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Recreational Water Illness

  I have gathered some information on Recreational Water Illness that might help you understand where the problem comes from and how to avoid getting ill. Around the country there is a health concern about Recreational Water Illness. The Centers for Disease Control states that all bodies of water contain microorganisms, no matter how clean a lake or river may look. Contaminants include heavy rainfall, animal feces and agricultural runoff. Most Recreational water illnesses are germs spread by swallowing or having contact with contaminated water in lakes and rivers etc. Around the country Public Health Departments have implemented health campaigns to get individuals to take preventive steps to minimize health risks for themselves and their children. Recommended steps to help prevent Recreational Water Illness It is important to avoid both getting water in your mouth and swallowing water Avoid swimming in water that appears, cloudy or smells Avoid swimming after a heavy rain Do not feed s
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Keep Summer Boating Safe in Michigan

Summer is just around the corner. I know you and your boat are just waiting to have fun. Make this summer’s boating fun a safe one by keeping these boating and personal watercraft safety tips in mind: Don’t overload, observe weight limits Always wear a life jacket Know the waters you are navigating. Always carry a map Report accidents immediately Boating and alcohol do not mix Use your lights at sunset, before sunrise and when foggy Littering is illegal No harassing water birds Take a boat safety class I have more safety tips and special non profit blogs on my Val Cares web page. Valerie Bomberger ABR, AHWD Re/Max Harbor Country.
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Home Safety 101 - Cooking

  Home Safety 101 - Cooking Cooking brings family and friends together, provides an outlet for creativity and can be relaxing. But did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries? The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has put together a list of safety tips.  By following a few safety tips you can prevent these fires. “Cook with Caution”  • Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.  • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.  • If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.  • Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop. If you have a small (grease) cooking fire and decide to fight t
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Home Safety 101 - Smoke Alarms

  Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has a great flyer for you to download on Smoke Alarms that covers all this information on it.  SAFETY TIPS  Install smoke alarms in every bedroom. They should also be outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement. Large homes may need extra smoke alarms. • It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound. Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working. Current alarms on the market employ different types of technology including multi-sensing, which could include smoke and carbon monoxide combined. Today’s smoke alarms will be more technologically advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions, yet mitigate false alarms. • A
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Home Safety 101 - Fire Safety during Winter Storms

Most of the U.S. is at risk for winter storms, which can cause dangerous and sometimes life-threatening conditions. Blinding wind-driven snow, extreme cold, icy road conditions, downed trees and power lines can all wreak havoc on our daily schedules. Home fires occur more in the winter than in any other season, and heating equipment is involved in one of every six reported home fires, and one in every five home fire deaths. Know what to do before, during and after a storm. This will help keep you and your family safe from a winter fire. Safety Tips Test all smoke alarms. Do this at least once a month. This way you will know they are working. Install carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Test the alarms. Plan two ways out of the home in case of an emergency. Clear driveway and front walk of ice and snow. This will provide easy access to your home. Make sure your house number can be seen from the street. If you need help, firefighters will be able to find you. Be ready in case the power g
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Home Safety 101 - Portable Space Heaters

This time of the year the weather brings a chill into your home. Portable space heaters have become a popular way to supplement central heating or to heat one room. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has come up with information on the risks of Portable Space Heaters. I am forwarding this information onto you and your family. Two in five deaths in space heater fires involve portable electric heaters. The  NFPA has a great flyer for you to download on Portable Space Heaters that covers all this information on it.  If you plan to use portable electric space heaters, make sure to follow these tips and recommendations: Heater Checklist Purchase a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory. Keep the heater at least 3 feet (1 metre) away from anything that can burn, including people. Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection. Place the heater on a solid, flat surface. Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off to turn the heater off if it tips over.
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Home Safety 101 - Symptoms of CO poisoning

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has several facts on carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning that we would like to pass on. Carbon monoxide enters the body through breathing. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning and other illnesses. Some symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness or headaches. High levels of carbon monoxide can be fatal, causing death within minutes. The concentration of carbon monoxide, measured in parts per million (ppm) is a determining factor in the symptoms for an average, healthy adult. 50 ppm: No adverse effects with 8 hours of exposure. 200 ppm: Mild headache after 2-3 hours of exposure. 400 ppm: Headache and nausea after 1-2 hours of exposure. 800 ppm: Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 45 minutes; collapse and unconsciousness after 1 hour of exposure. 1,000 ppm: Loss of consciousness after 1 hour of exposure. 1,600 ppm: Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 20 minutes of exposure.
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Home Safety 101 - Carbon Monoxide Alarms

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has several flyers and helpful information on Carbon Monoxide Alarms. Often called the invisible killer, carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas created when fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, propane, etc. do not burn completely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of CO. Carbon monoxide incidents are more common during the winter months, and in residential properties. Vehicles or generators left running in an attached garage can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. A lot of families are not familiar with the hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning in the home. I have added two NFPA flyer PDF’s for you to download.  Get to Know Carbon Monoxide Alarms   Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips Flyer I have gathered some fact and safety tips about Carbon Monoxide from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)  that I wanted to passing on to you: The dangers of CO exposure depend on
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Home Safety 101 - Portable Generators

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has come up with information on the risks of Portable Generators. I am forwarding this information onto you and your family. Portable generators are useful during power outages, however, many homeowners are unaware that the improper use of portable generators can be risky and deadly. Downed utility lines, power company blackouts, heavy snow falls or summer storms can all lead to power outages. Many people turn to a portable generator for a temporary solution without knowing the risks. The most common dangers associated with portable generators are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, electrical shock or electrocution, and fire hazards. Half of the generator-related deaths happened in the four coldest months of the year, November through February, and portable generators were involved in the majority of carbon monoxide deaths involving engine-driven tools. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has a flyer to download Portable Generato
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Safety Tips for Paddle Boarders, Kayakers and Canoeist on Lake Michigan

It is getting that time of year when everyone is looking forward to spring and summer and fun activities on Lake Michigan. Navigating Lake Michigan is different for paddle boarders, kayakers and canoeists then the inland lakes. Here are some safety tips to help keep you safe. Always check the weather in your starting point and ending point Never go out alone. Always use the buddy system. Leave your route information with someone reliable and stick to the route. Always wear a life preserver and pack a waterproof container with a cell phone and waterproof flashlight or flares. Know how safe your craft is and how to handle your craft. Try to stay out of the shipping lane to avoid being hit or capsized. Keep the shoreline in sight at all times. Try to stay away from break walls so as to not get capsized.  Take a safety course with your local paddles club. I have more safety tips and special non profit blogs on my Val Cares web page. Valerie Bomberger ABR, AHWD Re/Max Harbor Country.
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