Summer Safety: Keeping Our People and Communities Safe
Summer is in full swing, and across WM the focus is on the 100 Days of Summer Safety. Everyone can make an impact on keeping our people and communities safe this summer. Follow these tips to do your part to make sure we all get home safe every day:
- 🔋 Properly dispose of lithium-ion batteries, which are often in electronics, toys, small appliances, vape pens, and even greeting cards. These can spark truck fires and cannot be put in curbside garbage or recycling containers. Many retailers accept batteries. Visit www.call2recycle.org to find a retailer near you.
- 💧 Cool coals for several days on the grill or in a metal container full of water, then place in a metal container with a tight lid before placing in your trash container. Never place used coals in plastic, paper, or wood containers.
- 🔥 Keep all flammable and hazardous materials out of your waste and recycling containers, including propane tanks, paint, pool chemicals, motor oil, and pesticides. Instead, take them to your local household hazardous waste drop-off location.
- 🚛Keep at least 15 feet away from trucks. Collection trucks stop and back up frequently, make wide turns, and take about twice as long to stop than a passenger car. Never cut in front of or stop suddenly in front of trucks. Do not walk, run, or play near trucks. Teach kids not to follow trucks on their bikes, skateboards, or skates.
- 🚮 Stay clear of the service area. Do not play or stand in or around waste and recycling bins or cans since you may not know when a collection truck is coming to empty them. Do not allow children to help load any materials into the truck, and don’t stand behind it while it is being loaded. Never climb on the trucks. Be cautious of debris that may be dislodged during compacting.
- 👀 Stay Visible. Be aware of blind spots. There are several areas where visibility can be restricted for the driver. If you cannot see the driver’s eyes, they may not see you.
- 👂 Listen. Every WM truck is equipped with a backup alarm. Stay alert and listen for the “beep-beep-beep” sound, indicating that the truck is backing up. Whether you’re walking or driving near one of our trucks, if you hear this sound or see its white backup lights, be sure to move out of the way