Monthly Archives: October 2012

General Safety Issues

HALLOWEEN AND ZOMBIE SAFETY (GUEST POST)

By Jack Rubinger, www.DuraLabel.com, 503-469-3024, jarubinger@graphicproducts.com 

Hazard check for October: maintain walkways to eliminate soggy leaves; adjust outdoor lighting; get brake jobs for auto fleet; and most importantly—protect your workers from zombie invasions.

As the undead begin to encroach during the waning daylight hours, it’s critical to make sure your safety signs are OSHA-compliant. OSHA’s primary hazard classifications for danger, warning, caution, and biohazard are designed to be noticed—important when you want to ensure your employees show up for work alive the next day. Use the following information to keep your employees alive and safe, and at the same time avoid being fined by OSHA.

DANGER

Danger signs indicate an immediate hazard which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. Danger signs should be reserved for the most serious hazards and signify special precautions are necessary.

The Danger signal word is printed in white letters on a red background and preceded by the safety alert symbol. The message panel, beneath the signal word, is where the safety message is printed, usually in black or red over white. You can also print in white over a black safety panel. Pictograms may be used to help workers recognize hazards sooner and from safe distances.  In the case of zombie hazard, we recommend the following:

DANGERKeep Clear: Zombie Hazard Imminent 

 WARNING

Warning signs are one hazard level below danger signs. They describe a hazard which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

The Warning signal word is written in black on an orange background header and proceeded by a safety alert symbol. The text in the message panel may be printed in white letters on a black panel or black letters on a white panel. Warning signs and labels can be any size and printed in a landscape or portrait format. Keep in mind, alternative design and color options should only be used to improve worker comprehension.

When warning of zombies, we recommend the following:

WARNINGAvoid Contact with Zombies. Always wear Personal Protective Equipment if contact is unavoidable. Contact with skin may result in zombification.

CAUTION

A caution sign indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury. Caution signs are used in areas where potential injury or equipment damage is possible, or to caution against unsafe practices. Caution signs should only be used if there is a risk of personal injury.

The Caution signal word is written in black letters on a yellow background and is preceded by a safety alert symbol, except when used for a non-personal injury. The message panel below the signal word contains the safety message and any additional safety symbols. Everything printed inside the message panel is black text on white or white text on black.

Here’s an example of a useful caution sign. Does your facility have a zombie evacuation plan?

 CAUTIONZombie Evacuation RouteKeep aisles clear.

 BIOHAZARD

OSHA 1910.1459(e)(4) states, “The biological hazard warnings shall be used to signify the actual or potential presence of a biohazard and to identify equipment, containers, rooms, materials, experimental animals, or combinations thereof, which contain, or are contaminated with, viable hazardous agents… presenting a risk or potential risk to the well-being of man.” The symbol design must conform with the example shown right and contain the word “Biohazard” or “Biological Hazard.”

The biohazard symbol can be black, fluorescent orange, or an orange-red color. Background color is optional as long as there is sufficient contrast for the biohazard symbol to be clearly defined. A biohazard can also be indicated on a danger or warning sign and may include the safety alert symbol.

If incapacitated zombies are strewn about your work area, they should be tagged with biohazard signs, as shown below:

 BIOHAZARD Avoid skin contact with contaminated tissue

 OSHA also has compliance standards for Notice, general safety signs, fire safety signs, and admittance signs. See the DuraLabel site for a selection of OSHA-compliant signs for zombie hazards and any other purpose.

Thanks, Jack, for these important warnings to protect our workers!  Safety posters placed in just the right spots may help, as well.

 

 

General Safety Issues, Home Safety Products

THE IMPACT OF OVERHEATING YOUR HOUSE (GUEST POST)

Sent to us by Allan Williams, of fullsteamconsulting.com.au. 

In extremely cold weather conditions, heating the house becomes a must. It is essential for survival and creates a warm comfortable environment for us to live in. But over-heating a house can cause a lot of problems in many aspects,  including financial, health and environmental problems.

Health Problems

The surrounding environment has a direct impact on a person’s health. An over-heated environment is not only detrimental to the health of children but is also very harmful for adults. Too much heat in the house can lead to hyperventilation or over-breathing. Children are very sensitive to changes in temperature. They can suffer from mouth breathing problems in over-heated surroundings. Such environments can also lead to an advancement in chronic diseases and lead to poor health in children.

Heating a house excessively will remove the moisture in the air, which assists in breathing. Breathing in dry air can prove to be hazardous to health as it can lead to many respiratory ailments such as sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, nosebleeds and dehydration. Also, moisture evaporates from the skin, which can cause itchiness in the eyes and skin irritations. Low air moisture can also cause static electricity and can result in mild shock when you come in contact with metal.

Financial Problems

Energy resources are depleting at a fast pace and their prices are constantly on the rise.  Using the heater excessively in your house can result in exorbitant energy bills. You should, therefore, use your heaters moderately so as not to waste energy resources as well as keep you energy bills low. Also, using heaters a lot can cause them to heat up and break down. The cost of getting the heater repaired is very high and may force you to exceed your monthly budget.

Environment Problems

The environment  also bears the brunt of heaters that run in houses. Firstly, it creates unnecessary noise pollution. Moreover, heaters also cause air pollution by giving off hazardous gases and fumes.

Many heaters just give off hot air into the room but fail to evenly distribute it in the surroundings. Such uneven distribution of heat can cause one area of the room to become extremely hot. The other equipments in the house can also malfunction due to over-heating. Too much heat can cause the mechanism of other equipment in the room to breakdown.

Therefore, it is preferable to turn your thermostat down to a level which provides sufficient heat. Keep your house insulated so that there is less heat loss when you shut the heater and the heat lasts longer in your home. Furthermore, getting an automatic heater is a good choice as it shuts itself off when the room is sufficiently heated and turns itself back on when the temperature drops a little. 

Allan loves blogging about energy saving and environmental issues. Over the last 3 years, he has reviewed appliances at http://www.oo.com.au/Heaters and published numerous articles on various blogs and websites.

General Safety Issues

CLEAN OUT DRYER VENTS TO PREVENT DANGEROUS HOUSE FIRES (GUEST POST)

This article is very timely, as it is still Fire Prevention Month.  Written by Carlos Hazbun, please pay attention to these excellent fire safety tips regarding clothes dryers. pb 

House fires are one of the scariest situations that any homeowner could face. In order to best protect your family and your assets there are several things to keep in mind. Fire professionals recommend that you check your smoke alarms every month. Along with that advice it is also recommended that you change the batteries in your smoke alarms when the time changes each year. By following this simple advice you could save yourself thousands in damage but most importantly you could save the lives of your entire family.

However, along with your smoke alarms there is another area in your home that could potentially cause a fire. This area is used very often and is the number one cause of household fires. The area that you have probably overlooked is your clothes dryer. Dryer vents can collect copious amounts of lint. When coupled with the high temperatures associated with the dryer itself, this is a very combustible duo. There are a few things to keep in mind when dealing with your dryer vents. Following these simple steps could help to prevent a dangerous house fire. 

The first step in the process of maintaining your dryer vents is to actually clean your lint trap. All dryers have a lint trap. Some lint traps are located inside the dryer itself while others are externally mounted. Regardless of the location of the lint trap it is recommended by most manufacturers that you remove and clean the screen in your lint trap after every 1-3 loads of clothes. This is a good rule of thumb to follow;  however, when drying clothes that are larger and heavier, such as sweaters or sweat shirts; it is best to inspect the lint trap after each load has properly dried. By maintaining your lint trap you will reduce the amount of lint that is pulled out of the trap and into your vent duct. 

The second area of concern when dealing with fire prevention safety, as it pertains to dryers, is to properly inspect the dryer ductwork every 2-3 months. At least once a year you should have your local appliance repair company clean out your ducts. This service in inexpensive and can save you from the threat of fire. It does take some time for lint deposits to build up inside the dryer duct but when this process is neglected it could lead to a potentially devastating house fire. Every dryer has a tube located on the back of the machine. This tube is attached to a larger tube that forces the exhaust of your dryer out of your home. When this tube becomes clogged with lint airflow is reduced, heat continues to build and, the results can be a fire. There are no chemicals or substances that can be used in this process. The only answer is to thoroughly inspect and clean these vents by hand. It may seem like a lot of work now but it could save you from a costly house fire in the future.

Again, our thanks to Carlos for these tips.  Another reminder is to never leave your house with the dryer running.  You have a lot to lose when you take this chance, in case a fire started. pb

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

Carlos Hazbun

 
Back Safety, Ergonomics, Eye Protection, General Safety Issues

EASY WAYS TO REDUCE INJURIES IN AN OFFICE SETTING (GUEST POST)

1 Comment
 Sent to us by Brandon Allred.

Work injuries that are related to computers are quickly becoming the most reported incidences on the job. This is because using computers in the work place are so very common nowadays in almost every area of the world. Since this is fact we have to take into consideration how these injuries occur and how to prevent them as much as possible. New standards set forth by occupational safety committees recommend safer ways to use computers and other such devices that will lessen the effects that cause the injuries in the first place. These tips are important to follow because using computers for a large amount of your workday can cause back problems, neck problems, and hand/wrist problems such as carpel tunnel syndrome. If you are someone who works heavily on computers at work (or even at home) keep reading to find out how you can boost your chances of sustaining injuries.

Tip 1:                                                      

The chair that you sit in can make all the difference. It can cause or prevent damage. Your chair should be designed ergonomically so that it fits your back (and your entire body) in a way that is more natural and comfortable, thus preventing strain in any one area and preventing injuries.

Tip 2:

Even with ergonomic chairs your body still needs a change of position every now and then. At least once per hour, get up and move around for a couple of minutes in order to get your blood flowing and your muscles moving.

Tip 3:

Many workplaces that require you to be sitting at desks or computers for long periods of time will require that you have a morning and afternoon exercise session. If your workplace does not have this then suggest it yourself. If the suggestion is not taken then do the small exercises on your own to help protect your body.

Tip 4:

If you are typing for long periods of time, move your wrists often. This will help relieve them from the stress being put on them from the mouse and keyboard which can cause carpel tunnel syndrome. This is a painful condition that may render you unable to work at the computer anymore and require surgery to fix.

Tip 5:

Use an ergonomic keyboard that tilts at a good angle to relieve any pressure put on your wrists and hands. Using one at home is also a smart idea and they can be purchased at most any store that sells computer items.

Tip 6:

Adjust the position that you are sitting in if you feel any strain or pain. Your shoulder, hands, wrists and arms should feel totally relaxed. If they are not then you are not sitting properly to prevent injury.

Tip 7:

Your eyes should also be protected while working at the computer. Make sure that the screen is tilted at an angle where you do not have to strain your neck or eyes to see it. Also make sure that the screen is not too light or too dark as this will strain your eyes as well.

Tip 8:

Your eyes should also be rested frequently throughout the workday. Staring at a screen all day can take a toll no matter how well your position is. Take several breaks by focusing your eyes on objects in the distance. This only takes a few seconds to be helpful so do it frequently.

Tip 9:

Avoid tensing your body’s muscles while working at the computer as this strain can cause all types of work related injuries.

Tip 10:

Have your computer fitted with a glare screen to keep your eyes as safe as possible and avoid further strain.

All of the above can make a real difference in workplace comfort and lessen the chances of becoming injured. Keep these tips in mind if you are often on your home computer as well.

Protective Technologies provides advanced http://www.pti-world.com/walk-through-detector security products.  Please check out the link for more information. 

An extra note: motivational posters placed in the office also offer reminders that go well with the above tips. Pat

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

ENERGY DRINKS – HEALTHY OR HARMFUL?

 Some important points to ponder about energy drinks:

 Manufacturers of energy drinks are not required by law to state where the ingredients originated, whether they were sprayed with pesticides or other toxins, or if they have been in contact with contaminated water because they tout “contains natural ingredients.”   They  contain certain herbs, such as taurine and ginseng.  However,  it is impossible to verify the safety of these drinks.

  One certain beverage is an energy supplement that claims to result in “twice the buzz of a regular energy drink,” as stated by their website.  Other popular energy drinks contain many similar ingredients that boost energy.  The primary ingredient that enables drinks to cause an energy boost is caffeine.  A 16-oz. can of one energy drink contains 160 mg of caffeine.  There are less than 47 mg of caffeine in 16 oz. of Coca Cola.  Caffeine has been labeled as a stimulant, therefore it is a drug.

The potential side effects to caffeine  include heart palpitations, elevated blood pressure, headaches, insomnia, and jitters.  When used regularly, it can cause caffeine addiction, leaving energy seekers needing to ingest more and more of the drink to achieve the effects.  These effects can cause drastic changes in energy levels.  Although an instant surge in energy appears, it is followed by a period of diminished energy.  Called “jolts and crashes,” a study of 500 college students indicated that these effects were experienced by 29 percent of subjects who drank energy drinks.  Also, 22 percent experienced headaches, and 29 percent had heart palpitations.

Now, one such drink has been blamed for at least four deaths and a heart attack since 2004, and the FDA has launched an investigation to determine the claims’ validity and possible health side effects by consuming these drinks.  One involves a lawsuit filed against the makers of  this drink, in which the parents of a deceased 14-year-old girl blame her drinking two cans of the energy drink in one day, resulting in her death.  The suit alleges that the company failed to warn of possible side effects of drinking the potent beverage, which is sold in 24-ounce cans.  The girl suffered a cardiac arrhythmia.  Although the fact that she had a condition that already weakened her blood vessels may have  played a part in her death, the suit states that the company should have advertised warnings of health risks rather than benefits of the drink.  The FDA was directed by leading Senators on Capitol Hill last month to launch an investigation into this matter.

We should avoid drinking anything or taking any type of pills, such as diet pills, that increase our heart rate.   Here’s something you should understand about your heart:

Cardioversion (KAR-de-o-VER-shun) is a procedure used to restore a fast or irregular heartbeat to a normal rhythm. A fast or irregular heartbeat is called an arrhythmia (ah-RITH-me-ah).  Arrhythmias can prevent your heart from pumping enough blood to your body. They also can raise your risk for stroke, heart attack, or sudden cardiac arrest.

My personal experience was an electrical problem in my heart, causing it to beat rapidly  – sometimes lasting for hours.  Finally, an electrophysiologist found my problem, an extra AV node in my heart, which caused the beating to go in circles, much as an idling motor.  It was very uncomfortable and at times, and frightening.  I am not about to take anything that would cause my heart to stay out of rthym. 

There are many ways of getting energy through healthy food, exercise and rest.  Good advice would be to leave anything that artificially speeds your heart up and later slows it down alone until the FDA determines if these energy drinks are safe.

 Sources: eHow; AP; Nutrition Journal

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues

INFORMATION ON SOFTWARE THAT HELPS BUSINESSES COMPLY WITH NEW HAZCOM AND GHS (GUEST POST)

DuraLabel software release helps businesses comply with new HazCom and GHS 

Information from Jack Rubinger 

Portland, OR—Global labeling system manufacturer Graphic Products, Inc., has released updates to its DuraSuite labeling software to align and comply with new chemical labeling and storage guidelines, both for HazCom 2012 (Domestic) and Globally Harmonized Standard (GHS International). Both standards were updated in April 2012, and require specific label formats. The new software release applies to DuraLabel industrial label printers. 

GHS compliance to become mandatory

In order to align with the GHS, two systems are currently in place: HazCom 2012 (for shipping chemicals within the United States) and GHS (the international standard). The new HazCom 2012 standards will not become enforced until 2015, but according to the schedule below, laboratory and chemical manufacturers must begin to change the way their chemicals are labeled.

The phase-in period, per OSHA, under the revised Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is as follows:

  • December 1, 2013: Employers must train employees on new label elements and the safety data sheet (SDS) format.
  • June 1, 2015: Chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers must be in compliance with all modified provisions but may continue to ship manufacturer-labeled products until December 1, 2015.
  • June 1, 2016: Employers must update alternative labeling and hazard communications programs as necessary and provide additional employee training for newly identified physical or health hazards. 

“EHS managers, industrial hygienists and safety officers from government, education, healthcare, transportation and manufacturing will be impacted by these new standards,” said James Serrano, GHS Resource Advisor for Graphic Products, Inc. “Our goal is to take the worry and stress out of the adoption process.” 

New standardized requirements

Changes have been made because, while chemical manufacturing historically has had a single system that complied with both international and domestic standards for handling hazardous chemicals, the chemical hazards were not easy to identify for the recipients, emergency responders and employees that may have been exposed to them. To address these issues both HazCom 2012 and GHS standards now require chemical manufacturers and importers to label chemical containers with the following:

  • Harmonized signal word
  • GHS pictograms
  • A hazard statement for each class and category
  • A precautionary statement
  • Supplier Information including phone number 

Cost to industry

Between updating label and safety sheet data, training, and management transition costs, the change in standards will cost U.S. industry an estimated $201 million a year on an annualized basis, according to OSHA.  DuraSuite allows users to begin selecting hundreds of chemical names from a database immediately instead of waiting until mandatory compliance is fineable. 

New features enable compliance with new standards

DuraSuite is provided at no cost with the purchase of DuraLabel printers, so users can easily create labels for transporting chemicals regardless of the chosen container or mode of transportation. 

Here are key software features and benefits: 

  • Drop-down menu to select from seven HazCom and four GHS compliant labeling templates
  • Search function to help users choose chemical by name, CAS, EC or UN number
  • More than 1500 chemicals preloaded in the database to reduce entry time — more chemicals than any other labeling software on the market
  • WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) view for accurate layout changes
  • Little to no learning curve with familiar tool function — edit, save and delete.
  • Software applies specific compliance rules to the label generating symbols, statements and hazard signal words automatically from the input of any GHS-formatted SDS. 

Free upgrade for DuraSuite users

DuraSuite users can access the GHS/HazCom updates by visiting http://www.duralabel.com/durasuite/updates.php and downloading the 1.5.5.3 patch. DuraLabel Toro label printer users can call Graphic Products, Inc. at 888.326.9244 to request the upgrade on a flash drive. 

DuraLabel systems can be used to generate pipe marking, OSHA safety standards, arc flash, wayfinding, lockout/tagout, mine safety, wire marking, NFPA, barcoding, floor marking and custom labels. Every DuraLabel printer purchase includes a three-year warranty, DuraSuite label creation software and free technical support for life. 

Graphic Products manufactures industrial labeling equipment for global companies such as Amazon.com, Boeing, Intel, Proctor and Gamble, Johnson and Johnson, and Toyota. With more than 50 types of labeling supplies, Graphic Products, Inc. helps companies solve communication problems in the toughest industrial environments. For more information, visit www.DuraLabel.com.

About the author – Jack Rubinger

 

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues

ROLE OF AIRCRAFT STORAGE CONSULTANT IN SOLVING AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS (GUEST POST)

When an aircraft accident takes place, it is usually considered as a critical automobile accident. Such accident cases are not solved the way any other automobile accident is usually done. In fact, serious investigation does take place after the accident has occurred. This investigation is usually carried out to detect the actual reason responsible for causing the accident. This reason may include technical default or pilot’s inattentiveness while flying the flight. Whatever the reason is, special investigation officers are appointed to investigate the case. As far as the compensation goes for the victims, the owner company of the aircraft will be liable to complete such formalities.

How the evidences are collected in such accident? 

The investigative officer will collect evidences from the location. They will even carry out enquiry sessions with the passengers of the flight to collect more information related to the incident. These evidences will help the court to locate the actual reason that is responsible for such major accident. However, this investigation doesn’t end in a year. Hence, for further enquiry, the damaged aircraft needs to be preserved. For doing so, special region is usually selected so that all the evidences are protected from any kind of damages. Who can provide you such region? Aircraft storage regions are there to provide security to such proof.


How do these aircraft storage regions can provide security? 

Nowadays, numerous aircraft storage centers have come that are specially designed to preserve automobiles or aircraft parts that have been damaged in an accident. These regions are usually highly secured places. All around these places, cameras are installed that are being monitored  for 24hours per day. These regions are usually owned by aircraft storage consultants in Woodland. This consultant has expertise team that carries out conference, inspection and even testing of the available proves. Apart from these, such centers also hold advanced technologies like, hydraulic lift, special lighting system, ladders and stands, laboratories and special photography facilities for carrying out the investigation process in much more detailed way.

How can you get in touch with such agencies? 

After knowing about so many facilities, if you plan to investigate an aircraft accident it is best to consult with such agencies. How will you do so? Use their website link. These companies do have email addresses. Use that detail to get in touch with them. Consult with them about the accident detail. Their expert team will reach to the location to preserve the damaged aircraft and its parts which can later be used to solve the case legally.  
 

About the Author:

George Steven is associated with auto storage in Texas. He likes to share his experiences on vehicle accidents also. If you want to know more, follow his online write ups.
 
General Safety Issues, Weather Protection

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS FROM VIOLENT WEATHER (GUEST POST)

 Written by Saam Banai.

As a business owner, it’s important to protect your investments. Unfortunately, one potential hazard that many business owners fail to plan for is bad weather. No matter where a business is located, it can be at risk for damage due to violent weather, and the damage caused by such weather can extend far beyond just the physical. If you’re a business owner and you haven’t thought of the potential for damage due to threatening weather, consider the following five issues you may face if you don’t plan accordingly:

1. Premises Liability

Violent weather can also lead to premises liability lawsuits being filed against your business. For instance, if hail has recently fallen on your business and you fail to clean the stones from customer and employee entryways, slips and falls could occur, and this may mean that your business could be hit with a major lawsuit. To avoid this, always have a plan in place to cleanup after bad weather moves through. 

2. Data Loss

These days, virtually all businesses use some type of data. Whether it be customer information, sales figures or new product research, data is an incredibly important commodity within the world of business, and loss of it can lead to big trouble. In order to protect your business from data loss due to bad weather, you may consider using off-site data storage like our Miami data centers that are rated to protect against hurricane weather. 

3. Structural Damage

Bad weather can also cause structural damage, and this can lead to the potential for further problems. When certain materials, such as exposed wood, become soaked with rain, rot may set in, and this can cause your business’ structural integrity to be in jeopardy. To combat this, always have a professional inspection of your business’ structure completed after a major weather event.

4. Higher Insurance Premiums

Additionally, if you haven’t taken the time to protect your business against weather threats, your insurance company may charge higher premiums. An insurance company may also choose to charge higher premiums if your business repeatedly sustains damage due to your failure to protect your business’ assets. To avoid this, speak with your insurance agent to discuss what needs to be done in order to alleviate the potential for higher weather-related premiums.

5. Code Enforcement Issues

Finally, failing to repair weather damage in a timely fashion may lead to various code violations, and this could mean large fines. If you receive too many code violations in a certain time period, your business may even be required to shut down until repairs are completed. One way to fight against this is to always make repairs that are affected by your local or state building codes quickly after weather-related damage occurs. If you’re unable to do so, at least contact your local officials to let them know of your situation.

Despite what your local TV weatherperson tells you, no one can predict exactly how weather events will play out, especially violent weather events. As a business owner, it’s up to you to take the proper steps to protect your business, its assets, its customers and its employees. By remaining prepared with a plan in place, you and your business can avoid the potential for lost time, lost wages and more. 

Saam Banai is a freelance writer, editor, and small business owner.  He contributes this article for Quality Technology Services, a provider of custom data centers, collocation services, and cloud computing access. Their Miami data centers are Category 5 rated facilities designed to protect against flood damage and winds of 185 MPH.  

 

General Safety Issues

NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK, OCT 22-26

Today National School Bus Safety Week begins, ending October 26th.  There are approximately 474,000 school buses transporting around 25 million children, covering roughly 41 million miles, to and from school every day in this country.   This observance is sponsored by: National Association for Pupil Transportation, National School Transportation Association, National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation, National Safety Council, and School Bus Manufacturers and Suppliers. Their goal is to educate students and the public about school bus safety.  This year’s theme is “I See the Driver – The Driver Sees Me!” 

School buses are among the safest transportation we have.  Statistics show that around six children die per year as passengers on school buses; however, fatalities have more often occurred from pedestrian accidents involving motorists who illegally pass school buses, failing to see children.  When a school bus is stopped, flashing lights on the bus warn drivers to stop, in order to allow children to safely board and get off the bus.  Motorists should be vigilant when sharing the road with the big yellow buses. 

School bus drivers have to have nerves of steel.  Kids can get rowdy on school buses, and drivers should have rules (short and simple), that their young passengers follow.   It is helpful when bus drivers get to know their kids and try to be a positive role model.  Parents should expect their students to show respect to their driver, who plays this very important role in getting them safely to school and back home.  School bus riders were recently caught bullying a lady that accompanied the bus every day, until one child filmed the event on his cell phone.  There is no excuse for this behavior, on a bus or anywhere else. 

Here are some safety reminders for parents and students from The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration: 

  • Parents should be sure that their children get to the bus stop on time.
  • Students should stand back several feet from the edge of the road until the bus comes to a complete stop.
  • If a student drops something near the bus, he/she should ask the driver for help.  The driver may not be able to see when a child bends over to pick something up.  The best solution is to have all their things secure in a backpack or bag.
  • Be sure clothing or backpacks have no loose drawstrings that could get caught in the bus door.
  • Ask school officials or transportation authorities to change the location of a bus stop if it is not in a safe place.
  • Students should cross the street in view of the driver: “Cross in View – It’s the Thing to Do”, a previous year’s theme. 

Our big yellow buses not only transport the kids to school every day, but also take them on field trips, to sports events, and many other extracurricular activities.  Their passengers are our future; we must obey the laws that protect the lives of our children and their caregivers – the drivers.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

10 Tricks to Make Your House Easier to Keep Clean (Guest Post)

10 Tricks to Make Your House Easier to Keep Clean

Sent by Maria Wells of http://www.housekeeping.org
 

After a stressful day, the last thing busy parents want to do is walk into a messy house. Coming home to a clean house, on the other hand, is like a much-needed breath of fresh air.  Why not keep your house cleaner, longer?  Doing so will give you a little more time to do the things you want to do, rather than doing the things you don’t.  The next time that you are cleaning your house, give some of these tricks a try. They’ll extend your homes’ clean life and save you some cleaning time.

  1. Keep shower doors cleaner with Rain-X.  Start by thoroughly cleaning your shower doors with a glass cleaner.  If the glass is textured, use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to get into the glass grooves.  Using a razor blade, scrape off any soap that has caked onto your doors.  Dry the glass completely with a soft towel.  Spray on Rain-X or a product called Aquapel, then wipe the glass clean with a microfiber cloth.  The product leaves a thin coating on the glass which will repel soap and water. The end result is that your shower doors will stay cleaner for much longer. While these products, which can be found in the automotive department at discount stores, are typically used for windshields, they also work great on shower doors.
  2. Squeegee off the walls after each shower.  By squeegeeing off the water and soap after each shower you will limit the amount of water and soap that dries onto your shower walls and doors.  Make sure to dry any water off of your faucet and the metal around the glass on the shower doors to avoid water spots.  This will keep your shower looking sparkling clean.
  3. Brighten cabinets with heat. Over time kitchen cabinets get coated with grease. This happens so gradually that it’s usually not even noticeable.  Microwave a sponge for 30 seconds and then put on some rubber gloves before grabbing the sponge.  Spray the cabinets with a cleaner that contains orange oil.  Use the hot sponge to wipe away layers of grease and grime that have accumulated on your cabinets.  Not only will the kitchen smell like fresh oranges, but the oil will give the cabinets that just like new shine.  The oil will also help to prevent food from sticking in the future.
  4. Remove pet hair with ease and slow down its return.  If you have pets that shed you probably have struggled with keeping pet hair off of your furniture.  Start by wrapping a paint roller with duct tape, sticky side out.  Now roll the furniture; the tape will pick up the hair much faster than a vacuum.  To keep the hair off longer, wipe a dryer sheet over the furniture and drapes.  There will be less static for the hair to hold onto. 
  5. Remove soap scum with a putty knife.  Soap scum can be very difficult to remove.  Wait until the shower walls are completely dry and use a 4 inch plastic putty knife to scrape the soap scum off of the tile and walls.  After you have scraped off the soap scum, clean with your regular cleaner.  Dry the walls with a towel and apply some car wax, using a liquid car wax just like you would on your car.  Wipe it on and wait until it gets hazy, then buff it off with a soft cloth.  The wax will repel the water and soap in the future.
  6. Apply grout sealer to tile back splashes.  Twice a year apply a couple of coats of grout sealer to your grout lines.  Once the sealer is dry it will prevent stains from getting onto your grout.  Any food splatters can be wiped away without worry of stains.
  7. Apply stone sealer to your stone counter tops.  Follow the package directions and apply stone sealer to your stone counter tops to reduce the chances that a spill will stain your stone counters.  Stone is porous and can absorb stains, making it impossible to get clean.  Doing a little extra work a couple times a year will keep your counters looking like new for a longer period of time.
  8. Leave the lid of your washer open for an hour after use.  To avoid the expense of buying a special cleaner for your washing machine you just need to leave the lid of your washer open for an hour after you’ve washed clothes.  This allows the moisture to evaporate so that you can eliminate mold and mildew that will make your washer smell.  Making this a habit will keep your washer looking and smelling cleaner for an extended period of time.
  9. Have a big mat at all doors.  Most dirt that gets into the home is tracked in on shoes.  To help keep your house cleaner, you need to keep the dirt outside.  The ideal size for a mat is more than one stride long.  You want people to walk on the mat with both of their feet before stepping into your home.  The mat should be a deep texture like that of AstroTurf.  To further keep dirt out of the home, place a mat on the inside of the door as well.  Also, ask people to take their shoes off at the door.
  10. Keep doors, drawers, and cabinets closed.  Make a habit of keeping drawers, cabinets, and doors closed, as dirt tends to blow around.  If the drawer or door is left open the dirt can get in there.  By making a habit of keep things closed, the insides of cabinets and drawers, along with what they hold, will stay clean a lot longer.

Thank you, Maria, for these great tips. It’s great to come home to a nice, clean house.  There are some other tips for making our homes safer, such as, keeping clutter picked up  and having loose rugs taped down with double-sided tape, to prevent falls.  Wearing gloves while doing some of the cleaning projects will protect your hands, as well.  pat