After the Fires: Safe Clean Up

Fires raging in California are destroying lives and property. People returning to their homes to clean-up may feel overwhelmed and bewildered. With so many electronics, synthetics and other toxic products in our homes these days, it is important to be extremely careful during cleanup. Ash will likely have cancer-causing chemicals. Therefore, it is important to avoid exposure to the skin, lungs, nose and throat. The California Department of Health Services recommends the following:

• Do not allow kids to play in the ash
• Wash off toys before allowing kids to play with them
• Wear gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid skin contact
• Wash any ash off of your skin as soon as possible
• Wash any fruits or vegetables thoroughly before eating them
• Avoid using leaf blowers or any other tools that will distribute ash into the air
• Avoid use of shop vacuums which blow particles into the air. Use a HEPA filter vacuum instead
• Use a well fitting dust mask rated N-95 or P-100 for cleanup to avoid breathing particles
• People with heart, lung disease and asthma should avoid clean up of ash and use of a mask unless cleared to do so by their physician
• The Regional Water Control Quality Board asks us not to wash ash into storm drains to avoid contaminating the water supply
• Collect ash in regular plastic trash bags and dispose of it, avoiding disturbance of contents
• Gently sweep and dust indoor surfaces with a damp cloth

Finally, don't forget to hose down your pets if they have been exposed to ash. The chemicals in ash may affect them, too.

Thank you ocgirl for use of photo, Madjeska Fire.

Labels: ash, california fires, cleanup, safety, toxic

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Watch Your Eyes!

August is Eye Injury Prevention Month as well as Children's Eye Health and Safety Month.
Prevent Blindness America has a great website with UV Learning Center chock full of helpful hints on ways to protect ourselves and our children from an everyday exposure that can lead to blindness later in life - the sun. We all should wear sunglasses - even kids, but make sure to buy impact resistant lenses that block UV-A and UV-B rays. Wearing a hat with a brim can cut exposure to ultraviolet rays (UV) by 50%.

UV exposure may lead to eye problems over time:

• cataracts
• macular degeneration
• pterygium
• corneal sunburn

Thousands of children under age 5 injure their eyes each year - causing permanent visual damages and even blindness. Common causes? Misuse of toys, falls, misuse of everyday items like forks and knives, contact with household chemicals. Little ones need close supervision and protection from hazards. They are learning about their world by exploring. It is up to the adults in their lives to anticipate things that could harm them!

Prevent Sports Injuries to eyes with proper eye protection. In the US alone, 40,000 suffer eye injuries each year while playing sports. Most of this can be prevented with proper eye gear. Sports-related eye injuries occur most frequently with baseball, basketball and racquet sports. Regular glasses do not provide protection. Today, sports goggles (lensed polycarbonate protectors) are fashion statements. No matter what your age or your game, look good but watch those eyes!

Thank you zanzibar for use of Hello Kitty!

Labels: eyes, kids, prevention, protection, safety

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