Safety Tidbits: Click here for this week’s Safety Tidbits containing information about extension cords. Extension cords are used so often we forget about the hazards they pose. These cords carry electricity that can hurt or even kill you, on or off the job. In the home, a teething puppy or toddler may chew on a cord while it is plugged in and get electrocuted – so be aware of the danger. Never run cords under a carpet or rug as they can overheat and cause a fire. On the job, cords may get run over or pinched in a door and suffer internal damage. So be sure to inspect them before each use.
If the cord appears cut or damaged, if bare wires exposed, don’t use it until it is repaired. If the plug has loose wires or the any of the metal prongs are broken or blackened — have it fixed before you use it. Cords that have been runover can have internal damage and short out. Remember jerking a cord from an outlet can damage the cord. Always unplug them carefully, prior to rolling them up. Don’t let them get caught/smashed in doorways; block the door open. Always use a GFCI with an extension cord – it could save a life! And remember the difference between a GFCI and a surge protector – a surge protector may save your equipment… But, IT WON’T SAVE YOUR LIFE!
The Buck Stops Here!
Bill Denby was an outstanding high school basketball player. But, instead of transitioning from high school to college, Billy chose a different route. He enlisted in the armed services. He traded high top tennis shoes and late night games for a drill sergeant and combat boots. After basic training, he was in Vietnam.
He left for the service as one of the most talented basketball players in the country, he returned in a wheel chair. Having lost both legs below the knee when the Jeep he was driving hit a land mine.
Some years later, there was a television commercial featuring technology, products and new materials that DuPont had developed with the help of a double leg amputee. A television commercial aimed at showing off these products pictured a man arriving at a basketball court. He removed his sweat pants to reveal his two artificial legs. Then, this player, Billy Denby, then joined the game.
While Billy lost most of his vertical jump and his quick first step, he could play. In the time between arriving back in the States and the commercial, Denby partnered with DuPont to develop products and new materials that would help others like himself around the world. When asked in an interview how he did it, he responded, “First I learned to walk, then I had to re-invent my life.”
You see, Billy didn’t use the set-backs in his life as an excuse to sit back and let life pass him by… rather, he chose to find a way to make a difference!
He worked with DuPont to develop many variations of prosthetic devices to help others suffering from the loss of limbs. It was his positive attitude and determination to ‘get up’ and ‘do something’ that inspired people who were ready to ‘give up’ in their ‘fight for life’. Countless amputees benefited from Billy’s efforts… because one man chose to make a difference.
The buck stops right here, with each and every one of us, when it comes to making a difference. Sit on the bench or get in the game… the choice is yours! Just remember nobody ever scored from the bench!
Zero Injuries – No one gets hurt!
Safety Wayne
Be thankful for your allotment in an imperfect world. Though better circumstances can be imagined, far worse are nearer misses than you probably care to realize. ―Richelle E. Goodrich
