Monthly Archives: December 2011

General Safety Issues

AN IMPORTANT DECEMBER MESSAGE –

NATIONAL DRUNK AND DRUGGED DRIVING PREVENTION MONTH 

Truth be told, studies show that 97% of Americans see drinking and driving as a threat to them and their families.  Too often innocent lives are lost because of someone driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  Impaired driving is one of America’s most serious crimes.The entire month of December is time taken and sponsored by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), and Governors Highway Safety Association, to remind all drivers to leave the party “at the party”, not on the road.  This years’ theme is “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.”  

Officers know the cues to watch for when suspecting a driver is under the influence.  Citizens can do the same thing, and have a passenger call the highway patrol (or pull over and give the license number), if they see suspicious activity on the highway.  Some of the cues that officers observe that lead them to stop a driver are:

  • Weaving
  • Weaving across lane lines
  • Swerving
  • Drifting
  • Almost hitting another vehicle
  • Stopping in the lane
  • Accelerating for no reason; varying speeds
  • Failure to signal turns
  • Going the wrong way
  • No headlights on at night
  • Following too closely
  • Inappropriate or unusual behavior
  • Impaired appearance.

Again, if you suspect an impaired driver is traveling near you, call law enforcement, and possibly save someone’s life.

Employers can save time, productivity, money and lives if they have an employee-based traffic safety initiative.  Working Partners raises awareness about the impact drugs and alcohol have on the workplace, and helps employees and employers work together to ensure safety on the road, in the office, and at a worksite.  Individuals most likely to drive impaired – those between ages 21 and 34 – are well represented in the workplace and can provide a captive audience for prevention messages.  The NHTSA uses a three-pronged strategy: high-visibility law enforcement and supporting communication campaigns; enhanced prosecution and adjudication; and medical screening and brief intervention for alcohol abuse problems.  Special emphasis is placed on reach high-risk populations, including those between the ages of 21 to 34, repeat offenders, and high-BAC (blood alcohol concentration) offenders. 

So, during the holiday season, when there are more parties and festivities, remember to make plans to have a designated driver – or know how you are going to get home safely.  It’s not worth risking your life or the lives of innocent persons to get behind the wheel.  Not only during holiday season, but every day should be a safe driving day.  There is help for those who are fall the influence of alcohol or drugs on a regular basis, and if you know someone who fits into this category, try to encourage them to get help.  That would be the best Christmas gift of all.  

Drive safely and sober!

 NHTSA

General Safety Issues

TOY SAFETY NEWS FOR 2011

One of the most important of Santa’s projects is making sure that all toys that little girls and boys receive are safe.  All of Santa’s helpers out there should be doing the same!  After all, not only is this his busiest time of the year; he has to check all his lists to see who has been naughty or nice!  

Inez Tenenbaum, Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, has issued an important message regarding safe toys.  After 2007, the year of the recall, the voice of parents was clear.  Congress called for CPSC put into place new toy safety rules, which ensure that excessive amounts of toxic metals, like lead, stay out of children’s products.  Many toy makers heard parents, too, and have taken safety conscious steps to rebuild your trust in them.

CPSC announced that there this year there were four recalls of toys because of lead, and only three recalls from lead in the previous year.  So far, there have been a total of 34 toy recalls in 2011.  CPSC works with Customs and Border Protection to check the ports of our nation, and see that toy makers from around the world have removed the lead from their products.  CPSC also issued a new rule that requires periodic third-party testing and certification for toys and all children’s products designed or intended primarily for those 12 and younger. 

Now, while safety rests mainly with distributors, manufacturers, and CPSC, parents also play a key role.  New toys are safer than ever before; however deaths and injuries are still occurring with some products that have been around for a long time.  More than 181,000 children younger than 15 were treated in emergency rooms in 2010, most from accidents while riding a scooter.  

Here are suggestions from Chairman Tenenbaum, and Blog4Safety: 

  • Find all pieces of a popped balloon and throw them away immediately.
  • Keep all small magnets or toys with small magnets away from children under 6.
  • If children are riding scooters, skateboards, in-line skates, or riding toys, be sure they wear a helmet and stay away from traffic.
  • Most toys’ designs are suited for the appropriate ages.
  • Toys must be properly labeled.  Don’t assume that all toys are safe.
  • Be sure that soft, plush animals are washable and have secure eyes and noses that won’t come off.
  • Do not purchase BB or pellet guns for children under age 16.
  • Avoid toys with cords or long strings that could cause strangulation in small tots. 

Santa says, “Let’s play it safe with our toys this year!”   December is designated as Safe Toys and Gifts Month, by Prevent Blindness America.  We will be reminding you of many safety themes as the month of December progresses.

Source: USCPSC