Dwindling daylight, cooler temperatures, and aesthetically pleasing palate of reds, oranges and browns — autumn is all about cold breezes and magnificent colors. It marks the end of the blazing summer and welcomes hot cocoa and bonfire nights.
Autumn is a season of transition — from the scorching heat of the summer to the quiet calm of winter. The chlorophyll breaks down, the greens disappear, giving the trees and plants a chance to reveal their orange splendor.
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People start retreating indoors as the unexpected cold weather strikes. The short chilly nights drive you to crank up the furnace. All these charms come with some hazards too.
The combination of fewer hours of daylight with unpredictable weather leads to many accidents each year.
The roads can get slippery.
Your insulation can cause the furnace to work hard.
The gutters can get choked up due to debris and leaves.
Autumn brings its own share of risks with it.
You may want to reevaluate the safety practices to ensure nice and safe autumn.
It’s not just about the indoors.
The soothing weather of fall entices us to go outside, enjoy the scenery, celebrate Halloween and thanksgiving before rolling into winter and Christmas.
Here are a few fall season safety tips that you should keep in mind:
Fall Season Safety Tips
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Falling Leaves Are Not Always Good
The orange-yellow hues do look good from afar, but they pose serious risks. The leaves can pile up, choke the drainage, block the driveway, and whatnot. Moreover, these leaves are notoriously slippery and can cause falls. According to the CDC, 3 million older people are treated for fall injuries each year in emergency departments. More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling, usually by falling sideways.
Silent Beacon is one of the best fall detection devices out there. Senior citizens or anyone can keep it with them when going for a stroll in autumn. In case of a fall, just tap the panic button, and Silent Beacon will send out an alert and real-time GPS location to all your loved ones.
If you are thinking of burning these pesky leaves, think again! According to Environmental Protection Agency, burning leaves produces dangerous and cancer-causing chemicals. If you still decide to burn them, make sure you’re doing it far away from the house while wearing a protective mask.
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Same Roads, More Risks
Autumn means less daylight. It starts to get darker earlier and makes it difficult for people who already struggle with low-light visibility. Even when there’s enough light, the sun glare can hamper proper visibility for a few seconds after exposure. You can collide with the incoming traffic or even the pedestrians. Make sure you’re using your headlights correctly at night and have sunglasses on during the day.
Also, keep an emergency kit for your car in case your car stops working in the middle of nowhere. Silent Beacon can help you out in such a scenario. The fall safety app paired up with the panic button itself will send out an alert to your friends and family along with your precise location. Someone can come and help you out.
If it rains or snows, keep a safe distance behind the car in front of you and maintain a slow speed. Falling leaves can also limit your visibility, so be careful about that.
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Inspect The Furnace
You don’t want your heating system to break down during a chilly night, right? Contact a technician before turning on the furnace. It has been idle all summer long and might have developed some issues.
A flawless furnace is only good if the insulation is top-notch. If not, your HVAC will struggle to keep the temperature at the specified level, resulting in higher energy bills. Autumn is the perfect time to double-check everything.
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Autumn Workplace Safety Tips
Leaves, wet roads, and whatnot — all these pose serious workplace safety risks. Here’s a list of autumn workplace safety tips that help you stay safe during the season:
- Make sure the smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits are in good condition.
- You might be required to use a ladder outside. The road/pavement should not be wet or covered with leaves.
- Keep walkways clear of leaves, snow, and leaves.
- The work vehicles should be ready for winter.
- According to the National Candle Association, almost 10,000 home fires start with improper candle use. Never leave burning candles unattended, especially if your work involves some sort of flammable materials.
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Other Autumn Safety Tips
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- Clean your chimney and fireplace.
- Wrap indoor pipes.
- Stock up on supplies.
- Keep the backyard and driveway clear.
- Use caution with space heaters.
- Be prepared for unexpected cold weather.
- Wash your hands constantly to avoid catching the flu or cold.
- Keep extra safety precautions during Halloween.
- Take caution walking down the street.
- Always keep the Silent Beacon panic button nearby.
