Holiday Archives - Medical Association of the State of Alabama

Celebrate Safely this 4th of July!

Posted by admin on July 4, 2017

Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
Know your fireworks; read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
A responsible adult SHOULD supervise all firework activities. Never give fireworks to children.
Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save your alcohol for after the show.
Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.
Use fireworks OUTDOORS in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles.
Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
Always have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby.
Never carry fireworks in your POCKET or shoot them into METAL or GLASS containers.
Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and place in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.
FAA regulations PROHIBIT the possession and transportation of fireworks in your checked baggage or carry-on luggage.
Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department.

Don’t bring your pets to a fireworks display, even a small one.
If fireworks are being used near your home, put your pet in a safe, interior room to avoid exposure to the sound.
Make sure your pet has an identification tag, in case it runs off during a fireworks display.
Never shoot fireworks of any kind (consumer fireworks, sparklers, fountains, etc.) near pets.

Posted in: Holiday

Posted by admin on October 28, 2016

Walk Safely

Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

Trick or Treat with an Adult

Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision.
If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.

Keep Costumes Creative and Safe

Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

Drive Safely

Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.

Carefully Screen ALL Candy and Goodies

Make sure wrappers are secure for all your candy and goodies. If you have any suspicions, you can take your candy to your local police department or hospital to be scanned for any metal pieces. Always trick or treat at the homes of people that you know.

Finally, if the lights are off, no trick or treating! Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Posted in: Holiday