[Chdiraux-l] FALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 2006 - ALCOAST 528/06 - 031/06

[Chief Director of the Auxiliary Announcement List]

To:   ALAUX
Frm:  CHDIRAUX 
Subj: FALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 2006 - ALCOAST 528/06 - 031/06

1.  FYI:


R 311255Z OCT 06 ZUI ASN-A00304000005 ZYB
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11//
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS //N05100//
ALCOAST   528/06
COMDTNOTE 5100

SUBJ: FALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 2006

1. FALL HAS ARRIVED, AND SO HAVE UNIQUE ACTIVITIES AND CHALLENGES THAT CAN
LEAD TO PERSONAL MISHAPS IF APPROPRIATE RISK MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES ARE NOT
FOLLOWED. INCORPORATE RISK MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES AS YOU ENGAGE IN THESE
ACTIVITIES TO IDENTIFY AND MITIGATE RISK - PUT SAFETY FIRST, ON- AND
OFF-DUTY.

2. READY, SHOOT, AIM - OOPS. THIS MAY SOUND FAR-FETCHED, BUT IF YOU IGNORE
BASIC FIREARM OR BOW SAFETY, THE RISK YOU FAIL TO IDENTIFY CAN LEAD TO
TRAGEDY.

 A. EVERY TIME YOU PICK UP A FIREARM, CHECK FIRST TO SEE IF IT IS LOADED.
ENSURE THAT THE CHAMBER AND MAGAZINE ARE EMPTY AND THAT THE ACTION IS OPEN
UNTIL THE FIREARM IS READY TO BE FIRED. DONT ACCEPT A FIREARM UNTIL SOMEONE
HAS SAFELY SHOWN YOU THAT IT IS UNLOADED.

 B. READ YOUR INSTRUCTION MANUAL BEFORE YOU HANDLE OR USE FIREARMS,
AMMUNITION, BOWS AND ARROWS.

 C. AVOID HORSEPLAY, NEVER CLIMB A FENCE, A TREE OR A LADDER, AND NEVER JUMP
A DITCH OR CROSS-DIFFICULT TERRAIN WITH A LOADED FIREARM OR NOCKED ARROW.

 D. NEVER FACE OR LOOK DOWN THE BARREL FROM THE MUZZLE END. BE SURE THE
AMMUNITION YOU CARRY CORRECTLY MATCHES THE GAUGE OR CALIBER YOU ARE
SHOOTING. ALWAYS CARRY ARROWS IN A PROTECTED COVER OR QUIVER.

 E. LEARN THE PROPER CARRIES - USE THE TWO-HAND CARRY WHENEVER POSSIBLE TO
MAINTAIN THE BEST MUZZLE CONTROL. ALWAYS CARRY HANDGUNS WITH HAMMERS OVER AN
EMPTY CHAMBER OR CYLINDER.

 F. IF YOU FALL, BE SURE TO DISASSEMBLE THE GUN AND CHECK THE BARREL FROM
THE BREECH END FOR OBSTRUCTIONS. CARRY A FIELD CLEANING KIT TO CLEAN THE
FIREARM AS NECESSARY.

 G. WEAR HEARING AND EYE PROTECTION AT ALL TIMES. FIREARM USE CAN RESULT IN
EITHER A GRADUAL LOSS OF HEARING, OR IMMEDIATE DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IF YOUR
EARS ARE NEXT TO A MUZZLE BLAST. VIBRATIONS FROM THE BLAST ARE ALSO ENOUGH
TO CAUSE A LOSS OF HEARING. EYE PROTECTION WILL GUARD AGAINST ESCAPING
GASES, BURNT POWDER (ESPECIALLY IN BLACK POWDER SHOOTING), AND OTHER DEBRIS.

 H. DONT DRINK ALCOHOL OR TAKE DRUGS BEFORE OR WHILE HANDLING FIREARMS OR
BOW AND ARROWS. ALCOHOL AND DRUGS IMPAIR NORMAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL BODY
FUNCTIONS AND AFFECT EMOTIONS, MAKING IT EASIER TO LOSE CONTROL. ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED AT:

HTTP://WWW.USCGBOATING.ORG/SAFETY/METLIFE/HUNTING.HTM

HTTP://WWW.NSSF.ORG/LIT/SAFETYCONS.CFM?AOI=SAFETY

3. FALLING LEAVES. EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN DRIVING ON FALLEN LEAVES,
ESPECIALLY WHEN WET, SINCE IT IS VERY EASY TO LOSE TRACTION. WHEN
CONSIDERING LEAF DISPOSAL, EXERCISE CARE WHEN BURNING, COMPOSTING AND
BAGGING. BURNING POSES THE THREAT OF FIRE, WHICH CAN QUICKLY 
SPREAD, CAUSING DAMAGE TO STRUCTURES AND WOODED AREAS. BURNING ALSO
GENERATES POLLUTANTS SUCH AS CARBON MONOXIDE, NITROGEN OXIDE AND SULFUR
DIOXIDE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO RESPIRATORY ILLNESS, AND AIR AND WATER POLLUTION.
BAGGING CAN BE LABOR INTENSIVE AND MAY RESULT IN OVER EXERTION AND INJURIES.
WHEN POSSIBLE, CONSIDER COMPOSTING AND CHIPPING, BUT EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN
USING MACHINES DESIGNATED TO DO SO. AVOID PARKING IN LEAVES, SINCE CATALYTIC
CONVERTERS ON CARS CAN REACH 1200 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, WHICH IS MORE THAN
SUFFICIENT TO IGNITE LEAVES. FALL IS ALSO A GOOD TIME TO REMOVE ALL TREES
AND LIMBS THAT APPEAR TO BE ROTTED, SO THEY WONT FALL ON PROPERTY OR
PERSONNEL DURING STORMS.

4. LADDER SAFETY. WHETHER PERFORMING JOB TASKS OR CLEARING LEAVES FROM YOUR
GUTTERS, ENSURE YOU HAVE SELECTED THE APPROPRIATE LADDER FOR THE TASKS AT
HAND. METAL LADDERS SHOULD NEVER BE USED AROUND ELECTRICAL LINES - USE ONLY
WOOD OR FIBERGLASS LADDERS. WHEN 
PLACING AN UPRIGHT LADDER AGAINST A STRUCTURE, THE BOTTOM OF THE LADDER
SHOULD BE ONE FOURTH THE LADDER HEIGHT AWAY FROM THAT STRUCTURE (FOR
EXAMPLE, THE BOTTOM OF A TWELVE FOOT LADDER SHOULD BE THREE FEET AWAY FROM
THE STRUCTURE THE LADDER IS LEANING AGAINST). EXTEND THE LADDER AT LEAST
THREE FOOT ABOVE A ROOF TO PROVIDE PROPER ROOF ACCESS. ALWAYS PLACE LADDERS
ON A FLAT, LEVEL SURFACE. IF USING ELECTRICAL CORDS, INSPECT THEM FOR FRAYS,
CUTS OR BROKEN PLUGS BEFORE USE. NEVER CARRY POWER TOOLS UP A LADDER - HAVE
SOMEONE HAND THEM TO YOU. CARRY OTHER TOOLS IN AN APPROPRIATE TOOL POUCH OR
CARRIER.

5. TRICK OR TREAT? WHILE HALLOWEEN BRINGS HAPPINESS AND MEMORIES TO OUR
CHILDREN, IT IS ALSO A TIME FOR INCREASED ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, AND DEATHS.
THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) ESTIMATES THAT THE
NUMBER OF DEATHS AMONG YOUNG PEDESTRIANS BETWEEN 5-14 YEARS OF AGE IS FOUR
TIMES HIGHER ON HALLOWEEN EVENING THAN ON ANY OTHER EVENING OF THE YEAR.
MANY OF THESE HALLOWEEN-RELATED ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES CAN BE PREVENTED. TO
MAKE HALLOWEEN SAFER FOR EVERYONE, CONSIDER TAKING THE FOLLOWING
PRECAUTIONS:

 A. WHEN PURCHASING COSTUMES, MASKS, BEARDS, AND WIGS, LOOK FOR THE LABEL
"FLAME RESISTANT". ALTHOUGH THIS LABEL DOES NOT MEAN THESE ITEMS WONT CATCH
FIRE, IT DOES  INDICATE THE ITEMS WILL RESIST BURNING AND SHOULD EXTINGUISH
QUICKLY ONCE REMOVED FROM THE 
IGNITION SOURCE.

 B. REVIEW TRICK OR TREAT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WITH YOUR CHILDREN. PLACE THE
CHILDS NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER INSIDE A POCKET IN CASE THEY GET
SEPARATED FROM YOUR GROUP.

 C. REMIND CHILDREN NOT TO EAT ANY TREATS UNTIL AN ADULT HAS CAREFULLY
EXAMINED ALL CANDY FOR SIGNS OF TAMPERING, INCLUDING SMALL PINHOLES IN
WRAPPERS AND TORN OR LOOSE PACKAGES. FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN, GET RID OF
CHOKING HAZARDS SUCH AS GUM, PEANUTS, HARD CANDIES, OR SMALL TOYS.

 D. ENSURE CHILDREN CARRY A FLASHLIGHT, STAY ON SIDEWALKS OR WALK ON THE
LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD FACING TRAFFIC IF NO SIDEWALKS EXIST, STAY AWAY FROM
ANIMALS, APPROACH ONLY HOUSES THAT HAVE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON, AND TRICK OR
TREAT WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS.

 E. MOTORISTS SHOULD AVOID ALL UNNECESSARY TRAVEL ON HALLOWEEN EVENING. WHEN
YOU MUST DRIVE, EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION, DRIVE SLOWLY AND BE ALERT TO SMALL
CHILDREN CROSSING STREETS. BE ALERT FOR EXCITED YOUNGSTERS DARTING OUT INTO
TRAFFIC WHOSE VISION MAY BE 
OBSCURED BY MASKS, AND EXERCISE PARTICULAR CARE WHEN BACKING VEHICLES OUT OF
DRIVEWAYS.

 F. AVOID RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH HOUSE-TO-HOUSE VISITS. CONSIDER ORGANIZING A
HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY. SCHOOLS, FIRE FIGHTERS, LIBRARIES, OR CIVIC GROUPS
IN MANY COMMUNITIES ORGANIZE "HAUNTED HOUSES" AND OTHER HALLOWEEN
FESTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES. ADDITIONAL HALLOWEEN SAFETY INFORMATION CAN BE
FOUND AT:

HTTP://WWW.REDCROSS.ORG/SERVICES/HSS/TIPS/OCTOBER/OCTTIPS.HTML

HTTP://WWW.NSC.ORG/LIBRARY/FACTS/HALLOWEEN.HTM

HTTP://WWW.CPSC.GOV/CPSCPUB/PUBS/HALLOW.HTML

6. PRIVATE MOTOR VEHICLES (PMV). PMV MISHAPS CONTINUE TO BE THE NUMBER ONE
KILLER OF CG MEMBERS. IN FY06, WE LOST NINE SHIPMATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE AND
MOTORCYCLE MISHAPS. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY WEEKEND
HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST TRAVELED HOLIDAYS OF THE YEAR. TAKE TIME TO
ENSURE THAT YOUR VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED, AND BE SURE TO CORRECT ANY
MECHANICAL PROBLEMS PRIOR TO YOUR DEPARTURE. ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE HAD
ADEQUATE SLEEP PRIOR TO LONG TRIPS, AND MAKE ROUTINE STOPS ALONG THE WAY TO
KEEP ALERT.  OBEY SPEED LIMITS AND OTHER TRAFFIC SIGNS, ENSURE ALL VEHICLE
OCCUPANTS USE SEAT BELTS AND CHILD RESTRAINT DEVICES, ALLOW ENOUGH TIME FOR
TRAVEL, AND ADJUST TRAVEL TIME AND SPEED FOR THE WEATHER CONDITIONS. DONT
DRIVE AND DRIVE - IF YOU ARE "OVER THE LIMIT", YOU WILL BE "UNDER ARREST."
TAKING THESE SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS WILL HELP ENSURE YOU ARRIVE SAFELY AT YOUR
DESTINATION.

7. MLCS, DOD SAFETY CENTERS AND CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION WEB SITES
HAVE VALUABLE INFORMATION ON OUTDOOR AND RECREATIONAL SAFETY. LINKS TO THESE
SITES CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE "MLC SAFETY/HEALTH", "MILITARY SAFETY" AND
"SAFETY RESOURCES" LINKS ON THE CG SHORE SAFETY DIVISION WEB SITE AT: 

HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/HQ/G-W/G-WK/WKS/SHORE_SAFETY_HOME.HTM.

8. COMMANDING OFFICERS AND OFFICERS-IN-CHARGE ARE ENCOURAGED TO DISSEMINATE
THIS INFORMATION TO UNIT PERSONNEL AT ALL-HANDS SAFETY PRESENTATIONS, AND TO
SHARE IT WITH FAMILY MEMBERS.

9. COMDT (CG-113) POC IS MR. BERT DAVIS AT 202-475-5204.

10. INTERNET RELEASE IS AUTHORIZED.

11. RADM PAUL J. HIGGINS, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND SAFETY, SENDS.

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