Fall Safety

Posted by Heinric on 9/30/2022 to Safety Tips

It’s that time of the year when Halloween decorations and costume line up on the store shelves, and the smell of pumpkin spice is in the air. However, there are also hazards that we need to be cautious about. But by following these fall safety tips, you can still enjoy everything you love about this time of the year.

Be Cautious of School Traffic: Now that school is back in full swing, it means that there is more traffic on the roads and in the morning and late afternoons. Be extra cautious when crossing the streets or driving in a school zone. People can be absent-minded in the morning as they rush around trying to get their kids to school and make it to work on time.
Falling Leaves can also be Dangerous: Fall is a beautiful time of the year. The green leaves turn into wonderful shades of yellow, red, brown, and orange. They fall on the ground into piles we love to jump in. However, leaves can also be slippery, which is a big trigger for autumn slips and falls. Furthermore, jumping in piles of leaves can also be dangerous and lead to injury if you are not cautious because you never know what kind of garbage or debris ended up in the pile that was just racked. This is important if you live on a busy street.
Fire Safty: Fall is the time of the year when the temperature starts dropping. We put away the bathing suits and get our boots out. This also means that we are starting to get back to our heating equipment. All summer the furnace and heaters would not have been touched and using them without properly inspecting and servicing them can be a big fire hazard. Be sure to get an inspection of your heating systems and anything else that has not been used in a while. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, make sure to follow the proper safety procedures when using it. Make sure to keep the screen shut and, make sure that the flu is clean open, and free from debris. Additionally, Fall is also a time when a lot of people like to break out their candle collection and get cozy on a chilly evening. However, the biggest cause of house fires is caused by the misuse of candles. Always make sure to blow out your candles before you leave a room and never leave an open flame unattended.
Slips and Falls from the Rain: Fall is the time when we get a lot of rain, and rain can often make surfaces slippery, especially when it’s cold and takes the water longer to evaporate. This is a catalyst for harmful slips and falls which can leave you with serious injuries. Sidewalk grates are often slippery when wet, so take caution when walking down the street. Walk with your hands free just in case you fall.
Be Prepared: The weather becomes unpredictable as ever. It could be freezing in the morning and could be warm in the afternoon. Always be prepared if you are going out at the night, especially if you are going outdoors for any period. Make sure you have an extra jacket, scarf, or hat just in case the temperature drops unexpectedly. Also, if you do not have an additional car kit in your vehicle, now is a good time to check to see if you have one in there before the winter starts.
Wash Your Hands: While fall brings some of our favorite things like pumpkin spice, and football season, it also brings the sickness we all hate – cold and flu season. If you have recently recovered from a major injury, one cold or flu could set your recovery process back. Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer if you can’t wash them. Any time you touch a publicly used item, like a railing or a subway handle, make sure you wash your hands. Especially with the COVID-19 virus still lingering around it is crucial that you wash your hands.
Battery Check: Make sure that your electronics have full batteries and switch them if needed. Make sure that you have backups on hand in case of a power outage or other emergencies. As mentioned before, house fires are common in fall because of the change in temperature and the fact that people are using their heaters after months of inactivity. Also, check if your smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and other important emergency devices are working and have fresh batteries.
Reflective Wear: It is starting to get darker earlier, but that does not mean that you cannot continue your evening activities. At this time of the year, it is starting to get dark even before people get home from work, which does not leave much time outside in the daylight. Make sure to wear reflective clothing if you are out at night, you should also put the reflective gears on your pets to make sure they are visible to people driving by.