Be Aware of Hazards

Kitchens hold many potential hazards, such as sharp utensils, hot stove tops and ovens, heavy objects like canned goods or kitchen appliances, as well as toxic cleaning supplies. There are many opportunities for injuries while working in the kitchen, especially with children.

Common injuries and emergencies that happen on Thanksgiving include lacerations from kitchen knives, burns from cooking-related incidents, and kitchen fires. Be prepared by keeping sharp objects out of reach and inaccessible to children. Cover hot stove burners and use the back burners as much as possible. Never allow kids in the kitchen unsupervised. If necessary, have a gate or barrier to keep children out of harms way.

Part of Child Kitchen Safety is Being Prepared

Prepare your home for company before having family and friends over for the holidays. Clear hazards from all living areas and close doors to any rooms that guests shouldn’t enter. Unplug toasters, blenders, coffee makers, food processors, and other small appliances when not in use and store them out of the reach of children.

Check your first aid kit and ensure all commonly used supplies are available. Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of unexpected flames.

In the event someone ingests a poisonous substance, call the Alaska Department of Health’s Poison Help number: 1-800-222-1222 immediately.

Practice child kitchen safety and keep kids safer this for a Happy Thanksgiving and joyful holiday season. Child safety is always a first priority, Alaska.

Johnson Law has been helping injured Alaskans for 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Image Source: University of Alaska, Anchorage

Prepare Your Home

Ensure you prepare your home ahead Spring Break travel. It is a good idea to unplug major electronic items such as computers and televisions before you leave. This will help reduce energy consumption while you are away and protect your electronics in case of power outages.

Store valuable items in a safe place and lock exterior doors and windows to deter intruders. Park your vehicle in a well-lit area or in a garage if you are using it for the trip. Let a neighbor know you are traveling for Spring Break and provide contact information, so they can reach you in an emergency.

College Students Traveling For Spring Break Without The Family

College students may choose to take advantage of the time off to visit home or travel to a popular destination. Spring Break travel for a young college student may be their first time taking a trip without parents. It is important that families communicate about travel plans.

Parents of college students should ask questions. Ask where your child will be staying during their trip and who will be their travel companion. Get names, phone numbers, and addresses ahead of time. Ensure you have a recent photo of your child in case of emergency. Ask your child to regularly check in with you while they are traveling for Spring Break and provide a safe word in case they are in danger. It could save their life.

For students traveling for Spring Break, you can stay safe by being aware of your surroundings, practicing safe drinking, and traveling with friends. 

Spring Break Travel Safety Tips

• Never travel alone
• Share your location with friends and family when traveling for Spring Break
• Stay aware of your surroundings
• Don’t go out alone, especially at night
• Drink responsibly
• Trust your instincts and leave if you feel unsafe
• Lock your hotel door
• Don’t share your room number or location with strangers
• Practice safe driving
• Don’t text while driving

What To Do In Case Of An Injury During The Trip

If you or a family member become injured during Spring Break travel due to someone else’s negligence, you may need to hold the negligent party responsible. Ensure that you take photos of the scene while you are there and gather details immediately. It can be difficult to get information once you leave the location of the incident. 

Whether traveling or spending Spring Break at home, Johnson Law wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable spring season.

Johnson Law has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are.

And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Please call Johnson Law to discuss your case: (907)277-3090 or use our online contact form.

Sources: CBS News; Life 360

Image Source: On Call International

Preparation and Ongoing Safety For Heating Your Home

Properly preparing the source for heating your home will keep you and your family safer and warmer during Alaska’s cold winter months. Children should not stand too closely or lay right next to a fire or stove. Keep children safe by speaking with them about the dangers of fire. Explain the importance of allowing plenty of room near a fire so that no one gets hurt.

Inspect your home heating fuel tank to help avoid costly cleanup and damage. Keep tanks and piping away from areas with high traffic. Check to make sure the vent line is clear of foreign matter. Ensure visible connections are clean and flexible, giving them space to move with the freeze/thaw cycles.

Discuss fire safety when using an open flame for heating your home. Clean up around the fireplace or gas stove before lighting anything. Some things can get too hot and catch fire unexpectedly. Avoid disaster with a little cleanup ahead of time.

Heating Your Home Using A Fuel Tank

If heating your home with a fuel tank, track the level of fuel, especially when temperatures drop below zero.  With a full tank, you won’t have to worry about the fuel level running low. Measure and monitor fuel usage and compare it to past seasons.

The fuel for heating your home is poured through a pipe leading into the tank. Clear path to your tank to ensure the company that fills your oil tank always has good access. Some Alaskans fill their own tank to save money.  Be cautious when filling up your own tank in extreme cold.  Protect yourself by wearing cold weather gear. At least wear heavy-duty gloves and a coat. 

Heating Your Home With A Pellet Or Wood Stove

Keep a surplus of wood or pellet fuel for heating your home.  If you use a wood burner, make sure to burn well dried wood in order to prevent condensation in the chimney. 

Condensation also occurs from a process through the exhaust gases. Exhaust gases contain water. The fire vaporizes the water which is carried through the smoke.  In extreme temperatures, the gases get so cold they freeze inside the chimney, preventing proper air flow.  Properly insulated stove pipes on your furnace help prevent the condensation from occurring.

Fireplaces

Fireplaces are a great way to warm up your home on cold winter days but there are several safety concerns with indoor fires. Ensure you are practicing good fire safety for not only open flame but gas fireplaces too.

Open the damper or flue on fireplaces before starting a fire. The smoke is drawn out of the house eliminating build up in the house. Use the proper type of wood for fireplaces. Use well-dried and well-aged wood for less smoke buildup. Finally, get your chimney cleaned by a professional each year to avoid build up on the chimney walls.

Gas Stoves

Do not fall into a lull with fire safety because you think gas stoves or gas-powered fireplaces are safer for heating your home. The gas stoves get really hot and increase safety hazards because people are often less careful with them. Never store items on gas stoves. Jackets, blankets, stuffed animals and other items can melt easily from the heat produced by a gas stove or fireplace.

This piece on Heating Your Home is the fourth of a nine-part winter safety series. See our safety tips for Outdoor Winter Walking Safety; Keeping Kids Safe and Warm; Cold Weather Vehicle Safety; Driving in Ice and Snow; Snowmachine Safety; Removing Ice and Snow Safely; and Surviving Extreme Cold.

Please call Johnson Law, P.C. to discuss your case: (907)277-3090 or use our online contact form.

Johnson Law, P.C. has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Sources: Cooperative Extension Service; SOA Prevention Preparedness

Image Source: Taylored Restoration Alaska