Monthly Archives: April 2013

General Safety Issues

STOP THE RUMOR THAT STEEL-TOED BOOTS ARE DANGEROUS (GUEST POST)

Wade Myer grew up under the watchful eye his father, a contractor, who taught him the tools of the trade. Even though he can swing a hammer with the best of them, he’s always been drawn to the written word where he can frame sentences rather than walls.  Currently he writes on behalf of Steiner Homes LTD, who builds Valpraiso Custom Homes.

 There is an idea that boots can actually cause more damage to your foot than if you were wearing regular work boots. The common belief is that if a heavy object falls on the toe of the boot, the steel will shear off and will sever the toes. I’m not sure how this rumor got started, and maybe at one point in time something like this happened, but it is completely unfounded if you’re buying certified steel toed boots and there are multiple reasons to wear them on the job.

It Is Safer?

Steel toed boots have to go through rigorous testing to be sold as safety boots. The toe caps are placed into an industry standard, official machine that drops a 20kg (44lb) wedge directly onto the cap (this is for ANSI standard). A malleable substance that was placed inside the cap is measured before and after the drop test and if the difference is too great, the cap doesn’t pass the test. All of this being said, steel toed boots are not designed to protect your foot from every imaginable object that could fall or crush your foot. While tissue damage might happen while wearing steel toed boots, the cap is designed to protect the bones from being broken or amputated.

They Protect More Than Your Toes

If your employer requires you to wear steel toed boots and you choose to forgo his warnings and suffer an injury to your foot, you could very well end up not receiving workers comp, insurance coverage, and could even lose your job since you were not following proper regulations.

Common Sense

The argument for steal toe boots really boils down to this: if an object falls on the shoe with enough force to break the steel cap and cut off the toes, the toes would have been lost regardless due to how bad they would have been crushed. There are different ratings for steel toe boots, so make sure you get the proper ones that will withstand your environment.

Do You Have To Pay For These Specialty Shoes?

With all of your other daily expenses in your daily life, buying a specialty shoe when you already have perfectly good leather boots can be a pain. Yes the steel-toed boots are safer, but you don’t plan on getting injured. There is a chance depending on your company’s guidelines that you will not be required to purchase your own steel toed boots.

According to OSHA 1910.132(h)(1) and (2) safety provision employers are required to pay for specialty safety equipment unless employers allow the workers to wear them outside the work place. In those circumstances employees are required to buy equipment that employers decide are necessary for safety with their own money. If the employees are not allowed to bring the shoes home, the employer must pay for the shoes.

Whether or not steel toed shoes are required on the construction zone, wearing them can protect the feet better than regular work boots. Even if your employer is not required to supply them, you should consider investing in your own pair. Your toes will thank you.

General Safety Issues

APRIL IS ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH

April is National Alcohol Awareness Month, an observance sponsored by the NCAAD (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence) that promotes knowledge and education regarding all aspects of alcohol abuse and addiction. National Alcohol Awareness Month is in its 27th official year, with the slogan for 2013 being: “Help for Today. Hope for Tomorrow.”

Alcohol Awareness Month is designed to increase public consciousness and reduce stigma surrounding alcohol dependency and addiction issues. “National Alcohol Awareness Month is an excellent outlet to educate people about the huge weight of alcohol addiction and abuse in our society,” said Pax Prentiss, CEO and co-founder of the Passages Addiction Treatment Centers in Malibu and Ventura, California. “Through events like Alcohol Awareness Month, people become more educated about what causes addiction and other co-occurring disorders, causing stigmas to diminish and the quality of treatment to improve,” explained Prentiss.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 18 million Americans (8.5% of the population) suffer from alcohol dependency or alcohol abuse issues, and 25% of children have been exposed to alcohol abuse within their families.

One of the main goals of Alcohol Awareness Month is to promote prevention practices amongst teenagers and adolescents through education about health risks, drunk driving, addiction, coping skills, self medicating, depression, anxiety, and more. Communities are encouraged to participate through local, state, and national events including educational talks, social media engagement, or most notably the “Alcohol Free Weekend” challenge from April 5-7.   

Before one more high school student dies in an alcohol-related accident or another college student dies of alcohol poisoning or another family breaks up because of alcohol, the seriousness of the public health problems associated with alcohol and alcoholism must be spotlighted by public awareness. 

Alcohol is America’s most frequently used drug, resulting in more than 100,000 alcohol-related deaths each year, and young people consume it more frequently than they use all other illicit drugs combined. Alcohol is responsible for the deaths of approximately 6,700 youth (those under the age of 21) each year:

  •           Motor Vehicle Accidents: 2,400
  •           Accidental death by fire, falls and overdose: 2,400
  •           Homicides:1,600;
  •           Suicide: 300. 

The earlier children are exposed to alcohol, the greater the probability of alcoholism and addiction. In fact, recent scientific research suggests that early use of alcohol by teenagers may contribute significantly to dependence on alcohol and other drugs later in life, with 40% of children who begin using alcohol before the age of 13 becoming alcohol dependent at some point in their lives.  

Too many dismiss underage drinking as a “youthful indiscretion” or a rite of passage from adolescence into adulthood, and many underage drinkers are often first presented with alcohol in their own dining rooms, living rooms and kitchens. Alcohol is marketed to them aggressively and associated with athletic and social events that are popular with high school and college students. Bars and clubs that knowingly serve alcohol to minors, do so often with a wink and a nod to fake identification. 

Nationally, the annual economic cost of alcohol-related problems exceeds $224 billion. That equates to $746 per person — more than substance abuse and tobacco. Cost includes healthcare., business and criminal justice costs and costs due to lost productivity.  Alcohol-related problems and alcoholism affect ALL of us, directly or indirectly, and is our nation’s number one public health problem. Alcohol is a drug that affects every cell and organ system in the body, affecting judgment, coordination and long-term health. 
If you know someone who needs help with alcohol addiction, encourage them to seek help. The addict is the only one who can actually make it happen;  they have to want to stop this bad habit. Our teenagers should be warned about all the risks they are taking when they break the law and drink.  Life isn’t just One Big Party.  Too many times there are consequences to pay. What better time than now to have “Help for Today-Hope for Tomorrow.”

Sources: NCAAD;  PreventionFirst.net

 

General Safety Issues

WEIRDEST HOME PLUMBING MYSTERIES SOLVED (GUEST POST)

 By Chelsea Terris 

The inner workings of household plumbing systems are not fully known to every homeowner. Often, problems arise that appear to have no logical explanation. Mysterious though they may be, most plumbing issues have logical causes. Check out the below issues and their strange but sensical origins. 

Condo Conundrum

When the resident manager of a multi-building condominium association is called for help, he finds water leaking down the wall of the kitchen to the bottom floor. A review of the plumbing situation in the unit directly above reveals no leaks and no water running down. As it had been raining constantly for several days, he investigates flashing on fireplace exhausts, adjacent to the wall of each kitchen unit, but detects no leaks. Meanwhile, the amount of water coming into the lower unit increases by the day.

Finally, a leak from the dishwasher in the unit on the very top floor is discovered. The water found its own level through an incomplete brickwork job behind the dishwasher and traveled down, passing the two units below, ending up back in the bottom condominium unit. Mystery solved!

Snaking Clogs

In the city of Jakarta, Indonesia a luxurious home with many bedrooms, each with a full bath, is having problems with clogged toilets. No reason can be found by the homeowner for these clogs. More confusing is the tendency of the plugging problem to switch from one toilet to another in a seemingly random manner.

The solution turns out to be a resident python. The snake entered the home’s plumbing through the network of sewers in the city. The solution? When chemical cleaners were placed in four toilets at once, the unhappy snake decided to clear out of the fifth toilet, post haste.

Shower Shock

In an old house, a homeowner experiences electrical shocks each time he uses a shower in the main bedroom.   The cause is the location of some very old wiring, wrapped around the shower water supply pipe where the insulation had worn away. Once the wiring was replaced, the issue resolved.


When weird plumbing issues strike, your best bet is to call a professional plumber. You never know the real story until a trained expert takes a look, and the causes may amaze you!

 

 

Chelsea Terris

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

CUT THE CLEANING BILL? CLEANING RISKS AND HAZARDS FOR EMPLOYEES (GUEST POST)

 Many businesses have been finding ways to cut down on bills and expenses. In their minds, some services are becoming ‘unnecessary’ or they can already be done by a contracted employee for the same pay.  Some businesses are cutting down by eliminating the need for cleaning services. 

 Employees in many businesses and big corporations will notice a growing trend of providing a communal rubbish and recycling bins in one or two locations on each floor. This is a development from having trash bins at every single desk in the workplace. This method promotes the idea of decreasing the amount of trash generated. In addition, it forces employees to contemplate whatever they are throwing away and walk the distance between their desks and the trash bin. For the cleaning crew, it takes only half the time in comparison to remove trash from every bin and recycling from the building. 

Hidden Hazards for Employees  

Some businesses are taking a step farther. They ask employees to monitor the cleaning of their own workspaces, with the inclusion of the kitchen and bathroom.  General tidiness is a must and expected from all employees. This might be seen as efficient in a business point of view but many employers and employees are not aware of the activities’ hazards. There are many Occupational Health and Safety issues hidden within simple tasks like mopping the washroom floor or climbing up a ladder to store your own files. In Australia, employees expected to undertake such tasks must be properly trained to do so or the company will be at risk. Such risks are injury caused by manual handling and damage caused by chemical handling and exposure. 

In the first risk, manual handling is defined as any time an employee uses a ladder, must put something above a comfortable height, lifts a box or even pushes a vacuum. An employer who would require these actions should prepare a training for the employees by using a training module.   

Regarding chemical handling and exposure, if an employee suffers a chemical burn, chemical overexposure or any type of chemical related damage, this will be considered as OHS issue if the employee has no chemical handling training. 

Other Risks 

There are other risks for employees if they are also asked to do the cleaning of their workspace. For instance, the company will be held liable for any instance that an employee suffers an injury at work, whether from an isolated incident or repeat strain. This could happen anytime and it could led to medical bills due to injury. 

Another factor for consideration is the operation of cleaning equipment and machinery, chemicals, slippery and damp surfaces and other environmental elements which might not be taken seriously at first. However, these can be the things that may lead to a cleaning accident for the employees, whether they are trained or untrained. 

Cost is something that businesses take seriously. It is up to the business whether they wish to cut their cleaning costs and train their employees for cleaning tasks. It is also their choice to hire a professional cleaning company to get the job done. It might be even more practical and financially sound to simply hire people who are aware and trained in their work. 

This guest post was written by Sharon Freeman, an Australian freelance writer and blogger.  She has been writing about commercial cleaning services and workplace cleanliness articles for companies like http://cleangroup.com.au/

Sharon, this article should make us think about our own housekeeping duties in our work area.  workplace safety posters located throughout the area could communicate the importance of keeping their workplace safe and clean.  Many people don’t  appreciate their work enough to monitor this task. Whether their employer contracts cleaning crews or has their own, it’s still important that workers respect their workplace enough to keep it safe, and tidy, as well. pb

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

HOW TO AVOID SICKNESS (GUEST POST)

Illness is an inescapable part of life. Fortunately, there are a number of ways for people to bolster themselves against many of the harmful organisms and physical developments that negatively affect their health. Following are several tips that will show you how to avoid sickness, even when everyone else around you is feeling feverish and dizzy.

Sufficient Sleep
Depriving your body of sufficient sleep is one of the quickest ways to decrease your immune system’s abilities. While you may not be able to get a full 8 hours of rest every night, you should try to do so as often as you can. It’s important to remember that sleep balances your moods, keeps you focused and will help you to be more productive in both physical and cognitive tasks. Staying up late might seem like the best way to get more done, but it will actually have a detrimental impact on your efficiency and your overall health.

Dietary
Eating too many refined sugars and empty calories will negatively impact your general health and immune system. A diet that is rich in fresh vegetables and fruits will contain a vast array of vitamins that your body needs for optimal performance. In fact, the more colorful your produce selection, the better protected you will be against common forms of illness. This is especially important during the flu and cold season. You should also know that fresh onions and garlic have many anti-fungal and antiseptic properties. If you feel an illness coming on, indulging in homemade soup or a fresh salad that contain lots of onions and garlic may just help to stave this sickness off.

Drinking Water
Staying hydrated is another vital measure for avoiding illness. If your body doesn’t have sufficient fluids, many systems will begin to shut down. You should be drinking at least five, eight ounce glasses of water each day. If you exercise regularly, use tobacco products or consume a number of caffeinated beverages each day, you should be drinking more water to compensate for the effects of these activities.

Detoxification
Ridding yourself of internal toxins on a routine basis is a great way to ensure that your body is in optimal condition for protecting itself. Healthy people are much less likely to get sick after having come in contact with illness than those who live unhealthy lifestyles. Unless you follow a strict natural and/or organic diet, you are (through no fault of your own) constantly introducing toxins into your body. These come from the foods you consume, the beauty and self-care products you are using and even your external environment. When too many of these build-up in your system, your immune system can become overwhelmed. Detoxification can be as simple as taking a break from junk foods, fast foods and even meat. You can go on an all-vegetable diet for several days or a juice fast. You can even purchase detoxification products from a local health store. These efforts work best at preventing illness if they are performed at least once every six months.

Regular Exercise
Any physician will tell you that staying active is a vital part of good health. When you engage in activities that increase your circulation, your body filters out toxins more effectively. You don’t have to become a marathon runner. Simply taking a walk for thirty minutes is enough to bolster your immune system. Studies have also shown that exercise can help your body prevent cancer.

Supplements
You can also stave off illness by giving your body more of what it needs in the form of herbal supplements. Products like black walnut hulls help to cleanse the intestines of parasitic organisms and they also restore internal pH balance. Colloidal silver, echinacea, garlic and other supplements will aid your fight against illness too, and one of the most effective supplement is fish oil. Most people could do with a daily dose of fish oil in addition to a multivitamin.

Ultimately, the key to avoiding illness lies in promoting optimal health. You are exposed to viruses, bacteria and germs all day, everyday, but if you’re well rested, properly hydrated and nourished with a proper diet, you will be far less susceptible to sickness when it passes your way. Exercising and ridding your body of toxins are additional measures that you can take to ensure a robust immune system.

Vincent Marguiles writes about health and nutrition. His recent work is on the Top 10 Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Programs.

Thank you, Vincent Marguiles, for this advice on how to keep well.  Keep hand sanitizer at work, and in your car, in order to cut down on the germs on doors, money, or any surfaces you touch.  Clean hands help avoid illness.

General Safety Issues

ADDRESSING WORK STRESS

 Introduction: I can’t think of a time that I wasn’t under some type of work-related stress, much of it probably my fault; but anyone who can perform their daily work tasks successfully without stress must have nerves on steel! This article describes ways that both the employee and employer can improve this problem. pat

Addressing Work-related Stress

You feel overloaded at work and they changed your shift schedule again without warning. You can’t get work off of your mind and are having trouble sleeping. To top it off, your stomach is acting up and those nagging headaches are back.When the demands and pressures of your job are too much for you to handle, and you don’t have much control over the situation, you may experience work-related stress (stress caused or made worse by work). If left unchecked for a prolonged period of time, stress can make you sick.

Why it’s important
Work-related stress is widespread. In the European Union, work-related stress is second only to back pain as the most common work-related health problem, affecting 28% of workers. According to a surveyby the American Psychology Association released in early March 2013, one-third of American employees experience chronic stress at work.

Whether it originates from within or out, the pressure to work at optimum pace and performance can take a toll on, and negatively impact, both the organization and the employee. Studies show that stressful working conditions are associated with increased absenteeism, tardiness, high staff turnover, reduced productivity and product/service quality, and increased compensation costs – all of which have a negative effect on the bottom line. The impact of stress on workers may include tobacco, alcohol or drug abuse, violent/bullying behaviour, sleep problems, anxiety, depression, inability to concentrate, and irritability. Chronic stress can also cause health issues such as back problems, heart problems, stomach ulcers, and hypertension, and can weaken the immune system.

Causes
Everyone has different thresholds for and triggers of stress, however some workplace factors are more likely to lead to stress than others.

Examples of potential causes of work-related stress include:

  • Training:  lack of training to equip employees for their jobs
  • Job design:  the job is not matched to worker skills and abilities; poor work shift design
  • Role:  lack of clarity about responsibilities and/or expectations; conflicting roles and/or multiple supervisors
  • Culture:  poor communication, poor social environment, lack of support and respect
  • Relationships:  constant discord, bullying, harassment or open aggressive behaviour
  • Control:  no control over planning and deciding how work should be completed, or solving problems
  • Demands:   unreasonable or unrealistic performance targets
  • Physical environment:   excessive noise, poor air quality, uncomfortable temperatures

Although some of these factors may occur in a workplace without leading to stress, the risk for stress increases when these factors occur in combination and/or for prolonged periods of time.

What employers can do

  • Treat all employees in a fair and respectful manner.
  • Match the workload to workers’ capabilities.
  • Assess the risks of work-related stress by looking for pressures at work that could cause high and prolonged levels of stress.
  • Take appropriate action to prevent the pressures from becoming negative stressors.
  • Design meaningful jobs that are stimulating and provide opportunities for employees to use their skills.
  • Allow employees to have control over the tasks they do as much as possible.
  • Clearly define roles and responsibilities.
  • Provide employees with the training, skills and resources they need to do their jobs.
  • Establish work schedules that are compatible with demands and responsibilities outside the job.
  • Involve employees in decision-making and seek their input on issues affecting their jobs.
  • Improve communications and reduce uncertainty about career development and future employment prospects.
  • Value and recognize individuals’ results and skills.
  • Provide opportunities for social interaction among employees.
  • Provide access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).

What employees can do
Often the source of the stress is something that you cannot change immediately. Therefore, it is important to find ways to help maintain good mental health and be proactive in dealing with stress. In the workplace, you may find some of the following tips to be helpful:

  • Try to relax; take several deep breaths throughout the day, or have regular stretch breaks.
  • Take 10 minutes at the beginning of each day to prioritize and organize your day.
  • Be constructive and make practical suggestions.
  • Be realistic about what you can change.
  • Take your breaks. Go for a walk at lunch or do something you enjoy that is not work-related.
  • Take constructive critism for what it is; do not resent it.

Respectful workplaces that encourage good communications and healthy work systems are more likely to have a healthy and productive workforce.

Resources
Workplace Stress fact sheet, Health and Safety Report, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety

Note: In reference to the Physical Environment of the workplace, employers must ensure that their employees have the proper personal protective equipment to protect their workers from excessive noises, respiratory problems, and hot/cold environments.

 

General Safety Issues

Tips for Making Your Child Safe at School (Guest Post)

1 Comment

No one wants to be a “helicopter parent” who hovers around their child in a constant state of vigilance, just waiting for a tragedy to happen. But being a completely care-free parent is not necessarily a viable option either. These suggestions will help you keep your child safe while allowing them to grow and learn. While they may seem like common sense, these tips are often over-looked by even the most guarded of parents.

To and From School

  • If your child walks to school or the bus stop, walk the route with them before school begins. If they are old enough to walk alone, take time to point out places they should avoid on their route; such as abandoned buildings or full parking lots. Have a conversation with your child about strangers and the risks involved with talking to them. 
  • Meet with your child’s bus driver. Write down their name, license number, and get a copy of their driving record. Speak to the driver about their policies regarding bullying or disruptions on the bus. Give the driver your phone number in case of emergencies. 
  • Do NOT put key chains or any sort of decorative item inscribed with your child’s name on their back pack, or anywhere easily seen by others. Kidnappers have been known to follow children and call them by name because they can see it. If a child thinks they know a person because that person knows them, they are more likely to be abducted as they will not have their guard up. 
At School

  • Teach your child conflict resolution tactics to prepare them for any negative relationships they may encounter at their school. If your child is being bullied, advise them to politely ask their tormentor to cease. If this does not work, they should walk away (or run if in danger of bodily harm) and seek assistance from an adult in authority. Nurture your relationship with your child and keep an eye out for warning signs that your child is being bullied, such as lack of appetite or change in grades. 
  • Before your child begins a school year, discuss with the principal the school’s emergency protocols. Ask what the policy is in the event of any situation you can think of, such as a fire, natural disaster or a school intruder. Get a copy of these procedures and go over them with your child. 
  • Come up with a safe word that only YOU and your child know. Encourage your child to call you (either from the school office or an emergency cell phone) if they are having a problem at school and need to be picked up. They can use the safe word so that you both know that they need to come home. Something unique but not too noticeable is best – like “scotch tape” or “refrigerator”.”
  • Update your contact information with the school. Give your child’s school a list of people that you have approved to pick your child up or remove from school should you not be available. Make it clear to your child that they are under no circumstances to leave the school with someone they don’t know, even if that person tells them that they know their parents. This is a good opportunity for your safe word as well, if you MUST have someone not approved on your list pick your child up, give them the safe word. Tell your child that this person will relay the word to them and then and ONLY then, may they leave with that person. 

Many of these tips may seem pretty obvious but you can never be too safe. Accidents and tragedies happen every day, help keep your family safe and stay informed. 

 
Jenna Sanchez writes about parenting, safety and education. Her recent work lists the Best Education Degrees in the US.
General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

WIMBELDON FIREPLACES (GUEST POST)

The Clean Air Acts
In the 1950s and 1960s, extensive coal burning in both domestic properties and in industrial premises caused thick smogs that were blamed for heavy pollution, ill-health and even premature deaths. The effect was to limit the emissions of dark smoke, grit, dust and fumes to reduce the smog and create ‘smoke control areas’, where the emission of smoke from residential properties was completely banned.
These Acts were later consolidated into the Clean Air Act 1993, which now limits emissions of other pollutants, such as particles, sulphur dioxide, dioxins and furans, which may also be present in the smoke.
Smoke Control Areas
The Clean Air Act allows local authorities to declare certain areas to be smoke control areas, so if you plan on opening up your fireplace to burn fuel in an open grate, or you are considering having a wood burner installed – you must first contact your local authority to find out if you live in a controlled area.
Do I Live in a Smoke-Free Zone?
If you do live in a ‘smoke control area’ you will only be allowed to burn certain approved authorised fuels, unless you choose an appliance or fireplace that is exempt. This means that you will be unable to burn waste woods or timber from household projects, amongst a wide range of other fuels that emit dark smoke or pollutants, as they may have been treated with pesticides or metals.
Exempt Appliances
According to the Clean Air Act 1993 there are many appliances that fall into the exempt category. These appliances will allow you to burn unauthorised fuels only if they have been tested and confirmed capable of burning unauthorised or smoky fuels without emitting smoke or pollutants.
If you do live in a smoke free area, contact your local authority for advice about planning permissions, safety issues and exempt fuels before deciding on the type of fire or appliance you want. Or contact a respected supplier and installer, such as the team at EnviroFlame, who can guide you through all the available options for smoke free areas.
Author Bio
The team at Enviroflame Fireplaces have years of experience advising customers who live in smoke free zones and will be happy to conduct a free home visit to get a better idea of your property, chimney flue and requirements.

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Hearing Protection, Respiratory Safety

SPRING CLEANING: A FEW DO’S AND DON’T’S (GUEST POST)

It’s springtime! Aside from being the time of blooms, it’s also the time when you suddenly realize your house needs a fresh coat of paint, or your lawn needs mowing, or your furniture needs a little bit more than just dusting.

If you’re planning to haul out the cleaning equipment and clean every nook and cranny of your home, take note that there are certain risks involved. Unless you want to end up injured and in the emergency room, like some 21 million people every year (source: Home Safety Council), here are a few DOs and DON’Ts for safer, happier, and productive spring cleaning.

Do use common sense in climbing and using ladders
When using the ladder to wash windows or reach something high, use extreme caution. Follow weight limits on ladders and if possible, wear non-skid shoes. Don’t lean too far to either side as well. To be sure, have someone at the base to hold the ladder steady.

Do wear a mask or safety gear
Wearing safety goggles to clean the house may feel weird, but it can do you good in so many ways. Aside from glasses, you can also wear appropriate gloves, hearing protections and other products to prevent injuries. If you are allergic to dust, by all means, wear a mask when dusting.

Do be careful when moving large pieces of furniture
Improper pushing and lifting can cause major injuries that can last for several weeks. To stay safe, use proper lifting technique: bend and lift from the legs rather than the back. Seek the help of a partner when moving heavy objects and furniture.

Do keep paths clear
As you move things around, the entire house may turn into an obstacle course. Make sure to leave clear paths for you unless you want to end up slipping or stepping on something that may hurt your foot. One tip is to put them into boxes or bags away from steps and stairs.

Don’t rush because you’re tired
Most people want to get things done at the shortest time possible. However, this mostly leads to breaking things or accidents. If you’re exhausted, stop and take a break. Drink a glass of water and rest instead of being unsafe. Work can resume when you’re re-energized.

Don’t carry too much stuff at once
…especially on stairs. If you are taking things from your bedroom to the living room, make sure you have a free hand to hold onto the railing of the stairs. Also, even without having to go up and down the stairs, you should make sure the load you are carrying is enough so that you won’t trip.

Don’t mix and match cleaning products
When mixed with others, some chemicals can be toxic and flammable. Even virtually mild chemicals have a way of reacting. Since low cost health insurance is difficult to come by nowadays, better read labels and follow instructions properly if you want to stay safe. To be sure, use eco-friendly cleaning solutions instead!

Don’t leave water buckets unattended
Mopping the floor or washing the windows usually require a bucket of water. If you need to take a quick break, make sure to empty the bucket or put it in an inaccessible area, at the very least. Spilled water can increase the risk of slips and falls, as well as drowning for the little ones.

Have a happy and safe spring cleaning everyone!

About the author: Based in California, Melissa Page is a professional writer with over 4 years of professional writing experience. Despite being a safety-conscious health buff, she still believes in the importance of health insurance. She also loves travelling and bowling.

General Safety Issues

SAFETY ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN YOUR CAR BREAKS DOWN (GUEST POST)

It’s a scenario guaranteed to ruin your day. You’re driving down the highway, and all of a sudden your car stops working properly. Maybe you’ve got a blow-out, maybe it’s a broken belt, or maybe you have no idea what the problem is. Whatever the situation, when your car breaks down, you have to do some quick thinking to keep yourself safe.  However you intend to get help, there is a smart way to stay off the road and make sure nothing worse happens to you while you wait for a tow truck to arrive.  AAA estimates that over 1 million people are stranded on the highway during the summer months, with the number increasing to nearly 5 million in the winter.  Chances are, you will experience a breakdown at some point during the life of your car, so it pays to know the right steps to take.

Move Your Car off the Road

It’s very rare for your car to simply die in an instant. Most of the time you’ll be able to maneuver it to the side of the highway. If you’re traveling on surface streets and your engine shuts off at a stoplight, most of the time you can get a little more juice out of the  battery if you keep trying to restart it. As soon as you know there’s a problem, you should turn on your hazard lights, especially if you can’t move the car right away. Don’t get out of the vehicle in the middle of traffic. Remember that pedestrian fatalities make up nearly 15 percent of car crash deaths in the United States, many from situations where they tried to navigate busy streets and highways.

Be Wary of Strangers

After you’ve called for help, using OnStar or AAA or some other method, it’s a safe idea to keep your hazard lights on and even open the hood so that other drivers will know you’re having car trouble. But be careful with those who stop to help, especially if you’re traveling alone.  It’s always a good idea to stay in the car with the doors locked and simply tell them that help is on the way. For your safety, you should never leave your car, unless you know exactly where you are and how to reach a public place in a short amount of time.   Criminals can often target the drivers of broken-down vehicles, so it’s important you keep a cell phone on you at all times, and if it’s late at night, don’t hesitate to call the police. A patrol officer can find you and wait with you until the tow truck comes.

Don’t Try and Repair the Car

You might be familiar with car engines, but the chances are slim that you’ll be able to repair the problem without any tools or parts. And if you’re not sure what’s going on, there’s a chance you could damage the engine or make the situation worse. If your tire blows and you know how to put the spare on, be very careful. The tire could be on the side of the road that’s nearer to traffic, which makes trying to change it with cars speeding by at upwards of 70 miles per hour very dangerous. If you’ve never changed a tire before, you shouldn’t attempt it. It might seem possible to save time and hassle by doing things yourself instead of calling for roadside assistance, but actually the opposite is true.

Know Your Location

Many people break down on the highway during a road trip or can’t pinpoint their exact location for whatever reason. That’s why it’s important to always keep in mind what highway you’re on and which exits you have passed, and any signs that tell you which exits are coming up or how far you might be from the next town. If you have OnStar, they will be able to pinpoint your location, but many people don’t have access to that technology. So when you call for help, you have to be prepared to identify landmarks and estimate how long it has been since you left the house or got on the freeway. If you’re near a mile marker or a phone box, it can be easier for authorities to locate you in an emergency.

Experiencing a break down can be really scary, especially if you’ve never been through one before. The best way to handle any emergency is to be prepared before it happens, and if you have a realistic plan for what to do if you’re stranded on the highway, it’s a lot less likely that your safety will be in jeopardy. Stay calm and use common sense, and you can help protect yourself on the road and off of it.

Amy Thomson blogs for  Monkey Car Insurance.  Check out  her other articles at Twitter @VroomVroomAmy .