Additional Safety Tips

Smoke Alarms for People Who Are Deaf or Hard of HearingSilent Call Device

Working smoke alarms save lives.  However, people who are deaf or hard of hearing may not be able to depend on the traditional smoke alarm to alert them to a fire. 

Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom.  They should also be outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.  For added safety, interconnect all the smoke alarms.  If one sounds, they all sound.  This gives people more time to escape. 

SAFETY TIPSlifetone safety device

  • Smoke alarms and alert devices are available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
  • Strobe lights flash when the smoke alarm sounds.  The lights warn people of a possible fire.
  • When people who are deaf are asleep, a pillow or bed shaker can wake them so they can escape.  The shaker is activated by the sound of a smoke alarm.
  • When people who are hard of hearing are asleep, an alert device that uses a loud, mixed, low-pitched sound can wake them.  They may find a pillow or bed shaker helpful. These devices are triggered by the sound of the smoke alarm.
  • Research the products and find the ones that best fit your needs.Safe Awake Device

WHERE TO FIND EQUIPMENT

Search home improvement store websites or use a general search engine to look for strobe light smoke alarms.  BRK/First Alert, Gentex, and Kidde brands offer this type of smoke alarm.  Find smoke alarm accessories such as pillow or bed shakers, transmitters, and receivers at Lifetone Technology, SafeAwake, and Silent Call Communications.  Choose devices that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory. 

Information provided by the National Fire Protection Assocation.

Electric Bike ChargingE-Bike, E-Scooter and Lithium-Ion Battery Safety

The popularity of electric bikes and electric scooters (e-bikes and e-scooters) has taken off over the past few years.  Lithium-Ion batteries are usually the source of power for both, and if not used correctly, or if damaged, those batteries can catch on fire or explode.  Lithium-Ion batteries also supply power to many other kinds of devices, including smart phones, e-cigarettes, smoke alarms, toys and even cars. There are important safety tips to keep in mind when charging or storing any of these devices.  

The Problem

  • These batteries store a large amount of energy in a small amount of space.  Lithium-Ion battery fires give off toxic gases and they burn extremely hot.
  • Sometimes batteries are not used the right way; batteries not designed for a specific use can be dangerous.  And like any product, a small number of these batteries are defective.  They can overheat, catch fire or explode.Electric Scooter2

Safety Tips

  • Only purchase and use devices, batteries, and charging equipment that are listed by a nationally recognized testing lab and labeled accordingly.  And always follow the instructions from the manufacturer.
  • Only use the battery and the charger that were designed for and came with that device.  Do Not keep charging the device or the device battery after it is fully charged, and only charge ONE device or device battery at a time to prevent overloading the circuit.
  • Keep batteries at room temperature when possible.  Do not charge them at temperatures below 32°F (0°C) or above 105°F (40°C).  Do not store batteries in direct sunlight or inside hot vehicles and keep them away from children and liquids.
  • Store e-bikes, e-scooters and batteries away from exit doors and anything that can get hot or catch fire.
  • Only have device repairs performed by a qualified professional.
  • Do Not put lithium-ion batteries in the trash.  Recycling is always the best option.  Take the batteries to a battery recycling location or contact your local waste department for disposal instructions.
  • When charging an e-bike, make sure to charge the battery in a flat, dry area away from children, direct sunlight, liquids, tripping hazards, and in a location where the e-bike is not at risk of falling.

Signs of a Problem

Stop using the e-bike, e-scooter or any device if you notice any of these problems with the battery:  unusual odor, change in color, too much heat, change in shape, odd noises, leaking, smoking, or not keeping a charge.  If it is safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire. Call 9-1-1.

Heart Attack and Stroke Awareness

Warning Signs of a Heart Attack

Catch the signs early!  Don't wait to get help if you experience any heart attack warning signs.  Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but others start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort.  Pay attention to your body and call 911 if you experience:

- Chest discomfort.  Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back.  It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body.  Symptoms include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

- Shortness of breath.  This can occur with or without chest discomfort.

- Other signs.  Other possible signs include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
Common-Heart-Attack-warning-signs
Symptoms may vary between men and women. As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain (angina) or discomfort. But women may experience other symptoms that are typically less associated with heart attack, such as shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

For more information visit the American Heart Association.

Stroke SymptomsMobile Stroke Unit NW Medicine

   Use the letters in F.A.S.T. to spot a stroke.

* F = Face Drooping - does one side of the face droop or is it numb?  Ask the person to smile.  Is the person's smile uneven?

*A = Arm Weakness - Is one arm weak or numb?  Ask the person to raise both arms.  Does one arm drift downward?

*S = Speech Difficulty - Is speech slurred?

*T = Time to call 911.  Stroke is an emergency.  Every minute counts.  Call 911 immediately.  Note the time when any of the symptoms first appear.

Other stroke symptoms.  Watch for sudden:

+ NUMBNESS or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.

+ CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech.

+ TROUBLE SEEING in one or both eyes.

+ TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

+ SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause.

To learn more about strokes go to the American Stroke Association.