Month: November 2014

Nov 24, 2014

By: Chelsea Haley, DKI Ventures, LLC

As Thanksgiving approaches, home-cooking becomes more customary in homes throughout the country. With several cooks in the kitchen preparing multiple dishes, various activities going on, and children scattered about, it’s important to take extra precaution.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the number of kitchen fires triples on Thanksgiving Day.

Here are some safety tips to remember while hosting Thanksgiving with family and friends:

Basic Hosting Tips

• Place oven mitts, plastic wrap, plastic spatulas and other flammable materials away from the stovetop.
• Tie back loose hair, and roll up sleeves.
• If children want to help with the meal preparation, be sure to watch them intently. It’s best to give them a project away from the stove and oven, as well as away from sharp utensils.
• Face pot handles away from the edge of the stove, where they can easily be knocked over.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby, or a pan’s lid for easy access to extinguish the fire. Do NOT douse a stovetop fire with water.
• Try using battery-operated candles or non-flame decorations for table centerpieces.

Turkey Safety:

While deep-frying a turkey saves you a sufficient amount of time versus roasting it, it can have additional dangerous repercussions. Given the high rates of snow and rain lately, it is advisable to avoid frying your turkey this year. If snow or rain hits the hot cooking oil, the oil can easily splatter and burn you or others nearby.

If the weather is in your favor, however, follow these simple tips to deep-fry your turkey:

• Place the fryer on a flat and sturdy surface.
• The fryer must be kept outside.
• Keep a safe distance away from flammable materials, buildings, children and pets.
• Ensure your turkey is completely thawed before placing in the fryer.

Once all the excitement has died down, and your friends and family have left for the evening, make sure all appliances (oven, stove, fryer, barbeque) are turned off and all candles are extinguished.

Nov 17, 2014

By: Chelsea Haley, DKI Ventures, LLC

Since most of us rely on our vehicles to transport us to work, school, the grocery store and other places, it’s important to know your environment and prepare your vehicle for the colder weather conditions.

CHECK IT:

• Fluid levels
  • Coolant
  • Engine Oil
  • Transmission Fluid
  • Brake Fluid
  • Power Steering Fluid
  • Windshield Fluid
• Battery
• Thermostat
• Defroster & Heater
• Tires
  • Buy winter tires or chains that fit your current tires.
  • Check the tread.
  • Check your air pressure (based on your vehicle).
• Brakes
• Lights (including your hazards)
• Exhaust System
• Fuel and Air Filters
• Windshield wipers

PREPARE:

Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle at all times. Include the following:

• Ice Scraper
• Road Salt or Cat Litter
• Flashlight (with extra batteries)
• Rope
• Jumper Cables
• Emergency Flares
• Matches
• Pocket knife
• Water
• Non-Perishable Snack Food
• Blankets and Warm Socks
• Tool Kit
• First Aid Kit (Band-Aids, Medications, etc.)
• Brightly-Colored Flag or Shirt

DRIVE SAFELY

• Allow plenty of space between you and the car in front of you. Your tires will be more slippery on the wet grounds, and may take longer than usual to stop your vehicle.
• Brake Gently
• Use your lights. Fog, rain and snow can impact your visibility.
• Keep your lights and windshield clean.

Also check out:

• National Safety Council
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Nov 3, 2014

By: Chelsea Haley, DKI Ventures, LLC

Happy November! Time to bundle up in those cozy scarves and jackets, drink hot cocoa and gorge on hearty, homemade meals. Before you get too comfortable, though, it’s also the perfect time to winterize your homes and offices.

Here are some tips to ensure your buildings remain draft-free, which will increase the temperature indoors, as well as, save you money! Who doesn’t like the sound of that?

Check weather reports               

Stay up to date with daily and weekly weather conditions. This will help you prepare and be able to inform your employees, in case it’s best to work from home.

Keep emergency supplies on hand

You should have a backup electric generator, in case your office loses power. However, if you need to use this, do so outside of the building to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Also have on hand:

• Flashlights
• First aid kit
• Water and food
• Blankets
• Road salt
• Batter-operated radio

Check drafty areas

Re-apply caulking around windows and doors. You can also use weather stripping to prevent a draft. Buy or make your own draft guards for underneath your doors to prevent heat from escaping.

Change your air filters

Get your air and heating units checked, and replace the filters to improve the air flow.

Turn down your thermostats

The US Department of Energy says you can save as much as one percent on your energy bill for every degree you lower your thermostat during the winter. Just make sure not to lower it too much, because if you get cold, it will take more energy to raise the temperature.