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September 2004

Table of contents:

1. Age-Related Changes in the Aging Workforce
2. Safety for Halloween Trick-or-Treaters
3. Think Safe! - Family Safety at Home

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Age-Related Changes in the Aging Workforce

It is no secret that the aging workforce is growing with employees working longer and retaining part-time jobs after retirement. This age demographic known as the baby boomers is one of the largest growing working populations in the US. As this age demographic increases employers are faced with risks not solely associated with age, but with age comes physiological changes that may require special considerations to the aging worker to minimize risks associated with work related injuries and rehabilitation.

As we age, the benefits of regular physical activity can be most relevant in avoiding, reducing, and/or reversing many of the physical, psychological, and social hazards which often accompany advancing age. These beneficial effects apply to most individuals regardless of health status and/or disease state.

Physical activity is defined as all movements in everyday life, including work, activities of daily living, recreation, exercise, and sporting activities. The following physiological changes occur with the natural aging process. It is paramount that employers not discriminate against the aging workers, but accommodate their workplace to accompany known age related changes that could increase work related injuries. The human lifecycle goes through changes as we age and with time each of our structural system in our body is affected.

Listed below are some of the human systems, age related changes and suggested workplace recommendations to accommodate these employees. By addressing these changes, employers can proactively implement changes to the workplace to minimize / prevent work related injuries and create a safer working environment.

For further workplace specific evaluation / recommendations & stretching programs please contact CIS Onsite for an onsite evaluation by one of our qualified therapists.

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Safety for Halloween Trick-or-Treaters

Costumes

• When purchasing costumes, masks, beards and wigs, look for flame- resistant fabrics such as nylon or polyester, or look for the label "Flame Resistant." Flame-resistant fabrics will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. To minimize the risk of contact with candles and other fire sources, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.
• Purchase or make costumes that are light, bright and clearly visible to motorists.
• For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights. Bags or sacks also should be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle and sporting goods stores.
• Children should carry flashlights to see and be seen.
• Costumes should fit well and not drag on the ground to guard against trips and falls.
• Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes. Oversized high heels are not a good idea.
• Tie hats and scarves securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes and obstructing vision.
• If your child wears a mask, make sure it fits securely, provides adequate ventilation, and has eye holes large enough to allow full vision.
• Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be made of soft, flexible materials.

Treats

• Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has examined them carefully for evidence of tampering.
• Carefully examine any toys or novelty items received by trick-or- treaters under three years of age. Do not allow young children to have any items that are small enough to present a choking hazard or that have small parts or components that could separate during use and present a choking hazard.

Decorations

• Keep candles and jack-o'-lanterns away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame.
• Remove obstacles from lawns, steps and porches when expecting trick- or- treaters.
• Indoors, keep candles and jack-o'-lanterns away from curtains, decorations and other combustibles that could be ignited. Do not leave burning candles unattended.
• Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory. Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets.
• Don't overload extension cords.

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Think Safe! - Family Safety at Home

Steer Clear of Fires Equip your home with at least one smoke detector on every floor. Replace the batteries at least twice a year and test your smoke detectors on a monthly basis. Keep fire extinguishers in the kitchen, near the furnace and anywhere else you think a fire could potentially start.

• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• In case of fire, plan an escape route from each area of the house. Draw maps of the escape routes and practice them on a regular basis with your family.

Bypass Burns

• Store matches, as well as lighters, in a fire-resistant container out of the reach of children.
• Do not use matches or lighters in front of children.
• Never leave a burning cigarette unattended.
• Do not hold a lit match, cigarette or hot drink while holding a child.
• Use safety caps to cover all wall outlets to prevent your children from putting anything into them.
• Secure loose electrical cords, so that toddlers will not chew on-or trip over-them.

Avoid Falls

• Keep floors and stairways clear of toys, coats, shoes and bookbags.
• Always have a rubber mat or slip-resistant stickers in children's bathtubs to avoid slippery bath time falls.
• Keep windows closed and locked when small children are present - the National Safety Council recommends that unguarded windows be opened no more than five inches, so that small children will not be able to crawl out.
• Never let children play unsupervised on a balcony or high porch.

Poison Prevention

• Keep medication bottles tightly closed and out of the reach of children.
• Use childproof latches to keep children from opening cabinets and drawers containing hazardous household products.
• Keep poisonous cleaning materials capped even while using them. It only takes a few seconds for toddlers to swallow poison.
• Hang coats and purses of visitors out of the reach of children. Loose medication may be in the pockets of a coat or a purse.
• Remember, many household items that you use on a daily basis are harmful or fatal if swallowed. Keep hair spray, perfume, nail polish remover, paint, bleach, kitchen and bathroom cleaners and any other toxic substance capped tightly and out of the reach-and sight-of children at all times!

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