Print On Your Department Letterhead

For more information, contact: (Your PIO’s Name and Telephone Number)

After the Storm:
(Your Town/City) Residents Urged to
Guard Against Storm Clean-Up Injuries

(Date) – The (Your Fire Department) is urging (Your Town/City) residents to guard against injuries this fall when tackling storm clean-ups and other outdoor projects. According to the nonprofit Home Safety Council (HSC), yard and garden chores put families especially at risk for falls and poisoning – the two leading causes of unintentional home injury in America.

“We recommend families follow the simple suggestions provided by the Home Safety Council,” says (Your Spokesperson/Your Fire Department). “Just by taking a few basic precautions, (Your Town/City) residents can make their fall clean-up projects a lot safer.”

Post-Storm Safety

• Listen to Radio or TV reports to learn when it is safe to venture outside after a storm. Stay away from any areas that officials close.
• Stay well away from downed wires. Keep children and pets away. Report downed wires to the power company.
• Leave electrical, gas line, and structural work to the pros. Tackle only those smaller jobs for which you are qualified.

Yard Work Safety

• Stay focused when using sharp and powerful tools such as chainsaws and clippers. Wear safety glasses, gloves and work boots. Wear ear protection when using loud tools.
• Keep children inside or well away from the area if you are using power tools.
• Never let children play with or ride on tractor mowers. All power tools should be “off limits” to young children.
• Refuel power tools outside, when the engine is cool, and well away from any sparks, flames or heat sources. Properly clean up any spilled gasoline.
• Garden tools such as rakes, spades, forks, pruning clippers, files and metal plant stakes should not be left lying around when not in use. Store these with sharp points aiming down.

Safer Garage and Yard Clean-Up

• When cleaning out the garage or shed, keep stairs, steps, landings and all floors clear of clutter.
• Carry loads you can see over, and keep one hand free to hold banisters or railings.
• If you need to climb, use a stepladder or safety ladder. When using a ladder, stand at or below the highest safe standing level. For a stepladder, the safe standing level is the second rung from the top, and for an extension ladder, it's the fourth rung from the top. Before using, make sure the rungs are dry and the ladder is securely positioned on a flat surface.
• If you use large buckets while cleaning, be aware they present a serious drowning danger to young children. Never leave a bucket or any standing water unattended. Store all buckets and barrels empty and upside-down.
• Follow safety recommendations when using harsh products, such as wearing gloves and masks. Do not mix products together because their contents could react with dangerous results.
• Store chemicals, pesticides and herbicides in original containers, on high shelves or inside locked cabinets, out of the reach of children.
• Store only a small amount of gasoline in the garage. Never bring gasoline indoors and do not use gasoline as a cleaning solvent. Because its vapors can readily ignite, it is too dangerous to use gasoline for any purpose other than as a motor fuel.
• When organizing garage supplies, read all product labels carefully and separate those that say “Caution,” “Warning” or “Danger” on them. Lock these up, out of sight and reach of young children.

The Home Safety Council offers families free injury prevention tips on its Web site (www.homesafetycouncil.org).