It’s hard to believe that it is almost the middle of September. Wow are the days just flying by. Students have settled into the school routine. After school activities have begun and yes, even hockey season is back. Cooler mornings and the overheard honking of geese signal that fall is here.

There is sense of urgency by our farmers to get the crop cut and in the bin. With the urgency comes long days, likely longer nights and hopefully no major breakdowns. All that stress might lead to taking a short cut just to get done. For all our farmers and farm families, be sure to get plenty of rest. The stress of harvest might be overwhelming. Know who to call and when to call to get that important help. Please remember to turn equipment off be servicing; keep small children and pets away from large equipment; always share where you are working and a time to expect you back at the house.

Some of you might shrug your shoulders and say what could go wrong with a ladder? How about falling? Seems like a big deal to me! Here are some basic ladder safety tips to consider before stepping up to wash windows, clean eaves or make some house repairs.

Wearing the right gear, helmets, skates, shoulder pads, both for size and fit of the participant, is essential. Make sure that the gear is in good condition, not worn out and not expired. Proper fitting equipment in any sport is essential for safety and reducing, if not preventing, severe injury. Maybe your child has grown over the summer but teach them to take care of their sport equipment. Dropping or kicking a helmet across the garage floor is certainly not taking care of it.

Getting ready for winter ahead, and sadly yes, it is coming, time to get your furnace checked. Simple things you can do like checking the chimney for obstructions and changing the furnace filter are easy things you can do. A high efficiency furnace may require a licensed contractor to ensure its safe operation. Time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Do you have one and we hope more than one? Change the batteries too! Fall is fast approaching – get ready. Have a safe day!

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