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Potter, Be Prepared for Emergencies

Emergency Preparedness in the Pottery Studio

From , former About.com Guide

Have you heard of emergency preparedness? As a potter, are you ready if an emergency should occur in your own studio? What should you do to get prepared?

Learn First Aid

Knowing first aid can be the difference between a bit of a ruckus and a true disaster. Take the time to learn first aid; not only will it be good to know as you work in your studio, but it will be useful to know in all other aspects of your life as well.

Because of my "day job," I had first aid and CPR training annually for a long string of years. I have also recently tried out an online course. I strongly recommend that if you have not had first aid, or it has been a long time since you did, take an "in-person" course. There is no substitute for actually doing the tasks, as opposed to watching and thinking about doing them.

Know How to Treat Burns

Let's face it...we potters sometimes get too impatient to see what is happening in our kilns. Since we know this, it is only prudent to learn how to effectively treat burns. Know what to do, and what not to do (e.g. never use butter or oil on a burn) and make certain your first aid kit contains burn ointment and sterile bandages.

Know How to Reach Emergency Services

First, double-check to make certain you know your area's correct emergency number(s). Although in the US it is likely to be 911, that is not always the case. Memorize those numbers. Emergencies are nerve-wracking experiences. Knowing how to call for help and what to expect will help you be better able to deal with any emergency you are faced with.

Keep Vaccinations Up to Date

We work with things that can poke us (e.g. potter's needles) and cut us (e.g. sharp clay cutting tools). It is a good idea to make certain that your tetanus vaccination is up to date. If you live in an area where there are or might be additional health concerns, check with your primary care physician about whether or not you should have additional vaccinations.

Pet First Aid

My dog Rainier is almost always with me, including in my studio and kiln shed. If you are also a potter-pet owner, it is a good idea to learn pet first aid and preparedness, as well. As I've known some potters who share a building with their stable, I include horse first aid, too.

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