4th of July Holiday: Play It Safe - Injuries from fireworks a major concern for the week

(MADISON) – The 4^th of July and fireworks just go together. With the holiday weekend approaching this is a great time to remember the dangers of fireworks which can cause serious injuries and death if not property used.

·            In 2010, 15,500 fires were stared by fireworks resulting in eight deaths and $36 million in direct property damage.

·            Doctors  treated 8,800 fireworks-related injuries in U.S. hospital emergency rooms

·            52% of fireworks injures were burns

·            21% of injuries were contusions and lacerations

·            39% of those victims were under the age of 15.

·            65% of the injured were males.

·            Sparklers, fountains and novelties accounted for 43% of emergency room injuries. 

·            Sparkers are designed to throw off showers of hot sparks with temperatures exceeding 1200 degrees.

 (Courtesy National Fire Protection Association)

But you can protect yourself and your family by knowing these simple facts and tips:

·            NEVER allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. 

·            Adults igniting the fireworks should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework.

·            Only buy fireworks from reliable sellers.

·            Use fireworks only outdoors.

·            Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.

·            Always have water handy (a garden hose or a bucket).

·            Light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from buildings, dry leaves and flammable materials.

·            Light only one firework at a time.

·            Never throw or point fireworks at other people or animals.

·            Keep your pets indoors to reduce the risk that they will run loose and get injured. Many animals have very sensitive ears and can be stressed or frightened due to the lighting of fireworks.

  

The best advice, leave the fireworks displays to trained professionals. Then sit back and “ohhh…ahhh” as you enjoy the show.

Lightning Safety Awareness Week, June 24-30, 2012 - “When Thunder Roars…Go Indoors!”

(MADISON) – Each year more than 400 people are struck by lightning in the United States.  An average of 54 people are killed and hundreds of others suffer lifelong pain and permanent neurological disabilities.  In Wisconsin we have had 23 lightning deaths since 1982. You can protect yourself and your family by knowing these simple lightning safety facts and tips:

·            If you hear thunder, you are in danger.  Don’t be fooled by blue skies.  If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to pose an immediate threat.  Don’t wait, seek shelter immediately.  Remember: When Thunder Roars…Go Indoors!

·            A fully enclosed building with wiring and plumbing offers the best protection.  Sheds, picnic shelters and covered porches DO NOT protect you from lightning.

·            If a building is not available get into a hard-topped metal vehicle and close all the windows.

·            Stay inside a safe building or vehicle for at least 30 minutes after you hear the last clap of thunder.

·            Don’t use a corded phone except in an emergency.  Cordless and cell phones are safe to use.

·            Keep away from electrical equipment and wiring.

·            Because water pipes conduct electricity, don’t take a bath or shower or use other plumbing during a storm.

·            Stay away from isolated tall trees, towers or utility poles.  Lightning tends to strike taller object in an area.

·            Get an Emergency Weather Radio.  It will broadcast the latest forecast for thunderstorms. Remember, any thunderstorm, whether it is severe or not, can produce deadly lightning.

Act fast if someone is struck by lightning:

·            Lightning victims don’t carry an electric charge and are safe to touch and need urgent medical attention. Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death.

·            Call 911 immediately.

·            Give CPR if the person is unresponsive or not breathing.  Use an Automatic External Defibrillator if one is available.

·            If possible, move the victim to a safer place.  Lightning can strike twice.  Don’t be a victim.

Lightning Facts:

·            Lightning occurs in all thunderstorms; each year lightning strikes the United States 25 million times.

·            Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, especially tall isolated objects.

·            Most lightning victims are in open areas or near a tree.

·            The energy from one lightning flash could light a 100-watt light bulb for more than 3 months.

·            The air near a lightning strike is heated to 50,000°F—five times hotter than the surface of the sun!

·            The rapid heating and cooling of the air near the lightning channel causes a shock wave which results in thunder.

Lightning Myths:

·            Myth:  Rubber tires on a car protect you from lightning by insulating you from the ground.

o     Fact:  The metal roof and sides protect you, NOT the rubber tires.  When lightning strikes a vehicle it goes through the metal frame into the ground.  Don’t lean on the vehicle doors during a thunderstorm.

·            Myth:  If trapped outside and lightning is about to strike you should lie flat on the ground.

o     Fact:  Lying flat increases your chance of being hit by a ground current.  If you are caught outside in a thunderstorm keep moving toward a safe shelter.

·            Myth:  If thunderstorms threaten while you are outside playing a game it is OK to finish before seeking shelter.

o     Fact:  Many lighting casualties occur because people do not seek shelter soon enough.  No game is worth death or lifelong injuries.  Seek shelter immediately if you hear thunder.  Adults are responsible for the safety of children.

For additional information about lightning safety and awareness go to http:readywisconsin.wi.gov.  You can also contact your local public health department, county emergency management director or the National Weather Service.

Here is what's playing this week on Eye on Oshkosh...

Be sure to join us starting Monday, June 25 when Cheryl and Dan talk with Oshkosh’s Director of Community Development Allen Davis about the recent growth of business along the Highway 41 corridor. He also updates viewers on the Riverwalk project, City Center Hotel, the CVS Drugstore proposal, and other economic development issues. In the second half, local historian, author and retired history teacher Ron La Point discusses his latest book – the third in a series of compilations about people and businesses that helped put Oshkosh on the map and make it the wonderful city it is today.

In the Oshkosh area, "Eye on Oshkosh" can be seen Mondays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 6 p.m. on local cable access channel 2 (Time Warner Cable). Check with your local cable company or its TV listings for replay times in other, more outlying areas. “Eye on Oshkosh” also may air at times other than just those listed. Check the guide on your cable access channel for other days and times, as well. “Eye on Oshkosh” is copyrighted and any unauthorized copying or use of any portion of the program is strictly prohibited by law.

City to implement Inspection Program for Drinking Water Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention

(Oshkosh, WI.) The City of Oshkosh Department of Public Works / Water Utility Division in conjunction with the Department of Community Development / Inspection Services Division are implementing an expanded drinking water cross connection and backflow prevention inspection program. These inspections are required to keep the drinking water system safe from contaminants and in concert with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Code 810.15 updates on Drinking Water and Backflow Prevention
Inspection requirements.

The Water Utility has contracted with Hydro Designs Inc. (HDI) from New Berlin, WI, to manage the program. At this time the inspections to be performed by HDI will be focused on industrial, commercial and governmental facilities. Letters will be sent out notifying facilities of the upcoming inspection with HDI contact information to allow for scheduling the inspection of each property.

The inspections will look for the possible improper connection of the potable (drinking) water system to a contamination source. These connections could allow a pollutant to be drawn into the drinking water system of a property and also into the public watermains.

Examples of typical cross connections can include boilers, cooling towers, chemical dispensers, beverage dispensers, dishwashers, soap dispensers, laundry sinks and hose faucets.

For residential properties, the inspection program will consist of an informational brochure being mailed out citywide. The brochure will provide information on how a property owner can identify and correct the most commonly found residential drinking water cross connections. For more information on this program please contact City of Oshkosh Plumbing Inspector, Jerry Fabisch at (920) 236-5052.

Police department warns of new email scam

 [Following is a notice from the Oshkosh Police Department that we are happy to share with our readers and viewers. Please exercise caution if you get such a message and pass this along to others so they, too, might be alerted to this scheme.]

FYI,

            Below depicts a new phishing scam to obtain personal information.  If you receive such an e-mail DO NOT CLICK on any links within the e-mail, just delete it.  Please pass this information along to educate others.

Good afternoon,

With intent to assure that accurate information is being sustained on our systems, and to provide you better quality of service; INTUIT INC. has participated in the Internal Revenue Service [IRS] Name and TIN Matching Program.

We have discovered, that your name and/or Social Security Number, that is specified on your account is different from the information on file with the IRS and/or SSA.

In order to review the information on your account, please enter the secure section.

Regards,
INTUIT INC.
Corporate Headquarters
2632 Marine Way
Mountain View, CA 94043