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TextHealth and Safety Podcast Transcript: Oct. 6, 2010
Hello, and welcome to the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast for Oct. 6, 2010. I’m Jim Person, Fairfax County emergency information officer. Coming up, learn about Fire Prevention Week, domestic violence and animal cruelty, flu season and the LawFit Challenge. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
Oct. 3-9 is Fire Prevention Week. The theme is, “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!,” stressing the importance of smoke alarms and encouraging everyone to take steps to update and maintain their home smoke alarm.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will host Fire Prevention Week Open House, Saturday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at all Fairfax County fire stations. Firefighters and paramedics will have displays and activities emphasizing fire safety, including preventing fires and fire injuries, especially in the home. Residents are encouraged to visit a nearby fire and rescue station to participate in the activities and learn more about fire safety.
Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, nearly 3,000 people die in home fires each year. About two-thirds of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working alarms. In 23 percent of home fire deaths, smoke alarms were present but did not sound. To learn more about fire prevention, visit www.firepreventionweek.org or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr.
In 2009, the Fairfax County Police Department responded to 7,937 calls for service related to domestic violence. Help raise awareness of this important issue by walking in the 4th annual K-9 Krawl 5K; a dog walk to increase awareness of domestic violence and the link to animal cruelty. The K-9 Krawl 5K is Saturday, Oct. 16. Check in is at 8:30 a.m.; the walk begins at 9 a.m. in parking lot C of the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Learn more at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/. Call 703-814-7009 to register or for questions.
Flu season is here! Flu season typically runs October through April. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend an annual flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. Flu vaccine is available now in some local pharmacies. The cost for vaccine may vary by location. The Fairfax County Health Department will also have flu vaccine available by the end of October in its five district offices. Although the World Health Organization has officially declared an end to the H1N1 pandemic, this does not mean that the H1N1 virus has gone away. Flu is a serious illness that can make even healthy children and adults sick. This year, a new universal vaccination recommendation was issued. Everyone over six months of age should get a flu vaccine, especially people who are at high risk such as young children; pregnant women; people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease; and people 65 years and older. People who received 2009 H1N1 vaccine should get another flu vaccine this season. In addition to a flu vaccine, follow these steps year-round to prevent the spread of germs:
- Wash your hands with soap and water often throughout the day.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve, not your hands.
- Stay home from work or school when sick to avoid infecting others.
To learn more about the flu and where to find vaccinations, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu.
Finally, on Oct. 14-16, several Fairfax County Sheriff’s deputies will participate in the LawFit Challenge at George Mason University. Participants from all over the country compete in bench press, sit-ups, sit and reach, pull-ups, push-ups, a run and a work performance test.
That’s it for this edition of the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast, produced by the Fairfax County, Virginia government. Thanks for listening. Additional information about health and safety topics and emergency preparedness may be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov. And remember, if you have a police, fire or medical emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency needs, call 703-691-2131.
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