This article is from the November issue of the Kansas Country Living magazine.
Hunting is ranked as one of the safer activities when compared with other sports, including baseball, football, basketball and jogging. Over the past 20 years, the number of unintentional firearm fatalities has declined. From 1997 to 2017, the number dropped by 50%, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF.org). Consider getting an electric inspection of your home, especially if it is an older home, or you have never had an inspection.
Hunters should put safety first, as incidents and accidents do happen. Cardiac disease, lacerations and tree-stand accidents are the most common reasons for hunters to visit the emergency room. Be safe out there and follow these guidelines:
•Watch for the warning signs of a heart attack or other life-threatening condition. Hunters may walk far distances while hunting and recovering an animal, which can increase the heart rate and induce heart attacks.
•Wear a full-body harness when in a tree stand to prevent falls that can cause serious injury.
•Check tree stands regularly; they can deteriorate over time.
•Do not lean tree stands against utility poles. Keep them far from overhead power lines.
•Watch for power lines in wooded areas. Make sure they will not be in your line of sight when shooting.
•Write and share a hunting plan. Where will the hunt take place and for how long?
•Keep your cell phone in a pocket rather than in a pack. Take a portable battery charger.
•Know the hunting area. Check boundaries and avoid private land. Survey the area for potential electrical hazards.
•Always carry a first-aid kit.
•Respect firearms: Have the safety on, handle the gun like it is always loaded, always point it away from others and know what and where the target is.
•Do not fire at power lines, insulators or conductor cans. They can drop to the ground and energize your surroundings or cause a fire.
•Wear blaze orange.
To learn more about electrical safety, visit SafeElectricity.org.