Ocean County Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little, Liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health, said, “With the warm weather we are finally getting, many people are taking the time to do many outside chores that could not be done in the cold weather. According to the Home Safety Council, there are over 10 million unintentional home injuries in the U.S. per year that result in visits to hospital emergency rooms. These injuries result in over 20,000 deaths per year. Falls and poisonings cause over half of home deaths.”
Daniel Regenye, Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) Public Health Coordinator, said, “Outdoor cleanup includes ladder safety, lawn and garden safety and using chemicals safely. Before you tackle any outside project, make sure you wear comfortable shoes and clothing and if you are going to be working and staying outside, don’t forget your sunscreen and water to drink. If needed, use goggles and masks if you might be breathing in dust or inhaling chemicals. Be kind to your back when cleaning up the yard and ask for help when lifting heavy objects.”
Regenye added, “There is one very important phone number everyone should have by their phone or programmed into their cell phone and that is the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System (NJPIES) at 1-800-222-1222 in case of accidently ingesting or an accidental splash in your eyes of any type of poison or chemical. NJPIES has doctors and pharmacists available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In case of accidentally poisoning, it is imperative that you call NJPIES immediately.
The Ocean County Health Department website at www.ochd.org under BREAKING NEWS, lists Spring Cleaning Safety Tips that include tips on:
•Preventing Falls
•Ladder Safety
•Back Safety
•Lawn and Garden Safety
•Using Chemicals Safely
•Cleaning Up Brush, Shrubs, and Debris in Your Yard Safely
•Water Safety in Your Yard
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