MOWER AND WEED CUTTER SAFETY

Every year 200,000 people are injured while using lawn mowers and weed cutters.  Most are due to unsafe operation and children under age 15 are at particularly high risk.  Below are safety tips for you, your family, or anyone you know who may be doing yard work with power tools this summer.

TIPS FOR USE OF ALL MACHINERY

-          Read all safety information in the operating manual before use.  If you have been using the machine for a while, re-read the instructions to be sure you are familiar with specific safety precautions.

-          Do not tamper with safety devices and check them before use.

-          Wear eye goggles and ear protection to muffle sound.

-          Do not operate when ground is wet and slippery or light is dim (such as at dusk).

-          Do not allow young children near the area of operation.  Children are attracted to these activities.  Keep aware and do not assume that children will stay away from the area.  Be sure they are supervised by another responsible adult.

-          Do not allow anyone near the machine while in operation.  Blades are very sharp and could cause severe injury to a bystander.  Debris that is thrown from the machine can also lead to injuries.

-          Clean the area before beginning operation.

-          Turn off blades when crossing a sidewalk or driveway.

-          Allow the blades to stop completely before moving from the operating position.  Do not attempt to repair or adjust the machine settings while running.

-          Stay clear of hot engines and ensure that others do also.

Remember that mood altering drugs and/or alcohol should not be used when operating machinery.

PUSH MOWERS

-          Do not tilt a push mower.  Keep all wheels on the ground.

-          Do not put hands or feet under the mower.

-          Try not to move the mower backwards unless absolutely necessary.  If moving backwards, look down and behind you first.

-          Wear sturdy full coverage shoes (not sandals) and long pants.

-          Mow ACROSS an incline.

ELECTRIC MOWERS

-          Use grounded extension cords and do not use a frayed cord.

-          Mow AWAY from the cord.

-          Do not use in the rain or if the mower is wet.

-          Turn the mower off before walking away for any reason.

-          Remove the cord directly from the outlet without yanking.

RIDING MOWERS

-          Do not give children rides on the power mower, even with the blades off.  They can fall off and be injured or interfere with the machine’s safe operation.  They may also continue appearing in the unsafe proximity of an operating machine for another ride.

-          Do not reverse the machine unless absolutely necessary and use extreme caution if doing so.

-          Avoid steep inclines and mow UP AND DOWN a slight incline.  See your safety manual for specific instructions about use on a slope.

WEED CUTTERS

-          Wear work boots and long pants.

-          Lay machine down in a clear area before starting.

-          Keep the muffler side away from you to avoid burns.

-          Be aware of balance and good footing at all times, especially on slopes.

-          Do not raise cutting head above knee height.

-          Direct debris away from you.

-          Lower the throttle speed near people or cars.

-          Shut down machine immediately if it begins to shake or vibrate.

-          Disconnect the spark plug before cleaning out the grass guard.

HANDLING GASOLINE

-          Do not smoke when filling the gas tank or allow anyone to smoke in close proximity as you do so.

-          Store gasoline in a container with a UL, FM, or CSA label.

-          Keep gasoline outdoors.

-          Do not store a fuel container where there is an open flame, spark, or pilot light such as near a water heater or other appliances.

-          Put containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling.

-          Wipe up any gasoline spills immediately and move the machine away from the area.  Wait until vapors have fully dissipated before starting engine. 

-          Turn off the engine and allow it to cool, before adding fuel.

-          Never over-fill the fuel tank. Immediately replace gas cap and tighten securely.

Following these safety guidelines will help to protect you and your family from injury this summer.  When doing these or other outdoors activities in the heat, be sure to also stay hydrated, reapply sunscreen often, and go indoors to air conditioning for breaks from the heat!

POISONOUS PLANTS

Poison ivy, oak, and sumac are common terrors of the summer months. Warm weather means yard work and outdoor activities that often put you in the path of one or all of these poisonous plants.  Coming into contact with the sap of these plants causes an allergic reaction, ranging from mild to severe, in most people. The sap can be found on the plant (in the root, stems, leaves, and fruit), on an animal, in the ashes of burned plants, or on other objects that have come into contact with the plant, such as clothing, garden tools, and sports equipment. Furthermore, burning the plants can cause airborne sap-coated soot to enter into the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory system.

The best way to avoid the rash is to know what the plants look like so that you can avoid them.

POISON IVY – “Leaves of 3, let them be.”

Poison ivy is found everywhere in the U.S. except Alaska and Hawaii. You can identify poison ivy by having 3 almond-shaped leaves ranging from light green to dark green, and turning bright red in the fall. It may also grow as a vine, which typically has reddish hairs.          

POISON OAK

Poison oak is most common in the western U.S., although it is also found in eastern states. It has leaves that look like oak leaves, usually three leaflets but sometimes up to seven per leaf group. It can grow as a vine or a shrub.

POISON SUMAC

Poison sumac is much less common than the other two. It is found in wooded, swampy areas, such as Florida and parts of other southeastern states. It is also found in wet, wooded areas in the northern U.S. It has 7-13 leaflets per leaf stem. The leaves have smooth edges and pointed tips. It can grow as a shrub or small tree.

OUTSMART THE POISON. Once you know which plants to avoid, you can practice the following prevention strategies to remain poison free:

·  Wash garden tools regularly

·  Wash exposed skin with soap and water after working outdoors

·  If you know you will be working around poisonous plants, wear long pants, long sleeves, boots, and gloves. Take precautions while removing the clothing after your work is complete and immediately wash any exposed clothing using warm water and detergent.

·  Hikers, emergency workers, and others who cannot always avoid these poisonous plants can apply Ivy Block, an FDA-approved product sold over-the-counter, for preventing rashes from these poisonous plants. This lotion contains bentoquatam, a substance that forms a clay-like coating on the skin where it is applied.

·  To learn how to eliminate these poisonous plants from your yard, visit poisonous plant control.

COMMON SYMPTOMS of poison ivy, oak, and sumac include:

·  Blisters

·  Burning skin

·  Itching

·  Redness of the skin

·  Swelling

These symptoms can affect the eyes and mouth in addition to the skin.

EARLY TREATMENT of these symptoms can be done at home by doing the following:

·  Washing the area immediately with soap and water. If this is done within one hour of touching the sap, it may prevent a reaction. It is also a good idea to wash the entire body immediately in the event that other areas were exposed without knowing.

·  Flush the eyes out with water.

·  Carefully wash any contaminated objects or clothing alone in hot soapy water. Do not let the items touch any other clothing or materials.

·  Take an oatmeal bath

·  Apply Calamine lotion to rash to dry up blisters and bring relief from itching

·  Visit a local pharmacy and ask the pharmacist for an over-the-counter antihistamine, such as Benadryl or a steroid cream, to help relieve the itching.

·  For severe rashes, see your doctor. Serious symptoms include swelling of the face, mouth, neck, genitals, or eyelids; also widespread, large blisters that ooze large amounts of fluid.

Enjoy outdoor activities safely this summer by being aware of these poisonous plants. Avoid them where you can, apply treatment as early as possible, and teach children to identify the plants, too.

ALL ABOUT TRIGLYCERIDES

When you received your lab results from the annual health assessment, they included a value for something called “triglycerides.”  Unfortunately, many people don’t know what triglycerides are, or what to do if they are higher than they should be.  Today’s blog entry aims to clear up the mystery around triglycerides, so that you can achieve or maintain a healthy level.

WHAT ARE TRIGLYCERIDES?

Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood that is used for energy.  When present in excess, they are stored for later use.

WHAT SHOULD MY TRIGLYCERIDE VALUE BE?

Normal values are below 150.  A value of 150-199 is considered borderline high.  If your triglycerides were very high, we may have been unable to give you an accurate result for your LDL (bad cholesterol).

WHY MIGHT MY TRIGLYCERIDES BE HIGH?

- Excess alcohol consumption

- Tobacco use

- Obesity (Calculate your BMI here.)

- Frequently consuming too many calories (more than your body uses)

- Uncontrolled diabetes

- Kidney disease

- Some medications (steroids, estrogen, birth control, beta blockers, diuretics)

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF HAVING HIGH TRIGLYCERIDES?

High triglycerides raise your risk of heart disease.  They could also be a sign of metabolic syndrome, if combined with high blood pressure, high blood sugar (glucose), low HDLs (good cholesterol) and a high waist circumference.  Metabolic syndrome increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

WHAT CAN I DO TO LOWER THEM?

- Quit or reduce the use of tobacco

- Quit or reduce the use of alcohol consumption (this can have a big impact on triglycerides)

- Be mindful of fat and sugar intake (Click here for food swap ideas!)

- Eat only when hungry and stop eating when content (before becoming full)

- Increase physical activity

- Join a weight loss program if you are overweight/obese

- Include more omega-3 fats in your diet

- Eat more fruits and vegetables (high in niacin)

SHOULD I SPEAK WITH MY FAMILY DOCTOR?

Absolutely!  If any of your lab values are abnormal, be sure your family doctor is aware of it.  He/she may suggest you try lowering your triglycerides with lifestyle changes before going on medication.  If your triglycerides are very high, your doctor may recommend starting medication right away, along with lifestyle change.  If you are on medications that increase the risk of high triglycerides, your doctor may want to adjust your other medications to control your triglycerides.  In a few cases, high triglycerides run in families and medication may be necessary for long term management. 

WHERE CAN I GET HELP WITH LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO LOWER MY TRIGLYCERIDES?

Contact the HealthNEXT coaching team at shaaz@corporatehealthsolutions.com or 443-801-0539.  We would be happy to assist you in beginning this process.

Lyme disease – Be tick free!

Summer is prime-time tick season but that does not mean you have to live in fear. Lyme disease can be prevented or caught early if you know and understand its signs and symptoms. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans and animals by infected deer ticks. These ticks are most active between spring and fall and can be found in grassy or wooded areas. Although Lyme disease has been detected in all states throughout the country, it is most common in the Northeast and northern part of the Midwest.

Among all types of ticks, deer ticks are the smallest and most difficult to see.  This is why it is so important to protect yourself. Ticks can attach themselves to any part of your body but are most commonly found in hard-to-see areas such as the groin, armpits, and scalp.

It’s all about PREVENTION!

Reducing exposure to ticks is the best defense. This doesn’t mean that you can no longer go hunting, hiking, or enjoy being outside but it does mean that practicing the following steps of prevention can keep you safe:

-  Avoid wooded and bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter (or wear long sleeves and pants tucked into your socks and repellent when in these areas)

-  Walk in the center of trails

-  Wear light colored clothing because ticks are easier to spot and brush off

-  Wear a hat to keep ticks away from your scalp

-  Keep your lawn mowed and move wood piles to the edge of your property

-  Use repellents that contain 20% or more DEET on exposed skin or clothing. Always follow product instructions and use caution when applying to children. For DEET safety, visit CDC's health effects from DEET or EPA's DEET factsheet. 

-  Use products that contain permethrin on clothing, boots, socks, and tents. This product will remain protective through several washings and should NOT be applied to skin.

-  ALWAYS check your skin for ticks after being outdoors (help your companion, too)

-  Check your animals for ticks as dogs and cats can bring infected ticks into the home even if they are treated with Frontline or a similar product

-  Call your doctor if you experience symptoms

To remove ticks safely, use clean, fine point tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out. Avoid crushing the tick’s body. Do not be alarmed if the tick’s mouthparts remain in the skin. Once the mouthparts are removed from the rest of the tick, it can no longer transmit the Lyme disease bacteria. Do not use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish, or other products to remove a tick.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease can be just as beneficial as protecting yourself from ticks. It’s impossible to avoid tick habitat altogether so recognizing symptoms early is great backup protection. Typically symptoms appear within 3-30 days of a bite by an infected tick. Early signs include a red, expanding rash called erythema migrans or “bull’s eye” rash, fatigue, chills, fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. Not all cases of Lyme disease develop a bull’s eye rash, so be sure to watch out for the other symptoms, as well. If Lyme disease goes untreated for weeks the symptoms can worsen and include severe headaches and neck stiffness, pain and swelling in the large joints (most often the knees), and Bell's palsy (loss of muscle tone on one or both sides of the face).  If Lyme is not diagnosed within a few months to a year, it can cause arthritis and other long-term symptoms.

Lyme can be diagnosed based on signs and symptoms, as well as a history of possible exposure to infected deer ticks. Laboratory tests are available to confirm a diagnosis; however, a positive test is not required to diagnose Lyme. While some symptoms of Lyme may be very obvious, a few mimic symptoms of other illnesses, making it difficult to correctly diagnose. Treatment typically consists of oral antibiotics for a period of 2-4 weeks.

 Remember that the best line of defense is avoiding tick habitat, however, we are in the midst of summer and it’s beneficial to our health for us to be outside and enjoy nature. Take precautions and check you and your family each day for ticks.

For more information, visit CDC's homepage for Lyme disease.