Autumn brings one of the most colorful times of the year with leaves and pumpkins littering the ground. The season also brings up safety issues for one's entire family. Nature presents displays in the form of fall leaves that welcome hikers and outdoor adventurers outdoors. Maintenance tasks also need attention during fall. Prepare for the changing weather of the fall to ensure that families are both happy and healthy the whole season long.
Some helpful autumn safety practices:
• Driving Safety. Fall driving safety keeps drivers and passengers safe. Leaves on roadways might become slick, especially after rain. Use caution when driving and braking on leaf-covered roads. The bright sun glaring into windshields makes it difficult to see during fall driving. Wear sunglasses to minimize the glare and slow down if unable to see well. There might also be frost or dew on vehicle windows and roadways during fall mornings.
• Weather Safety. Summer often comes to mind when thinking of sunscreen, but it should also be applied during fall to protect skin from the sun. When hiking or camping, be aware of quickly-changing weather conditions, especially during late fall. Mountain hiking can be particularly dangerous because of the potential for colder temperatures, ice and snow as altitudes get higher. Take along plenty of warm clothing and blankets on camping trips.
• Home Safety. Gutter-cleaning and other outdoor home maintenance projects present the risk of falls. Secure ladders before removing debris from gutters or handling other repairs on or near a roof. Tools should be in proper working order and put away as soon as people are finished with them to prevent injuries. Some homeowners burn leaves or have bonfires in the backyard during the fall months so avoid burning on windy, dry days. A water source nearby helps prevent the fire from spreading if it goes outside of the burning area. Children need to understand the basics of fire safety if they are outdoors during this time.
• Child Safety. A pile full of leaves gives kids a way to enjoy fall, but the leaves also present safety concerns. Piling leaves on the street invites children to play near traffic, leaving them at risk for getting hit by cars. Drivers might not realize a child is present if they are buried in a pile of leaves on the street. Keep leaves in the yard and put rakes away when finished to prevent child injuries.
• Nature Safety. Fall nature experiences also present dangers, especially in areas where hunting is allowed. Hiking outdoors near hunting grounds leaves people at risk for being mistaken for animals. Brightly colored clothing helps hunters distinguish people from animals. Calling out to hunters to identify locations or simply avoiding areas that allow hunting also keep people safe.
• Heating Safety. Mid-fall is the start of the carbon monoxide, or CO, season. This is when people start firing up furnaces, wood burners, space heaters and the like. And when buttoning up homes, shops and garages to keep out drafts, people also seal in carbon monoxide, a silent and odorless killer. To reduce the risk of CO poisoning in homes or shops, conduct a pre-winter inspection of common CO sources, such as furnaces, fireplaces and gas-fired appliances.
Following autumn safety practices gives peace of mind that people are taking proper precautions to keep safe as they enjoy this time of year.
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