School Safety Tips

School is hard enough without having to worry if you will be safe on your way or while you're there. But McGruff can help. Read his advice on how to start the school year safely.

Getting to school and back home again 

• Find an easy way to walk to school or the bus stop. Ask your parents if there is anything you should watch out for along way. Always walk with a brother, sister, neighbor, or friend.
• Don't talk to strangers, go anywhere with them, or take anything from them.
• Know your phone number and address, even your area code and zip code. If you have trouble remembering them, write them down and keep them in a safe place.

After School 

• If you stay home alone for a few hours after school while your parents are at work, call and check in with them as soon as you get home. And remember McGruff's home alone rules.
• Ask your parents what the rules are. Are you allowed to watch TV before you finish your homework? Or have ice cream as a snack?

In the classroom 
Most teachers have their own rules for what goes on in their classroom but there are a few other things you should remember when you're in class.

• If another kid, even a friend, asks you to do something you don't want to, don't do it.
• If you get into an argument, talk it out. Fighting will hurt you and will probably get you in trouble. It may even give you a reputation as a bully.
• Know that tattling is VERY different from telling. Tattling gets someone into trouble, and telling gets someone out of trouble. It's always okay to tell.
• If anything bothers you or makes you feel weird, like a fight with a friend, a run-in with a bully, or ANYTHING, talk to an adult you trust.
• Study hard. You can be anything you want to be if you work hard and don't give up.

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Air Conditioner Safety Tips

The heat of summer can be more than just uncomfortable. For some folks, it can be quite dangerous. Staying out of the sun, wearing loose clothing, and drinking lots of water helps. But, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), air-conditioning is the No.1 protection against heat-related illness and death.

However, as with all things electrical, care must be taken to ensure that no safety hazards are present. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation (ESFI), contact with electric current from air conditioners accounts for a significant number of electrocutions and electrical injuries each year. The .S. Fire Administration says that, while some electrical fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects, many more are caused by misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords.

To avoid dangerous situations while your unit is running, please follow these guidelines:

- Be sure that both the electrical circuit and the electrical outlet can handle the load. When in doubt, have a licensed electrician inspect your home's wiring and advise you as to whether it will safely handle air conditioning units.

- Always plug an air conditioner into a grounded (three-prong) outlet. If an appliance cord plug doesn't fit an outlet, have a qualified electrician replace the outlet.

- If you must use an extension cord to reach a grounded outlet, make certain that you use a cord designed for air conditioners and that it is UL listed, meets OSHA specification, and can handle the power needed by your air conditioner. NOTE: Some manufacturers will not honor warranties if the unit is plugged in using an extension cord.

As with all extension cord use, always inspect before you use! Ensure that the plug's blades and grounding pin are present and do not use extension cords that are cut or damaged. And, never run any extension cord under a carpet!

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Mold. You Better Watch Out !!!

Moisture Control

Water in your home can come from many sources. Water can enter your home by leaking or by seeping through basement floors. Showers or even cooking can add moisture to the air in your home. The amount of moisture that the air in your home can hold depends on the temperature of the air. As the temperature goes down, the air is able to hold less moisture. This is why, in cold weather, moisture condenses on cold surfaces (for example, drops of water form on the inside of a window). This moisture can encourage biological pollutants to grow.

There are many ways to control moisture in your home:

• Fix leaks and seepage. If water is entering the house from the outside, your options range from simple landscaping to extensive excavation and waterproofing. (The ground should slope away from the house.) Water in the basement can result from the lack of gutters or a water flow toward the house. Water leaks in pipes or around tubs and sinks can provide a place for biological pollutants to grow.
• Put a plastic cover over dirt in crawlspaces to prevent moisture from coming in from the ground. Be sure crawlspaces are well-ventilated.
• Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture to the outside (not into the attic). Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
• Turn off certain appliances (such as humidifiers or kerosene heaters) if you notice moisture on windows and other surfaces.
• Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners, especially in hot, humid  climates, to reduce moisture in the air, but be sure that the appliances themselves don't become sources of biological pollutants.
• Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows. (A storm window installed on the inside works better than one installed on the outside.) Open doors between rooms (especially doors to closets which may be colder than the rooms) to increase circulation. Circulation carries heat to the cold surfaces. Increase air circulation by using fans and by moving furniture from wall corners to promote air and heat circulation. Be sure that your house has a source of fresh air and can expel excessive moisture from the home.
• Pay special attention to carpet on concrete floors. Carpet can absorb moisture and serve as a place for biological pollutants to grow. Use area rugs which can be taken up and washed often. In certain climates, if carpet is to be installed over a concrete floor, it may be necessary to use a vapor barrier (plastic sheeting) over the concrete and cover that with sub-flooring (insulation covered with plywood) to prevent a moisture problem.
• Moisture problems and their solutions differ from one climate to another. The Northeast is cold and wet; the Southwest is hot and dry; the South is hot and wet; and the Western Mountain states are cold and dry. All of these regions can have moisture problems. For example, evaporative coolers used in the Southwest can encourage the growth of biological pollutants. In other hot regions, the use of air conditioners which cool the air too quickly may prevent the air conditioners from running long enough to remove excess moisture from the air. The types of construction and weatherization for the different climates can lead to different problems and solutions.

Moisture On Windows

Your humidistat is set too high if excessive moisture collects on windows and other cold surfaces. Excess humidity for a prolonged time can damage walls especially when outdoor air temperatures are very low. Excess moisture condenses on window glass because the glass is cold. Other sources of excess moisture besides overuse of a humidifier may be long showers, running water for other uses, boiling or steaming in cooking, plants, and drying clothes indoors. A tight, energy efficient house holds more moisture inside; you may need to run a kitchen or bath ventilating fan sometimes, or open a window briefly. Storm windows and caulking around windows keep the interior glass warmer and reduce condensation of moisture there.

Humidifiers are not recommended for use in buildings without proper vapor barriers because of potential damage from moisture buildup. Consult a building contractor to determine the adequacy of the vapor barrier in your house. Use a humidity indicator to measure the relative humidity in your house. The American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends these maximum indoor humidity levels.

Outdoor Recommended Indoor Temperature Relative Humidity

+20o F.	35%
+10o F.	30%
0o F.	25%
-10o F.	20%
-20o F.	15%

Source:  Anne Field, Extension Specialist, Emeritus, with reference from the Association for Home Appliance Manufacturers (www.aham.org).

How to Identify the Cause of a Mold and Mildew Problem

Mold and mildew are commonly found on the exterior wall surfaces of corner rooms in heating climate locations.  An exposed corner room is likely to be significantly colder than adjoining rooms, so that it has a higher relative humidity (RH) than other rooms at the same water vapor pressure.  If mold and mildew growth are found in a corner room, then relative humidity next to the room surfaces is above 70%.  However, is the RH above 70% at the surfaces because the room is too cold or because there is too much moisture present (high water vapor pressure)?

The amount of moisture in the room can be estimated by measuring both temperature and RH at the same location and at the same time.  Suppose there are two cases.  In the first case, assume that the RH is 30% and the temperature is 70^oF in the middle of the room.  The low RH at that temperature indicates that the water vapor pressure (or absolute humidity) is low.  The high surface RH is probably due to room surfaces that are "too cold."  Temperature is the dominating factor, and control strategies should involve increasing the temperature at cold room surfaces.

In the second case, assume that the RH is 50% and the temperature is 70^oF in the middle of the room.  The higher RH at that temperature indicates that the water vapor pressure is high and there is a relatively large amount of moisture in the air.  The high surface RH is probably due to air that is "too moist."  Humidity is the dominating factor, and control strategies should involve decreasing the moisture content of the indoor air.

Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? - excerpt on duct cleaning and mold follows, please review the entire document for additional information on duct cleaning and mold.

You should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if:

There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system. There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:

• Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a visible inspection, so ask the service provider to show you any mold they say exists.
• You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may require laboratory analysis for final confirmation.  For about $50, some microbiology laboratories can tell you whether a sample sent to them on a clear strip of sticky household tape is mold or simply a substance that resembles it.
• If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy it cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced.
• If the conditions causing the mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will recur.

Radon and the Dangers

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas.

You can't see radon. And you can't smell it or taste it. But it may be a problem in your home.

Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year. That's because when you breathe air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

Radon can be found all over the U.S.

Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all over the U.S. It can get into any type of building — homes, offices, and schools —and result in a high indoor radon level. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home, where you spend most of your time.

You should test for radon.

Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. EPA also recommends testing in schools.

Testing is inexpensive and easy — it should only take a few minutes of your time. Millions of Americans have already tested their homes for radon (see How to Test Your Home).

You can fix a radon problem.

Radon reduction systems work and they are not too costly. Some radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99%. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.

New homes can be built with radon-resistant features.

Radon-resistant construction techniques can be effective in preventing radon entry. When installed properly and completely, these simple and inexpensive techniques can help reduce indoor radon levels in homes. In addition, installing them at the time of construction makes it easier and less expensive to reduce radon levels further if these passive techniques don't reduce radon levels to below 4 pCi/L. Every new home should be tested after occupancy, even if it was built radon-resistant. If radon levels are still in excess of 4 pCi/L, the passive system should be activated by having a qualified mitigator install a vent fan. For more explanation of radon resistant construction techniques, refer to EPA publication, Building Radon Out: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Build Radon-Resistant Homes (see www.epa.gov/radon/rrnc).

Being Safe at School

School is hard enough without having to worry if you will be safe on your way or while you're there. But McGruff can help. Read his advice on how to start the school year safely.

Getting to school and back home again 

• Find an easy way to walk to school or the bus stop. Ask your parents if there is anything you should watch out for along way. Always walk with a brother, sister, neighbor, or friend.
• Don't talk to strangers, go anywhere with them, or take anything from them.
• Know your phone number and address, even your area code and zip code. If you have trouble remembering them, write them down and keep them in a safe place.

After School 

• If you stay home alone for a few hours after school while your parents are at work, call and check in with them as soon as you get home. And remember McGruff's home alone rules.
• Ask your parents what the rules are. Are you allowed to watch TV before you finish your homework? Or have ice cream as a snack?

In the classroom 
Most teachers have their own rules for what goes on in their classroom but there are a few other things you should remember when you're in class.

• If another kid, even a friend, asks you to do something you don't want to, don't do it.
• If you get into an argument, talk it out. Fighting will hurt you and will probably get you in trouble. It may even give you a reputation as a bully.
• Know that tattling is VERY different from telling. Tattling gets someone into trouble, and telling gets someone out of trouble. It's always okay to tell.
• If anything bothers you or makes you feel weird, like a fight with a friend, a run-in with a bully, or ANYTHING, talk to an adult you trust.
• Study hard. You can be anything you want to be if you work hard and don't give up.

Dangers of nightshift work

If you work during the night, or in the graveyard shift, as it is commonly known, there are certain health effects that you might have to deal with. Working in shifts can jeopardize your body and brain, both. Read on to find out the night shift health effects.

Night Shift Health Effects 

• It becomes quite impossible to have a sound sleep during the daytime. Not only because a human brain is programmed to rest and sleep during the night, but also because of the noise, which is perhaps the biggest  disturbing factor. People who sleep during the day have to deal with noisy neighbors, children, traffic, etc.
• The brain generally requires atleast 8 hours of sleep to feel nourished and rested. But because of the busy environment during the daytime, it is not always possible to sleep 8 hours everyday. As a result, your body will be tired and you will feel fatigued the whole time.
• The sleep/wake cycle of the body is disturbed because of working in shifts. When you are awake during the night and asleep during the day, your body does not receive the proper, positive biological cues because of the amount of light that is present in the environment during the daytime. These signs are very important to regulate the circadian rhythms that control the sleep/wake cycle of the body and brain. Inturn, this will pose difficulty in sleeping.
• Working in shifts can have an effect similar to jet lag. The body, on an average, needs one hour per day to adjust to the changes in the sleeping habit but working in shifts disrupts this. Hence the person who works in night shifts finds it quite impossible to sleep properly.
• Working the whole night can also cause heart attacks. People who work during the night and sleep during the day are more susceptible to heart diseases and even heart attacks, mainly, because of their work pattern. This is because of lack of proper sleep, stressing your body during the night, chronic stress, etc.
• Not only heart attack, an irregular heart beat is a good indicator of the condition of your heart and your body as well. Irregular heart beat can occur when you work during the night and try and sleep during the day. It is also a good indicator of how your body is taking this whole change in the sleep cycle. An irregular heart beat can cause several other diseases in the body as well.
• Another very important problem that night shift workers face is they are not able to relax from the work environment, after their shift is over. This might not seem to be an important thing, but it sure is. People who work during the day time mostly have 3-4 hours before they go to bed. But night shift workers generally come home and get right into the bed with all the stress and tension of work with them. It is very important to relax and distance yourself from the stress of the work before you go to bed. One can listen to music, eat something healthy or watch some kind of TV show to relax.

Whats Yours is Mine?

State mine safety workers are meeting face-to-face with coal miners at the job site to urge them to be vigilant about potential underground collapses, which have killed four miners in Kentucky this year.

Mine Safety and Licensing Director Johnny Greene said he has pulled two-dozen mine safety analysts off their regular duties to meet with groups of workers going into or coming out of the mines.

"I have searched and thought about how we can stop this,'' Greene said in a phone interview. "It's alarming and I'm trying to figure out how to make it better.''

Greene said the goal is to meet with every underground miner in Kentucky. He said they will be told about the deadly collapses that have happened this year and to watch for potentially hazardous underground conditions.

Safety analysts began the meetings about two weeks ago, and should be finished making the rounds by the end of the week, Greene said.

Franklin Reed, Greene's director of safety analysis said miners are being urged to "pay close attention to the roof conditions in their immediate work area at all times.''

Greene said the state's safety analysts typically go into mines and observe workers on the job, advising them on good safety habits.

Greene said he wants no more mining deaths in 2010.

Underground collapses have killed four miners in Kentucky this year.

A collapse at the Abner Branch mine in Leslie County killed 29-year-old Travis Brock in January. Two miners, 27-year-old Justin Travis and 28-year-old Michael Carter, were killed in a rock fall inside the Dotiki mine in Hopkins County in late April.

The latest underground collapse death occurred last month, when 42-year-old Jim Carmack was hit by a falling steel beam at the Clover Fork Mine No. 1 in Harlan County.