Easter will look a little different this year as we all follow instructions from local Government bodies to stay at home.
This means that you may find yourself, more than ever, doing odd jobs around the home that you have been putting off. And while normally we would also be planning to catch up with family and friends, we now must look for other solutions to stay in touch.
Here are our top tips for staying safe, physically and mentally this Easter break:
Staying in touch
It is so important that we stay connected with family, friends and loved ones. We are lucky that we have access to many digital devices and tools to help us stay in touch with loved ones, virtually!
Our top tip is to always encourage video calls. If friends and family have a tablet or smartphone, you can use apps such as Skype, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, all of which do video calls. If video isn’t available, then a telephone call is always there!
Don’t forget grandparents in aged care facilities too. Many are probably feeling very isolated right now, so plan a call and maybe get the kids involved in making an Easter card to send in the post.
Staying safe while getting your odd jobs done
At Programmed, we believe that all safety related incidents and injuries can be prevented. With proper planning and care, you can get all your tasks done around the house and avoid common dangers.
Heights
Whether you’re cleaning the gutters, pruning trees or painting, always protect yourself against falls. If using a ladder, make sure that the ladder has secure footing, is tied off, supported and that you always maintain three points of contact.
Job planning
Before undertaking any DIY jobs, stop and think about what could go wrong and the best way to do the job safely. Take five minutes to ask yourself the following questions before starting the task:
- what are we about to do?
- what could go wrong?
- how are we protected?
If involving members of your household, make sure everybody understands what the job involves and the tasks that they are responsible for.
Tools and equipment
Before using any tools, equipment or home appliances, check that there has been no damage or deterioration since they were last used and that no parts are missing (i.e. guards).
If you don’t have the correct tool for a job that needs to be done, don’t improvise by using tools for purposes that they’re not designed. This significantly increases the risk of injury! Wait until a time where you can get the right tool to do the job safely.
Also, make sure you know how the tool works and the safest way to operate it. If you have borrowed equipment from someone, make sure they give you the operating instructions and ask them to explain any safety features.
When using electrical equipment, always turn off the equipment at the wall outlet before accessing any moving parts or removing the supply lead.
Housekeeping
When doing your house work, think carefully about where you are placing items on the floor or areas where people will be walking around.
Keep floors clear of rubbish, toys and cords to prevent slips, trips and falls.
Consider what could be dangerous to children and ensure these items are placed well out of reach.
Manual handling
Many of our daily activities involve manual handling, especially when cleaning or doing work around the house. Be mindful of the size and weight of any items you are shifting around.
Ask a family member in your household to give you a hand if you can. Don’t try and move large, awkward or heavy items on your own.
Programmed is a leading Staffing and Maintenance organisation, providing staffing, professional, technical, training and maintenance services across Australia and New Zealand with more than 20,000 employees supporting industry.
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