Keep Your Home Disaster Free

Tips for a Disaster-Free Home

 

A home promises comfort and security, an escape from the hectic world. Unfortunately, it can also be the place where you are most likely to get injured.

So what can be done to disaster-proof your home? These tips will help improve safety in every room of your home.

Kitchen:
Household chemicals, which are often stored under the kitchen sink, are burn and poison hazards.  You can greatly decrease accidents to children and pets by installing child safety locks. Also, be prepared. Keep telephone numbers for poison control and the emergency room nearby.
To reduce your risk of food poisoning, always wash your hands, cutting boards, the sink and countertops with soap and water after working with raw meat.

Bathroom:
Falls in showers and bathtubs and on slippery tiles are the major causes of bathroom injuries. Prevent slips by utilizing rubber bath mats and floor rugs and keeping floors dry. Handle bars in tubs, showers and near toilets will also reduce the number of falls that occur.
Water and electricity have never been, and will never be, a healthy mix. Decrease the opportunity for electrical shocks by not using curling irons, hair dryers, or shavers near water-filled sinks or tubs.

Bedroom:
Falls are also very common in bedrooms. De-clutter walkways, hide phone and electrical chords and soften the edges of furniture to reduce injuries. Increasing the amount of light that enters your room will also help.
Infants spend an abundant amount of time sleeping during the first year of life so it's important to childproof the bedroom. Baby beds should not have sharp edges, soft pillows, stuffed animals or bumper pads, and cribs should be certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. Prevent furniture from toppling onto climbing children by securing pieces to a wall.

Backyard:
Drowning is the second cause of unintentional death in children. And most of those deaths happen in swimming pools and open water. Reduce chances of children and pets drowning by surrounding your pool with a fence. Repairing broken suction entrapments and drain covers will stop deaths as well.
Lawnmowers are another potentially dangerous backyard item. Cuts to hands and feet and eye injuries can happen in a matter of seconds. Make it a habit to wear closed-toe shoes and pick up sticks, stones and toys before mowing. Also, don't take children for joyrides on ride mowers.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Safe Kids Campaign

Forward March...Into Physical Fitness!

 

It's the last day of May, and we have one more Employee to Spotlight in honor of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month...

Meet Anisa, a Physician Assistant in San Antonio who serves our country as a Captain in the Army Reserves. 

Hello Captain!

  1. What sport/activity do you currently participate in? Since when? How often?

I keep active and healthy by doing Sanchin Karate, 2-3 times a week. I also run 2 miles, 2-3 times a week and lift weights for toning.

 2.     How and why did you get started in this sport/activity?

   I just started this Sanchin Karate 3 weeks ago, but I have done martial arts for over 17 years. I have trained in Korean Taekwondo and Kakuto Bushido Karate.  I began my love of martial arts in high school and kept training since then, on and off. I have been to many sparing competitions, including the Texas State Karate Tournament, where I received a second place in Katas (forms).

 3.      Do you follow a special diet?  

   My diet consist of making healthy choices and no beef or pork products.

4.  What one or two things do you currently do in your training that are keys to your success? 

    Consistency and self motivation are key to success. I have many first place trophies that prove this is true. 

5. What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?

 Being a busy professional and single mother, are my biggest challenge. I just make working out a priority and   having a set schedule for Karate training, helps me with that.
 

  6.   Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by?

My motto: life is too short, so live it well. 

7. What was the best advice you were ever given related to your sport/activity?  

 Best advice: You never stop learning in Karate, just focus on doing your best.

8.  How many times in the last year have you been to see a physician, and why?
  Let's just say my dental bills are much higher then my medical bills. (Ha, ha!)

9.  Anything else you’d like to share?

 Keeping a healthy lifestyle is not that hard. You just have make the right choices when eating and sweat a few times a week. :) 

How many people can say they are a certified karate machine?

 A little tidbit, Anisa has almost 8 years of service with the Army Reserves; including one 12 month deployment to Afghanistan in 2010.

Thank you for being a model of fitness and for serving our country Anisa...We salute you!

Work it Out!

 

 Employee Spotlight!! Our Spotlight Employees for the month of May are in honor of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. They are sharing how they stay fit and active!

Meet Brandy...an Industrial Director in our Texas Region.

This lady rocks!

 1. What sport/activity do you currently participate in? Since when? How often?

I participate in fitness training, 10 years, 2xs a week now

 2.      How and why did you get started in this sport/activity?

A love for the human anatomy, health, fitness and happy lifestyle

 3.      Do you follow a special diet? 

Diet is moderation, protein, fruit, dairy, veggies, carbs

4.  What one or two things do you currently do in your training that are keys to your success? 

Currently in endurance training and plyometrics (i change it up though)

 5.      What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?

Biggest challenge is TIME! as a single mom with sole custody of an active son who is in competitive sports, AAU Basketball and a competitive swimmer, with a full time career that requires a lot of time and attention, I try to stay focused and balanced on the "musts" in life. When its time to work, you work, when its time to work-out, you work-out! Keep it simple, like Nike says, Just Do It.

 6.      Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by?

"Keep it simple, Just do it!"

7.      What was the best advice you were ever given related to your sport/activity? 

You get back what you put in. What you focus on expands. The end result is the one you created!

8.      How many times in the last year have you been to see a physician, and why?

Been to Physician once this year, for my annual check-up.

9.      Anything else you’d like to share?

...Nova rocks! :) lol!

 Way to go Brandy!! You are...an inspiration. :-)

 

Feelin' the Heat! - National Heat Awareness Day

May 24th is Heat Awareness Day. Considering the harmful effects of extreme heat, it is important that we understand the dangers of extreme heat, and how to avoid overexposure. Here are some tips on how to avoid heat stress during the hot summer days.

 

Heat Stress

Working in a hot environment or having exposure to extreme heat puts you at risk of becoming a victim of heat stress.  Heat Stress is very common in workers who are over exposed and not properly trained on the prevention methods. Providing your workers with up to date training can be beneficial to their health and production on the jobsite.

Types of Heat Stress

·         Heat Stroke

·         Heat Exhaustion

·         Heat Syncope (Fainting spell)

·         Heat Cramps

·         Heat Rash

Symptoms of Heat Stress

·         Hallucinations

·         Throbbing Headache

·         Confusion/dizziness

·         Slurred speech

·         Nausea

·         High Body temperature

·         Loss of consciousness

·         Muscle pain or spasms

·         Skin irritation caused by sweating excessively

·         Hot dry skin

Preventative recommendations

·        Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathing clothing

·        Gradually build up to work in the hot environment

·        Plan heavy work for the coolest part of the day

·        Take frequent breaks, if possible

·        Drink water frequently to stay hydrated

·        Avoid alcohol and drinks with high amounts of sugar or caffeine

To find out more information and tips on Heat Stress, visit OSHA’s website at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatstress/.

For more information about Nova Medical Centers

Visit our website at https://www.n-o-v-a.com.

Let's Get Physical!

Employee Spotlight! We are continuing to recognize our wonderful employees who stay active and fit in honor of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.

Meet Peter...Market Director of Physical Therapy for our Southwest TX Region.

The Running Man

So, Peter....

1. What sport/activity do you currently participate in? Since when? How often?

       Running, Lift weights. Run 24 miles/week and lift weights 3x per week.

2.      How and why did you get started in this sport/activity?

       I started 2 years ago to lose weight and feel better.

3.      Do you follow a special diet?  

      I did South Beach Diet for a while and now I eat a protein-rich, low carb diet.

                                                                                        

4.  What one or two things do you currently do in your training that are keys to your success? 

      Key thing is not to start skipping workouts. I do a variety of weight lifting activities to avoid boredom. 

5.      What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?

     My biggest challenge is to find time. Especially when I travel to other clinics. I get up at 4:30 AM to make sure I get workouts done before work.

6.      Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by?

     Work Hard. Play Hard.

7.      What was the best advice you were ever given related to your sport/activity? 

      Avoid Injury. Work out in moderation and respect your limitations.

8.      How many times in the last year have you been to see a physician, and why?

     None.

9.      Anything else you’d like to share?

      Physical Fitness is one of the few things in life you can control. For many years I spent too much time working and did not make time for myself, or my health. It's important to balance your life and make physical activity part of every day.

 

 We couldn't have said it better ourselves Peter!

 

Next week, one of our amazing sales team members shares her views on fitness...and life.