Kitchen – Electric

A shock in the kitchen is a common injury in the kitchen, one that can even prove to be deadly. But, when following set guidelines, they can be prevented.

When unplugging cords, be sure to grasp the plug and not the cord. If you spot a defective plug, or frayed cords, report these to your supervisor. Do not insert too many plugs into one single outlet – this can overload the circuits. Equipment should be grounded with a 3-prong plug or a separate ground wire – check the ground connections on all electrical appliances. If you are operating electrical appliances, be sure that your hands and feet are not in any contact with water. Only clean equipment after you have turned the switch off and have removed the plug from the outlet.

Kitchen – Fire

Thousands upon thousands of kitchen fires are reported each year. To avoid a kitchen fire in your church kitchen, it is important you are well versed in evacuation procedures, tactics to put out small fires, how to use fire extinguishers and how to prevent fires from occurring.

Evacuation Procedures: Plan an escape route that includes at least two fire exits. Know the location of fire alarms. Don’t hesitate to use them in emergencies. Post the telephone numbers of emergency response personnel where you can find them quickly.

How to Put out Small Fires: Extinguish cooking fires by turning off the range, covering the pan, and removing it from the burner. Smother oven fires by closing the oven door and turning off the heat.

Fire Extinguisher Use: Know the location of fire extinguishers and know how to use them. Always leave yourself a clear escape path. Have someone call the 911. (Fire fighting is best handled by trained professionals.) Know the correct type of fire extinguisher to use for each type of fire.

Some Prevention Techniques: Clean range hoods and ducts regularly. Keep convection ovens clean. Keep the range free of spilled fats, sugar, sauces, etc. Clean broiler trays containing grease drippings immediately after use. Store combustible materials away from heat sources. Never take chances! If your safety is threatened, get out quickly!

For more information about how to keep your church kitchen a safe area – view our free church safety manual online. For more information about United Methodist Insurance – give us a call at 1-800-975-5442 or contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you!

Firm Footing

Slips and falls are a common hazard in kitchen areas. That is why it is important to pay special attention to the flooring in your kitchen. To prevent slipping: clean up any dropped food or spilled substances immediately. Be sure that everyone working in the kitchen is wearing properly fitted slip-resistant shoes. Each night, the floor should be thoroughly cleaned with a degreasing agent. If necessary, post a “wet floor” sign to alert others to slippery conditions. Keep all aisles and walkways clear from obstructions. It’s also important to prohibit horse playing and running in the kitchen.

Cuts and Bruises

Cuts and bruises are another common injury that occurs in the kitchen. Here are some guidelines to avoid them:

Knives: Dull knives slip easier than sharp ones, so keep knives sharp. Always choose the proper knife for the job and use a cutting board. Wipe knives clean by moving your cloth from the dull edge to the sharp edge. Cut away from your body, and don’t hack. (Wear cut-resistant gloves, as recommended.) Let falling knives fall, never attempt to catch them! Be sure to store knives in their proper places.

Dishes/Glasses: To avoid breakage, store glasses and cups upside down, never stack them. Don’t pick up several glasses in one hand by inserting your fingers into the glasses. Never put glassware in a sink used for washing pots.

If you do break a glass item: use a broom and dustpan, or a damp paper or cloth to pick up the pieces. Do not use your bare hands to clean up the broken glass. If the glass is in a sink with water, drain the water before trying to remove glass from a sink. Label some paper with the word “glass.” Then wrap the glass in the paper, and discard in the proper receptacle.

Machinery: Machines should only be operated by persons that are trained and authorized. For safe operation, the manufacturer’s instructions should be followed. If you have long hair, a hair net should be worn. Keep all guards on equipment. Turn off the switch, and pull the plug before you clean or adjust equipment. Use special care when operating rotating choppers and vertical cutter mixers. Use a wooden tamper when operating food choppers and meat grinders.

You should always avoid putting your hands inside a garbage disposal. If you must retrieve an object, make sure the power is off! To avoid other possible hazards, don’t forget to: wear gloves, and watch for nails, wires and splinters, if you must handle crates. Use a stiff brush for scrubbing. Steel wool can cause cuts. Wear cut-resistant gloves when cleaning slicers. Remove can lids completely. Pull – don’t push – carts through doorways. Keep the work area clean and orderly.

For more information about kitchen safety in churches – download our free church safety manual here. Tune in next week as we continue to talk about this very important topic – kitchen safety.

Summer is a busy time for many churches. Vacation Bible School, summer camps, book clubs and other outreach events mean more people coming to and through your Methodist church.  More people means an increased risk of injury due to slips, trips and falls. It is important to understand the potential sources of slips, trips and falls so that you and your staff can work to prevent accidental injuries and guarantee the safety of those visiting your church facility. We have listed three of the more common risk areas to be on the lookout for in your church. You can view our full guide on preventing slips, trips and falls in your facility here.

EXTERIOR WALKWAYS

Exterior walkways, such as sidewalks, can pose a serious risk during certain inclement weather. Snow and ice can turn any walkway into a dangerous area for all.  If your church is in a region that receives snow and ice, be sure to have adequate snow and ice removal equipment on hand and have a plan in place for the instance an icy situation arises.

BUILDING ENTRANCES

Entryways are another area where slip and falls frequently occur. It is best to have slip-resistant flooring, such as carpet to provide a safe entrance to your church building. Carpeting will also provide a softer landing in the case of someone falling.  If your entryway is not carpeted, but is tile, hardwood, etc. – it is important to have adequate matting to prevent slip and fall injuries. On rainy days, it is easy for the floors to become wet with people walking in with wet shoes – this is formula for disaster. Mats should meet certain guidelines to fully provide a safe entrance for your church members and visitors. You can find the full list of guidelines here.

STAIRS

As in any building, stairs can be dangerous if not presented properly. To prevent falls, Interior and exterior stairs should have uniform tread riser heights and depths. Tread riser heights should be about 7 inches and tread depths should be about 11 inches. Handrails placed 34″ to 38″ above enclosed steps are essential. Handrails should be on both sides of the steps. Consideration should be given to a separate handrail for small children, which should be placed below the adult rail. Stair-tread surfaces tend to be slippery, especially when wet. Such surfaces should be treated with slip-resistant resurfacing material or with abrasive stripping. Luminous or brightly colored paint could be applied to highlight tread edges or nosings. Adequate lighting should always be provided for both interior and exterior stairs.

For more information about United Methodist Insurance or what you can do provide a safe facility for your church-goers – give us a call at (800) 975-5442 or contact us on the web: www.unitedmethodistinsurance.com.

Besides a daily, cursory examination, a general inspection of the inside and the outside of the facility should be conducted at least monthly and documented. Further, to complete the process, an annual inspection by qualified experts should be conducted.

If leaders and members would take the time to specifically look for obvious hazards and areas of concern, much larger damage could be prevented. Here are those areas that should be a part of every inspection.

• Roof. Someone should carefully do a visual inspection of the roof. Look for cracks, puddles, missing shingles and rotten wood. Always work with another person, and a solid, appropriate ladder to complete the inspection.
• Gutters and downspouts. While inspecting the roof, check for clogged gutters and downspouts. Make sure they are cleaned out. Also check the downspouts and drains on the ground, making sure they are flowing correctly, aimed in the proper direction for safe water flow and not crushed or bent in an incorrect fashion.
• Drainage. Look at the property, especially during a rainstorm. Determine if water is flowing toward or away from buildings. Any water moving toward the building is a problem.
• Walls and chimneys. Take a close look at exterior walls and chimneys. Look for loose bricks, cracked or missing mortar and rotten wood.
• Walking surfaces. Walk the parking lots, sidewalks and stairs. Look for cracks, holes, chips and deterioration.
• Doors and windows. Look around doors and windows for cracked or missing glass, deteriorating frames, or windows and doors that are no longer able to be secured.
• Trees and electrical service. Also look around the grounds for trees and branches that are dead. Do a cursory look at the electrical service into the building. Often it can become exposed or even be a roost for birds.

INSIDE

• Entrances. Entrances should be free from hazards and obstructions. Look also at floor surfaces and lighting.
• Hallways and stairwells. All hallways and stairwells should be free of obstructions. Even lesser-used hallways should be clear, as they may be used for an emergency evacuation route. Make sure steps and railings are secure and there is adequate lighting.
• Doors and windows. Look for cracked and deteriorating windows and doors. Look for signs of water entering through them. Make sure exit doors are marked and are not chained or locked to prevent proper exit.
• Storage areas. Designated storage areas get cluttered. This will often pose a fire hazard. Inspections should also look at hazards such as flammable objects coming in contact with a heat or electrical source.
• Furnace room. Ideally, nothing should be stored anywhere near the furnace. Also, by looking for corrosion on the fittings, leakage, and knowing what the pressure setting should be, will help prevent unexpected leaks or damage.
• Plumbing. The plumbing throughout the facility should be checked. Each restroom and water source should be viewed to determine if there are any leaks.
• Electrical. All electrical outlets should be inspected. Look, not only for obvious damage, but also determine if too many items are plugged into an outlet. Power strips or surge protection devices is advised.  Open all electrical panels in the facility.

Leave the technical inspections to the experts. Annual inspections that include HVAC, electrical, and building contractors, will be money well spent. A combination of daily, monthly and annual inspections, done by the right people, can go a long way toward the prevention of floods, fires, and serious damage.

1)      The toys, furnishing and washrooms should be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis.

2)      There should be proper disposal facilities for soiled diapers, along with safe-handling practices.

3)      First-aid supplies should be readily available in the case of an emergency.

4)      Have procedures in place to avoid disease transmittal from treating wounds.

5)      Cleaning chemicals and other hazardous materials should be kept in a secure and locked area where children are unable to access them.

6)      Use extra care and storage practices when storing supplies such as paint and crayons. These items must also be nontoxic.

7)      Select toys and other play items with special attention to the safety factors, including the amount of supervision needed when children are using those items.

8)      Prepare nutritional meals and snacks with careful attention to proper storing, refrigeration and sanitary practices when handling food and drink items.

Children safety is of the highest concern during church events.  For more information about maintaining a safe and sanitary nursery and classrooms for your church’s summer-time events, download our free, full guide today.

If you’d like to catch up, you can catch the headlines of what has occured here.

You can follow the last two days of proceedings and worship, but accessing the live stream, too.

50 Days of Prayer for Before and During General Conference

United Methodist Church General Conference Website

Follow the General Conference on Your Mobile Device

Follow the General Conference on Facebook

As promised, we’ve collected a number of resources for you:

Emergency Planning for the Elderly and Disabled

Risk Management and Special Events

Church Theft and Burglary

Preventing Lightning Strikes

A few reminders from the webinar:

1) Define what a crisis might look like for your church. Explore together what types of situations, both sudden and smoldering, might impact your church and what it would mean to your ministries.

2) Recruit that communications team and keep them trained!

3) Continually monitor your online and offline channels and add to the channels as new ones are introduced. When a crisis strikes, you want to have every channel outlined, as well as who will access it and what kind of media it will accept (video, 140 characters, photos, etc.).

4) Even when there is no crisis, you should be monitoring what is being said about your church.

5) Ensure your plan is well-integrated with security and operations. All of those things will likely be impacted when a crisis strikes.

6) Keep your congregation informed about your activities – even when there is no crisis! They can be your eyes and ears. They need to know you exist and are there for them.

7) Drill. The first hour after a crisis is reported to you is the most critical. Following the steps we discussed in the webinar, drill your team on how things will happen. Practice makes perfect!

Thank you for attending and we look forward to serving you.

With VBS and other summer camp planning well under way, now is a great time for churches to evaluate their approach to special events.

A church-sponsored retreat, camp, recreational outing, work camp or other travel experience can be a memorable, educational and life-changing event for participants. Groups benefit from strengthened relationships formed and developed between people traveling together. Plans and arrangements are frequently worked out weeks and months prior to these off-site programs, with growing anticipation as the departure date nears. Every group should include in its pre-planning a  risk inventory  to make each outing as safe as possible. In this post, we’ll talk about adult supervision.

ADULT SUPERVISION

Children and youth outings should only occur when an adequate number of qualified adult escorts accompany the group. Always have a minimum of two adult chaperones on any trip. When children in grades 5 to 8 are involved, 1 adult should accompany every 5 to 7 children. Likewise, 1 adult for every 6 to 8 children is appropriate for trips involving youths in grades 9 to 12. Screen all adults who work with youths, including those who volunteer to escort trips. Consistent implementation of pre-trip screening procedures will reduce risk of physical or sexual abuse or misconduct propagated by adult predators. See our Ministry Protection Memos for tips on screening techniques.

When the outings or events involve families, all adults present share responsibility for supervising the children and youth. For the protection of all participants, clearly state the standards, expectations and schedules for group participation and personal behavior during the event. Independent decisions made by individuals or families may place other participants at risk when rules are nonexistent, unknown or disregarded.

Check back for others in this series, including vehicle safety and release forms.

No one wants to hear that, yet the most recent tornado outbreaks across the Midwest and Southeast illustrated how we never know what kind of crisis will arise. Only one thing is certain – eventually something will happen, whether it be man-made or natural disaster.

Will you be ready?

As a local church or ministry, you are often the center of the community, especially in times of crisis. It is the church who steps into the gap after a flood, fire or quake and helps the community to rebuild and to give it hope. Many times, however, the church isn’t prepared for a crisis. That holds particularly true when the crisis is one that originates from within the church itself.

The Crisis Communication Workshop

In this informative workshop, brought to you by United Methodist Insurance, we’ll cover the basics of crisis communication planning with our special guest Lee Brogden Culberson of Professional Mojo. We’ll cover the following key items:

Identifying what is likely to disrupt your church’s activities
Creating a flow of information
Including final decision makers
Creating a Crisis Communication team (and following through)
Knowing your audiences
Creating your communication channels ahead of time
Retraining your congregation
Involving your congregation