Using home power tools safely

Hand and power tools are a common part of our everyday lives and are present in nearly every home. These tools help us to easily perform tasks that otherwise would be difficult or impossible. However, these simple tools can be hazardous and have the potential for causing severe injuries when used or maintained improperly. Special attention toward hand and power tool safety is necessary in order to reduce or eliminate these hazards.

• Overloaded sockets. Avoid overloading a socket or an electrical circuit. Fires can occur when overloaded wires become hot.
• Cables. Ensure the cable run is kept well out of the way from the cutting blade. Do not use equipment with a damaged cable.
• RCD. Seriously consider the addition of a circuit breaker.
• Safety Wear. Always wear the appropriate safety equipment for the tool e.g. Goggles, safety gloves, etc. No loose clothing.
• Fingers. Keep finger well clear of any cutting blade. Always use devices such as g-clamps to hold pieces being cut.
• Instructions. Always follow the manufacturers instructions for the tool to be used.

St John

St John Ambulance believes that everyone should learn at least the basic first aid techniques. You may need to use them at any time at home, at school or work or even while you’re travelling. Knowing what to do can make the difference to a person’s recovery and you could even save their life.

St John have developed a new range of first aid courses designed to meet the needs of home or leisure activitities.

Family first aid

This course is for families to learn first aid together. The course covers the same content as Basic first aid and also includes asthma, heart attacks, serious bleeding and burns, anaphylactic shock, seizures and strokes. The course takes six hours.

St John Ambulance, 27 St John’s Lane, London EC1M 4BU. Tel: 08700 10 49 50 · Fax: 08700 10 40 65

Mums in UK encouraged to learn first aid

Mums across the UK are encouraged to learn first aid, according to the St John Ambulance.

Recent research from the charity found that although approximately two million children have accidents every year, seven out of ten parents feel “helpless” in the event of their child sustaining an injury.

According to NHS Direct, children aged between 0-4 years of age are most likely to have an accident in the home, and boys are more at risk than girls.

The Daily Mail also recently reported that 60 per cent of parents in the UK know nothing about first aid.

Sarah Jarman, a spokesperson for St John Ambulance, said: “Of the people surveyed, only 14 per cent had current first aid training. We strongly encourage all parents to learn first aid… we hope many more people will benefit from first aid training.”

She added that knowledge of first aid “can make an immediate and real difference in an emergency” and could help prevent permanent damage or injury.

Why do children have accidents?

Because children are often absorbed in their own immediate interests they can be oblivious to their surroundings. They only have a limited perception of the environment because of their lack of experience or development. They are not aware of the consequences of the many new situations that they encounter daily.

 

Small Stature
This may prevent a child from seeing above an obstruction or being seen by an adult.

 

Inquisitiveness
Curiosity and a spirit of adventure may lead a child into danger.

 

Bravado and Horseplay
Boys are particularly prone to showing off and over reaching their abilities, especially among friends. Many accidents are caused by horseplay involving pushing, shoving and wrestling.

 

Stress
Tensions at home and emotional upsets caused by temper, jealousy and over excitement may cause a child to run blindly into danger. Such action may even be deliberate to seek attention.

 

Inexperience
A child’s interpretation of a situation may be inaccurate and adults looking after small children should be aware not to expect too much of them.

 

Inadequate supervision

Children need constant supervision. Medicines, pills and toxic substances should be locked away and fires and stairs should be guarded.