At Brandywine, a great deal of work is performed outside in the elements by parts pullers, yard foremen, sales staff, etc. The Summer has just begun even though June had a record 19 days over 90 degrees already! Here re some tips to avoid heat exhaustion and overexposure while working or just being outside during extreme heat:

The higher temperatures associated with summer can quickly break down the body’s normal responses, causing fatigue, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stoke.

During heat illness, the body’s cooling system shuts down and the body temperatures rises. At first, the symptoms of heat exhaustion include thirst, fatigue and some cramping in the legs and abdomen. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can rapidly progress to heat stroke. These more serious symptoms include dizziness, headaches, nausea, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, decreased alertness and a high body temperature. In the most severe cases, internal organs may be damaged, and death may even occur.
The risk of heat illness increases during physical exertion, as well as when certain health conditions, such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease are present. Certain medications, including antihistamines, and those taken for high blood pressure, and liver and kidney conditions also increase the risk as they interfere with your ability to sweat. People 65 and older and the very young are especially vulnerable.

While medical experts agree there is a lot you can do to treat heat related health problems, protection and prevention in the first place is always the best:

• Monitor weather forecasts on TV and radio. These reports describe hot and potentially dangerous weather in terms like ‘heat watch’, ‘heat warning’, ‘heat wave’, or ‘air-quality advisory’.

• Always wear a hat and avoid direct exposure to the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

• Remember to carry a water bottle, especially when travelling or exercising. Dehydration is among the most common heat-related dangers. Be sure to plan strenuous activity early in the morning or evening when it’s cooler.

• If you have a medical condition, such as diabetes, asthma, drug or food allergies, a heart condition, or are taking certain medications, you should wear MedicAlert identification. It informs others about your condition, and reminds you to take necessary precautions.

So, enjoy those long, lazy days of summer. Just remember to take extra care to protect yourself from the heat and follow the hydration tips below.

Keeping Hydrated in Summer Heat
We’ve all experienced it at some point when working out or on the field – fatigue sets in, your mouth feels dry and your legs are heavy. These are all common signs of dehydration.

When an athlete works out, body fluid is lost through sweat. If the fluid lost through sweat is not replaced, dehydration and early fatigue are unavoidable. Losing even 2% of body fluids (less than 3.5 pounds in a 180-pound athlete) can impair performance by increasing fatigue and affecting cognitive skills. Since many athletes lose between 5-8 pounds of sweat during a game, it’s easy for them to become dehydrated if they don’t drink enough to replace what is lost in sweat.

Dehydration can be prevented
When to drink: Drink before you get thirsty. By the time you’re thirsty you are already dehydrated, so it’s important to drink at regular intervals – especially when it is hot outside.

What to drink: Research shows that a lightly flavored beverage with a small amount of sodium encourages people to drink enough to stay hydrated. The combination of flavor and electrolytes in a sports drink like Gatorade provides one of the best choices to help you stay properly hydrated.

What not to drink: During activity, avoid drinks with high sugar content or carbonation because fruit juices, soft drinks and energy drinks are high in sugar which slows fluid absorption by the body.

Everybody have a safe and happy summer!

Storm season is right on our heels. Whether it’s a major thunder storm or hurricane, here are some safety tips to get you through the season.

Pre-season Preparation
• Enter the season prepared.
• Know all evacuation routes if you live close to the coast.
• Make sure your home meets building codes for withstanding hurricanes, and they have storm shutters.
• Have proper tools, supplies, and a first aid kit.
• Have plenty of batteries and flashlights
• Always have plenty of non-perishable foods on hand.

When a Watch or Warning is Issued
• Leave low lying areas.
• Protect windows with plywood boards, or storm shutters.
• Secure outside objects.
• Make sure you have plenty of fuel and water.
• Have several days supply of food and water for each family member.
• If called to evacuate, do so immediately.

Before the Storm
• Be ready to put your plan and preparation into action.
• Pay attention to local weather reports on radio, television, or the internet.
• Have house boarded up, or have storm shutters in place.
• Have plenty of food and water.
• Make sure all your tools, supplies, and first aid kit available for use.
• Have a secure room available.

During the Storm
• Stay in Secure Room.
• Stay away from windows.
• Do not use the phone, or candles.
• Monitor Weather and Civil Service Bulletins on either regular or NOAA radio.
• Have supplies on hand.
• Remain indoors when the eye moves over your area because the storm will resume shortly.

After the Storm
• Make sure that all is definitely clear outside, and the storm has completely passed before going out.
• Report downed power lines, and stay away from them.
• Use stored water and food.
• Be patient. Things will take a while before they get back to normal.

Many of our employees are required to be outside and recently the weather has been wickedly cold and well below normal temperatures. For anyone who has to be outside for any period of time, here are some hints on how to prevent hypothermia:

Step 1
Wear a hat or cover up your head. This is the single most important factor in dressing to avoid hypothermia. The head releases a greater amount of heat than any other part of your body, meaning it should be kept warm. Nothing can stop the head from releasing body heat completely, but a hat will at least reduce the amount of heat released.

Step 2
Keep your clothes dry. It’s always a good idea to remove any wet clothing and replace it with dry, warm clothes. Pack a couple of extra pairs of socks that you can quickly change into should your shoes and socks become wet.

Step 3
Choose special clothing that wicks moisture from the body if you are planning on exercising or spending a long time in cold weather. You can find this clothing at most sporting goods and athletic stores.

Step 4
Choose a windbreaker or other overcoat that can block the wind. Wind can cause you to chill and lose body heat, which may lead to hypothermia.

Step 5
Dress in layers. Several warm layers will not only create insulation for you to stay warm, but will also allow you to remove a layer if you heat up. Silk, nylon and wool are generally believed to provide warmth faster than cotton.

Step 6
Pack you gloves if you plan on being in cold temperatures for long periods of time. Adequate hand coverage can help you avoid hypothermia.

Dress warm and be safe!
Judy McFaden, Safety Director

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT

While there is currently no guarantee that you will never be the victim of identity theft there are methods you can take to both reduce the probability and make you aware of it when it happens. An identity theft shield can be placed on your accounts to notify you of questionable activities.

Reporting Identity Theft - The Steps To Take
Here are the steps you should take if you discover your personal security has been compromised by an identity thief.

1. Report Doubtful Transactions
If you feel that any transaction related to your credit card or bank account, report it immediately. You can use fraud dispute forms available at the bank to state your claim but, if you want the bank to consider your request, you may need to prove that you have been a victim of identity theft. You can submit proof that your signatures have been forged or submit a copy of the police report (see below).

2. Close Effected Accounts
If you find that new accounts have been opened in your name, or there has been unauthorized access to accounts you currently have, close them immediately. Follow up any phone calls to your bank or credit card companies with a letter so that you have a written record of your formally notifying them.

3. Report The Problem To The Police
Credit card companies and banks and will not always often close accounts without a formal affidavit so you should report the identity fraud to the police as soon as possible. Get an affidavit from them to prove the crime has been reported and your accounts compromised.

4. Inform The Credit Rating Agencies
The credit rating agencies should be told about the theft as soon as possible. Creditors will need to contact you before they give loans to anyone approaching them for credit on your behalf. Try to get the fraud alert extended to seven years from the current 90 days. File all credit reports you receive, since it is crucial as evidence to show identity theft.

5. Monitor Your Credit Reports
Keep watching your credit reports for suspicious entries such as accounts you didn’t personally open or credit companies you have had no dealings with.

6. Open New Accounts Securely
Use new personal identification numbers and passwords if you when you open new accounts. Ensure that the passwords are such that someone else cannot guess them.
The above steps will help you close fraudulent accounts and keep further fraud from being committed in your name. Reporting identity theft as soon as you discover it is essential. you should contact the proper authorities immediately.

When Lightening Strikes…

Summer storms are great to watch and the light shows that come along when lightening strikes are awesome, but not only does lightening start fires, it can also kill. Lightening is the second most cause of death, weather wise, right behind flooding and it kills more than hurricanes and tornadoes combined. Believe it or not, lightening can strike from more than ten miles away. What can you do to be safe when lightening strikes?

Go inside a building and stay away from doors, windows and stay off your portable telephone

Stay away from trees – their root system makes them seem like lightening rods

If you have access to a vehicle, get inside the vehicle, close all doors and windows and don’t touch anything metal – if lightening strikes the vehicle, it will go around the vehicle and then into the ground.

If you find yourself without shelter at all, crouch down on the balls of your feet – this will leave very little contact with the ground

Not only is a motto of “Safety First” ideal in preventing injuries or accidents at work, it’s also beneficial for reducing the costs associated with injuries and accidents, leading the company to save on medical dollars.  Why worry about somebody else getting hurt at work?  Injuries affect EVERYBODY at work, from the manager who has to adjust work loads and tasks to the fellow co-worker who has to take up the slack of someone who can’t work due to an injury.  The numbers are staggering!  Overall, it has been estimated that work-related injuries cost between $40 and $45 BILLION, that’s over $1 billion being paid for medical bills and compensaion EVERY WEEK.  We all know accidents and injuries happen – but it is up to YOU to report unsafe work habits if you see any, and to FOCUS every day you are at work to ANTICIPATE  and be ahead of the game by working safely each and every day.  This is important! Since you do the same thing every day, it becomes routine — this is where you might start to experience a “lack of attention”.   Remember, someone you love wants to see you come home every night!

Barbecue season is upon us. This means many people will be enjoying cooking and eating grilled food. It also means people will be injured and thousands of dollars of property damage will result because of carelessness. Even people who use combustible products safely at the worksite will make mistakes and ignore safety practices once they are at home. The following are a few tips we should keep in mind to help us have a safe barbecue season:

• After purchasing a barbecue, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s directions for assembly and use.
• Don’t use your barbecue indoors. Fire and carbon monoxide poisoning are a real threat. Keep the barbecue a safe distance (10 feet) from your house. If there is a fire, you don’t want it to spread to your house.
• Keep your barbecue’s propane tank in an upright position. If it’s not in an upright position, the tanks relief valve may not work properly. Also make sure the burner ports are clear of rust and dirt.
• Check for leaks by putting a soapy solution on the connection of the tank and hoses. Where you see bubbles, tighten the connection. If you can’t stop the bubbles, don’t use the barbecue - it’s leaking propane. Never use a match to check for leaks.
• When lighting a gas barbecue, keep the lid open to avoid gas buildup and light the barbecue as soon as you turn on the gas. Keep your face away from the grill. Make sure the flame is visible from the burner ports.
• A barbecue lighter with a long handle is safer to use than matches. It provides the extra reach that reduces the chance of singed hair or a burn to your body.
• When finished barbecuing, turn off the burner and the tank valve.
• Never use gas to light a charcoal barbecue. Always use barbecue lighter fluid and let it soak for five minutes before lighting. Read and follow the directions on the can.
• Make sure coals are cool before you dispose of them.
• Avoid wearing baggy sleeves when cooking over a barbecue. They could catch fire.
• Remember, the entire barbecue assembly is hot. Keep children away.

Have a safe and happy Summer from Brandywine Auto Parts!

What “Housekeeping” Really Means in the Salvage Business

What exactly is meant by housekeeping?  It means just what it sounds like – in order to avoid slips, trips and falls, the second highest work-related type of industrial accident, dismantlers, yard employees, even salespeople need to make sure that the area they are working in is free from debris, dismantled vehicle parts, sta-dry and other hazards.  Make it a point to look around your work areas several times a day – do you see anything that can be thrown in the dumpster, cleaned up or moved?  Make it a point each and every day to look around your surroundings – see if your area is clean and debris-free so you can make sure your workday will be trip-free!

By Judy McFaden, Safety Director

How do these opposite injuries affect each other?  They have so much in common and here’s how: when you’re injured at home and you can’t come to work, that affects everyone that you work with, greater burdens are placed on them to get the job done with one less team member.  Your family may suffer as a result of your off the job injury because you have potential lost wages and no salary continuation, and every time you go to the doctor you have a hefty co-pay to bear, plus, if you are unable to drive yourself to your doctors appointments, who are you going to get to help you out if your spouse works? Easier said than done to be safe at home all the time, but there are things that can be done both on and off the job that are just common sense.

1. Avoid unsafe acts;
2. Be vigilant in looking for safety hazards;
3. If you see a hazard correct it or, if at work, report it to your supervisor immediately;
4. Make sure you know what constitutes a safety hazard; if you’re unsure, ask;
5. Be an active participant in all safety training sessions at work;
6. While at work, make sure you follow company policies and procedures;
7. Be alert at all times;
8. Always use the proper tools for the right job;
9. Know when and where to use personal protective equipment; just because you’re at home cutting the grass or weed-eating doesn’t mean you don’t have to wear safety glasses or use hearing protection;
10. Look for safer ways to perform tasks and, if you come up with one at work, take some time to discuss with your supervisor.

Remember, you are a valuable member of both teams – your family and to Brandywine, and we all need to be safe for both of them.

None of us likes to get hurt, especially on the job where we might incur lost time. We can’t place enough emphasis on working safely – remember, someone you love wants to see you come home in one piece every night. Let’s start by emphasizing safe work practices that are universal and just plain common sense:

• Regardless of the severity, it is important to report every illness or injury to your supervisor immediately – sometimes small injuries can become big ones.

• Follow good housekeeping rules – this can prevent slips, trips and falls and eliminate fire hazards.

• Never attempt to lift, move or carry something that you know is too heavy for you – ask your team members for assistance when you need it!

• If you ever have a question about safety rules or procedures, ask! This in itself means that you care about your safety and the safety of others around you.

By: Judy McFaden, HR/Safety Director