health and safety podcast: june 30, 2010
DESCRIPTION
Learn about pulling over for emergency vehicles, breaking the grip of the rip, swimming safety, guarding against mosquito bites and pet friendly shelters.TRANSCRIPT
Health and Safety Podcast
June 30, 2010
Topics
June 30, 2010: Pulling over for emergency
vehicles. Breaking the “grip of the rip.” Swimming safety. Guarding against mosquito bites. Pet friendly shelters
Emergency Vehicles
Virginia law requires drivers to give active emergency vehicles space. Slow down and be alert. If there are two or more lanes
available in your direction, and it is safe to do so, move over a lane.
Break the “Grip of the Rip”Rip currents can pull swimmers away
from shore. Check for surf zone forecasts at
weather.gov. Swim at a beach with lifeguard
protection. Look for signs and flags posted to
warn about rip currents.
Break the “Grip of the Rip” Don’t swim against a rip current. Swim in a direction following the
shoreline until you are free. If you are unable to swim out of the
rip current, float or calmly tread water… when out of the current, swim towards the shore.
Never swim alone.
Swimming Safety Learn to swim and teach kids to
float and swim as soon as possible.
Children should alwaysbe supervised in andaround water.
Never swim alone.
Swimming Safety Foam noodles, inflatable water
wings and inner tubes are toys and won’t keep a child safe in the water.
If you want a flotation device that will keep you or a child safe in the water, get a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket and wear it properly.
www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety
Mosquito Bites Turn over or remove containers in
your yard where rainwater collects, such as potted plant trays, buckets or toys.
Empty bird baths once a week. Clean roof gutters and make sure
corrugated drain pipes do not hold water. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fightthebite
Mosquito Bites Eliminate standing water. Standing
water that cannot be drained and lasts longer than a week should be treated with a mosquito larvicide.
Limit exposure to mosquito bites by wearing long, loose and light-colored clothing and using a repellent.
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fightthebite
Pet Friendly Shelters
Pet-friendly shelters orhotels may not beavailable during anemergency, so makealternate housing arrangements in advance.
emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/
Additional Information www.fairfaxcounty.gov www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency
9-1-1 – Emergency police, fire, medical.
703-691-2131 – Non-emergency.