Transcript: Health and Safety Podcast

May 1, 2024

Hello, and welcome to the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast. Coming up, learn about bicyclists and car safety, emergency preparedness for small businesses, and picnic food safety. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.

As the warm weather of spring unfolds, cyclists are using our roads more frequently. It’s important to ensure we prioritize safety for everyone, whether you're on two wheels or four. Here are some relevant tips to enhance road safety. For cyclists:

• Visibility is Essential: Wear bright clothing during the day and reflective gear at night. Ensure your bike is equipped with working lights and reflectors.
• Stay Predictable: Signal your intentions clearly and obey all traffic laws. Be mindful of your surroundings and anticipate potential hazards.
• Signal Clearly: Use hand signals to indicate turns and ride predictably to avoid surprises. Make sure to check over your shoulder before making a turn or changing lanes.
• Protect Your Head: Always wear a properly fitted helmet. It's your best defense against serious head injuries in case of a fall or collision.
• Stay Alert: Avoid using distractions like headphones and phones. Stay focused on the road and your surroundings.
• Be Visible and Predictable: Ride in a straight line and use hand signals to indicate turns. Make eye contact with drivers to ensure they see you.

For Drivers:

• Respect the Gap: Give cyclists at least three feet of space when passing. Be patient and wait for a safe opportunity to pass.
• Check Blind Spots: Always scan blind spots for cyclists before making lane changes. Remember to check your mirrors and look over your shoulder.
• Be Patient: Cyclists do not travel as fast as cars. Exercise patience and avoid aggressive maneuvers around them.
• Stay Vigilant: Keep an eye out for cyclists, especially at intersections and during turns. Be mindful of bike lanes and check for cyclists before making a right turn, as they may be riding alongside or approaching from behind.

By following these simple guidelines, we can all contribute to safer roads for everyone. Let's respect each other's space and share the road responsibly in Fairfax County.

Did you know that each month the Department of Emergency Management and Security produces the “Emergency Preparedness” newsletter, and hosts a monthly emergency preparedness webinar. Learn more and sign up for free at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergencymanagement.

National Small Business Week was the week of April 28 – May 4, a time to recognize the importance of small businesses to our economy. It’s equally important to ensure that small businesses are prepared to survive and recover from any possible emergency. Disasters can strike at any time, often without warning, and can have devastating effects on small businesses. From natural disasters like hurricanes and floods to human-caused incidents like cyberattacks, being prepared is crucial for minimizing the impact and ensuring business continuity. If your business is prepared for emergencies, you’ll be in a better position to recover and continue operations should disaster strike. Check out our emergency blog, fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog, for a recent “Prep Tip Tuesday” about emergency preparedness for small business. The post has more information and links to resources for small businesses, including our Department of Emergency Management and Security’s “Business Disaster Resilience Guide” to assist small businesses owners.

While picnics are a fun way to enjoy the outdoors and the warming weather, it’s important to follow proper food safety practices when packing and enjoying your picnic foods. When planning ahead, remember to:

• Keep cold foods cold – Pack foods like deli meats, cheese, salads, etc. in a cooler with ice packs. Keep the cooler out of direct sunlight and don’t open it repeatedly.
• Keep hot foods hot – If bringing hot foods like soups, grilled meats, etc. pack them in insulated containers to keep them above 140°F.
• Prepare food safely – Wash produce, keep raw meats separate from other foods, and follow other basic food prep safety rules.
• Pack utensils and hand wipes – Bring utensils to avoid cross-contamination. Pack moist towelettes for cleaning hands before and after eating.
• Pack food within 2 hours – Don’t prepare food too far in advance. Pack refrigerated items just before leaving home.

Our Health Department has more information on its food safety webpage. Our emergency blog has more on this, including how to transport your food to the picnic, what to do while at the picnic, and what to do with any leftovers. Visit the blog, faifaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog for more details.

Finally, Fairfax County's free alert system sends you important information during an emergency, helps you navigate your commute and shares community information. You can also customize your Fairfax Alerts to receive the information pertinent to you. Don't miss this important information!  Sign up today for Fairfax Alerts at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/alerts.

That’s it for this edition of the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast, produced by the Fairfax County, Va., 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.