Category: Safety Blog

Good morning and Happy Thursday!  As we head into celebrating the Fourth of July, we wanted to share a few last-minute safety snippets on fireworks, swimming, and grilling from the American Heart Association, Consumer Product Safety Commission, NFPA, CDC and RTA Outdoor Living.

We at CA BOCES Health, Safety and Risk Management want to wish you and your families a very enjoyable and safe 4th of July!

Fireworks | CPSC.gov

12 Top Safety Considerations For Outdoor Appliances

Grilling Safety Facts & Resources | NFPA

Guidelines for Keeping Your Pool Safe and Healthy | Healthy Swimming | CDC

Good morning and Happy Thursday!  These have been a very hot topic over the last couple weeks as an item to address over the summer for district safety plans and to prevent damage to school property.  We wanted to give you some resources to help guide decisions as well as what the law actually states regarding them.  The Fire Code and Manual Planning Standards also weigh in to ensure we are not allowing these to be charged or even located in our buildings (See below).

POWERED MICROMOBILITY DEVICES

a. Powered micromobility devices include motorized bicycles, motorized scooters and other recreational mobility devices powered by a lithium-ion or lithium metal battery. The term does not include personal mobility devices ,wheelchairs or mobility scooters) or motor vehicles that are required to be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for the state or jurisdiction.

b. A fire safety plan (in accordance with 2025 NYS Fire Code Section 403.10.6) shall be provided that includes emergency response actions to be taken upon detection of a fire or possible fire involving lithium-ion or lithium metal battery storage.

c. Due to the significant fire hazard of lithium-ion batteries used in powered micromobility devices, school districts must ensure that safety and precautionary measures are in place to uphold a safe learning environment for students and staff. Districts shall be advised of the following:

1. Powered micromobility devices must be parked outside and at least 6 feet from school buildings.

2. Courtyards shall not be used as parking areas for these devices

3. Lithium-ion batteries for these devices are not to be stored or charged inside any school building.

4. These devices may be charged outside of school buildings in compliance with 2025 NYS Fire Code Section 322.4.

5. Fire extinguishers do not work on lithium-ion batteries. In case of a fire, leave the area and call 911.

6. Damaged or unstable batteries shall not be disposed of in the trash. Disposal should be carried out in accordance with the local fire department’s requirements.

New York State E-Bike Laws: Age, Helmets, and Penalties – LegalClarity

 

We wish everyone a safe and successful Graduation Weekend!

Good morning and Happy Friday!  It has been a couple weeks for snippets due to conferences, but these are how we receive updates from our partners across the state and this week’s topic is something we always discuss, Graduation Safety.  The PDF is a checklist from United Educators.  The links are from the School Safety Leadership Journal and Secure Response Strategies.  Enjoy your day and have a great weekend!  Stay safe!

Securing School Graduation Ceremonies

School Event Safety Planning: Graduation & Large Crowd Management

Good morning and Happy Friday!!  This week’s topic is one that we revisit every year as it is not only one of OSHA’s Fatal Four but also causes many fires each year, electrical safety.    This week’s resources are from OSHA, NFPA, and the CDC.  We wish all of you an enjoyable, relaxing and safe Memorial Day weekend!

Electrical Safety in the Workplace | Electrical Safety | CDC

Electrical Safety: Preventing Electrical Hazards and Accidents at Home – StaySafe.org

Good morning and Happy Friday!!  This week’s topic is something that is currently in the legislature and may impact us in the upcoming year.  We are watching this legislation but in the interim, here are some resources regarding Radon.

Radon

Any questions please let us know and have a great Friday and upcoming weekend!

PS: As soon as I get the materials from the DOH Seminar

Good afternoon and Happy Friday!  This month is recognized as National Mental Health Month.  Here are some resources you can utilize to help you and your workers de-stress and improve mental wellness.

Mental Health Month 2026 | Mental Health America

Are we focused on the wrong solutions to mental illness?

Providing Support for Worker Mental Health | Mental Health | CDC

5 ways to improve employee mental health

Enjoy your day and have a great weekend!!

Good morning and Happy Friday!  I like to touch on this topic every few months as we interact with these, without thinking about them, every day.  Also, we are finalizing and updating Safety Plan Templates, and this is a new one: Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Plan.  This would be a good plan to add to your district’s Fire Prevention and/or Building Level Emergency Response Plans.  Here are a couple weblinks for additional resources on this topic.  Enjoy your weekend and stay safe!

Preventing Fire and/or Explosion Injury from Small and Wearable Lithium Better Powered Devicesopens PDF file

Lithium-Ion Battery Safety

Good morning!  We just wanted to be sure you all got the registration flyer, with the link, through the Safety Snippet page as well.  Have a great weekend!

Good morning and Happy Friday!  This week, due to having two over the last month in Cattaraugus County, we felt was a good time to cover tornado safety.  Here is how our counties rank by the greatest number of tornados in New York State: Allegany (12), Cattaraugus (10), Chautauqua (3), and Erie (4).

 

Tornado Preparedness and Response – Response/Recovery | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Tornadoes | Ready.gov

Enjoy your day and have a great weekend!

Good afternoon and Happy Friday!  This week is all things ladders.  This link from Werner has several mini presentations and other information to help us be safer on ladders.  Many ladder injuries simply come from complacency.  Enjoy your day and have a great weekend!

Good morning and Happy Thursday!!  We wanted to give you some pest management resources as now is the time some of them will start coming out and a lot of Integrated Pest Management is prevention.

Cornell Integrated Pest Management | Cornell Integrated Pest Management | CALS

Pesticide Use At Schools And Day Care Centers – NYSDEC

How to Fight Mosquitos Without Chemicals | Natural Control Tips

Information on Pests in Schools and Their Control | US EPA

Enjoy your day and have a great weekend!!

Good morning and Happy Friday!  April is “Digging Safely Month,” so here are some tips and requirements for digging safely.  Have a great and safe weekend!

April is National Safe Digging Month | PHMSAopens WORD file