Off JobSafetyBooklet

Off-Jo b S af e t y Bookl et
Loss Prevention Department
Copyright 2008, Saudi Aramco. All rights reserved.

Off-Job Safety Booklet
Contents
1. Slips, Trips, and Falls at Home 1
2. Fire Safety 3
3. Electrical Safety 7
4. Accidental Poisoning 10
5. Food Safety 13
6. Choking 15
7. Drowning 17
8. Playground Safety 19
9. Toy Safety 24
10. Sports Safety 26
11. Sun Protection 28
12. Water Safety 35
13. Traffic Safety 39
14. First Aid Basics 45

Slips, Trips, and Falls
at Home
E very year, slips, trips, and falls
result in many off-job injuries;
some of these injuries can be
serious enough to land you in the
emergency room.
Prevent slips, trips, and falls by identifying and correcting the

hazards associated with these incidents.
Start at the front door
Make sure that theres a contrast in

color and texture of flooring to help
accentuate height.
Make a living room livable
Place throw rugs over rug-liners or choose rugs with nonskid

backs to reduce the chance of slipping.
Avoid placing shag rugs, as they can cause falls by getting caught
on shoes.
Arrange furniture so that they provide open pathways, clear of

obstructions.
Avoid having glass tables, which can be especially dangerous

should you trip and fall into one. Instead, choose sturdy wooden
tables with rounded corners.
1
Keep your living room floor tidy

from things you can trip over like
toys, tools, or books.
Secure all telephone and electrical

cords out of walkways.
Step in and out of bathrooms safely
Install handrails near your bath, shower, and toilet.
Use nonslip mats in the bathroom; a bathmat on the floor, and an

appropriate mat or adhesive safety strips or decals in the bathtub
or shower.
Always keep your bathroom floor clean and dry by wiping up wet
floors immediately.
Use a soap dish to keep soap and other items off the bathtub or
shower floor.
Remove soap buildup regularly from bathtubs or showers to

prevent slipping.
Keep the kitchen safe for

cooking
Wipe up spills immediately.
Always use appropriate

stepladders or stools when
reaching items stored in high
cabinets or on high shelves.
2
Going up or down the stairs
safely
Keep staircases well-lit with light

switches installed at the top and the
bottom.
Ensure that handrails are installed on

all stairways and steps.
Install safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs if you have
small children.
Keep stairways clear of clutter and never use the stairs as

temporary storage or for displaying decorative items.
Avoid placing throw rugs at the top, bottom, or on the staircase.
Make sure all rugs have skid-resistant backing and the edges are
held down with carpet tape.
Check your stairs regularly for worn or loose carpeting or

protruding carpet tacks, and to ensure that all steps are in good
condition.
Install antislip tread if your steps have a smooth surface, to
provide safer traction.
Always hold onto handrails when going up or down the stairs.
Avoid carrying vision blocking loads. Carry a small enough load

so you can see where you are stepping and to easily keep one
hand free to hold onto the handrail.
Always remember to go slow rushing or running on stairs is

asking for a fall.
3
Using ladders safely
Only use a ladder that is in

good condition. If your ladder
has any defects, have it fixed or
replaced immediately.
Set a straight or extension

ladder at a 4:1 slope (i.e., for
every 4 m height, set the ladder
at a 1 m distance from the
structure) and ensure it is stable
before climbing up.
Set the ladder up on a firm, level footing. Have three points of

contact on the ladder two hands and one foot, or two feet
and one hand while climbing; and two feet and one hand while
working. Ask someone to hold the ladder steady.
Avoid overreaching. Use a ladder appropriate for the height you

are trying to reach.
4
Fire Safety
F ire poses a serious threat to everyone in your home. These
basic preventive measures can help you minimize the risk of fire
and related injuries:
Ensure the electrical wiring in
your home is installed properly
and in good condition.
Never overload electrical

circuits. Be cautious when using
extension cords and multiple
sockets.
Frequently examine electric

heaters, cooking equipment,
and other appliances to ensure
that they are in good operating
condition. Replace frayed cords
and broken or loose plugs.
Store oily cloths safely away from heat sources in closed metal
containers. Discard trash promptly.
Store flammable liquids in containers

specifically designed and approved for
this use. Keep containers safely away
from heat sources.
Keep appropriate fire extinguishers in

your home and know how to use them
properly.
Install smoke detectors on every floor of your home, especially

outside bedrooms, and make sure theyre properly maintained.
5
Never smoke in bed! Its the number one cause of fire-related

fatalities. Make sure that ashtrays are large and deep, and that
cigarette butts are fully extinguished.
Develop an escape plan in case you have to evacuate the house in

a fire, and make sure that every family member knows the proper
evacuation procedures. Designate a meeting place outside so
that you can easily determine if all your family members escaped
safely. Remind family members to never go back inside a burning
building no matter what.
If you live in a multi-story house, make sure theres an escape

route out of upstairs windows.
Post the phone number of the local fire department near all
telephones in your home and make sure that every member of the
family knows how to report a fire.
Kitchen fire
Kitchen or grease fires are a leading cause of home fires. Take these
steps to avoid them:
Never leave cooking unattended.
Keep appliances clean.
Wear close-fitting clothing when youre cooking.
Heat oil slowly prefer to use temperature-controlled frying

pans.
Turn pot handles in.
Dont overload electrical outlets.
Only use microwave safe utensils and cookware in microwave

ovens.
Keep combustibles away from the stove.
6
Despite your best safety
efforts, a fire in your kitchen
may still start. If so, follow
these actions to put it out:
Smother a grease fire never
put water on a cooking fire! If
a cooking pan catches fire, turn
off the burner, put on an oven
mitt, and slide an appropriate
size lid onto the pan. If food in the oven catches fire, keep the
door shut and turn the oven off. If the fire doesnt go out, call
the fire department.
Keep the microwave door shut if a fire starts in your

microwave, keep the door shut and turn off the appliance, then
unplug it. If you open the door, you will feed oxygen to the fire,
making it burn more.
Use a fire extinguisher if necessary make sure you know

how to use it before a fire starts. A multipurpose class A:B:C
extinguisher is best for kitchen use.
7
Electrical Safety
E lectricity is an essential part of our daily life. Its so
commonplace that at times we forget the different hazards
that it can cause. Follow these simple rules to ensure electrical
safety at home:
Never force a plug into an outlet if
it doesnt fit properly.
Put safety covers on all unused

outlets accessible to children.
Dont plug too many extension or

appliance cords into one outlet.
Make sure outlets dont have

loose-fitting plugs, which can
overheat and cause a fire.
Make sure wall plates are on every

outlet and are in good condition.
Make sure that outlets and switch plates are not hot to touch.
Dont nail or staple cords to the wall, baseboard, or any other

object.
Inspect electrical cords regularly to make sure theyre in good

condition.
Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis, never

in place of permanent wiring.
Turn off electrical equipment before unplugging it; never use wet
hands to remove a plug.
Unplug electrical equipment by firmly grasping the plug itself,

never by pulling the cord.
8
Never carry household appliances by the cord.
Keep all electrical appliances away from water.
Use the proper wattage and type of bulb for each light fixture and
ensure that the bulb is screwed in securely.
Install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in wet locations or

near a water source (e.g., in the bathroom and kitchen). GFCIs are
used to help prevent shocks, burns, electrocutions, and fires by
automatically shutting off when the circuit is interrupted.
Make sure light fixtures (e.g., table or floor lamps) are off
whenever a room will remain unoccupied for an extended time
period.
Make sure space heaters are positioned at least 1 m away from

combustible materials, such as bedding, clothing, curtains, and
rugs.
Make sure portable heaters are plugged directly into an outlet not
into an extension cord and are turned off and unplugged when
not in use.
For outdoor use, make sure extension cords are marked for
outdoor use and rated for the power needs of your tools.
Keep outdoor electrical outlets covered and dry.
Make sure electrical outlets around pools, ponds, and hot tubs are
equipped with GFCIs.
Know where underground electrical lines are located on your

property.
9
Accidental Poisoning
E ach year many people are accidentally poisoned. The causes of
poisoning often vary according to age. Children younger than
6 years of age, for example, are at a greater risk of being poisoned
by household cleaners or products because they are curious and like
to put things in their mouths. Older adults who take medication are
poisoned by taking too much of a medication, the wrong kind, or
a mixture of medication. Here are ways to help poison-proof your
home room-by-room.
Bathroom
Place all medication inside childproof
cabinets that lock.
Keep cosmetics and other bathroom

products, such as mouthwash, away
from childrens reach.
Use child-resistant caps and keep

medication lids tightly closed.
Never take medication in front of a

child or refer to it as candy. Children
often mimic adult actions.
Always follow the doctors

recommended dosage or the dosage
on the label.
Never give medication to your child in the dark; you may give the
wrong dosage or even the wrong medication.
Keep medicines in their original containers to prevent the wrong

medication being taken by mistake.
10
Discard old and outdated
medicines by flushing them
down the toilet.
Bedroom
Keep personal care items, such as hair sprays, perfume, and nail
polish removers, away from childrens reach.
Keep mothballs and crystals in child-resistant containers.
Only allow children to use toys and art supplies that are nontoxic
and lead free.
Living room
Visitors may carry medications in coat pockets, jackets, and
purses; make sure to hang garments and store purses out of
childrens reach.
Make sure items used in your home are lead free.
Know the properties of all indoor and outdoor plants. Remove any
poisonous plants from your home and garden.
Kitchen
Never store cleaning products and food in the same area.
Store cleaning products in locked cabinets away from the sight

and reach of children.
Keep all cleaning products in their original containers.
Never remove product labels. They contain important safety and

emergency information.
Never leave opened cleaning products unattended.
Always return a product to its proper storing place after use and
make sure that you close it properly.
11
Garage
Store all hazardous products, such as pesticides, lawn chemicals,
paint and paint thinners, and automotive products, on high
shelves or locked cabinets away from childrens reach.
Keeping seniors safe from

poisoning
Make sure that the older
members of your family
always turn on the light
when taking medication at
night and double-check the
doctors instructions for the
appropriate dosage.
12
Food Safety
T he potential for bacterial contamination is what makes eating
out in restaurants a safety concern. Food can be contaminated
with harmful bacteria if it has contact with:
Pests (flies, rats, etc.).
People with poor hygiene.
Contaminated tools (e.g., when

the same cutting board is used
for both raw and cooked food
without being thoroughly
washed in between).
Foods that are contaminated (e.g., when juice from thawing
chicken drips onto salad greens).
Food thats not kept at the right temperature (e.g., food that has
been left at room temperature for more than two hours).
Here are some things to look for when choosing

where to eat out or buy ready-made food.
Danger signs
Dirty public areas such as dirty toilets and bathrooms. If the areas
you can see are not clean and managed well, imagine the state of
the areas you cannot see.
Dirty tables, crockery, cutlery, and glassware.
Staff with dirty hands or fingernails, dirty aprons, or dirty hair that
is not tied back.
13
Overflowing trash bins or bags full of trash outside the premises

that can attract pests and flies.
Hair, insects, or other foreign objects in food.
Good signs
Food that is very hot when served. Cold foods, such as salads, that
are properly cold when served.
In open buffet, a fresh batch of food is brought out when a batch

is finished (an old batch of food should never be topped up with a
fresh one).
Self-service fridges are properly cold.
Staff hygiene training certificates posted on the walls or food

safety instructions posted in food preparation areas.
14
Choking
W orldwide, thousands of children die of choking-related

deaths every year. These tragic deaths are often the result
of improper adult supervision. The best way to avoid choking is by
applying preventive measures.
Be aware of toys
Pay close attention to the
age recommendations on the
package.
Never let younger children play

with toys designated for older
children.
Teach older children to put their toys away and out of the reach of
younger children.
Make frequent checks around the house to make sure that toys
are safely put away. Remember to check under furniture and
between cushions.
Never give a small child a small toy, including toys small enough
to fit through a 3 cm circle, toys that are smaller than 6 cm long,
small toy cars with removable rubber wheels, marbles, and small
balls.
Other dangerous items

Keep coins, batteries, pens and caps, nails, rings, and other round
objects that can fit into a childs mouth out of childrens reach.
Never leave uninflated or inflated balloons where children can get

to them.
15
Keep floors, tables, and cabinet tops free of small objects that
could be swallowed.
When visiting family and
friends, inspect and remove
choking hazards before
allowing your child to
wander around.
Serve safe food

Insist your child sits down when eating, preferably at the table.
Encourage your child to eat slowly and chew his/her food well.
Never feed your child in a moving vehicle and dont let a child
suck on candies or eat food while lying down.
When serving hotdogs, slice each one down lengthwise and then
cut it into small pieces.
Cut meat into very small bite-size pieces.
Slice round fruit like grapes into quarters.
Cut raw vegetables into small pieces.
16
Drowning
D rowning is a leading cause of death for children. A drowning

can happen very quickly and in very little water (3 to 5 cm).
Here are some guidelines you can follow to prevent your children
from drowning at home:
Bathtubs
Never leave a baby alone

in the bathtub; always
keep the baby within
arms reach.
Dont leave a baby in the

care of another child.
Never leave your baby

unattended to answer
the phone, door, or for
any other reason not
even for a second. If you must leave, take the baby with you.
Dont rely on a bath seat as a substitute for proper supervision; its

only a bathing aid, not a safety device.
Never use a baby bath seat in a nonskid, slip resistant bathtub

as the suction cups will not adhere to the bathtub surface or can
detach unexpectedly.
Make sure to always drain the bathtub from water after each use.
Children can drown in very little water.
17
Buckets
Never leave a bucket containing

even a small amount of liquid
unattended. When you have
finished using a bucket, empty it
immediately.
Store buckets where children

cannot reach them.
Toilets
Keep the toilet lid down and consider using a toilet latch to stop
young children from opening the lid. Better yet, keep bathroom
doors closed.
18
Playground Safety
P laying at playgrounds promotes the healthy development
of children and gives them the opportunity to run, climb,
and explore with other children. However, many children visit
the emergency room every year because of playground-related
injuries. Here are some steps to help ensure childrens safety at
playgrounds.
Playground supervision
Constantly supervise your child
at play.
Make sure that your child plays

on age-appropriate equipment.
Give on-the-scene instructions

for safe play and then reinforce
the instructions during
playtime.
Stop horseplay and equipment misuse immediately.
Soft surfaces
The fall zone (the area under and around the equipment where
a child falling from the equipment would land) should extend at
least 2 m in all directions from the edge of the equipment.
The fall zone surface should be free of standing water, debris, and
sharp objects.
The fall zone should be filled with loose-fill material that cushions
falls, such as sand and wood chips. Concrete, asphalt, and grass
are too hard to cushion falls.
19
Safe equipment
Swings
They should be equipped with soft plastic seats, not metal
or wooden ones. Metal seats can get too hot in the summer
causing burns, while wooden seats can have splinters or sharp
components that can injure.
Swings should be set far enough away from other equipment to

prevent hitting children.
Each swing should support a
maximum of two seats spaced at
least 60 cm apart.
Younger children should only

use full-bucket seats; half-bucket
seats are dangerous for babies
and toddlers because their small
bodies can slide out of them.
Slides
Slides should be well anchored
and have firm handrails and good
traction on the steps.
Each slide should have a bar at

the top to ensure that children sit
before they go down.
No gaps should appear between

the slide itself and the platform.
Children should not wear clothing with drawstrings, which can
get caught on slide parts.
20
Seesaws
Dont allow children to use
adjustable seesaws with chains
because they can crush their hands
under the chain.
Allow children to only use seesaws

that have a tire or some other
object under the seat to keep it
from hitting the ground.
Climbing equipment
Children younger than 4 years should not be allowed to use
climbing equipment or horizontal ladders.
Steps and handrails should be in good condition and guardrails or

barriers should surround raised platforms.
Climbing ropes should be secured both at the top and bottom.
Special playground safety tips

Inspect openings that can trap children (in guardrails or between
ladder rungs) to make sure theyre less than 9 cm or more than
23 cm apart.
Make sure that guardrails surround all elevated platforms and are
at least 78 cm high.
Remove exposed concrete footings, tree roots, or rocks that could

trip children.
Make sure that there are no sharp edges and dangerous

hardware, like hooks and protruding bolts.
Limit the number of children on each piece of equipment.
21
Safe playing rules
To avoid injuries that can result from unsafe behaviors, parents

must instruct and enforce these safe play rules.
Swinging
Always sit in the center of the swing; never stand or kneel.
Hold on with both hands.
Stop the swing before getting off.
Walk around the swing, but not too

close to the front or the back.
Never allow a child to push another

child on the swing.
Only one person per swing.
Never swing empty swings; never

twist chains.
Never put head and/or feet through exercise rings on the swing
sets.
Sliding
Hold on with both hands as you go up
and down the steps; take one step at a
time.
Never go up the sliding surface or the

frame.
Keep at least one arms length from other

children.
Slide down one child at a time, with feet

first and always sitting up.
22
Make sure no one is in front of the slide before sliding down.
Wait your turn patiently, avoid pushing or shoving.
Leave the bottom of the slide after you have taken your turn.
Seesawing
Sit facing each other, not leaning back.
Keep a firm hold with both hands.
Never stand or run on the board.
Keep feet out from underneath the

board as it descends.
Climbing
Use both hands.
Be careful when climbing down and watch out for others climbing
up.
Avoid using the climbing equipment where there are too many
children.
Start all from the same end of the equipment and move in the
same direction.
Stay well behind the person in front and watch out for swinging
feet.
Never use the climbing equipment when it is wet.
Avoid speed contests or trying to cover too large a distance in one

move.
Drop from the bars with knees slightly bent and land on both feet.
23
Toy Safety
P laying with toys is an essential part of every childs life.
Unfortunately, some toys can be dangerous for children. Poorly
constructed toys or toys that are inappropriate for a childs age and
maturity level can lead to injuries and even death. (Information on
how to prevent choking on toys can be found on page 15.)
Look for good design and

quality construction in the toy
you buy.
Choose a toy that is appropriate

for your childs age and
maturity level and that is lead
free.
Carefully inspect the toy before purchasing it. Make sure that
all toy parts are properly secured so no part can accidentally be
swallowed. Avoid toys that have small, removable parts that can
be swallowed.
Consider the noise level of the toy. Some toys, such as pop guns,
can produce noise levels that can damage hearing.
Before letting your child play with the new toy, discard all
accompanying plastic wrappers or bags. These pose a risk for
suffocation if children place them over their head.
Check toys regularly to ensure that they are not damaged or pose
hazards. Throw away broken toys.
Store toys in open, plastic crates or on low shelving units easily

accessible to children.
24
Toys that are used
outside should be stored
properly when children
finish playing with them.
A previously safe toy
can become dangerous
if damaged or rusted by
prolonged exposure to
moisture.
Always supervise your child at all times even when he/she is

playing with a toy that is recommended for his/her age group.
25
Sports Safety
G etting plenty of physical activity by being involved in sports
is important for childrens developing bodies and minds.
Parents can take steps to help ensure that their children avoid
sport-related injuries.
Use proper protective equipment
Your child should wear properly fitting,

appropriate protective equipment and
safety gear designed for his/her sport.
Choose protective equipment that has

been approved by a recognized authority
such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission.
Keep all equipment properly maintained

to ensure its effectiveness.
Play only in appropriate and safe areas

Playing fields should be safe and well-maintained to avoid holes
and ruts that might cause injuries to kids from trips or falls.
Each sport should be played

on the appropriate surface. For
example, high impact sports like
basketball must be played on
wooden basketball courts instead
of concrete and football must be
played on grass.
26
Provide adequate adult supervision and commitment
to safety
Select leagues and teams that value the importance of safety and
injury prevention during sports.
Choose coaches trained and certified in Basic Life Support (BLS)

and First Aid.
Enroll your child in a team with a coach who enforces safe playing
rules and requires the use of personal protective equipment.
Ensure proper preparation for the activity

Make sure that children are matched in teams and types of sports
according to their skill level, size, and physical and emotional
maturity.
Make sure your child is adequately prepared for the sport with
warm-up exercises and training sessions before participating in
actual competitive games.
Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids before and after the
activity.
Ensure after-the-game precautions
Cool down. Cooling down exercises will help
loosen the bodys muscles that have tightened
during sports.
Injuries heal completely. If your child gets

injured during a game, minimize long-term
damage by allowing the affected area to heal
completely before participating in the sport again.
Dont rush. Its important for your child to ease back into a
routine if he/she has been inactive for a long period of time.
For example, after a long summer break, children should begin
physical activity before their sport officially begins.
27
Sun Protection
S taying cool in Saudi Arabia is more than a matter of comfort;
its also a safety concern. Every year, high temperatures put
people at risk for heat-related illnesses.
Protecting babies from the

heat
Babies need special care during
hot weather
A tepid bath can help keep your

baby cool on a very hot day. The
water should be warm enough
to be comfortable; cool or cold
water should not be used.
Dress your baby in light, comfortable clothing such as a singlet
or diaper. Make sure, however, that their bodies are completely
covered if out in the sun.
Make sure that the room
temperature is comfortable but not
too cold if the air conditioning is
on.
Avoid traveling with your baby in a
vehicle in hot weather, if possible.
If you must, travel early in the
day or in the evening. Babies can
overheat quickly in cars so keep
them in the shade as much as possible. Remember that babies
skin can burn by sunlight passing through car windows. Never
leave a baby alone in a car.
28
Prickly heat
Prickly heat is a rash of tiny red pin-head spots and tiny blisters that
commonly occurs on parts of the skin that remain moist, such as the
babys diaper area or under the chin. Protect your babys skin from
prickly heat by:
Keeping the babys skin dry. For example, remove the babys
diaper from time to time to allow the skin to dry.
Applying creams, such as zinc and cod-liver oil, on the affected

area of the babys skin.
Changing the babys clothes more often and giving tepid baths.
Babies and the sun

A babys skin is thin and has not yet developed the natural protection
needed from the sun, making it more susceptible to burns and sun
damage. For protection from the sun:
Keep your baby in the shade as much as possible.
Cover your babys body, arms, and legs with clothing, and his/her
head with a wide-brimmed hat.
Apply to your babys skin sunscreen made for babies or toddlers,

with sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.
Dehydration
If babies dont get enough to drink or they lose a lot of fluid through
diarrhea, vomiting, or sweating, they can become dehydrated. To
prevent dehydration:
Provide breastfed babies with extra breast milk to meet their fluid
needs.
Provide bottle-fed babies with extra drinks of cool, boiled water.
29
Symptoms of dehydration in babies
Appearing unwell.
More irritable than usual.
Weight loss.
Dried skin.
Sunken fontanel.
Fewer wet diapers than usual.
Most babies can recover from minor dehydration with extra fluids. Seek
immediate medical assistance if you suspect that your baby is seriously
dehydrated.
Heat stroke
Heat stroke, a serious or fatal condition,
occurs when too much water is lost and
the babys or childs temperature starts to
rise.
Symptoms of heat stroke in babies or

children
Rising body temperature.

Smaller amounts of urine than usual; dark colored urine.
Increased thirst with decreased drinking as the baby gets weaker.
Dry mouth and eyes.
Headaches and muscle cramps.
Drowsiness and lethargy.
Confusion, shortness of breath, and vomiting.
Coma
30
What to do for heat stroke
If your baby or child has any of the above signs of heat stroke, seek
immediate medical treatment. While waiting for medical help, you
should keep your child covered with cool, damp cloths. Keep trying to
give your child small amounts of fluids unless she/he is unconscious
and unable to swallow.
Protecting yourself from the heat
Causes of heat-related illnesses

Heat-related illnesses, ranging from mild heat rash to severe heat stroke,
occur when your body cannot cool itself. As the air temperature rises,
your body stays cool by releasing fluid onto the skin. When sweating
isnt enough to cool your body, your body temperature rises and you
may become ill. Prevent heal-related illnesses by:
Scheduling outdoor activities for the cooler time of the day, before
10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
Taking frequent breaks and
drinking water or other non-
caffeinated fluids every 15 to
20 minutes, even if you dont
feel thirsty during an outdoor
activity.
Wearing light-weight, light-

colored, loose-fitting clothing.
Protecting yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat

or using an umbrella. Dont forget to apply sunscreen.
Gradually exposing yourself to the hot weather so your body can

adapt to the heat.
31
Heat rash
Also known as prickly heat, is a condition that occurs in hot, humid
environments.
Symptoms of heat rash
Tiny blister spots on the skin.
Prickling sensation on the skin.
What to do to treat a heat rash
Clean skin.
Apply mild drying lotion.
Wear loose clothing.
Rest in a cool place, and allow your skin to dry.
Heat cramps
Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that occur from drinking large
quantities of water without replacing lost body salt.
Symptoms of heat cramps
Painful spasms of leg, arm, or abdominal muscles.
Heavy sweating and thirst.
What to do to treat heat cramps
Loosen clothing.
Drink lightly salted beverages

such as sport drinks.
Rest in a cool area.
32
Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion happens when one is exposed to heat for a prolonged
period of time and the bodys effort to cool itself results in significant
loss of body fluid and certain essential minerals, such as sodium and
potassium. If not treated, heat exhaustion can lead to serious health
problems.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion
Excessive sweating.
Cool, moist, pale skin.
Vomiting.
Anxiety, confusion, fainting, and

decreased level of mental function.
What to do to treat heat

exhaustion
Move him/her to a cool,

shaded area.
Administer fluids by mouth

(0.15 L or half a cup of
water every 15 minutes).
Remove or loosen tight

clothing.
Apply cool water on the

skin.
Heat stroke
Heat stroke occurs when the bodys temperature-regulating system fails.
A malfunction of the temperature regulation center in your brain causes
sweating to stop and your body temperature to rapidly rise above 40 C
33
(104 F). At such high temperatures, vital organs are prone to damage
and failure.
Symptoms of heat stroke
Blurred vision, dizziness, and nausea.
Hot, dry, spotted skin.
Mental confusion.
Delirium, generalized convulsion, loss of consciousness.
Respiratory and cardiac arrest.
What to do to treat heat stroke
Call the emergency medical services (in Saudi Aramco

communities, dial 110; in the local communities, dial 997)
immediately.
Move the victim to a cool, shaded area.
Place wet sheets around the body or wrap ice in clean cloths and
place them on the victims wrist, ankles, and neck to cool the large
blood vessels.
Monitor his/her breathing and pulse if the victim is unconscious.
Perform Basic Life Support if the victim has no pulse and only if
youre trained to do so.
34
Water Safety
Pool Safety
Community pool safety rules
Follow these important safety rules
when visiting a community pool
Obey the instructions of the

lifeguard on duty.
Never leave a child unsupervised

near or inside the pool. Appoint
responsible and capable adults
as designated watchers who can take turns. Dont rely on older
siblings to provide adequate supervision.
Dont rely on lifeguards to supervise your children.
Obey the warning signs and notices around the pool.
Make sure children dont enter spas or hot tubs.
Teach your children good pool safety habits, such as no running,

dunking, pushing, or jumping on others.
Never assume your children cannot drown because they had

swimming lessons or are wearing flotation devices.
Dont consider air-filled devices and toys, such as water wings

or even approved flotation devices, as substitutes for adult
supervision.
Dont allow children to play as though they are drowning. A false

alarm may mask a real emergency and delay rescue.
Dont allow diving from the side of the pool unless the water is at
least 1.5 m deep.
35
Never allow your children to

swim immediately after eating.
Make sure that you and your

children wear proper swimsuits.
Wearing loose clothing can
contribute to drowning.
Home pool safety rules

A swimming pool in the yard can be an invitation to a drowning incident
for young children. In addition to the community safety rules, pool
owners can take the following precautions to help make their home
pools less dangerous:
Never allow children near the pool

area without responsible adult
supervision.
Surround your pool with a fence or

barrier that is at least 1.7 m high and
has child-proof gate latches. The latch
should be self-closing and placed
at the top of the gate so that its
inaccessible to children. Never leave a
gate to the pool area propped open.
Keep the area outside the fence free

of objects, such as chairs, tables, and
benches, that could help children
climb over the fence and gain access
to the pool.
Keep rescue equipment, such as a shepherds hook, by the pool.
Keep a telephone and emergency telephone numbers posted near

the pool.
36
Teach your children how to swim.
Enroll them in swim classes when
theyre approximately 3 years of
age.
Caregivers and baby-sitters should

learn Basic Life Support.
Keep CD players, radios, and other

electrical equipment away from the
pool.
Dont let children with loose, long hair near a pool outlet. The
suction can cause hair or body entrapment and drowning. Make
sure that they tie their hair up or wear a bathing cap.
Keep kids out of the pool in a thunderstorm.
Beach safety
If youre planning a day at the beach,
follow the guidelines below to ensure
your own and your familys safety.
Learn to avoid drowning at the beach

by following these guidelines:
First and foremost you and your

family should learn how to swim.
Learning to swim is the best way
to stay safe in and around water.
Wear proper swimming attire. Never wear long, loose-fitting
clothing, such as an abaya or thobe, in water. Swimming fully
clothed adds a lot of extra weight and can increase your chance of
drowning.
Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone.
Swim in supervised areas only.
37
Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop

swimming at the fist sign of bad weather and return to shore.
Always listen to the lifeguards advice and heed any warnings.
Stay away from piers, pilings, and diving platforms when in the
water.
Watch for aquatic life. Water plants and animals can be

dangerous.
Dont try to swim against a current if caught in one. Swim

gradually out of the current by swimming across it.
Stay safe at the shore

Protect your skin. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive
between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the suns rays are the
strongest and always wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor
(SPF) of at least 15.
Drink plenty of water regularly and often, even if you dont feel
thirsty.
Wear eye protection. Choose

sunglasses that absorb at
least 90% of ultraviolet (UV)
sunlight.
Wear foot protection. Feet can

get burned from the sand or
cut from broken glass hidden
beneath it.
38
Traffic Safety
Vehicle safety
Safe driving means driving defensively
to avoid a preventable incident.
Defensive driving can improve
your ability to think, observe,
communicate, coordinate, and
navigate in traffic. Practice these
preventive measures for safe driving.
Before you start driving make sure that you

Take proper driving training.
Obtain a valid Saudi drivers license.
When preparing to drive make sure that you

Inspect the vehicles safety equipment (e.g., spare tires, headlights
and turn signals).
Inspect and maintain the vehicles

tire pressure per the manufacturers
specifications.
Adjust your seat so youre 10 to

15 cm from the lower rim of the
steering wheel and able to press the
pedals firmly. Sit up straight.
Fasten your seat belt and make

sure that all passengers are properly
39
restrained, including children with age- and size-appropriate child

restraints.
Adjust the rearview and side mirrors.
While driving make sure that you

Keep constantly alert look
ahead, in the mirrors, and
over your shoulders for blind
spots so youll have advance
warning of potentially dangerous
situations.
Watch the car ahead of you and the car ahead of that one
to give yourself extra time to stop.
Obey all traffic rules and regulations, especially speed limits.
Never use a cell phone, eat, or drink.
Never be under the influence of medications, which can cause

impairment.
Learn to anticipate potential hazards. For example, a defensive

driver expects the car following the bus to suddenly swerve
around it into his lane.
Use the horn whenever youre not sure another driver sees you.
At night, reduce your speed below the safe daytime speed.
Day or night reduce speed for hazardous conditions such as bad

or adverse weather, broken pavement, children playing, highway
construction, camel crossings, congested areas, and hills or curves
that limit vision.
If youre tired or drowsy, stop and rest.
40
Bicycle safety
Bicycles are a wonderful source of
exercise and fun but theyre not
without danger. Serious incidents
have occurred from bicycle and
vehicle collisions. The following tips
can help you prevent these types
of incidents:
Choose a bike that matches
your size and the kind of riding you do. Consider the bicycles
weight, height, and design.
Choose a bicycle with safety equipment such as a horn, a bell, a

light in front, and reflectors all around. Consider having a carrier
basket that can help you carry things while leaving both hands
free to control the bicycle.
Always wear a helmet. Buy a helmet that meets or exceeds

current international safety standards. Make sure that the helmet
fits correctly: it should fit one or two fingers above the eyebrows;
its straps, when strapped, should form a V under the ears and
should feel tight when opening the mouth as wide as possible.
Repair the bicycles broken or worn

parts immediately. Frequently check
to make sure that the reflectors are
clean and not damaged, the saddle
and handlebars are tight and at the
right height, the tires are firm with
plenty of treads, the brakes work
properly, the wheels are not wobbly,
and the bicycles chain is snug and not
damaged.
41
Obey all traffic rules and regulations when youre riding your bike.
Remember that on a bicycle youre more vulnerable to incidents
than a driver inside the steel body of a vehicle.
Keep these additional tips in mind when riding your bicycle

Avoid busy streets whenever you can.
Keep your bicycle under control dont show off, weave, or race.
Ride with traffic, not against it. Ride as far to the right as possible.
Ride on the street and not the sidewalk, which is meant for
pedestrians.
Watch for parked cars pulling out or car doors opening suddenly.
Travel in single file when riding with others and always allow one
full bike length between bicycles.
Steer with both hands on the handlebars except to signal when

turning, stopping or leaving the curb.
Dont ride double on a bicycle or carry an oversized package,

either of which can block your vision and throw you off balance.
Come to a complete stop, look, and listen before entering a street

from a sidewalk, driveway, or alley. Drivers may not see you.
When riding at night, wear light-colored or reflective clothing.
Be prepared to brake at intersections; dont pump the pedals as

you approach. Get off and walk your bike across busy streets,
staying well inside the white lines and crosswalk.
42
Pedestrian safety
Being a pedestrian in traffic puts you at risk. Children from 1 to 12 years
old are at risk when in traffic. It is your responsibility to teach children
how to stay safe. Demonstrate to your children the right way to be safe
pedestrians:
Never walk between parked cars, jaywalk, or cross against traffic

signals or lights.
Stay on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left

shoulder, as far to the left as possible, facing the direction of
traffic.
Before stepping off a curb, look left, right, and left again for
traffic. Look over your shoulders for vehicles. Make eye contact
with drivers. Just because you see a driver doesnt mean that the
driver sees you.
Be alert for turning vehicles.

Never step out in front of a
turning vehicle. Drivers of
turning vehicles are typically
looking for an opening in
traffic and may fail to notice
pedestrians.
Cross at intersections or
crosswalks, where possible.
Obey all traffic signals and
walk signs. Wait until all vehicles stop or clear the intersection
before stepping off the curb.
See and be seen. Never dart out into the street. Drivers need to
see you to avoid you. Make eye contact with the driver when
crossing busy streets. Always wear brightly colored or reflective
clothing. Consider carrying a flashlight when walking at night.
43
Look for a cars reversing

lights when walking
in parking lots or past
driveways. A cars reverse
lights will indicate the
vehicles direction. Parking
lot incidents happen when
pedestrians dont see
vehicles that are backing
out or drivers dont notice
pedestrians before putting
the car in reverse.
44
First Aid Basics
Burns
First degree burns

Classified as minor, they are also
called superficial burns. This type of
burn affects the outer layer of the
skin, which becomes painful and
red in color. While this type of burn
generally heals well by itself, your
proper action can help the healing
process.
Treatment
Stop the burning process by cooling the area. Apply a cool, wet
cloth to the burn or immerse the burned area in cool not ice
water until the victim no longer feels the pain.
Dont apply ointments or

other substances to the
burn but keep it covered
with a sterile, nonadhesive
bandage or clean cloth.
Second degree burns

Also called partial thickness burns, which go deeper into the skin into
the dermis area. This type of burn is generally accompanied by blistering
of the skin, which may leave a scar.
45
Treatment
Although this type of burn is usually

treatable with basic first aid, a burned
victim should seek medical attention.
If the burn covers a large area of the
body, cover loosely with dry, sterile
dressing. If the burn is smaller than
the palm of the hand, to treat it you
should:
Immerse the burned area in cool water until the pain stops.
Dont clean it, apply ointment, or break the blisters.
Treat for shock and elevate the burned area above the level of the
heart.
Third degree burns

Also called total thickness burns,
which penetrate through the layers
of the skin, and may burn muscle and
other tissue. This type of burn can be
life threatening. The burned area will
appear charred or blackened or white
and leathery.
Treatment
Call for emergency medical services (in Saudi Aramco

communities, dial 110; in the local communities, dial 997)
immediately.
While waiting for medical help to arrive, cool the area with water
until the pain stops, then carefully remove clothing if its not
sticking to the skin. Dont use ice/ice water.
46
Cover loosely with dry, sterile
dressings or with a dry clean
sheet if the burn is large. Dont
clean, apply ointment, or break
blisters.
Treat for shock and elevate the

burned area above the level of
the heart.
Monitor the victims breathing and administer Basic Life Support if
necessary and if youre trained to do so, until emergency services
arrive.
Chemical burns
Should a chemical burn occur,
immediately call 110 or 997. If a
harmful corrosive chemical comes in
contact with the skin, flush the area
with water until emergency medical
services arrive.
Because chemicals may give off fumes

even if you dont smell them you should move the victim outdoors
into fresh air. After flushing the burn with water, cover the area with a
loose, nonstick dressing.
If the burn was the result of contact with a dry chemical or powder,
brush the chemical off with a gloved hand before flushing the burn with
water for at least 30 minutes.
If the chemical has made contact with the eye, flush the affected eye
immediately with water from the nose outward until emergency services
arrives.
47
Shock
Always treat a seriously injured person
for shock. Severe shock can cause death.
Dont attempt to give the victim anything
to drink. Seek medical help immediately.
Symptoms of shock
Pale, cold, clammy skin, mottled in color.
Weak and shallow or deep but irregular breathing.
Apathy
Nausea
Treatment
If the victim doesnt have a head and/or neck injury, or broken hip
or leg bones, place the victim on his/her back and elevate the legs
about 30 cm.
If the victim has a head or neck injury, keep the victim lying flat.
Dont move the victim unless there is immediate danger.
If the victim vomits, place the victim on one side to let fluids drain
from the mouth.
If the victim has difficulty breathing, place him/her in a

semi-reclining position.
Cover the victim with a sheet or light blanket.
Choking
Adults who are around children should
get proper training in First Aid to be able
to help children. Proper first aid training
for choking depends on the age of the
child.
48
For a conscious child older than 1 year of age
Experts recommend abdominal thrusts, often called the Heimlich
maneuver.
To give abdominal thrusts
Stand behind the victim.
Wrap your arms around the victims waist.
Make a fist with one hand and place the

thumb side of your fist, just above the
navel and below the breast bone.
Grab your fist with your hand and give

quick inward and upward thrusts until the
object is forced out or the child becomes
unconscious.
For a conscious infant

Give five back slaps and five chest thrusts
To give back slaps
Grasp the infants jaw with your

thumb and fingers.
Support the back of the infants

head and neck.
Turn the infant over face down on your forearm, with the infants
head lower than his/her chest; rest your forearm on your thigh.
Support the infants head and neck by firmly holding the jaw.
Give five blows forcefully between the shoulder blades.
To give five chest thrusts
Sandwich the infant between your forearms. Support the head

and neck.
49
Turn the infant onto his/her back. Rest your forearm on your
thigh. Keep the infants head lower than the chest.
Place your ring finger on the infants breastbone just below

the nipple line. Place the middle and index fingers next to the
ring finger. Remove your ring finger and compress with your
middle and index fingers. If you feel the notch at the end of the
breastbone, move your fingers slightly up.
Give five chest thrusts. Each thrust should be about 0.5 cm deep.
If the infant or child becomes unresponsive, call for emergency medical

services immediately (in Saudi Aramco communities, dial 110; in the
local communities, dial 997); if you are properly trained, administer Basic
Life Support techniques.
Poisoning
If a poisoning occurs:
Stay calm and call the

hospital (in Saudi Aramco
communities, dial 110;
in the local communities,
dial 997).
Report the name of the

product, the amount
of the product that was ingested, the time that the poisoning
occurred, the age and weight of the person who was poisoned,
and the circumstances of the poisoning.
Follow their instructions.
Dont induce vomiting unless told to do so. Vomiting can cause

further harm if a substance was swallowed.
50
Here are some emergency tips for certain types of
poisonings.
Inhaled poison
Take the person to fresh air immediately, if the scene is safe.
Open doors and windows.
If the person is not breathing and you are properly trained, begin
Basic Life Support.
Poison in the eye

Wash the eyes outward with running lukewarm water for 15
minutes continuously.
Ask the person to blink as much as possible to assist in irrigating

the eye.
Dont attempt to force the eyelids open.
Poison on the skin

Remove all clothing thats contaminated and begin to wash the
skin with running water for 15 minutes.
Emergency action steps
1. Check the scene and the victim

Make sure the scene is safe for you
and any bystanders. Then check to
see if the victim is conscious. Tap
him/her on the shoulder and shout:
Are you ok?
51
2. Call
If the victim doesnt respond, call the emergency medical services (EMS)
system at once, or have someone call (in Saudi Aramco communities,
dial 110; in the local communities, dial 997) or do it yourself if nobody is
available.
3. Care
l. Position if necessary
If the victim is face down and you cant tell whether or not he/she
is breathing, position him/her on his/her back by kneeling facing
the victims hips and shoulders.
Straighten his/her legs
and move the arm closer
to you above his/her
head, the other arm
along his/her body.
Place one hand under his/her head and neck and the other hand
on his/her hip. Roll the victim toward you as a single unit.
Place the victims arm which is further from you alongside his/her
body.
ll. Do the primary care

A. Open the airway
Place one hand on the victims forehead and two fingers of the
other hand under the bony part of the chin.
Tilt the head and lift the chin. Avoid closing the victims mouth or
pushing on the soft part under the chin.
52
B. Check for breathing
Place your ear over the victims

mouth and nose.
Look at the chest, listen and

feel for breathing for five to
ten seconds. If there is no
breathing, give two slow
breaths (1 second each breath).
Cover the victims mouth with your lips and make a tight seal,
pinch the nose shut and blow slowly for 1 to 2 seconds. Pause
between breaths to let air flow out.
Watch the victims chest rise each time you breathe to make sure
your breaths are going in.
C. If no response, start Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
CPR is a two minute cycle of 30 chest compressions and two

breaths repeated 5 times. Continue performing CPR until the
victim starts to breathe on his/her own or until emergency medical
services arrives.
For more information on emergency action steps, Consult the SAMSOs

Health Educations Basic Life Support (BLS) and Standard First Aid (SFA)
Booklet.
First aid kits
A well-stocked first aid kit, kept
within easy reach, is a necessity in
every home. Having supplies gathered
ahead of time will help you handle an
emergency at a moments notice. You
should keep one first aid kit in your
home and one in each car. Also be
53
sure to bring a first aid kit on family vacations. Include the following in
each of your first aid kits:
Sterile gauze
Adhesive tape
Adhesive bandages in several sizes
Elastic bandage
Antiseptic wipes
Antibiotic cream
Antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide)
Hydrocortisone cream (1%)
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen
Tweezers
Sharp scissors
Safety pins
Disposable instant cold packs
Calamine lotion
Alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
Thermometer
Plastic gloves (at least 2 pairs)
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid manual
54
Emergency numbers
Local communities
Ambulance 997
Fire/Civil Defense 998
Local Police & Security 999
Traffic Accident 993
Saudi Aramco communities

Ambulance/Fire/Security 110
By mobile phone:
03-872-0110 (Central Area)
03-572-0110 (Southern Area)
03-673-0110 (Northern Area)
01-285-0110 (Central Region)
02-427-0110 (Western Region)
55

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10. Sports Safety 26

11. Sun Protection 28

12. Water Safety 35

13. Traffic Safety 39

14. First Aid Basics 45

Prevent slips, trips, and falls by identifying and correcting the

Start at the front door

Make sure that theres a contrast in

Make a living room livable

Place throw rugs over rug-liners or choose rugs with nonskid

Arrange furniture so that they provide open pathways, clear of

Avoid having glass tables, which can be especially dangerous

Keep your living room floor tidy

Secure all telephone and electrical

Step in and out of bathrooms safely

Install handrails near your bath, shower, and toilet.

Use nonslip mats in the bathroom; a bathmat on the floor, and an

Remove soap buildup regularly from bathtubs or showers to

Keep the kitchen safe for

Wipe up spills immediately.

Always use appropriate

Keep staircases well-lit with light

Ensure that handrails are installed on

Keep stairways clear of clutter and never use the stairs as

Avoid placing throw rugs at the top, bottom, or on the staircase.

Check your stairs regularly for worn or loose carpeting or

Always hold onto handrails when going up or down the stairs.

Avoid carrying vision blocking loads. Carry a small enough load

Always remember to go slow rushing or running on stairs is

Using ladders safely

Only use a ladder that is in

Set a straight or extension

Set the ladder up on a firm, level footing. Have three points of

Avoid overreaching. Use a ladder appropriate for the height you

Never overload electrical

Frequently examine electric

Store flammable liquids in containers

Keep appropriate fire extinguishers in

Install smoke detectors on every floor of your home, especially

Never smoke in bed! Its the number one cause of fire-related

Develop an escape plan in case you have to evacuate the house in

If you live in a multi-story house, make sure theres an escape

Never leave cooking unattended.

Keep appliances clean.

Wear close-fitting clothing when youre cooking.

Heat oil slowly prefer to use temperature-controlled frying

Turn pot handles in.

Dont overload electrical outlets.

Only use microwave safe utensils and cookware in microwave

Keep combustibles away from the stove.

Keep the microwave door shut if a fire starts in your

Use a fire extinguisher if necessary make sure you know

Put safety covers on all unused

Dont plug too many extension or

Make sure outlets dont have

Make sure wall plates are on every

Dont nail or staple cords to the wall, baseboard, or any other

Inspect electrical cords regularly to make sure theyre in good

Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis, never

Unplug electrical equipment by firmly grasping the plug itself,