Health and Safety Podcast: Nov. 3, 2010

Health and Safety Podcast

Nov. 3, 2010

Topics “Install. Inspect. Protect.”

campaign. Using Daylight Saving Time as an

Emergency Preparedness Reminder. Ready Virginia. Chain Saw Safety.

“Install. Inspect. Protect.” On Saturday, Nov. 6, from 9 a.m.

to noon, firefighters will canvas homes in various neighborhoods throughout Fairfax County checking for working smoke alarms and providing family fire escape plans for residents. 

“Install. Inspect. Protect.” A working smoke alarm can help

you and your family escape a deadly fire. It continuously scans the air for smoke, 24/7. It never sleeps.

A working, properlyinstalled smoke alarmlowers your chancesof dying in a fire. 

Daylight Saving Time Nov. 6 is Daylight Saving Time

when we set clocks back – a perfect time to pay special attention tofire safety and alsoassemble or re-stockemergency supplykits for your homeand vehicle.

Daylight Saving Time For more on fire safety, visit the

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr.

For more on assembling an emergency preparedness kit, call the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management at 571-350-1000 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency.

Ready Virginia Translated a handout on

preparing for emergenciesinto 10 languages.

Handouts can be downloadedfrom www.ReadyVirginia.gov inArabic, Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Russian, Tagalog and Vietnamese. 

Ready Virginia www.ListoVirginia.gov is available

to Spanish speakers. Preparedness brochures and family

emergency plan worksheets in English and Spanish are available online at www.ReadyVirginia.gov.

Call 571-350-1000 for more information.

Chain Saw Safety Many jobs around the home

following a disaster may require the use of tools and machinery that, if used improperly, could result in serious injury or death.

The chain saw is one of the most efficient and productive power tools used for debris cleanup. However, if used improperly it can be dangerous.

Chain Saw Safety Survey the job at hand and

plan your task. Keep both hands on the

chain saw handles. Keep your eye on the blade and

what you are cutting. Cut only on the right side of your

body. Always cut below your head.

FEMA photo/ Nicolas Britto.

Chain Saw Safety Cut with the lower edge of the saw

blade whenever possible. Cutting with the tip of the saw invites injury.

Watch out when cutting limbs and branches that are bent, they may snap back and hit you.

Let the chain saw do the work. Don't try to force the saw.

Chain Saw Safety Wear protective clothing; a hard

hat, goggles, safety shoes, gloves and close-fitting clothes.

Don't wear yourself out. Stay alert. For more, visit FEMA online or

contact the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management at 571-350-1000.

Additional Information www.fairfaxcounty.gov www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency

9-1-1 – Emergency police, fire, medical.

703-691-2131 – Non-emergency.