Safety Tips

General Skin Safety

We use our hands so frequently that we rarely stop to consider what we expose them to. It is important to think safety for your hands and prevention is the way to do it. Consider how much we expose our hands.

• Warm soap and water should always be used to keep hands clean
  
  
• Fingernails should be carefully and routinely cleaned, clipped regularly and rough edges should be filed (don't allow nails to remain dirty)
  
  
• Never bite or chew fingernails
  
  
• Proper gloves should be worn when working in the yard and when weather turns cold
  
  
• Never reach in places you cannot see:
  
  
  • under rocks and housing can lead to cuts and insect or animal bites
    
    
  • trash cans and bags can lead to serious injury (your hands will inevitably find the dirty, sharp object your eye could not see)
    
    
  • dishwaters can be hazardous as well (be certain to know what dishes have been placed in dishwater; the blade of a sharp knife may lead to a cut)
    
    
• Poison ivy or poison oak plants should be avoided
  
  
  • Exposure to poisonous plants should be immediately followed with washing your hands and effected area
    
    
• Long-term sun exposure can have significant harmful effects to the hands and arms
  
  
• Fires and fireworks should be avoided when possible.

<Back to Top>

Farm Safety

It's hard to imagine life without the benefits of the powerful farm equipment we use. But farm implements also pose dangers to the people who use them. Each year in the United States, farming is ranked as one of the most dangerous professions with over 700 deaths annually. In addition, 30% of all farming accidents involve the upper extremity (National Safety Council). The Jewish Hospital Hand Care Center and Kleinert Kutz Hand Care Center, PLLC offer the following safety guidelines with the hope of preventing you, your family members or employees from becoming part of these statistics.

<Back to Top>

Farm Equipment Safety

If you do not have instructions, contact the manufacturer:

• Know the proper use, and limitations

• Match tractors with equipment of same power and speed levels to prevent machine failure and possible serious injury

• Use heavy-duty equipment for heavy-duty jobs

Utilize safety features and heed the manufacturer's warnings:

• Do not modify or remove safety features such as kill switches, roll bars or control bars

• Utilize runners and chain guards on mowers

• Keep power transmission shafts covered

• Shield power takeoff shafts properly

• Disengage or unplug all power takeoffs, blades, cutterbars, crimper rolls or other moving parts before handling equipment

• Do not use hands to clear jammed equipment

• Keep hands and feet clear of moving parts

• Inspect controls and parts for loose nuts and bolts before each use

<Back to Top>


General Safety

Avoid working alone. Use "the buddy system":

• Your buddy will be able to get help immediately in case of an accident

• NEVER allow children to operate equipment, ride double, or play or work nearby

• Your partner should know safe usage of the equipment

• Children may be hit by flying debris

• They can be dragged into moving parts

• They are not strong or knowledgeable enough to handle equipment properly

• Avoid loose or baggy clothing: Clothing can be dragged into machinery.

Be vigilant of area and terrain:

• Stumps, rocks, and hidden debris can cause overturns

• Low tree limbs can knock an operator off a tractor

• Inspect banks and slopes for stability

• On steep slopes, plan path of travel downhill

• Never take shortcuts

Report skin conditions to physician:

• Farm soil contains many pathogens conducive to serious infection

• Use chemical-resistant work gloves to prevent burns

<Back to Top>


Sports Safety Tips

• Have a thorough physical exam from your doctor to determine individual risk factors and your body’s readiness

• Always wear proper sporting equipment; equipment should fit and meet national safety standards

• Perform proper stretches before and after the sport

• Continue to protect old injuries with fitness and wearing supportive braces and splints if needed

• Know and abide by the rules of the sport

• Eat properly

• Get plenty of sleep

• Drink plenty of water to hydrate your body before, during and after the sport

<Back to Top>


Household Safety Tips

• Wear protective gloves when cleaning with harmful chemicals

• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen

• Do not put water on a grease fire

• Leave the flaming pan in place and put out the fire with an extinguisher

• If a burn occurs, immediately place the injured area in cold water, then contact a doctor

• Be alert when using knives in the kitchen

• When using a knife, always cut away from your hand

• To prevent crushed fingers or hands, do not slam doors shut

<Back to Top>


Gardening Safety:

• Avoid the sun's rays with a light, long-sleeved shirt and pants, and a straw hat

Protect yourself with proper garden attire:

• Wear gloves that are pliable with no restriction of movement.

• Protect yourself with proper garden tools

• Use ergonomic tools with grips that fit your hand

• Use padded gloves and padded or foam-wrapped handles to avoid the development of calluses

• Keep tools clean and sharp

• Provide proper storage of tools to prevent rust or from tripping over them

Watch your back and knees:

• Protect your back with the use of a garden stool

• Bend at your knees, not your waist

• Kneel on a kneepad to protect your knees

• Get up and stretch your knees when they feel sore

• Lift with your legs, especially when shoveling; use your legs as much as possible when lifting the shovel to more dirt

Take care of your hands:

• Use a wrist splint if you develop signs of wrist tendonitis

• Remove thorns by washing the area, removing the thorns with a magnifying glass and pointed forceps, then cleanse the area with hydrogen peroxide

• Scrub and trim torn fingernails; apply an antibiotic ointment if necessary

<Back to Top>


Fireworks Safety

• Always buy fireworks from a reliable source

• Read and follow all warnings and instructions

• Have an adult present

• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks

• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks

• Only light fireworks outdoors and on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials

• Never try to re-light a “dud” firework

• Keep a bucket of water in case of a malfunction or fire

• Never experiment or make your own fireworks

• Light only one firework at a time

<Back to Top>


Halloween & Pumpkin Carving Safety Tips

• Never use a knife to carve a pumpkin

• Use a pumpkin carving saw, markers, crayons, paints or stickers to decorate

• Always use common sense

• Young children should always go trick-or-treating with an adult

• Never trick-or-treat alone; have at least two buddies go with you

• Plan your entire route and make sure your family knows what it is

• Make sure that you are wearing a flame retardant costume

• Wait until you get home and your parents check your candy before you eat it

• Be very cautious of strangers

• Accept treats only in the doorway; never go inside a house

• Be sure and say thank you for your treats

• Don't play near lit jack-o-lanterns

• Visit only houses where the lights are on

• Walk, not run

• Walk on sidewalks and driveways

• Cross the street at the corner or in a crosswalk

• Take a cellular phone with you if possible

• Wear a watch

• Carry a flashlight

<Back to Top>