Camp Safety: Choose the Right Camping Safety Gear

When most folks think of camping, it’s all about fresh air, sunshine and outdoor fun. Unlike back-country camping, where you rough it on your own, campgrounds like those at Kampgrounds of America have amenities like warm showers, swimming pools and a store for those last-minute needs.But even at organized campgrounds like that, keeping safety a top priority is an important part of having a good experience. Over the past six months, North America has seen flooding, tornadoes and hurricanes—natural phenomena that bring potential devastation for those who aren’t prepared. But even more common are the potential dangers, which are an inherent part of camping, like sunburns, bug bites and injuries that happen during daily activities.Along those lines, we asked our campers via social media what gear they take with them when they hit the road. And some of the answers might surprise you:KOA's FriendsFacebook friend Bryan Hensley has an emergency kit that’s ready to go when he camps. That includes, he says, “a weather radio, a map of where we are, water, first aid kit [and] flashlights.” He and fellow KOA Facebook friend Christine Boerner Jones also suggest bringing both extra propane and nonperishable foods."In today’s world, cellphones are a key part of not only day-to-day life, but also emergency preparedness. Keeping a printed list of emergency numbers to reference quickly is a must, especially if your cellphone battery dies and you need to get a hold of someone in an emergency. Also consider including an “ICE” (in case of emergency) contact name and number on your list, too.Some campers who responded to our inquiries were also focused on some of the more basic needs, including toilet paper, propane, a good book, extra batteries, rain ponchos and, according to Emmy Reid, rain pants are a must. “I’m not sure why it took me 15 years to figure that out,” she says.Nancy and Tom Kilmer told us via Facebook that in addition to traditional emergency gear, they had another concern. “We travel with five cats and a cocatoo [sic],” they wrote, “so we have cat carriers and a carrier for the ‘too.” Cathy Gibbs, who has two dogs, makes sure that she brings along extra food for them as well.More Tips:Keep tabs on the weather forecasts.Plan your meals in advance.Stay on trails to avoid tick bites.Pack a first aid kit.Never approach wild animals (or your neighbor’s dog).Wear sunscreen and insect repellent.Supervise your children. Campgrounds are safe places, but parenting is still a must.Be careful around water. Never leave children unattended at a pool, river or pond.Keep propane canisters upright, out of the sun and away from the campfire.Keep the cooler full of ice.Practice good fire safety, and keep it in the fire ring.Be sure your campfire is never left unattended.Wash your hands often.Check your site for—and keep it clear of—sharp objects.

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Smart DIY: Using the Right Safety Gear

Homeowners are courageous folks. Because of the economic downturn, the growth of home improvement stores and the way so many cable TV shows make project look so easy, more and more home maintenance and repair issues are taken on by weekend warriors hoping to do the job themselves and save a few bucks in the process. Unfortunately, as Consumer Reports notes, one out of every five DIYers will sustain some sort of injury along the way. The numbers are sobering. For example, in 2009 alone, more than 246,000 emergency room visits in America were due to falls associated with the use of ladders and step-stools.In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that every day, approximately 2,000 Americans suffer eye injuries. Many of these accidents are caused by particles expelled by power tools or made airborne due to wind. And, with lawn mowers and trimmers causing plenty more injuries due to lacerations from branches, rocks and other high-speed debris, you’re well advised to have the following safety items on hand before you start working outside on your house and yard. [click image below for video][caption id="attachment_5277" align="aligncenter" width="558"] Video courtesy of ThisOldHouse.com[/caption]Safety Goggles/Glasses: Whether you're using a weed trimmer to cutting a piece of plywood with a circular power saw, wearing safety goggles or glasses during home maintenance activities is highly recommended. And, if you’re handling chemicals such as paint thinner, goggles are a must, according to DIY HGTV. Look for models of eyewear that cover the sides of your eyes as well as the front.Dust Mask: If you’re about to do yard work at the height of pollen season or have a dusty garage that needs cleaning out, wear a properly fitted dust mask. Your respiratory system will thank you afterwards! Note that dust masks will filter out nuisance dust particles only if they’re worn correctly, so read the mask manufacturer’s instructions carefully before commencing work. For those working with toxic chemicals or gases, consult the CDC’s description of respirators to find out more about safely breathing around more dangerous contaminants.Face Shield: For jobs involving grinding or cutting with power tools that shoot out extensive sparks or wood chips, a face shield is a highly recommended piece of safety gear. A good visor made of polycarbonate that fits your head well is the way to go. But don’t forget that this is a form of secondary protection for your eyes, so wear safety glasses, as well.Ear Plugs/Safety Muffs: Equipment such as chainsaws and belt sanders can emit noise in excess of 100 decibels. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, extended exposure to these noise levels can result in temporary or even permanent loss of hearing, so remember to protect yourself by wearing earplugs or safety muffs.Work Gloves: Different jobs require different work gloves. Here, the rule of thumb—and rest of your fingers—is: Anytime you’re handling materials that can cut, burn or otherwise injure your hands, wear properly fitting work gloves.Work Boots: Buy a good pair of work boots with non-skid soles, especially if you’ll be doing work on your roof. And, if you’ll be moving heavy objects like cement blocks, purchase steel-toed work boots. After the first brick drops unexpectedly on your foot, you’ll be glad you made the investment.Knee Pads: For all types of garden and roofing work that require time spent kneeling, use a pair of foam knee pads like the ones masons and carpenters wear. This bit of safety gear contributes to not only saving your knees, but also your back from excruciating pain and injury.Ladder: For any job off the ground, it’s critical to have a properly working ladder. Watch out for power lines overhead, and be sure to read the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s information on Portable Ladder Safety to know how to use one safely.First Aid Kit: Always keep a well-stocked first aid kit in a readily accessible spot. In addition to antiseptic wipes and fresh bandages, it’s advisable to have an eyewash kit and list of emergency telephone numbers on hand, as well.Whether you're cleaning out gutters or putting up a new fence, you deserve to enjoy the fruits of your labors… not to be injured due to them. So keep the above items on hand, and think, "Safety first," when doing all of your DIY projects.

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4 Ways to Incorporate Safety Into a Kitchen Redesign

Kitchens are typically a home’s chief gathering spot—a place to cook, eat, watch TV, pay bills, and entertain. But when assembling a kitchen remodeling wish list, it can be easy to put aesthetics and function on the front burner and move safety to the back.Yet, with all of the tools and cooking equipment located in a kitchen, the potential for accidents—burns, fires, slips, falls, cuts, and more -- is there. There's also the rise of multi-generational families, where young children and the elderly share the same space, which is spurring interest in making the room safe for people of all ages and abilities.The following are four ideas to help prevent accidents, and design a kitchen for safety:1. Help prevent burns and fire.Cooking fires are the No. 1 cause of home fires, accounting for more than 150,000 home fires in 2010, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). To help prevent them:Install a sprinkler system. While it costs less to install a sprinkler system when building a new home, contractors can retrofit an existing kitchen with a sprinkler system when remodeling, according to NFPA. A kitchen should also include a fire extinguisher.Choose the right appliances and use them properly. Items should be tested and approved by an independent lab and installed by a qualified electrician, taking into account manufacturers’ instructions and area building codes, according to the U.S. Fire Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For example, appliances should be plugged directly into a wall outlet rather than with an extension cord, which may overload a circuit and cause a fire.Be sure that appliances have child-lock safety features, if you have small children. This prevents curious tots from opening oven doors and either getting hurt or inserting flammable items inside.Keep hooks for mitts, potholders, and aprons away from the range, since these items may catch a flame.Locate outlets correctly. All should be installed according to building and safety codes to avoid circuit overloads and fires. GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) devices are required anywhere near water and are designed to shut off an electrical current if the current connects with water.2. Protect from slips and falls. Falls account for 8.9 million visits yearly to hospital emergency rooms,according to the National Safety Council. Help prevent them in the kitchen:Lay a slip-resistant floor. Good options include wood, slate, rubber, or cork rather than polished—and slippery--marble, says Chicago architect Allan J. Grant. Better still—use a non-slip mat or rug, especially in front of a sink where water might splash and cause you to lose your footing. Rubber and cork are softer materials, and may be more forgiving than harder surfaces if breakables such as glass and china fall.Avoid level changes. Avoid any sudden changes in the floor level. If steps are necessary, a different pattern or color or adequate illumination will warn visitors, according to the principles of Universal Design, which is a design philosophy that works to make a room and products safer for all ages and physical impairments.3. Cut the risk of cuts. Numerous stores and websites offer products that can pare accidents. Examples: Knife blocks have slots for safe storage, so you don’t reach into a drawer and potentially get cut. Also, Kidsmartliving.com recommends plastic dishes so children won’t break dishes and glasses. Adequate lighting is also essential to perform tasks safely. Allan Grant prefers LEDs, now available in many color renditions, for their longevity and energy-efficiency.4. Prepare for the unexpected. Extra planning to arrange cabinetry, counters, and appliances can make a kitchen safer. David Newton, kitchen designer and trainer for the National Kitchen & Bath Association, recommends having enough cabinetry to store small appliances so they don’t clutter counters, which may lead to accidents; planning for sufficient “landing” counters by burners to avoid carrying hot food and drinks; installing pull-out shelves and drawers for cabinetry to help you avoid searching deep into corners and straining backs; and planning for at least 48-inch aisles for two adults to pass safely. Bottom line: Advance planning can make a big difference in safely enjoying your newly remodeled kitchen![Featured Image: Kitchen Design: Karen Swanson, New England Design Works, Manchester, MA; Photo: Evan White] Recommended by the Editors:What's Hot in Kitchen and Bath Upgrades5 Things to Consider Before Taking a Loan for Home RepairsPower Surges, Dirty Lint Traps and Other Hidden Home Dangers

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