With the weather cooling down and the leaves changing colors, there are hidden dangers lurking outside. Slips, trips, and falls are prevalent during this season due to the rain and leaves residing on the ground. The good news is these accidents can be prevented with a little housekeeping. Make sure to rake leaves from the yard and driveway. The roadways can also be slick, so it is advised to slow down and make sure you check your car’s breaks and tires. Inspect the treads on your tires to make sure they are still good; you don’t want to have a bald tire which can cause your car to slide. Your car needs traction to stay in control when maneuvering around a curve. Without traction, your car acts as a motorized sled.
HALLOWEEN
It tends to be a fun holiday but please be aware of trick or treaters running in front of your car, so slow down! Other hazards associated with Halloween are fire and fall injuries. If you like to decorate, make sure you are using a ladder properly.
LADDER SAFETY TIPS:
Use the appropriate ladder for the job
Inspect the ladder for defects:
Cracks
Broken rungs
Damaged/Missing leg extender brace
Damaged/Missing stabilizers i.e. rubber caps for the bottom of the legs to prevent moving
Ensure that the area is clear of anything that may cause the ladder to be off balance, unstable, or knocked over.
Make sure that family members and friends know where you will be using the ladder in order to avoid accidental collision.
FIRE HAZARDS
They exist anytime you light a candle in a pumpkin. Avoid a pumpkin tip over; find a safe place to put the pumpkin so it is out of the way of people and pets. Never leave a burning pumpkin unattended or burning overnight.
If you’re decorating your house into a spooky mansion, try and clean up some of the leaves to help prevent slips. Also make sure to be attentive to the children enjoying Halloween, sometimes they can be harder to see than expected, so keep an extra eye or two (or four) out for those little monsters.