Issue Date: June 29, 2008
Take precautions to avoid accidents
Chain saw memories: A painful incident underscores safety suggestions.
By Dr. Tedd Mitchell
Recently, a family friend reminded me of an incident with a chain saw that occurred when I was in college, and she suggested I write an article on how to safely use power tools. After pondering it, I realized she was right -- we all (especially the guys!) need reminders about the importance of safety when knocking around outdoors.
Accidents are the No. 1 cause of death for young adults.
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I grew up in a household with three brothers, and there weren't many projects my family didn't tackle. One summer, a tree began to lean dangerously toward my parents' home, so Dad needed it cut down. He wanted more manpower for the job, but only two of us were available. My brother and I were both in a hurry(it was late in the afternoon, and we had evening plans). Rushing to get the chore over with, we quickly grabbed the chain saw, recruited my grandfather from next door and hustled out to the tree. Against the better judgment of my dad and grandfather, my brother and I assured them that we were all the help needed for the job. By the time it was all over, my brother had chain saw cuts on both legs, and we learned some valuable lessons about not taking shortcuts with safety.
Accidents are the leading cause of death for people younger than 45 and continue to be a major cause of death for people of all ages. When most of us think about "good health," we think about preventing heart disease, cholesterol and high blood pressure. We don't usually think about preventing accidents when we use garden tools or cross the street, but we need to pay attention to these safety issues as well.
So what can we do to make sure that as we bust, bang and build things this summer, we avoid the pitfalls the Mitchell boys experienced? Check out the advice (see box) from the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Summertime is great for taking care of household projects that have lingered over the winter. This is a nice way to stay active, both physically and mentally. But don't let a simple summer chore wind up being an emergency room visit. For more summer safety tips from the American College of Emergency Physicians, visit acep.org.
Contributing Editor Tedd Mitchell, M.D., is president of Dallas' Cooper Clinic. He writes HealthSmart every week.
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POWER TOOL TIPS
1. Maintain tools in properworking condition. Regularly inspect them, and immediately repair anything that is broken.
2. Use only tool attachments authorized by the manufacturer.
3. Never remove the safety guard from a power tool.
4. Store power tools in locked cabinets or drawers between uses.
5. Concentrate on the job at hand when using power equipment.
6. When using cutting tools, aim the sharp edge away from your body.
-- American College of Emergency Physicians
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