Make Sure your Fall is Fun, Not Frightful!

Fall is here, which means many things: football, apples, cooler weather, Halloween and leaves! While it is a favorite season for many, it also comes with some safety risks that we didn’t have during the summer months. Enjoy all of the fun that fall has to offer, while taking a few precautions.

Leaves

Autumn leaves are beautiful, but believe it or not, they can also be dangerous. Sharp objects, such as rakes or rocks could be hidden under a pile of leaves. Jumping or walking on these objects could cause serious injury. Also, leaves become very slippery when wet, making it easy to lose your footing when walking, or skid while driving.
Of course, raking leaves can be hard on the body. Prevent injuries while performing autumn yard work with the following tips:

  • Make sure your rake is the appropriate size (not too short, too heavy, etc.)
  • Fill bags only to the point where you can comfortably carry them (do not overfill)
  • Be sure to wear shoes with good traction, particularly if the leaves are wet
  • Avoid using a twisting motion when raking or throwing leaves, as it can stress your back

 

Halloween

Who doesn’t love Halloween? Before dressing your children, or preparing to provide treats to the neighborhood ghouls and goblins, be sure to put safety first. Make sure children can see out of their costumes properly and that they have bright colors or reflective gear so they are visible to cars. Driveways and walkways should be free of tripping hazards and porch lights should be on to allow easy visibility.

Shorter Daylight Hours

Decreased daylight hours are one of autumn’s drawbacks, and often mean that people are commuting to and from work in the dark. Give your car a quick inspection to ensure that all lights are working properly and tires are adequately inflated and have plenty of tread.

The end of Daylight Saving Time is also the perfect time to replace the batteries in smoke detectors.

 

Cooler Weather

While the weather has been quite warm so far this autumn, it can turn cold without warning. Cold weather can lead to frost and black ice. These treacherous conditions can be particularly alarming after being used to the warm weather of the previous months. Extra caution when driving is very important.

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