Monthly Archives: September 2012

General Safety Issues, Hearing Protection

HOW OUR GADGETS DULL OUR PERCEPTION OF OUR SURROUNDINGS (GUEST POST)

The move from vinyl to personal music players, whether walkmans to the iPods that we have now, stirs some musical debate as to what is the proper way to listen to music; which gives us the most benefit as a consumer and which allows us to pick up the richest sound which the artist meant to deliver when producing the record. However, we sometimes forget that in essence we are blasting loud noises directly into our ear drums when listening through ear buds or headsets. For those of us who work in jobs which require headsets, like in retail, security, telemarketing (just to name a few industries or occupations) that is a lot of time with stuff in our ears, which surely can’t be healthy. 

We are certainly more “plugged in” than we once were, say fifteen years ago; a fact which has its own social discussion points, but also health and safety problems. With music players getting smaller and becoming integrated with other devices like our phones, we are more likely to have things in our ears whenever and in more situations, like travelling. Bluetooth and speaking to people through headsets also creates a mental distraction and some find it difficult to multi-task and pay attention where they should. This can be dangerous when outside, if we are not fully aware of our surroundings and in our own worlds, listening to music. For instance, if someone shouts to us to warn us of something we are not aware of, like something falling down, a cyclist or a car speeding around a corner, we wouldn’t realise it. Many safety initiatives now target kids listening to music at crossings because of the amount of accidents that occur in these circumstances. 

Below are a few tips to take on board to ensure your gadgets don’t distract you or get into too much trouble: 

1) Ensure your headphones work properly, and you’re not having to turn them up louder than you should. According to experts, just ten minutes a day of having an iPod up to the full volume can damage hearing. It may very well be worth buying the best set of buds or headphones, and spending that much more, because the cheaper ones tend to require turning the volume up to make up for the poor quality. 

2)Take a break and read more. Many people take headphones with them to keep their minds busy on trips. If you pick something else to distract you, like a magazine or a book, or just the view around you, you’ll save your hearing and find that you’re more social with others. If I’m in a new place I make an effort not to listen to personal music, so I can take in the whole atmosphere and make it a unique experience. 

3) Use speakers when you can. If you’re in the comfort of your home, save your headphones for when you’re in public, or if you’re work allows it, play music at a low level (this will require consulting with your management). 

4) If your headphones do break on one side, fix them yourself or buy new ones; don’t struggle alone with only one side working and turning it up on that side to make up for it. 

5) If you work with headset or earpiece, try to avoid using headphones that day outside of work. Ensure your employer has fully-working equipment. Many industries have very noisy atmospheres, so protecting your hearing with the right equipment is of the utmost importance.

There are ways to clean your ears if you feel like there is a wax build-up that might be causing you to turn up your music louder than you ought to. These consist of home remedies or medical procedures. One way is to pour warm olive oil into the ear canal and keep it in there for two minutes; on gently rubbing the area around the ear (parallel with temple) and then tilting the oil out, any wax should fall out as well.Numerous cinnamon health benefits have been lauded before by many, and this problem is no different; a combination of honey and cinnamon powder (but not cinnamon supplements in capsule form) should be consumed, with half a cup at night, and another half-cup in the morning. A more drastic treatment, though it is by no means considered highly risky, is to have your ears syringed to remove wax that way, though of course this should be carried out by a doctor, and should not be tried at home with a similar tool. Similarly cotton swabs for the ears should not be pushed too far in. 

Paul Ellett has suffered with hearing issues through listening to music for extensive periods of time, and in promoting club nights at university. He has used several of the tips listed above with various levels of success.

General Safety Issues, Home Safety Products

TEN USES FOR BABY WIPES OTHER THAN WHAT THEY WERE INTENDED FOR (Guest Post)

Here is the second installment from Paul Taylor,  http://www.babysittingjobs.com. Ideas that we can all take advantage of. pb

Baby wipes have to be one of the best inventions ever.  Moms will readily attest to the fact that, even after you no longer have kids in diapers, you will still buy wipes because there are so many other great uses for them.  Check out these 10 uses that you may not have thought of:

1.        Use wipes to clean sticky fingers and faces.  Wipes are much softer than tissues and since they are already wet they are more convenient to use than a wash cloth with soap and water. They also are great for when you are away from home and need to clean sticky fingers and faces quickly.  In a pinch you can even use them to wipe runny noses because they are so soft.

2.        Wipe spots off of microfiber furniture.  Microfiber furniture is very easy to clean, but sometimes a gentle cleaner is necessary.  That’s where the wipe comes in.  Baby wipes can work well in cleaning spots when you need to clean up a small spot quickly. 

3.        Remove crayon from painted surfaces with wipes.  Baby wipes are a kid-safe way to clean what can otherwise be a difficult mess to remove.  Other harsh chemicals can be used to effectively clean crayon, but wipes are safe for the kids to be around with no severe fumes.

4.        Clean your rubber stamps when card making.  Something in the wipe conditions the rubber stamp as it cleans the ink off.  There are other alternatives to clean stamps, but none as convenient and as inexpensive as a baby wipe.  You can also use a folded baby wipe on a paper plate and add a few drops of different colors of ink from a re-inker and use the plate and wipe as your temporary stamp pad for a custom color mix.

5.        Wipes work as a make-up remover.  The make-up industry has caught on to this trick and is now making makeup removing wipes especially for that task, but for less money you can use a baby wipe that you already have at home.

6.        Remove lipstick from a shirt collar.  As long as you catch it right when it happens, you can use a wipe to remove lipstick from a shirt collar.  It takes a little elbow grease, but it works when you need a solution fast.

7.        Use wipes for quick clean ups around the house.  Keep a box of wipes in your kitchen for a quick clean up after breakfast, lunch or dinner.  Wipe your kid’s mouth and any spills or crumbs on the table all by using a single wipe.

8.        Use in place of water to clean hands if using a porta-potty.  Doesn’t it always figure when you are at some sort of outside event that your child has to go to the bathroom?  It also never fails that there’s no way to wash her hands after she goes.  Baby wipes to the rescue!  In desperate situations wipes can serve as toilet paper too.  That is, after all, what they were designed for.

9.        Baby wipes are a convenient way to clean your puppy’s feet.  Do you ever take your pooch to the dog park only to realize that his paws are a mess and he’s about ready to leave paw prints all over your car?  Grab the baby wipes.  These work well to clean the mud and dirt off of your puppy’s feet.  Keep them by the door at home for those times that he comes in muddy from the yard too.

10.     Wipes work well for cleaning hairspray off of wood surfaces.  Baby wipes have just enough moisture and texture to lift the sticky residue of hairspray off of counters and wooden cupboards.  Unlike harsher cleaner-based wipes, baby wipes won’t dry out your wood. 

Thanks, Paul!  Anyone out there have any other ideas? pb

 

Ergonomics, General Safety Issues, Health Issues

REPETITIVE STRESS INJURIES: KIDS AND ELECTRONICS (GUEST POST)

Today’s post features two articles sent by Paul Taylor of http://www.babysittingjobs.com
We know you will find them very interesting. pb

The emphasis on the dangers of excessive screen-time for kids has been steadily rising, as childhood obesity and related health problems have become more common. Type II diabetes, once referred to as “adult-onset diabetes,” is being diagnosed with alarming frequency in children; as kids spend less time engaged in physically active play and more time in front of televisions, computers and gaming systems, the risks increase. However, diabetes and blood pressure problems aren’t the only concern for sedentary kids; repetitive stress injuries like tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome are also on the rise.

Causes of Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs) in Kids

RSIs were similarly considered “adult” afflictions, with the vast majority of repetitive stress diagnoses in children restricted to sports-related conditions such as epicondylitis, or “tennis elbow.” Though RSIs are still most commonly diagnosed in adults, the number of kids and teens with these injuries is nonetheless rising. While overuse due to strenuous athletic practice or musical instrument rehearsal can cause repetitive stress injuries in young people, heavy video gaming, computer use and even excessive texting are also listed among the common causes. Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and cervical radiculopathy are all conditions that can result from repetitive stress injuries; though the percentage of kids diagnosed with these conditions is still relatively small, the fact that they are increasing among youngsters at all does indicate that proper preventative measures and good usage habits should be taught from an early age.

Proper Ergonomics is Key

The most effective method of preventing repetitive stress injuries as a result of heavy computer usage is to ensure that furniture and equipment are properly adjusted to your child’s size; desks, chairs and equipment intended for use by adults are rarely ergonomically sound for kids. In order to help their children avoid developing muscle strain and soreness, and to reduce the risk of RSIs, parents should make an effort to ensure that the top of their child’s head aligns with the top of the monitor. His back should be touching the back of his chair while he’s in a seated position. Slouching or tensing his shoulders places unnecessary and potentially harmful stress on the spine, so kids should be encouraged to practice good posture. Repetitive stress injuries of the wrists and fingers related to computer use are most commonly the result of improper keyboard placement; wrist supports can help prevent some of these injuries, as can coaching on correct typing methods. The most important preventative measure, however, is for kids to take breaks every thirty minutes to stretch and walk around.

Intermittent Breaks

Video game controllers can also cause repetitive stress injuries, especially in kids that spend several hours a day using them. Taking regular breaks and avoiding prolonged periods of uninterrupted gaming are not only a vital part of preventing repetitive stress injuries, but also encouraged to boost physical activity and prevent health conditions linked to poor exercise habits and a sedentary lifestyle. Smart phones, tablets and handheld gaming devices that encourage kids to look down for long periods of time also increase the risk of neck and back pain, in addition to the repetitive use of fingers and thumbs to control the devices. Kids’ use of all electronic devices should be carefully monitored by parents in order to ensure that breaks are being taken in a timely manner and proper posture is maintained. Armed with the necessary knowledge, parents can instill good electronics-usage habits in their kids, along with healthy eating habits and other valuable life skills. 

It might be wise, as stressed in this article, to limit the amount of time that kids (especially younger ones) spend on their computer or games.  It’s rare to see a teenager without his/her eyes on that cell phone, texting.  Outdoor activities can be helpful to balance exercise with sitting all the time. pb

 

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Protective Clothing

AUTUMN SAFETY TIPS (GUEST POST)

Autumn is right around the corner and with autumn comes colour-changing leaves and crisp weather – it’s the perfect time of year to wrap up against the weather and go for a bracing walk with the family.  But with autumn comes cooler weather, and with cooler weather comes the potential for hazards within the home. So we’ve come up with a few top safety tips for you to follow this autumn to protect your family against accidents or injuries.

  • Test all of your smoke alarms. More devices tend to be plugged in during autumn, as the weather is cooler and so more people spend more time inside, meaning that there is a higher risk of fire – so make sure you’re protected by checking your smoke alarms. If you like, perform a fire drill with your family to make sure they all know what to do in the event of fire.
  • If you’re going to use a space heater or electric heater, make sure you don’t use it to dry clothing – and keep it away from all flammable materials. Drying clothes on a space heater is a major fire hazard – so dry your clothes in your tumble dryer, on radiators or on drying racks instead.
  • You’ll probably be using the tumble dryer more frequently when autumn hits – so make sure you clean the filters regularly to prevent build-up of lint, as this could lead to a fire if unchecked.
  • If your car is prone to breaking down or being temperamental in cold weather, buy jump leads, a torch, radiator fluid, windshield washer fluid and de-icing spray and keep them in the boot of your car – that way, if anything happens, you should be able to get home. If you live in a particularly cold area, keep blankets in your car just in case you get stranded.
  • If your kitchen is particularly chilly, keep it warm using your heating system or a space heater kept well away from your oven and hob. Don’t ever warm your kitchen with the heat from your oven or gas hob – you could inhale very toxic gasses.
  • Check around the inside and outside of your house for odd jobs that might need doing, such as replacing roof tiles, cleaning your gutters and chimney and fixing any damaged windows. If you have a real fireplace and fire, you should also check the chimney flue to make sure it is in good condition.
  • If you’re raking leaves, be careful not to bend too much and don’t overfill leaf bags; equally, if you’re using a leaf-blower, use the proper safety equipment such as boots, appropriate clothing and safety eye goggles to protect your eyes.

Follow the tips above and you should find that this autumn is a safe one for you and your family – but if you suffer an accident or injury and want some legal advice, contact the professionals.

Author Bio: Richard Flynn works within the medical negligence and personal injury field with Pryers Solicitors.

Our thanks to Richard for this good advice.  (I think the last time I asked someone from England what a “hob” was, the answer was a stove. Hope that’s correct.)  pb

 

General Safety Issues

AURORA TRAGEDY PROMPTS SECURITY REASSESSMENT (GUEST POST)

America faced disbelief and heartbreak as they learned of the killing spree in the Aurora, Colorado Movie Theater that left 12 dead and 58 wounded. Out of the tragedy, heroes emerged from the scene that night when 4 of the 12 dead sacrificed their life to save another.  Other stories of bravery have covered the headlines and an outpouring of support has flowed from communities across the nation that somewhat imitate the historical and unexpected event of 9/11. 

 The horrendous event of 9/11 left a cloud of fear encompassing America as high alert terrorist’s warnings became everyday news. Sporting events no longer teamed with fans.  Busy malls and other public facilities where people gathered were quiet, while airline travel came to a standstill.  Government officials reacted by taking immediate action to protect the country from another incident.  

Since then, the government, corporations, small businesses and homeowners have found solace by incorporating Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) as part of their security plan.  CCTV cameras have been proven to deter crime. They can be seen inside and out of public buildings; they line the streets, and act as watchdogs in homes across the country.  If a crime does occur it can be captured in high resolution, in color, up close and even in the dark. 

The Aurora Theater, owned by Century 16 theaters, is quickly reassessing their security needs, including the installation of security cameras to prevent or identify a similar reoccurrence, as are other theaters across the country.  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that they are working with the National Association of Theater Owners to ensure a security checklist is being followed at theaters. Despite whether or not this event could have been prevented by security cameras, metal detectors and armed personnel, surveillance cameras continues to be more of a need than ever before.  

There are numerous CCTV cameras solutions available to help protect businesses and high-traffic, public areas.  The Dome Camera and PTZ camera below are ideal examples.  

Dome Cameras, best for covering large fixed areas are most often mounted to a ceiling and found indoors; however, outdoor dome cameras are designed for protection from the elements are also available. The camera is housed in a tinted dome, preventing a criminal from knowing which way the camera is pointing.  The dome also consists of vandal resistance hard acrylic to prevent the camera from being disabled.

The Pan, Tilt and Zoom Camera (PTZ) camera is effective in panning, tilting or zooming in on a suspicious activity for a closer look.  This type of camera usually mounts from the ceiling or wall from a pendant allowing for 360 degree continuous rotation.  PTZ cameras are available in both indoor and outdoor models. By using a joystick the user has the ability to quickly pan an area, as well as tilt the camera and zoom into a specific area for closer observation. 

The Security Product Depot is deeply saddened by the events that took place in Aurora, Colorado and extend their sympathies to all involved. 

The Security Product Depot is an established online provider of physical security products. As an innovative supplier of online security solutions, they are committed to offering the broadest array of CCTV camera systems, door hardware, locks, and safes for securing government, school facilities, commercial businesses and residents.  

Written by Mike Hassebrock from The Security Product Depot

Isn’t it a sad statement that our children aren’t able to attend school, or citizens go to a movie without the threat of some tragic event such as this?  Having grown up in an “age of innocence”, it truly shows how the world has changed.   Texas America Safety Company and Blog4Safety join The Security Product Depot in extending our sympathies to those whose lives were drastically changed that day. pb

 

General Safety Issues, Head Protection

WHAT DO FOOTBALL HELMETS AND HARDHATS HAVE IN COMMON?

The answer: protecting our hard heads!

If you have waited all summer for football season to begin, it’s here!  My husband loves this time of the year, scoping out every football game that he plans to watch, while at the same time, switching channels to Texas Rangers baseball games, and week-end golf tournaments.  His remote trigger finger has to move pretty fast.  (He prefers to surf channels rather than watching two events at once!) 

Chances are, he’s not the only one who is in a great mood, now that NCAA and NFL  football is here.  Are you wondering where the hardhats come in?  Well, most guys and gals that are required to wear hardhats in their line of work have the opportunity to sport their favorite team hardhat!  Can you think of a better way to support your team than showing off their logo for an 8-hour shift?  Chances are, you will see some fans wearing their team hardhats at the games.  

Not wanting to slight any other sports, there are hardhats that display the MLB, NHL, NBA, and NASCAR logos.  The main function of hardhats is to protect our heads, either from getting hit by falling objects or bumping into things.  Hardhats have come a long way since they were first created, being made of leather and shellac.  There are all types of attachments that hardhats can contain, such as protective neck shields from the sun, sunshield that fit around them, earmuffs, headsets, and pencil holders. 

Just as helmets and pads protect our football players from injury, hardhats serve the same purpose for workers.  It’s surprising just how many types of hardhats exist: ones that are aluminum, high visibility Glow-In-The-Dark, and even Cowboy style hardhats that furnish the same safety functions.  The key to a successful safety program is to protect employees from head injuries.  The easiest and most important way is by wearing safety hard hats.  These protect workers from the shock of a blow to the head, and penetration.  The shell should be 1 to 1 ¼” away from the head to cushion impact, and the hardhat should have instructions for proper adjustment and replacement of suspension and headband.  Proper fit is of the utmost importance. 

While your employees are wearing their hardhats to be compliant with safety requirements, allow them to support their favorite teams by wearing their logo on their hardhat.  Make compliance fun!

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues

HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR EYES (GUEST POST)

Ways to Exercise your Eyes

Today, a majority of professionals working in different industry use computers for long hours in their daily office work. This could easily strain your eyes, hence carrying out proper exercises for them become mandatory. These exercises could make your eyes stronger and at the same time relieves the strain caused to them.  Below is the list of some useful exercises which can help you in improving eye health and making your them free from strain. 

Breathing

You may be surprised to see breathing in the list of eye exercises; however, this could help you in relieving the stress in your body along with relaxing your eyes. Before doing this, you are supposed to remove your glasses and then try breathing. For this, find a comfortable place to sit. Check your breathing rhythm, inhale air deeply via your nose. Your lungs should expand with the air taken inside followed by exhaling slowly from your mouth. You need to feel your stomach and chest deflating in a proper shape. Repeat these steps for several times.

While doing so, your eyelids should hang heavy, your eyes should remain unfocused and at the same time keeping the eyes relaxed till you close them slowly. You need to relax your body without putting any tension with slow movements. Continue your breathing for three minutes. Lastly, open your eyes without looking at anything in particular. Allow your eyes to remain unfocused so that they can get some light in a relaxed and natural way.

Massaging

Massaging your eyes too is an effective way to get rid of the strain in your eyes. All you need is a clean towel soaked in both hot and cold water and then press lightly to your face with focusing more on your close eyelids, eyebrows, and cheeks. Also, rub the hot soaked towel over your forehead and neck. While massaging your eyes, you are supposed to do it in a circular motion using your fingers for one or two minutes. To avoid any eye damage, you need to press them in light fashion with properly washed hands.

Scanning

This exercise for your eyes could help you in alleviating your strain over your eye muscles. Looking at one fixed point for longer duration cold restrain your blood flow, hence you need to loosen up your eye muscles by scanning your entire room. You can do this by either sitting or in a standing position or even while moving in any direction.

While scanning, you need to relax your eyes with proper breathing, looking around your room. Since the goal of this exercise is to move your eyes in different directions, hence you are supposed to shift it anywhere with your natural breathing and blinking processes. Also, while doing so, you are required to release any tension found around your jaw, mouth, and neck. Keep doing this for two minutes.

Near and far focus

Working on a computer for long hours could deter you in refocusing between your computer screen and the object that’s kept away at some distance. Trying this exercise can help you in making your eye muscles more flexible while gazing at diverse distances. To begin with, you need to find a comfortable position and start breathing in a natural way. Now, simply hold your thumb around six inches away from your eyes by keeping it straight across your nose.

Then gaze at your thumb by taking a deep breath followed by exhaling out slowly. Now, look at any object which is placed at around ten feet away from you. Now, take a deep breath by exhaling out slowly and looking at your thumb again. You are supposed to repeat gazing at your thumb and a far away object in an alternate order up to 15 times.

Wrapping up

Your eyes are important organ of your body. For a healthy body, you need to take care of these. The above exercises would help you in boosting appropriate amount of visual function along with helping to relieve computer eye stress.

About the author:  Margaret Jules is a writer/blogger. She loves to spent time on Ergonomic GymyGym exercise. She also loves to read more about exercise on bornrich.

General Safety Issues

TEN SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR WORKING ON ELECTRONIC PROJECTS (Guest Post)

Electricity is one mean monster you never want to mess with. It has its own rules which you ignore at your peril. Aside from the obvious ones – never work with live wires or use electrical devices near water – some are less obvious such as using the wrong type of component or not carrying out fail-proof voltage testing.   However simple or complex your electronic project, here are ten important ways you can stay safe. 

1) Discharge any capacitors.

Before working on any electrical equipment or appliance it’s crucial that you discharge all the capacitors, otherwise you might be in for a nasty shock or burn. 

1. Stop any alternating current flowing through the capacitor by unplugging the electronic device. 

2. Disconnect any capacitors that are removable. 

3. To discharge the capacitor touch the capacitor leads with the wires of an electronic bulb, a volt meter or a 5- to 10-watt resistor. If using a bulb, it will gradually dim and turn off to indicate the progress of the discharge. If using a resistor, touch the capacitor leads for just a few seconds for discharging. 

Some people discharge with a small screwdriver. However, the current discharged may be enough to melt the screwdriver’s tip, or the copper on the circuit board if the capacitor is still connected to it, as well as create sparks.

 2) Don’t bodge it, replace it. 

Electricity is too dangerous to risk a quick penny-pinching repair job. For instance, if you have a damaged length of cable never repair cuts with insulating tape; use a new length of cable instead.  

3) Don’t cut corners. Only a fool uses the wrong tool. 

Check and ensure you’re using the proper tools and equipment in any job. For example, when joining lengths of cable don’t bodge it with connector blocks covered in insulating tape or ‘splice’ wires by twisting them together, do a proper job using proper connectors instead. 

4) Avoid live heat-sinks

Choose your heat-sink wisely, particularly if you’re working with mains electricity. As with any semi-conductor, a triac produces a lot of heat to switch the main electrical currents through the transistors. To dissipate the heat and prevent overheating a heat-sink is incorporated. A BTA08-600 triac is commonly used which has an insulated heat-sink connection to the mains voltage, whereas the BTB08-600, which is almost identical, is not insulated. 

Although the non-insulated triac produces better thermal characteristics and is smaller, the insulated triac ensures that the heat-sink is not live so is safer to work with.  

5) Cover those parts – they could be live.

Your electronic equipment may have a label on the back giving you a stark warning like “CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).” This basically means there are parts inside which are unprotected from the mains voltage. If you have removed the cover from a device like this, always remember to need to fix it back before connecting to the mains.  

6) Protect against electronic static discharge.

To safeguard yourself and sensitive electronics against any static discharge always remember to get grounded or earthed first. “Earthed”, as the name suggests, refers to being connected to the earth or ground. One of the easiest ways is to be earthed is to wear an anti-static arm band connected by a wire to a metal cold water pipe (as this ends up in the earth or ground). As long as that pipe has eventual contact with the earth any static that builds up can be safely diffused through the earth rather than through you or via your tools to the sensitive electronics you’re working on. NB, a hot water pipe won’t work as it doesn’t have contact with the earth. Wearing cotton rather than man-made fibres is another added precaution you can take against static. 

7) Consider switching from mains electricity to low voltage electricity.

If you’re an electronics newbie, the safest way to practice your hobby is to completely avoid working with mains voltage. Most electronic circuits use low voltages, powered by batteries or an external plug-in transformer which converts the voltage down to a safe voltage (e.g. AC current to a low voltage DC current).  Make sure that the transformer has the appropriate voltage and rating for the type of circuit you’re using and the power supply it’s connected to. 

8) Safety when soldering.

Aside from dangers of working with electricity, soldering wires in your electronics project poses a few dangers of its own. The solder can get seriously hot, and air pockets can get into the solder that when heated can splatter you in the face. Be sure to wear eye protection safety goggles, allow the solder to cool down before touching it, wash your hands after use (as it contains poisonous lead) and solder in a well ventilated room to avoid the build-up of its mild toxic and caustic fumes. It’s also important to use the correct voltage of soldering iron for your project.  

9) Don’t overload your circuit.

Ensure that the cabling and all components in your circuit do not exceed the rating of the maximum current. This is especially important with heavy circuit loads such as lights and motors.    

10) Test and test again.

To test there that your circuit is absolutely dead you should always use a voltage meter. But can you be absolutely sure your voltage meter is giving you a proper reading? It may seem paranoid but voltage meters can fail (however rarely). Bearing in mind that it’s always better to be safe than sorry, check that your meter is working properly on a known source of voltage and regularly inspect its body, probes and wires for any signs of wear or damage. It it’s faulty or unreliable, replace. 

Louisa Logan is an electronic blogger, writing for sites like Element 14 and Farnell UK. She enjoys carrying out her own electrical experiments and has a passion for projects with Vishay capacitors and resistors.

General Safety Issues

CHOOSING THE RIGHT GYM (Guest Post)

Okay, gang, we’ve just finished the Labor Day holiday, and it’s back to work!  Well, it’s not all work, and no play, so enjoy this article about how to find the gym that is right for you….No excuses!  Let’s exercise! pb

Whether you’ve been sitting on the couch every night for the past 10 years or you’re just looking to change up your workout, joining a gym is an excellent fitness decision. Access to knowledgeable people and expensive equipment will help get you moving and in the best shape of your life. But choosing a gym isn’t as simple as walking in and signing up. It’s important to find one that suits you so that you’ll actually follow through with your fitness goals. When checking out the gyms in your area, keep these seven things in mind.

  1. Location:

In real estate, it’s all about location, location, location, and it’s no different when choosing a gym. You may love the state-of-the-art facility on the other side of town, but it’ll be that much harder to motivate yourself to go if you know you have to drive or walk far out of your way to get there. A good rule of thumb is the 15-minute rule. If the gym is more than 15 minutes away from your home or work, you shouldn’t buy a membership there. 

  1. Price:

Besides being committed to working out regularly, you have to be committed to paying for your membership each month before you sign up with a gym. Of course, you get what you pay for.  You have to determine what you can afford and what services you’ll actually use. Check around town for the best rates, and check out whether you can pay less if you’re not going to take any group classes or personal training sessions. And always read the fine print to make sure you’re not getting suckered into a three- or five-year commitment. That could be a lot of wasted money if your situation changes and you can’t go to the gym anymore.

  1. Friends:

Ask around when you start your gym search to see if you have any friends who love their gyms. Not only can you get great suggestions (or reasons to avoid a certain gym), you might also find a workout buddy. If you don’t know anyone who’s already a gym member, try to find someone who wants to join with you. Having a gym partner will keep you motivated and hold you accountable, helping you get your money’s worth.

  1. Amenities:

The price of your membership will probably reflect the amenities that are included, so you should consider what you need and what you can do without. Do you want top-of-the-line offerings, such as a juice bar, sauna, and Jacuzzi? Will you be unhappy if towels aren’t provided for you? Will you be using the locker room showers or the child care center? Decide which of these amenities are important to you and ask to check them out on your gym tour.

  1. Clientele:

One of the biggest hindrances to people who want to get in shape is that they are often embarrassed by how out of shape they are. If you’re worried about getting sweaty or jiggly in front of super-fit gym members or the hot girl or guy on the treadmill next to you, you might consider that fact when trying to find a gym where you can work out until you are an unattractive, stinky mess. Look for clientele who look similar to you, whether that means mostly the same sex, mostly the same age, or mostly the same fitness level. You wouldn’t want to end up at a gym for body builders when you’re just trying to slim down.

  1. Size and popularity:

The reason you’re probably joining a gym is so that you can use their expensive fitness equipment, so it’s important to find a gym that has enough equipment to go around. During peak hours at popular gyms, it’s not unusual for you to have to wait for a machine and be limited on how long you can use it. For most gyms, the busiest hours are mid-morning and early evening. If you know what time of day you’ll want to work out, visit the gym at that time to see how crowded it is and what kinds of machines are open. The other perks of the facility won’t be worth it if you can’t get the kind of workout you want.

  1. Staff:

The front-desk staff should be friendly and helpful, and there should always be a staff member on hand willing to help out members who need help or explanations of machines. The staff members will probably treat you very well when you’re considering joining, so keep an eye out for how they treat current members as you walk through on your tour. If you think you might take personal training sessions in the future, you should also ask what kind of experience and certifications their personal trainers have. You don’t want to be stuck with a trainer who doesn’t know the difference between your biceps and your gluteus maximus.

This article was sent by Liz Nutt, of http://www.insurancequotes.org/.  Thanks, Liz for the great tips.

 

 

General Safety Issues, Head Protection, High Visibility Safety

HOW TO ELIMINATE THE RISK OF INJURY WHEN RIDING A BIKE (GUEST POST)

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 Bicycling is usually a very common mode of travelling among children and teenagers, as it is inexpensive and environment friendly. Today apart from being a common mode of transportation for many across the world, it is also a world famous sport. Risk of injury is involved in every sport be it swimming, running, riding and so on and bicycling is no different. The amount of risk involved in cycling on the road is greater than any other sport, that is played within a boundary. Hence, it becomes all the way more  important to take a few measures of safety before indulging yourself in cycling. 

No matter if you are a trained cyclist, or a regular cycle commuter, this article is specifically written for you to prevent you from unexpected and undesired circumstances. It is necessary to take necessary precautions to prevent injuries. Small injuries can heal quickly, but serious ones heal may take long to recover or sometimes never heal. This could result in many undesired circumstances which is dreaded by every person. Prevention is better than cure should be the mantra of every one.  

 Safety Tips for Riding a Bicycle 

Wear a Helmet

  • ●        The golden rule – always wear a helmet that is approved by consumer product safety commission, while riding a bike.
  • ●        Never leave your straps unlocked.
  • ●        Always wear a  cotton hat underneath the helmet.
  • ●        If your old helmet is all broken then buy a new helmet.
  • ●        One should never compromise on the safety standards while buying a helmet. 

Wear Proper Clothes

  • ●        It is very important to wear a proper and comfortable clothes while bicycling.
  • ●        One should not wear loose pants as they can get stuck in the bicycle.
  • ●        Do not listen to music while riding as this could distract you from listening  to the traffic sounds.
  • ●        Always wear shoes, instead of sandals, and flat slippers while riding a bicycle , as this could damage your ankle.  

Check Your Brakes

  • ●        Always check your brakes before riding a bike.
  • ●        Make sure the brake wire is not loose.
  • ●        Get the tyre pressure and bicycle chain checked everyday, or at least twice in a week. 

Follow The Traffic and Road Rules

  • ●        While riding a bicycle always check for traffic signals, people crossing the roads, puddles, wet grounds, gravels, rains and storms.
  • ●        Do not speed up in crowded places as this could not only harm them but also you.
  • ●        Non-compliance of the traffic rules will not only harm you but also land you in jail.
  • ●        Obey traffic, as well as road rules to avoid major injuries, road accidents and other destruction. 

Do Not Ride At Night

  • ●        Avoid riding a bike at night as much as possible as you are not visible to car and truck drivers, which increases your chances of serious accidents.
  • ●        If necessary ride with bicycle lights and reflectors on your clothes or bike. 

Follow the above mentioned rules and preventive measures to avoid any kind of mishappening. Taking necessary precautions will not only save you, but will also let you enjoy your fun time without any unnecessary stress and hassles. Click here to know more in this context. 

Happy Cycling!

Author Bio:

Sachin is a freelance writer who writes on different topics such as health and safety.  He has published more than 500 articles about various topics.  You can Click Here to visit his website.  He loves to travel and make new friends.