the area of a power station , power dam or waterway always teach children about the dangers of swimming and boating in the vicinity of dam and to obey all warning signs , rules and regulations. Always stay away and clear of hydroelectric dams and power stations unless of course there are clearly indicated walkways and observation points.
Teaching children safety tips can help keep your children as well as their friends safe for their entire lives.

Source: http://www.articlehub.us/

Welding safety forms the backbone of any project involving an arc. Because of the intensity of light the arc emits, and the extreme temperature it produces, it stands to reason that protecting yourself remains the first rule of the day regardless of the nature of the job or the years of experience you have in the field. Futhermore, welding safety involves more than just protection from heat and light. A number of other safety hazards face welders, and require additional gear to fully meet OSHA—and common sense—safety requirements. Red Hill Supply offers a comprehensive selection of welding safety equipment from top manufacturers of welding helmets, welding gloves, and welding goggles.
Welding helmets provide the most important element of protection by shielding the welder’s head and eyes from the bright light of the arc. We carry a number of standard and auto-darkening welder’s safety helmets in our online inventory. We offer fix-front welding safety helmets in a number of color options and designs. We also carry the more traditional lift/fixed front combo helmets by mainstay manufacturers like Firepower and Eclipse. If you have a personal preference for new technology, or if your company requires the latest and greatest in welding safety, then we can accommodate your requirements with top-quality auto darkening welding helmets. Equipped with technology that automatically dims the eye shield as soon as the arc lights, these intuitive devices have already supplanted traditional welding helmets in many organizations. We currently offer the solar-powered
models, as these are not only safer for the welder but also run on a renewable energy source.
No matter how safe your welding helmet is reputed to be, it remains wise to double-guard the eyes with safety glasses while welding. Even with the arc off, you can still be injured by a variety of equipment hazards on the job. Industrial welding often generates flying particles, chemicals, and vapors that can irritate or severely injure the eyes. No welding environment is ever safe in this sense without countermeasures taken in advance. Home and agricultural environments pose similar hazards to welders without safety glasses. Red Hill Supply not only recommends you double-guard your eyes, but also supplies some of the best welders goggles and safety glasses you can find anywhere online. Our safety glasses by UVEX offer protection from industrial, laboratory, and chemical hazards encountered daily by welders. Highly scratch resistant, their ability to shield from laser light also makes them a valuable component to any welder’s safety kit.
Welders also need to safely protect their hands, and welding gloves are normally mandatory safety equipment for welders in factories and construction crews. Never remove your gloves while handling welding equipment or while standing in an area where other welders are working. Even with the arc off, hot metal can still burn your hands, and flying particles can burn the hands just like they can burn the eyes. While normal safety gloves might make do for a welder in a pinch, we do not recommend you use standard gloves as a mainstay welding safety device. Instead, we recommend welders invest in gloves specifically designed for their trade.

Source: http://www.articlehub.us/

Parents often turn to technology for fixes to various parenting problems. These solutions sometimes take the form of gadgets that have the potential of making life a lot easier for the today’s working parents. Then again, if you live in an apartment building with a dozen or more tenants, you could come across a number of additional setbacks every time you try to use a wireless device because baby monitors in blocks of condos/flats definitely face the challenge of interfering with each other.
Fixing Wireless Interference
Baby monitors basically provide parents with an extra pair of eyes or ears. As helpful as these gadgets may be, they could also turn out to be a nuisance every time you encounter interference problems. Unfortunately, such instances take place quite often if you live in multi unit housing with close next-door neighbors.
There are actually a number of ways to get rid or avoid interference issues when using baby monitors inside an apartment building. Here are some of them:
1) Change the frequency band.
Most modern wireless devices are equipped to change channels. The process may be as effortless as sliding a switch or pushing a key. If you happen to be using a router with a wireless connection, then you should at least stay away from the uppermost or lowermost channels. These frequencies have a tendency to interfere with other devices in your home, including the baby monitor.
2) Switch on the baby monitor before other devices.
In order for the baby monitor to obtain the best reception and transmission, you need to switch off all devices that are transmitting. Then switch on the baby monitor followed by your other wireless gadgets. This lets the monitor “grab” the best reception possible.
3) Purchase a digital baby monitor.
This will significantly reduce interference and make sure that your neighbors will not be able to pick up the sounds transmitted by your baby monitor. Most are now marked clearly digital vs analog. This way, you can rest assured that the only sounds you’ll hear are your baby’s.
4) Keep your electronic devices at a safe distance from each other.
If channel adjustments still won’t work and you wont be changing your baby monitor, keep the conflicting devices at a distance from one another. Doing so will reduce the likelihood of interference.
Other Safety Tips
- Avoid liquid with baby monitors. Electric shock can result.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions about usage and placement.
- Handle the baby monitor with care. They do break especially the antenna.
- Safeguard the baby monitor from direct heat sources, including the glare of the sun.
- Position the baby monitor’s receiver or transmitter out of the reach of other children.
- Remember that no gadget can ever really replace the eyes and ears of the parent.

Source: http://www.brunkco.com/

As you know, Halloweem is long anticipated and pushes the crazy buttons for most every child! Here are some quick tips to help your child stay safe and have fun this Halloween.
When purchasing a costume, masks, beards, and wigs, look for the label Flame Resistant. Although this label does not mean these items won’t catch fire, it does indicate the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source. To minimize the risk of contact with candles or other sources of ignition, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.
Purchase or make costumes that are light and bright enough to be clearly visible to motorists. For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car’s headlights. Bags or sacks should also be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle, and sporting goods stores. To easily see and be seen, children should also carry flashlights.
Costumes should be short enough to prevent children from tripping and falling. Children should wear well
fitting, sturdy shoes . Mother’ s high heels are not a good idea for safe walking. Hats and scarves should
be tied securely to prevent them from slipping over children’s eyes.
Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a child wear a loose-fitting mask that might restrict
breathing or obscure vision. If a mask is used, however, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision.
For the Child Ninja, Martial Arts Expert, and Karate Kid, swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be of soft and flexible material.
Last but not least, young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible child. Don’t take shortcuts with this tip. All children should WALK, not run from house to house and use the sidewalk if available, rather than walk in the street. Children should be cautioned against running out from between parked cars, or across lawns and yards where ornaments, furniture, or clotheslines present dangers.
Children should go only to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of welcome. Children should also not enter homes or apartments unless they are accompanied by an adult.
Before your child begins opening their treats and eating them, make sure you or another adult carefully examines them for evidence of tampering.
Expecting trick-or-treaters yourself? Remove anything that could be an obstacle from your lawn, steps
and porches. Candlelit jack-o’-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame. Indoor jack-o’-lanterns should be kept away from curtains, decorations, and other furnishings that could be ignited.
Hope these safety tips help keep your Goblin or Karate Master safe and their bag full of candy!

Source: http://www.brunkco.com/

There are water leak detection systems that you can use in preventing water damage and that can help prevent a leak in your home before it turns into a flood. Those systems are :
Water Alarms – These Systems are typically battery-operated and could stand-alone units. You can afford them because they are inexpensive and are easy to install that could sense water. You need a moisture sensor. Your moisture sensor is located on the device and will activate an audible alarm when it senses moisture or moisture brought by water damage. Water alarms can be placed on your floor or they may be wall mounted on your wall. The water alarm should be located in your high-risk areas such as under your sinks and near your appliances and your equipment that use water to detect water damage.
Water alarms range in cost from $8 to $45. This type of water alarm device is only beneficial if you are inside your home, hear the alarm, and take action to stop the leaking water.
Individual Appliance System – There are systems that are installed on a specific appliance and will automatically shut off your water supply in the event of a leak caused by water. You may be able to install this kind of system without any special tools. In some cases, a qualified plumber you will be needed. Individual appliance systems range in cost from $50 to $150.
Whole House Systems – These systems feature a shut-off valve that is installed on your main water supply pipe. When a leak is detected the system will automatically shut off your entire water supply. There are some models that can be integrated with your local or central station security system. If you travel often, this type of system could offer you an additional peace-of-mind while you are away from home because it works automatically to prevent water damage. A whole-house system typically takes between four and six hours to install and cost between $500 and $1,500 depending on labor rates and size.
Other safety tips can help you minimize a loss brought on by water damage. If you experience a loss consider the following :
* – Shut off your water source if possible
* – Remove as much water as possible as you can by mopping and blotting the saturated area
* – Wipe your furniture to remove excess water
* – Place aluminum foil between your furniture legs and the wet carpet
* – Prop up the wet furniture cushions for even drying
* – Lift window drapes off the floor. Loop them through a coat hanger and hang on a curtain rod, if possible
* – Remove all rugs from the wet area
* Turn on the air conditioner if water damage occurs in summer
* Move valuable paintings, art objects, and photos to a safe and dry place
* Remove damp books from shelves and lay them out to dry
* Open closet doors, furniture drawers, and luggage to aid in drying
* Remove any of your wet fabrics and dry them immediately
* Hang your furs and leather goods to dry separately at your room temperature

Source: http://www.brunkco.com/

At the very outset, to know whether the microwave oven cooked food is safer to use or not, you need to have a clear knowledge of what microwave radiation is. They are a form of ‘electromagnetic’ radiation, that is, they are waves of electrical and magnetic energy moving together.
Microwaves used in these ovens are similar to the microwaves used in radar equipment and in telephone, television and radio communications. They are in the non-ionizing range of electromagnetic radiation, which are very different from ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation includes the dangerous X-rays, gamma rays, and cosmic rays and is extremely toxic, powerful and penetrating. But again, non-ionizing radiation is what’s used for microwave ovens and cellular telephone devices.
Coming to its cooking qualities, they are convenient for cooking as they pass through glass, paper and plastic and are absorbed by food, producing heat that can reheat or cook the food. Moreover, there are no signs that microwave cooking reduces the nutritional value of food, in fact, some experts believe that microwave cooking may preserve more of the vitamins in food because it cooks food more quickly, leaving less time for the heat to break down the vitamins, and uses less water, which can leach out the vitamins.
Many people are concerned with being exposed to a microwave oven’s radiation. There are studies on the effects of microwave cooking that show both positive and negative effects on food, just as there are current studies on the dangerous effects of radiation from cell phones. So the bottom line is to learn how to use them safely and also follow some safety tips:
- follow the manufacturer’s instruction manual for recommended operating procedures and safety precautions for your own model.
- don’t operate an oven if the door does not close firmly or is bent, warped, or otherwise damaged.
- as an added safety precaution, don’t stand directly against an oven (and don’t allow children to do this) for long periods of time while it is operating.
- you should not heat water or liquids in the microwave ovens for excessive amount of time.
- microwave ovens can heat liquid and solid foods unevenly, leaving some cooler parts and some scalding hot spots. There are two dangers in this:
- Hot spots: Babies who have been given formula heated in a microwave oven have gotten bad mouth burns. For this reason, it is recommended not to heat milk for a baby in a microwave.
- Cold spots: Cooking meat in a microwave can lead to uncooked spots in which bacteria can survive. This can lead to food-borne illness. To thoroughly cook meat, it is safer to use traditional methods.

Source: http://www.brunkco.com/

Are you, your family, your friends, or your romantic partner planning to take a hiking adventure soon? As you likely already know, it can be fun and exciting, but it can be dangerous at the same time. Of course, there are a number of different steps that you can take to protect yourself on your next adventure and a few of those steps are outlined below.
If you have yet to choose your hiking trail, you will want to do so soon. The sooner that you choose your trail, the easier it will be to familiarize yourself with where you will be hiking. When choosing a trail, it is advised that you take the difficulty level into consideration. For instance, you can find trails in the United States that are designed for beginners, as well as those that have advanced experience.
Once you have decided which trail you would like to hike on, you will want to take the time to fully familiarize yourself with the trail. If you are able to acquire a map of the trail in question, you will want to closely examine it.
You will want to know exactly where you are at all times, as well as how to get out of the area, in the event of an emergency. If you do acquire a map of the hiking trial that you plan on hiking, you will want to make sure that you bring a copy of the map with you. This will also assist you in the event of an emergency.
You will want to think about familiarizing yourself with the security of the hiking trial or park in question; get their contact information so you can contact them in the event of an emergency. Speaking of contacting security guards, you will want to make sure that you bring a cell phone with you.
A cell phone will allow you to call for help if you or someone in your hiking party has an accident or wanders off the trail. If you do not own a cell phone, you may want to think about buying a cheap prepaid one or borrowing the cell phone of someone that you know.
Although it is important that you bring a cell phone with you on your next hiking adventure, a cell phone is not all that you will want to bring. Even if you are only planning on hiking for a day or two, you will want to make sure that you have enough food and drinks, just incase something went wrong. Many hikers are urged to prepare for the worst, just incase. For that reason, you may want to think about packing a number of extra snacks and drinks.
Another great way that you can stay safe on your next hiking adventure is by making sure that you have all of the right hiking equipment or hiking supplies. In this aspect, you will want to make sure that you are dressed for the hike. Hiking should involve sneakers at the least, but you may want to think about buying a set of hiking boots.
You will also want to review the weather before leaving. Even if it will be bright and sunny, you may still want to think about bringing a light coat with you, incase of rain or incase you become stranded on the trail overnight.
Perhaps, the best way that you can go about staying safe on your next hiking adventure is by letting your friends and family members know where you are going, when you will be leaving, and when you will return.
Should you not return on time, those that you know should be able to find you, or at least have a generalized idea of where you are. You may also want to think about writing down the same information and leaving it at a safe place at home.
The above outlined hiking safety tips are just a few of the many that you may want to think about practicing. As a reminder, the adventure can be fun and exciting, but it can also be dangerous as well.

Source: http://www.brunkco.com/