Month: April 2012

Children Poisonings: The Reality

Every day, over 300 children in the United States ages 0 to 19 are treated in an emergency department, and two children die, as a result of being poisoned. It’s not just chemicals in your home marked with clear warning labels that can be dangerous to children.

Prevention Tips

  • Lock them up. Keep medicines and toxic products, such cleaning solutions, in their original packaging where children can’t see or get them.
  • Know the number. Put the nationwide poison control center phone number, 1-800-222-1222, on or near every telephone in your home and program it into your cell phone. Call the poison control center if you think a child has been poisoned but they are awake and alert; they can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 911 if you have a poison emergency and your child has collapsed or is not breathing.
  • Read the label. Follow label directions and read all warnings when giving medicines to children.
  • Don’t keep it if you don’t need it. Safely dispose of unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs and over the counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements. To dispose of medicines, mix them with coffee grounds or kitty litter and throw them away. You can also turn them in at a local take-back program or during National Drug Take-Back events.

via CDC – Injury – Safe Child – Poisoning.

Prevent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Noise Induced Hearing Loss is serious. Some 30 million people are at risk in the workplace, in recreational settings, and at home. In fact, it is the second most self reported work-related illness or injury. Already, 22 million American adults ages 20 to 69 have permanently damaged their hearing from exposure to loud sounds.

via Prevent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Have WISE EARS! for Life! [NIDCD Health Information].

Time for Transparency in Health Care

One of the issues relative to controlling costs in medical expenses is the lack of transparency in health care organizations. When you shop for any other product outside of this category, you can compare prices, whether it is for buying car insurance, homeowners coverage or tires. Why doesn’t health care provide the same opportunity?

Safety at Work is No Accident

To keep employees safe at work takes a plan and commitment to follow it. The National Safety Council model safety management system includes the following nine elements organized into three key performance areas.

Leadership – Management

  • Management leadership and commitment
  • System management and communications
  • Assessments, audits and performance measurements

Technical – Operational

  • Hazard identification and risk reduction
  • Workplace design and engineering
  • Operational processes and procedures

Cultural – Behavioral

  • Worker and management involvement
  • Motivation, behavior and attitudes
  • Training and orientation
Ben Franklin said: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” That’s good advise when it comes to safety.

via: national safety council


The Benefits of Exercise

Health Benefits of Exercise and Physical Activity:

  • Reduce the risk of premature death
  • Reduce the risk of developing and/or dying from heart disease
  • Reduce high blood pressure or the risk of developing high blood pressure
  • Reduce high cholesterol or the risk of developing high cholesterol
  • Reduce the risk of developing colon cancer and breast cancer
  • Reduce the risk of developing diabetes
  • Reduce or maintain body weight or body fat
  • Build and maintain healthy muscles, bones, and joints
  • Reduce depression and anxiety
  • Improve psychological well-being
  • Enhanced work, recreation, and sport performance

Our bodies are designed to move. We need to build exercise into our busy schedules to stay healthy.

Move More – Eat Less – Don’t Smoke

Employee Theft: How to Prevent Instead of Apprehend

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that 75% of all employees steal at least once, and that half of these steal again …and again. The Chamber also reports that one of every three business failures are the direct result of employee theft. Loss Prevention executives responding to the University of Florida National Retail Security Survey attribute 42.7% of their annual shrinkage losses to employee theft. So how can a company prevent this type of unwanted activity? Each industry is different but here are some good overall pointers.

  • Pre-screen employees. For as little as $20 you can check criminal records, credit history or other information. Employers can identify theft patterns, workplace violence issues or previous sexual harassment problems and react accordingly. Addressing these issues before employment begins is much easier than attempting to correct a problem uncovered after the start of employment.
  • Conduct frequent physical inventories. Pilferage is one of the most common forms of internal loss. Reconcile sales to inventory on a quarterly basis, or at least annually, with the help of a third party. Conduct surprise inventories.
  • Separate bookkeeping functions. Misapplication of payments can lead to embezzlement. Do not let the same person who processes checks also manage the accounts receivable records.
  • Personally approve bookkeeping adjustments. Approve any adjustments to the books no matter how slight – even adjustments to correct an error.
  • Control check signers. Limit the number of signatories to yourself and one or two highly trusted assistants. Keep blank checks under lock and key.
  • Review monthly bank statements. Instruct your bank to send the monthly statement directly to you. Review the statement before passing it on to your bookkeeper. This review allows you to spot any improperly executed checks.
  • Tighten up on petty cash. Allow only one or two trusted employees to disburse petty cash. Require that a receipt and a signed voucher be submitted for all petty cash disbursements.
  • Separate buying and bookkeeping. To maintain a system of checks and balances, assign ordering and payment responsibilities to different employees.
  • Watch company credit cards. Require all credit cards be signed out and all credit card expenses be authorized by a purchase order.
  • Document all expense reports. Require strict documentation for all reimbursable expenses incurred by employees. Subject every expense account voucher to a pre-audit review procedure before payment.
  • Have a third party refund policy. Issue refunds only upon the approval of a third party, preferably a trusted assistant.By taking a look at these policies and procedures and making adjustments, companies can avoid a myriad of problems and therefore increase productivity and profitability.

Following these pointers will go a long way in preventing employee theft.

Internet Safety for Kids

The Internet can be a wonderful resource for kids. They can use it to research school reports, communicate with teachers and other kids, and play interactive games. Kids who are old enough to punch in a few letters on the keyboard can literally access the world.But that access can also pose hazards. For example, an 8-year-old might do an online search for “Lego.” But with just one missed keystroke, the word “Legs” is entered instead, and the child may be directed to a slew of websites with a focus on legs — some of which may contain pornographic material.Thats why its important to be aware of what your kids see and hear on the Internet, who they meet, and what they share about themselves online.Just like any safety issue, its wise to talk with your kids about your concerns, take advantage of resources to protect them, and keep a close eye on their activities.

via Internet Safety.

Learn the Signs of a Mental Health Problem

In the workplace, mental health problems manifest in a number of ways. Here are some employee behaviors that may be signs of a mental health problem:

  • Working slowly
  • Missing deadlines
  • Calling in sick frequently
  • Increasing absenteeism
  • Expressing irritability and anger
  • Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
  • Appearing numb or emotionless
  • Withdrawing from work activity
  • Overworking
  • Forgetting directives, procedures and requests
  • Having difficulty with work transitions or changes in routines

These symptoms could also result when an employee has a family member suffering from a mental health problem or other serious health issue. Such situations can sometimes disrupt the employee’s working hours, lead to absences, affect concentration and decrease morale as much as it would if the employee had the mental health problem.

via Mental Health America: What to Do When You Think an Employee May Need Mental Health Help.