Category: Emergency Management

With spring already in full-swing and summer approaching, more motorcyclists are taking to the highways; with that in mind, pedestrians, bicyclists and other motorists should be extra attentive and ‘share the road.’ Motorcycles are one of the smallest vehicles on the road, often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot. Motorists and bicyclists should always make visual checks for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections. Pedestrians
should also scan for motorcyclists who might be hidden by other traffic.

In an effort to aid in raising awareness of Motorcycle Safety Month, Kentucky Emergency Management and the Cynthiana/ Harrison County Emergency Management Agency would like to offer the following tips and information:

Raising Awareness of Motorcyclists for other Motorists.

• Allow motorcycles a full lane. Motorcycles have all of the rights and privileges of any motor vehicle on the road.
• Visually check for motorcycles in mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.
• Signal when turning, merging or changing lanes.
• Be cautious of motorcycle turn signals – they can be misleading. Motorcycle signals are often not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed.
• Leave plenty of space when following motorcycles to give them enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.

General Guidelines for Riding a Motorcycle Safely.

Be Visible

• Remember that motorists often have trouble seeing motorcycles and reacting in time.
• Make sure your headlight works and is on day and night.
• Use reflective strips or decals on your clothing and on your motorcycle.
• Be aware of the blind spots cars and trucks have.
• Flash your brake light when you are slowing down and before stopping.
• If a motorist doesn’t see you, don’t be afraid to use your horn.

Dress Safely

• Wear a quality helmet and eye protection.
• Wear bright clothing and a light colored helmet.
• Wear leather or other thick, protective clothing.
• Choose long sleeves and pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves.
• Remember – the only thing between you and the road is your protective gear.

Apply Effective Mental Strategies

• Constantly search the road for changing conditions.
• Give yourself space and time to respond to other motorists’ actions.
• Give other motorists’ time and space to respond to you.
• Use lane positioning to be seen; ride in the part of the lane where you are the most visible.
• Watch for turning vehicles.
• Signal your next move in advance.
• Avoid weaving between lanes.
• Pretend you are invisible, and ride extra defensively.
• Don’t ride when you are tired or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
• Know and follow the rules of the road, and stick to the speed limit.

Know Your Bike and How to Use It

• Get formal training and take refresher courses.
• Call 800.446.9227 or visit www.msf-usa.org to locate the Motorcycle Safety Foundation hands-on rider course nearest you.
• Practice. Develop your riding techniques before going into heavy traffic. Know how to handle your bike in conditions such as wet or sandy roads, high winds, and uneven surfaces.

Remember: Give yourself space. People driving cars often just don’t see motorcycles. Even when drivers do see you, chances are they’ve never been on a motorcycle and can’t properly judge your speed.

Additional information:

• Kentucky Motorcycle Rider Education Program – http://transportation.ky.gov/driver-licensing/pages/motorcycle-moped-licenses.aspx

The League of American Bicyclists and governments across the nation have declared May as National Bike Month. In recognition of National Bike Month, Kentucky Emergency Management and the Cynthiana/Harrison County Emergency Management Agency would like to offer the following to raise awareness for cycling safety.

Bicycles are classified as vehicles in the Commonwealth, thus giving cyclists many of the same privileges and responsibilities as motorists. Bicycles are allowed to travel on all roads/highways–unless otherwise posted/prohibited–and are required to use proper/designated traffic lanes; on roads/highways where a safe, unobstructed shoulder is available, cyclists may take the the shoulder. Cyclists should ride as far to the right as possible–just as any other “slow-moving” vehicle–as long as road conditions permit; where conditions may be hazardous for the cyclist–such as a sloping or damaged shoulder–cyclists are permitted to take the center of the lane.

Cyclists–like motor vehicles–are required to respect turn lanes; additionally, cyclists are required to use hand signals for turning and braking/slowing (signalling may be forgone when road/riding conditions require the cyclist to have both hands on the handlebars). In the event that a cyclist finds conditions unfavorable/dangerous to make a left-turn, cyclists should cross as a pedestrian at the next available crosswalk.

These rules are important for both the cyclist and the motorist to keep in mind, as we must share the road, and be aware of another’s safety and welfare.

Additonal information:

• Sharing Kentucky’s Roads: KY Laws for Drivers and Bicyclists – http://transportation.ky.gov/Bike-Walk/Documents/Bike%20Law%20Brochure.pdf
• Kentucky Bicycle and Bikeway Commission – http://transportation.ky.gov/Bike-Walk/Pages/Kentucky-Bicycle-and-Bikeway-Commission.aspx
• League of American Bicyclists – http://bikeleague.org

 

 

Spring is here, and the mowing season has begun! Many of us have already pulled our trusted tractors and push-mowers out of the shed; some of us have even had the ability to cut the grass two or three times, while others are just now preparing for yard-work later this week. Since it is such a common activity, there is an unfortunate tendency to view lawn mowing as being less hazardous than it truly is–or can be. The Cynthiana/Harrison County Emergency Management Agency would like to offer the following information as a reminder of some of the dangers that exist, and what methods can be employed to reduce incidence of injury.

The blade on the common lawn mower rotates to provide approximately 52 cuts per second. Translated into feet, the tip of the cutting blade of the mower travels about 300 feet in the same second. This is not an amusing fact. Each year, it is not uncommon to read or hear about the individual’s foot that was caught underneath a walk-behind mower, the person whose eye got hit by an object thrown by a mower, or the child that was backed over by a riding lawn mower. Increasingly, there seem to be more instances of the larger riding lawn tractors overturning and pinning the operator.

Here are a few reminders of techniques for safe operation with a walk-behind mower:

1. READ the owner’s manual – it contains information about your specific mower.
2. Wear proper clothing-close fitting clothes and shoes with toes and traction soles (preferably leather).
3. Eye protection is always recommended.
4. Ear protection will reduce the level of noise heard.
5. Clear the area to be mowed of debris that may be thrown – the same updraft that helps raise the grass for better mowing also helps to pick up objects.
6. Keep children and other bystanders away from the mowing area.
7. Mow in a FORWARD direction – more difficult at times but safer.
8. When mowing on a slope mow ACROSS the slope with a walk-behind mower – this keeps a better distance between you and mower in case of a slip.
9. Wait till the grass is dry before mowing – very difficult to do in years such as this. When the grass is growing rapidly, there is typically more grass left from the previous cutting. This retains moisture and causes slips. This is in addition to the lack of traction normally available on wet grass.
10. ALWAYS shut off the mower before adjusting or clearing clogs.
11. Allow the mower to cool before refueling. Use only approved safety containers to store fuel.

The other considerations that need to be followed with riding mowers, in addition to the above, are:

1. NEVER carry passengers.
2. Remove the ignition key after each use.
3. Use age 10 as a guideline to allow youth to operate riding mowers. It is not until this age that many youths have developed the cognitive and motor abilities needed for safe operation. Even at this age, adult supervision is a necessity. The experience gained by safely and successfully operating a riding lawn mower can provide a solid base for operating larger equipment and vehicles in the future.
4. Use a 15% slope as the maximum to attempt to mow. For a man of 5’8″, this would translate conservatively into three average steps and the height of the knee. If after taking three steps, you have risen more than the height of your knee, the slope is too steep.
5. Keep all safety devices, switches, guards, and shields in place and working.
6. Before dismounting, shut off the engine and allow attachments to stop moving.

Addtional information and media:

Riding Mower Operator Safety – The Toro Company

Riding Mower Rescue – Rescue 911

WARNING: The following video depicts the true story a child becoming injured from falling in the path of a riding mower. Due to the nature of this video, Viewer Discretion is Advised.

Just a friendly reminder that “Trick or Treating” will be on Wednesday, October 31, from 6-8pm for children 12 and under. The weather alert sirens will be set off to announce the beginning and end of the event. Please exercise extreme caution while driving or crossing streets and busy intersections. Parents are encouraged to walk with their children and not follow in a vehicle. Safety is our #1 concern–and it should be yours as well!

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDS

Anytime a child has an accident, it’s tragic. The last thing that you want to happen is for your child to be hurt on a holiday, it would forever live in the minds of the child and the family. There are many ways to keep your child safe at Halloween, when they are more prone to accidents and injuries. The excitement of children and adults at this time of year sometimes makes them forget to be careful. Simple common sense can do a lot to stop any tragedies from happening.

• Help your child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make it fire proof; the eyeholes should be large enough for good peripheral vision.
• If you set jack-o-lanterns on your porch with candles in them, make sure that they are far enough out of the way so that kids’ costumes won’t accidentally be set on fire.
• Make sure that if your child is carrying a prop, such as a scythe, butcher knife or a pitchfork, that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on.
• Kids always want to help with the pumpkin carving. Small children shouldn’t be allowed to use a sharp knife to cut the top or the face. There are many kits available that come with tiny saws that work better then knives and are safer, although they can cut you as well. It’s best to let the kids clean out the pumpkin and draw a face on it, which you can carve for them.
• Treating your kids to a spooky Halloween dinner will make them less likely to eat the candy they collect before you have a chance to check it for them.
• Teaching your kids basic everyday safety such as not getting into cars or talking to strangers, watching both ways before crossing streets and crossing when the lights tell you to, will help make them safer when they are out Trick or Treating.

Make Halloween a fun, safe and happy time for your kids and they’ll carry on the tradition that you taught them to their own families some day!