Safe Living
- Community Safety Awards Brochure
- Car Seat Basics
- Safety Seat Chart
- Find A Car Seat Check Up Event
- Safety Seat Ease Of Use Ratings
- NE Safety Seat Laws And Other Resources
- Car Seat Manufacturers
- Locate A NE Car Seat Technician
- Make A Car Seat Appointment With NSC
- Request a Child Passenger Safety Presentation, Check Up Event or Workshop
- Playground Safety Tips
- Snow Shoveling
- Teen Safe Driving Manual
- NOHS Materials Order Form
- Senior Traveling Safety
- 2007 Training Catalog
- 2008 Training Catalog
It seems that, because of the numerous news reports of "accidents", we've become desensitized by the reports. That is, until it happens to us or our kin. When it "hits close to home", we suddenly realize how precious and delicate our lives truly are.
The most important thing you must know is that accidents are preventable.
Like forming (or kicking) a habit, safety is about changing your attitude. It's looking for and eliminating hazards. And because not all accidents can be predicted, it's also "...hoping for the best and planning for the worst." By being Safety PROactive, you'll find your home, the roads, and the community in general CAN be a safer place.
Creating a Safe Environment
Step one in creating a safe environment is finding potentially-dangerous situations and objects. This could be a frayed power cord, chemicals within the reach of children, an unstable extension ladder ...ANYTHING that increases the risk of injury to you or others.
We challenge you and your family to set aside just one hour this week to do a walk-through of your home, looking for safety problems. Grab a clipboard with some paper and pen and do a safety inspection. Consider the three more common causes of home injury: FIRE, FALLS, and POISONINGS.
Once you've identified the hazards in your home (yes, we know you will find some), start taking the necessary actions to remove them. This step is often put off, because of the project time or cost. But, consider the alternatives if you DON'T eliminate the now not-so-hidden hazards!
Preparing for an Emergency
Preparing for an emergency doesn't have to be elaborate - it's as basic as survival. Keep your plan simple and easy to remember/access. The following questions will help you develope an emergency plan for your family to follow in a disaster.
- Do you have a home emergency plan? Does your family practice the plan?
- Does your home have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors?
- Can each member of your family tell you two ways out of your home? If your second way out of a two-story home is a window, do you need a safety ladder? If you live in a high-rise, does your family know and practice two ways out of the building? (Remember that an elevator is never a way out during a fire.)
- Can all members of your family operate the locks, windows and doors for escape?
- Does your family understand to leave or seek shelter when an alarm sounds?
- Does each member of your family know where to go after evacuating your home and NOT to reenter the home?
- Does each member of your family know who to call for help and are the telephone numbers posted?
- In a weather-related emergency, does your family know where to seek shelter?
- Do you have an easily accessible (to adults), fully-stocked first-aid kit?
- Do you have a fire extinguisher and is it serviced?
- Do you encourage family members to take first-aid and CPR classes?
- If needed, do members of your family know how to shut off the water, gas and electricity to your home? (Consider "tagging" the valves for easy recognition)
- Do you have an emergency kit (flashlights, radios, candles, batteries, water, etc.) located in a central area known to all family members?
- If you have pets, have you provided for them in your home emergency plan?
