BANG!! Be safe with those fireworks! Safety tips for you and yours

SNAP CRACKLE POP!!!!! POP POP!!  It's 4th of July!  Since the days of John Adams, even before our Declaration of Independence was signed, the idea of celebrating with "illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more" has been our goal.  4th of July is a joyous family time with BBQ, Ice Cream, swimming, games, and fireworks "red glare".


The Consumer Product Safety Commission reminds us that fireworks can cause serious burns and injuries.  No one wants to spend their "family day" in the hospital!  So please be safe!




The National Council on Fireworks Safety offers some good and common sense safety tips for using consumer fireworks that should be heeded.

• Closely supervise children and teens if they are using fireworks.
• Do not allow young children to handle or use fireworks.
• Only use Fireworks outdoors.
• Have water ready to douse any fires.
• Read the caution label on your fireworks before lighting them.
• Obey local laws. Fireworks may be illegal where you live..
• Don't drink and light fireworks at the same time --- this is a bad mixture!
• Wear safety glasses.
• Only light one firework at a time.
• Never relight a “dud” firework.  Soak it in a bucket of water to be sure it is truly extinguished.
• Never use homemade fireworks!
• Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to your local fire or police department.
• Always soak used fireworks in water before disposing of.

Have fun!!  and remember, as your Trusted Choice Insurance Agent, SouthGroup Insurance Gulf Coast wants you to know you can call on us with your questions or concerns seeking more helpful advice or answers to your pressing insurance questions. A full insurance review is always your best bet to make sure you have all of the adequate coverage for your personal insurance needs. Remember, we offer a personalized insurance review to anyone who is interested at no charge – just visit any one of our 3 convenient coastal locations!

We are your LOCAL Trusted Choice Advisors, SouthGroup-Gulf Coast http://www.southgroupgulfcoast.com ,  SALES AND SERVICE AGENTS: Angelyn Treutel Zeringue, Tammy Garfield, Tammy Hogue, Brittany Jones, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel, Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, Michael Reso, Mark Strickland, and Whitney Zimmerman at SouthGroup Gulf Coast. You can reach us by snail-mail or in person: 412 Hwy 90, Suite 6, Bay St Louis MS 39520, email: atreutel@southgroup.net , phone: 228-466-4498 fax:888-415-8922,  FaceBook www.facebook.com/southgroup.gulfcoast, or Twitter www.twitter.com/atreutel !

We have 3 Gulf Coast locations to serve you - 2505 Pass Road - Biloxi, 5400 Indian Hill-Diamondhead, and 412 Hwy 90 Suite 6-Bay Saint Louis, MS. We write coverage in 40 different states and can assist you with Mississippi insurance, Louisiana insurance, and Alabama insurance and many other states. Insurance is stressful, but we make saving easy.  We help you save money on insurance!  

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY-BE COOL!

The predicted weather for the MS Gulf Coast during this holiday weekend shows the average temperature around 86. Couple that with the humidity factor, and we're looking at some serious heat! It's the price we pay to live in such a fantastic place, but we need to all practice simple safety measures to avoid heat related illness such as exhaustion or heat stroke.

The number one rule is to stay hydrated. Don't wait to drink until you are thirsty or active, stay hydrated regardless. Avoid alcoholic beverages or sugary drinks as these usually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also avoid very cold drinks because this can cause cramps. If you are active outdoors during peak hours, doctors recommend you drink at least 32 ounces of cool water or sports beverages such as Gatorade every hour that you are outdoors.

When dressing to be in hot conditions keep your attire light weight, light colored and loose fitting. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and SPF 15 or higher sun block.

Consider the well being of your loved ones and pets by checking regularly on infants and young children outdoors as well as the elderly or handicapped. Prepare outdoor pets with abundant water to drink and shady places to rest. Never leave a person or animal in a closed vehicle. Each year, dozens of children and pets left in parked vehicles die from hyperthermia. Hyperthermia is an acute condition that occurs when the body absorbs more heat than it can handle. Studies have shown that the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rapidly rise to a dangerous level for children, pets and even adults. Leaving the windows slightly open does not significantly decrease the heating rate.

Heat-Related Illness Symptoms and First Aid

HEAT CRAMPS

Symptoms:


Painful muscle cramps and spasms usually in legs and abdomen


Heavy sweating


First Aid:


Apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gentle massage to relieve spasm.


Give sips of water, if nausea occurs, discontinue water

HEAT EXHAUSTION

Symptoms:


Heavy sweating


Weakness


Cool, pale, clammy skin


Weak pulse


Possible muscle cramps


Dizziness


Nausea and vomiting


Fainting


Normal temperature possible


First Aid:


Move person to a cooler environment


Remove or loosen clothing


Apply cool, wet cloths


Fan or move victim to air conditioned room


Offer sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue water. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.

HEAT STROKE (or sunstroke)

Symptoms:


Altered mental state


Possible throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, shallow breathing


High body temperature (106°F or higher)


Skin may be hot and dry, or patient may be sweating


Rapid pulse


Possible unconsciousness


First Aid:


Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Summon emergency medical assistance or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Delay can be fatal.


Move the victim to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, environment


Reduce body temperature with a water mister and fan or sponging


Use fan if heat index temperatures are below the high 90s


Use extreme caution


If temperature rises again, repeat process


Do NOT give fluids

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July and stay healthy all summer long!

If you are on the Gulf Coast, contact your Trusted Choice agent, SouthGroup-Gulf Coast http://www.southgroupgulfcoast.com / , SERVICE TEAM: Angelyn Treutel, Tammy Garfield, Dawn Garza, Tammy Hogue, Brittany Jones, Wendy Johnson, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel, Susan Monti, Kayleigh Davis, Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, and Whitney Zimmerman at SouthGroup Gulf Coast. You can reach us by snail-mail: 412 Hwy 90, Suite 6, Bay St Louis MS 39520, email: atreutel@southgroup.net , phone:228-466-4498, fax:888-415-8922,

FaceBook www.facebook.com/southgroup.gulfcoast , or Twitter www.twitter.com/atreutel ! We now have 3 locations to serve you - 2505 Pass Road - Biloxi, 5400 Indian Hill-Diamondhead, and 412 Hwy 90 Ste 6-Bay Saint Louis, MS.

Thanks to Susan Monti for her words of wisdom!

It's Fireworks Time - Don't Get Burned!

 

 

Fireworks are a fun and a great addition to any celebration, but particularly the 4th of July. According to fireworksafety.com, however, fireworks result in nearly 10,000 injuries every year! The most common fireworks that cause injury are firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles, fountains and other items not actually legal in many states. 

Did you know on Independence Day in a typical year, more fires are reported in the United States than on any other day, and fireworks account for statistically 2 out of 5 of those fires?

Celebrations often include alcoholic beverages. The Fire Safety Council recommends drinking alcohol should wait until after fireworks activities. Nearly 50% of incidents involving fireworks are coupled with alcohol.

Here are some useful tips that can be overlooked when people are using fireworks.

• Be sure to read the instructions on the package before using them. The design and/ or instructions for fireworks you may have used in the past could have changed.




• Have a designated, experienced person or team to organize and shoot fireworks.


Parents and caretakers should always closely supervise children if they are using fireworks and should not allow small children to handle fireworks




• Fireworks should only be used outdoors.


Always have water ready if you are shooting fireworks.


Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.




Wear safety glasses whenever using fireworks.




• Never relight a "dud" firework.　 Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.




• Soak spent fireworks with water before placing them in an outdoor garbage can.




• Never attempt to alter or modify consumer fireworks and use them only in the manner in which they were intended.


Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department.


Be aware of your surroundings when shooting fireworks by avoiding dry brush areas and keeping the spectators at a safe distance


Never point or shot fireworks in the direction of a person, animal or home


Light one firework at a time

In 2011, fireworks caused an estimated 17,800 reported fires including 1,200 total structural fires, 400 vehicle fires and 16,300 other fires. These fires resulted in an estimated 8 reported deaths, 40 reported injuries and an estimated $32 million in direct property damage.

Remember to make smart decisions when using fireworks and take proper precautions. If someone is injured by fireworks or a fire is started, contact 911 immediately for assistance.

Southgroup Insurance Services wishes all of you a safe and happy 4th of July holiday!

 

If you are on the Gulf Coast, contact your Trusted Choice agent, SouthGroup-Gulf Coast http://www.southgroupgulfcoast.com / , SERVICE TEAM: Angelyn Treutel, Tammy Garfield, Dawn Garza, Tammy Hogue, Brittany Jones, Wendy Johnson, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel, Susan Monti, Kayleigh Davis, Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, and Whitney Zimmerman at SouthGroup Gulf Coast. You can reach us by snail-mail: 412 Hwy 90, Suite 6, Bay St Louis MS 39520, email: atreutel@southgroup.net , phone:228-466-4498, fax:888-415-8922,

FaceBook www.facebook.com/southgroup.gulfcoast , or Twitter www.twitter.com/atreutel ! We now have 3 locations to serve you - 2505 Pass Road - Biloxi, 5400 Indian Hill-Diamondhead, and 412 Hwy 90 Ste 6-Bay Saint Louis, MS.

Thanks to Susan Monti for her words of wisdom!