Volume 2
SMJUSD
October 2014
Safety Newsletter
Bloodborne Pathogens
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Bloodborne Pathogens
2
Emergency Preparedness
2
Fire Extinguishers
2
Fire Prevention Week
3
Causes of Fire
3
Test your Batteries
3
Backpack Drive!
4
Bloodborne pathogens
are infectious
microorganisms present
in the blood that can
cause disease in humans.
These pathogens
include, but are not
limited to, hepatitis B
virus (HBV), hepatitis C
virus (HCV), and the
human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV).
In a school setting,
thegreatest risk of
exposure is through
direct contact with
blood of an infected
person. Exposure
occurs when an
individual’s broken skin
or mucous membrane
contacts the blood or
blood contaminated
body fluid of an
infected person. In case
of an exposure incident,
immediately wash the
skin area exposed to
body fluids with soap
and water. If the
exposure is to the eye,
nose or mouth, flush
with water for 15
minutes.
Report the incident to
your supervisor
immediately.
Hand Hygiene
Good Hand Hygiene is
single most effective
method of preventing
infectious disease. After
removing your soiled
gloves make sure you
wash your hands with
soap and water.
Handwashing is like a
"do-it-yourself" vaccine—
it involves five simple and
effective steps (Wet,
Lather, Scrub, Rinse,
Dry).
Regular handwashing is
one of the best ways to
remove germs.
Global Handwashing
Day is October 15th!
Safety New sletter
Page 2
HCV, HBV, and HIV
HCV
HBV
HIV
75-85% of infected people
develop a chronic (long term)
infection
50-100 times more infectious
than HIV
CDC estimates approx.
50,000 people in the U.S. are
newly infected each year
Can live on environmental
surfaces for 16 hours to 4
days
“Soap and water go
hand in hand.”
Can live on environmental
surfaces (e.g., table tops) up
to seven days
Vaccinations are available
3.2 million people infected in
the U.S. – most are unaware
Does not survive well outside
the body
No cure or vaccine – only
treatments to slow the virus
No cure or vaccine – only
treatments to slow the virus
Emergency Preparedness
Man-made and natural hazards
occur routinely in the United
States. On average, nearly 70
Federal disaster declarations
are issued annually. It is
important to identify and learn
about the hazards most likely to
occur in your community.
Make a plan with your family.
Here are some key points:
Determine the safest course of
action and/or escape.
Stay informed. Know how your
community alerts citizens.
Plan for your family’s comfort
during disasters. Prepare a kit
that can accommodate your
family’s needs for up to 72
hours. Don’t forget a kit for the
car too.
Fire Extinguishers





To operate a fire
extinguisher, remember
the word PASS:
- Pull the pin. Hold the
extinguisher with the nozzle
pointing away from you,
and release the locking
mechanism.
- Aim low. Point the
extinguisher at the base of
the fire.
- Squeeze the lever slowly
and evenly.
- Sweep the nozzle from
side-to-side.
Know how to keep in touch.
Phone systems may go down. It
is sometimes easier to call a
family member out of state or
to send text messages.
For help putting together kits,
go to:
www.nsc.org/safety_home/
emergency preparedness
Page 3
Safety New sletter
Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 5- Oct. 11

Home fires



In 2011, U.S. fire
departments responded to
370,000 home structure fires.
These fires caused 13,910

civilian injuries, 2,520 civilian
deaths, $6.9 billion in direct
damage.

On average, seven
people died in U.S. home
fires per day from 2007 to
2011.
Smoking materials
Cooking is the

leading cause home fires and
home fire injuries, followed
heating equipment.
Smoking is a
leading cause of civilian
home fire deaths.
During 2007-2011
smoking materials caused an
estimated 17,900 home
structure fires, resulting in
580 deaths, 1,280 injuries
and $509 million in direct
property damage, per year.
Most fatal fires kill
one or two people. In 2012, 8
home fires killed five or more
people resulting in a total of
44 deaths.
Causes of Fire
Candles: The top three
days for home candle fires
are Christmas, New Year's
Day and Christmas Eve.
Heating The peak months
for home heating fires are
December, January and
February.
Smoking Smoking
materials (i.e.,
cigarettes, cigars, pipes,
etc.) are the leading
cause of fire deaths in
the United States
Portable generators The
most common dangers with
portable generators are
carbon monoxide (CO)
poisoning, electrical shock,
and fire hazards.
Dryers and washing
machines The leading
cause of home clothes dryer
and washer fires is failure to
clean them.
Cooking Includes general
cooking safety info, as well
as tips for microwaves,
cooking oil and turkey
Test and Replace Batteries
Check or replace the
batteries in your carbon
monoxide and smoke
detectors twice a year:
when you change your
clocks in the Spring and in
the Fall. Also, remember
to test your detectors
monthly!
Time change:
November 2, 2014
2:00 am
Fall back one hour!
fryers.
For more information on fire
safety and Fire Prevention
Week, go to www.nfpa.org
Page 4
Safety New sletter
Backpack Drive!
We’re on the Web!
www.sanmiguelschools
.org
We are in the beginning
stages of building
emergency backpacks for
all of our classrooms,
libraries, offices and gym!
We are in need of new or
gently used backpacks to
help us launch this
program!
Please make sure all
donations are appropriate
and do not have
inappropriate graphics or
words. You can turn your
backpack into the office.
We are still in need of 40
backpacks!!