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Holiday Cooking with Care

  News & Updates 

As we prepare for holiday meals, Environmental Health and Safety reminds the campus community to always Cook with Care.

A graphic that lists safety considerations for Holiday Cooking Safety

Please consider the following tips

  • Be alert; if you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the oven or stove top.
  • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.
  • When simmering, baking or roasting, check the food regularly; remain in the kitchen while cooking and use a timer.
  • Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stove top.
  • Have a working kitchen fire extinguisher and know how to use it.

For additional information on cooking safety please visit

Remember, that safety begins between the ears and please make safety a part of your holiday!

 

 

Electrical Fires on Campus

  Fire Safety , ,  

It Could Have Been Much Worse…

A recent campus fire, involving an extension cord, serves as a reminder about the importance of extension cord safety, particularly during the holidays. Luckily, no one was injured in the fire, and only minor damage was sustained. Yet, this fire could have been much worse. The fire is still under review, but preliminary findings point to several key factors.

The cord was:

    • being used as permanent wiring
    • in service for an extended amount of time
    • bound tightly with zip ties
    • covered by or near combustible materials (cardboard)
    • was plugged into a power strip (daisy-chaining)

What Can You Do Now?

As we prepare for the holiday break and the end of semester, recognize that our buildings may be unoccupied for an extended period. Now is a great time to unplug items which will not be used to reduce the risk of fire.

Below are a few important tips to help protect our campus from fire:

  • Use a cord of sufficient length for your need; avoid excessive cord lengths that can create trip and fire hazards.
  • Do not tightly coil or fold cords, as this will restrict energy flow and cause cords to heat up.
  • Never cover an extension cord with a rug, debris or other material which could trap heat, hide cord damage, and provide fuel for a fire.
  • Good housekeeping removes fuel for a fire. Put away materials that could burn.
  • Extension cords are for temporary use only (no greater than 90 days) and shall  be unplugged and put away when not in use.

Download and Share EHS Graphics

 

For additional tips on protecting yourself both on and off campus. Continue reading →

Holiday Safety

  News & Updates , , , ,  

December is a little different this year. Campus is quieter. Gatherings are limited. Nonetheless, the holidays are upon us and there are ways that we can be safer and healthier whether in the workplace or in our homes.

Graphic with a masked person wearing winter clothing. Message reads: Safety begins between the ears. Make safety a part of your holiday. This month EHS would like to remind the campus community to “Make Safety Part of Your Holiday”. We encourage all Vols to practice safe travel, safe decorating, and safe food preparation and storing practices.

Many hazards reveal themselves during the holidays. We grow weary with extra duties and tasks to wrap up the year or prepare for holiday activities. Tiredness alone can affect many aspects of safety. In combination with winter weather, travel can become a challenge. Decorations and decorating can contribute to electrical, fire, or even fall risks. In the kitchen food safety becomes more important when we have an abundance of food and limited places to keep it at safe serving and storing temperatures.

What can you do?

  • Consider downloading and sharing our graphics and messages this month. Graphics can be found in our OneDrive/SharePoint site. These are available to download by any on in the University of Tennessee Community. Some graphics are designed specifically for digital signs.
  • Message are shared through our Facebook page.

Form more safe holiday tips please visit the National Safety Council site for holiday safety.

This month take a moment to ensure that you and those around have a safe and healthy holiday!

 

 

 

 

 

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