All posts by pat brownlee

General Safety Issues

WE NEVER KNOW WHERE ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN!

Who would have thought that a healthy, young firefighter would lose his life during a baseball game?   That is exactly what happened on Thursday night, when Shannon Stone, attending the Texas Rangers game with his young son, age 6, reached to catch a ball tossed into the stands by AL MVP Josh Hamilton.  This is common for outfielders to do, giving fans a chance for a baseball.  Stone, a firefighter from Brownwood, Texas, caught the ball, but tumbled over a railing and plunged 20 feet onto concrete.  When the first responders got to him, he was waving his arms, and asking them to be sure his son was all right, as he was in the stands alone.  His arms were swinging, and he talked and was conscious.  A man beside him tried to catch him as he fell, but was unable to.  The 39-year old veteran firefighter lost his life a short time later at a Fort Worth hospital, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner. 

Firefighters in Brownwood lost no time holding a benefit cook-out for the Stone family.   Shannon had served with the Brownwood Fire Department for almost 18 years, according to Brownwood City Manager Bobby Rountree.  Brownwood is located 150 miles southwest of Arlington.  According to a lady sitting nearby Stone  at the game, Shannon was asking Josh to throw him the ball.  Hamilton and the entire Rangers team are very distraught over this tragedy. 

Almost exactly a year earlier at Rangers Ballpark, another firefighter fell about 30 feet from the second-deck of seats down the right-field line while trying to catch a foul ball on July 6, 2010.  Tyler Morris, a firefighter from the Lakes Cities Fire Department near Dallas, fractured his skull and sprained an ankle last year when he dropped onto seats where other fans were sitting.  After the incident, Morris called the accident an “100 per cent accident that could have happened to anybody.”  The four fans that he landed on had only minor injuries, and remained at the game and then were treated in the stadium’s first aid area.  Morris didn’t blame the Rangers or the ballpark.  In 1994, a Plano woman posing for a picture after the Rangers’ first game in the new stadium sustained multiple injuries after falling about 35’. 

Last week’s fatal fall at a major league stadium was the second for this season.  In May, a 27-year old man died after he fell about 20 feet and struck his head on concrete during a Colorado Rockies game.  Witnesses told police that the man had been trying to slide down a staircase railing at Coors Field and lost his balance during a game against Arizona. 

The Rangers Ballpark has rails that are higher than safety codes require.  President and CEO Nolan Ryan has not committed to any specific changes at the park, but the Rangers promised a full stadium safety review of the ballpark.  There aren’t many baseball fans that wouldn’t love to get to catch a ball in a Major League game, and give it to one of their kids.  But common sense has to come into play.  It’s up to the fans to act responsibly and go back home safely at the end of the game.  No one wants to leave this world because of an accident (over a baseball), so think seriously about safety, wherever you go!

Our hearts go out to this family and his family of firefighters.  What better thing to do than for a dad to take his little boy to a Major League ballgame?  May the family be comforted by the fact that people who have heard this story are deeply saddened by this tragedy.

General Safety Issues

HOT NEWS FROM SCORCHED TEXAS!

There’s an old saying “if you don’t like the weather in Texas, just hang around, it’ll change soon!”  Well, not lately!  When it comes to the weather in the United States, it seems that 2011 has brought “feast or famine.”  Some places have experienced horrific tornadoes; others have had everything destroyed by flooding; still others have lost their homes to wildfires.  It’s a shame that some of the rain that caused rivers to swell and flood could not have been re-routed to areas that are so extremely dry.  Sure wish someone could figure out how to do that! 

Texas A&M Professor, Don Conlee, Instructional associate professor of atmospheric sciences, who along with a graduate student, also assists State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon with recordkeeping, confirms that the period from February through June was by far the driest on record with a statewide average of 4.26 inches of rain.  The next driest period occurred in 1917, with 6.45 inches.  The months-long Texas drought is sapping the record books bone dry.  It is also showing dire statistics that have never been reached since reliable record-keeping began 116 year ago, in 1895. 

Can you imagine driving down a Houston freeway during the beginning of hurricane season, and reading an electronic sign warning of extreme wildfire danger?  Seems a little strange, doesn’t it?  Outdoor burn bans have reached a record high of 236 out of Texas’ 254 counties.  Only the southern and northeastern parts of the state are without burn bans.  During the current wildfire season, 3.3 million Texas acres have burned, according to the Texas Forest Service. 

Should the state receive an average of 2 inches of rain in July, it will already have had the driest August (2010) through July period ever.  Professor Don Conlee says the Palmer Drought Severity Index (used by the National Climatic Data Center) is currently –6.37, officially making this the third worst drought on record.  First place occurred in 1956 with a mark of –6.54, and second was in 1918 with a –6.41 reading.  This drought has the potential to surpass one or both of the infamous past droughts to be the worst or second worst drought in Texas history.  The main cause is the lingering La Nina cooling the Pacific waters; however, it’s unknown if climate change is affecting rainfall one way or the other.  It is known that temperatures are a degree or two warmer with climate change so the drought is worse that it would otherwise be.  

Drought always has an economic ripple effect.  A&M reports that Texas has lost $1.5 billion from November, 2010, to June due to drought of pasture land loss.  Livestock losses will top $1 billion due to lack of water and feed for cattle, according to NOAA.  Texas is the second-leading agricultural state; many agricultural businesses will also be affected: gins, elevators, fuel distributors, and fertilizer dealers.  The U.S.D.A. has named Texas and 32 counties in Louisana, Oklahoma, Arkansas and New Mexico, (ones that are adjacent to Texas), as a natural disaster designation. 

Lack of natural food because of the drought is affecting wildlife in the state – birds, rabbits, squirrels, and small mammals can’t feed their young.  Deer have been highly affected by the drought; some does have even abandoned their fawns because there is no food.  Foxes, bobcats, coyotes, and nocturnal animals such skunks and raccoons are seen out during the day, which increases contact between animals and humans, raising the risk of disease, such as rabies.  This is a warning to all citizens to watch for wild animals in their neighborhoods; they probably are simply looking for food and water, but don’t get close to them. 

The outlook for rain is not good; we have to keep hoping that we will see a weather change soon.  For those who have already had their share of bad weather in the U.S. and other countries, we hope we Texans can be as tough as you.  We all have to wish for things to get better, because sometimes we feel it just can’t get any worse!

P.S. I got an email today about how dry it is in Texas: a Lubbock man said he killed a mosquito carrying a canteen!

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

PEOPLE CAN’T FLY; THAT’S WHY WE NEED FALL PROTECTION!

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One thing that scares the heck out of me is being in high places!  It’s weird, because it doesn’t bother me to fly in an airplane, but if I have to climb more than one step on a ladder, my legs just start to fail me!  When I look up and see workers building skyscrapers, all I can do is get weak in the knees and hope they are hooked up to something to keep them safe.  There are several types of fall protection, so let’s talk about some of them:

  • Fall Prevention.  This is where the use of handrails or barriers are placed to keep employees from falling.  Many have been known to fall under the rails or barriers anyway.
  • Fall Protection.  Fall restraint from an alternative approach.  Fall protection systems that refer to the entire science of protecting employees who have to work far off the ground.  Ladder cages are part of fall prevention; however they only work if the person falling off the ladder grabs one of the cage bars.
  • Fall Arrest.  If someone actually has fallen off a ledge and his body harness catches him some distance away, this is a fall arrest, because it stops the fall in mid-action.  However, injuries can still occur.  Depending on the length of time a person hangs, serious pooling of the blood system can be caused, possibly damage to the extremities.  Other injuries can occur from the arrest jolt.
  • Fall Restraint System.  Is the actual gear that is used to prevent falling while working at heights.  It could be a belt with a hook, or a full body harness and fall speed reduction system with impact buffers. (I think I would want that one!)  A proper fall restraint system has a shortened strap, rope, or strap attached to a secure surface, making sure that the worker can’t get too close to a ledge.
  • Prevention seems to be the least harmful choice for the best protection, and least costly of all fall protection aspects.

Flyposter

In the construction industry, falling is the #1 killer of employees.  In this single industry, there are between 150 to 200 fatalities annually, and more than 100,000 injuries per year because of falls.  OSHA has created standards that will better protect workers from falling hazards.  These standards require wearing fall protection when you are working over dangerous machinery.  Also, if employees are working at or above four feet, they must wear a safety harness and fall protection.

Almost all situations now require a full body harness.  These fit around the chest, waist, and legs, offering full support to a person involved in a fall.  The lanyard is the lifeline that connects a three-part fall protection system in order to prevent serious injury.  The three parts are: the anchor, safety harness and lanyard.  Lanyards are designed to bring a worker to a complete stop when falling.  OSHA regulates that all ropes, and straps for lanyards should be made of synthetic materials and capable of supporting dead weight of 5,000 lbs.

Studies on ergonomics have become more critical in recent years as workplace safety product designers learn about comfort in an effort to prevent fatigue, reduce injuries, and increase production.  Quality features in a fall protection harness include removable tool belts, strong yet light-weight materials, padded backpads, strap adjusters, shoulder pads, three D-rings for back and hips, sliding back D-rings, indoor pads, seat straps with aluminum bars and carry-all bags.

Employers must provide the fall protection for its workers and proper training for its use.  The employee is responsible to wear the harness properly as required.  This is personal protective equipment that cannot be ignored by those working in high places.

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Weather Protection

ALTHOUGH IT’S HOT, IT WILL GET HOTTER! BE READY!

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We hope your Fourth of July celebration went off without a hitch!  No traffic tickets, no sunburn, no fireworks injuries, and or other obstacles in the way of slowing you down to get back to work today, hopefully.  This time of the year is the greatest time for us to enjoy our freedom and show our support for our troops.  As you go through the rest of the summer, keep them in mind and let’s hope they are all back to help us celebrate in the near future.  One thing to remember: it’s even hotter where they are than where we are! 

July is UV Safety Month, sponsored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.  Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main cause of skin cancer, and can also damage your eyes.  This is a good time to send the message of safety during sun and fun times.  Those who work in the sun also need to be warned about the damage that UV rays can cause, in order to take precautions to avoid these types of health problems. 

The highest risk for getting skin cancer seems to be for those who have:

  • Blond or red hair;
  • Blue or green eyes;
  • White or light-colored skin with freckles.

Those people especially, but let’s include everyone else to take these steps to prevent skin cancer:

  • Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. if possible;
  • Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
  • Use sunscreen that has UVA and UVB protection – “broad spectrum” sunscreen.
  • Cover up with long sleeves and a hat;
  • Check your skin regularly for any changes. 

UV damage can also cause wrinkles and blotchy skin.  Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States.  Tanning indoors is not safe, either.  According to Dr. Carol Cola, who works in the Department of Surgery at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, around 90 per cent of skin cancers appear on the neck, head, ears, lips, or hands – areas that are most often exposed to the sun.  Sunburn can happen anywhere – driving a car, through a glass window, or reflections off concrete, sand, or snow. 

To do a self-examination for skin cancer, simply watch for any changes in size or color of freckles, moles, or birthmarks.  If you notice anything different, see your physician or dermatologist.  Recent studies by the Skin Cancer Foundation state that studies have recently indicated that only 23 per cent of damage from UV exposure happens to most young people by the age of 18 – not the 80 per cent that was formerly thought to be.  This shows that there is benefit to be gained for persons of any age, to protect themselves from damaging rays.  It still is important that we use sunscreen on our children and sunshades that will protect their eyes. 

UVA and UVB rays can hurt your eyes.  This type of radiation can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration and some cancers.  The use of proper types of sunshades can help prevent this from happening.  It’s always been “cool” to wear sunshades, just be sure you purchase polarized ones that protect from both UVA and UVB rays. 

Everyone at work in should get involved in spreading the message that damage from the sun can be very harmful, even deadly!  Posters need to be placed right by the doors before workers step out into that hot sun.  Companies could ask a health professional to demonstrate how to check skin regularly for skin-cancer warning signs.  A local dermatologist, registered nurse, or public health official would be happy to help educate your employees about the dangers of skin cancer.  Place a memo in their paychecks to remind them to do all they can to protect their skin and eyes from radiation from the sun.  

We hope this will serve as a reminder to all of you to try to stay as cool as possible this summer – it is already a scorcher!   There are many products that can help protect you, so take advantage of them.

General Safety Issues

TIPS FOR CHOOSING A SAFE SUMMER CAMP FOR YOUR YOUNGSTER

There’s nothing more fun than going away from home to camp for one week or several weeks, according to the type of camp.  My memories are of church camp, where we were only gone for a week.  There we met kids of our age group, and made many new friends, as well as learning things that (hopefully) made us turn out to be better individuals. 

Some families choose camps for their kids to attend every summer, maybe even for six weeks or more.  There are many things to consider if you’ve never sent your child away to camp.  We hope to have put together some ideas to help you investigate the camp you plan to send your child or children to.  There are many things to think about when choosing the camp that will be just right, such as, first, doing much planning.  If it’s the first time, it might be best to choose a camp that is not too far away from home, depending on the age of the youngster.  Be sure you visit a few camps before you decide.  Camps will have age-appropriate groups.

  • Check out the policies of the camp and make sure they are accredited by the American Camp Association, an organization that evaluates the safety standards, health programs, and operations of camps.  They support more than 2,200 camps.  The ACA is celebrating its’ 100th anniversary this year.
  • Find out about staff training and counselor orientation.  Camp counselors will be accompanying your youngsters each day.  You want to be sure that those who are supervising children have been properly screened and trained.
  • Learn about the camp’s discipline policies, as well as how emergencies are handled.
  • There are many camps that are specifically designed for special needs children, and are wonderful facilities that give them opportunities that they deserve to enjoy.
  • Another question to ask, what type of medical treatment is available for the minor camp injuries, as well as is there a written medical emergency policy approved by a physician?
  • Are there lifeguards on duty during swim time, and have the counselors and other staff members been trained in CPR?
  • Be sure that the particular camp that you are considering offers the types of things that are of interest to your youngster. 
  • Ask if there are outdoor excursions, what special protocols are observed; and if counselors bring communication devices.  Do they use the “buddy system”, and how do they prepare youngsters to be cautious of strangers?  Do they have a “lost camper” plan, and are parents required to sign a permission slip for these hikes, or outings?
  • As we suggested earlier, you might want to select one that is not too far away from home.  Remember, also, that during certain weather seasons, there are considerations to be given to things such as thunderstorms, or tornadoes in the area of the camp.
  • You will need to provide a copy of your child’s medical records, just in case of an emergency.
  • If your youngster has allergies, be sure you send those and other medications with him; also lots of sunscreen, insect repellent, and all the usual things one needs when being in the outdoors. 

All quality camps are going to be eager to answer any questions you have.  After all, it is your youngster that they are going to be responsible for, and they want to know that your child is going to come home with some great stories of summer camp, and eager to return next year.

There are no wrong questions to ask when it comes to safety.  Camping is a great life-learning experience and provides an unforgettable adventure for your child.

Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Weather Protection

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – U.S.A. – 2011!

By now,  most of us are getting ready to celebrate on Monday,  our nation’s birthday – July 4th – Independence Day!  I want to send greetings to all of you from our home, where the grand old flag will be flying, and wish everyone a safe holiday. (Sorry, the flag looks backwards, but the wind was blowing!)

We have already talked about fireworks, so we’ll give that subject a rest!  Many are packing their bags for trips, so let’s talk about travel first.  The main thing is to be packed and ready to get an early start, because you know your friendly State troopers will be there, watching to be sure you don’t speed, and that you are safe.  If you need assistance, you can count on them, as well, to be of help.  Please don’t carry on conversations on your cell phone while driving, and above all, don’t text or drink and drive!

There are many activities that families can plan right at home, and not have to be involved in the hustle and bustle of travel.  One of my favorite memories is going to our best friends’ home every Fourth of July for grilled hamburgers and home-made ice cream!  Now we live miles away, so we had to stop that tradition; however, we make up for it when we visit each other, which is quite often.  Moms and dads can find easy crafts for the kids with some red, white and blue items that they probably can find in the house.  Local parks will be full of folks of all ages, with volleyball games, croquet, barbecues, picnics, baseball games, and many activities.

If you plan to go boating, be sure to have life jackets in the boat for each passenger.  Obey the rules of boating, and do not drink while driving a boat, as the penalty is the same as for driving a car while drinking.  Watch for other boaters, swimmers, and those on jet skis.  Sometimes everyone thinks they own that particular spot on the water, and it just doesn’t work that way!

Swimmers should be prepared with lots of sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat and cover-up when they get out of the water.  Stay in pairs, just in case someone gets in water that is too deep.  Be sure if you are swimming on a beach or lake to check out the water quality for contamination.  There should be signs posted with some type of useful information.

If you are the outdoors type and want to take a hike, be sure you let someone know your plans and when you will be returning.  If you need to build a campfire, build it with sticks no larger than an adult wrist.  (Of course, first, be sure that you are not in an area where campfires are banned.)  Never leave that fire unattended and keep it small.  A fire that is not “dead out” can be rekindled by wind and start a wildfire.  Keep water handy and a shovel for throwing dirt on the fire in case it gets out of control.  Stir the remains and be sure all materials are cooled down.  Drown it with water, even move rocks to see there’s no fire beneath them. Feel all materials with bare hands to be sure that no wood is burning before leaving the campsite.

If you are cooking outdoors, beware of bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses.  Be sure all utensils are clean and that you have a good source of water.  Separate raw meat from cooked meat and poultry.  Keep cold food cold and hot food hot.  Don’t let food set out for more than 1 hour in hot weather.  Keep it in an ice chest once the meal is finished.

Have a great Fourth of July, but don’t overdo it when it comes to food, alcohol, sun, or exercise.  Take along the proper clothing, suncreeen, insect repellent, and other remedies that will make you feel better tomorrow!   Remember why some of us get to be off on this day, and why we observe it.  There are young men and women who don’t have the day off, and are in countries where they can’t celebrate the way we do.  When you see our flag, think of what it stands for, and the sacrifices they make every day.  May God Bless Each One of Them, their families, all of us, and the U.S.A.

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General Safety Issues

ARE YOU READY FOR A FOURTH OF JULY “BIG BANG?”

As we stated yesterday, June and July are slated as “National Fireworks Safety Month.”  Probably there are many “eager beavers” out there that are already stocking up on fireworks.  Because of drought conditions in many parts of the country, fireworks will be banned.  Please observe warnings from county/city officials. 

Judy Comoletti, National Fire Protection Association’s Division Manager of Public Education, states: “Fireworks are dangerous and unpredictable, especially in the hands of amateurs.  The few seconds of pleasure those fireworks may bring are not worth risking injury, permanent scarring, or even death.”  Wooded areas, homes, and even automobiles have become engulfed in flames because of fireworks.  (Haven’t we had enough wildfires already?)  Fireworks-related fires have typically caused at least $20 million in property loss each year for recent years.  Bottle rockets or other types of rockets are some of the main causes of structure fire property loss. 

Dr. John Hall, NFPA’s Division Manager of Fire Analysis and Research says, “when things go wrong with fireworks, they go very wrong, very fast, far faster than any fire protective provisions can reliably respond.”

We mentioned yesterday that more than 8,000 Americans spent part of the July 4th in emergency rooms because of fireworks injuries.  Contusions, lacerations and foreign bodies in the eye, in addition to permanent loss of vision are just part of the injuries caused by fireworks.  However, 1,600 eye injuries tells us that the sight of shooting off fireworks for a few minutes’ thrill is not worth gambling on your vision, or hurting any other part of the body. 

Fireworks must be treated with respect, if you plan to shoot them off.  Read all the warnings and cautions and use common sense.  As we said earlier, if there is a burn ban, forget it.  If you should see someone misusing fireworks, stop them.  Do not let children under 12 handle sparklers.  Fireworks and alcohol don’t mix; have a “designated shooter.” 

Most people do not want to risk losing a home that they have worked their life for by playing around with fireworks.  Public fireworks displays are one of the safest alternatives to using fireworks on the Fourth of July.  Conducted by trained professionals, these displays are the safest and smartest fireworks alternative for anyone, because they are established under controlled settings and regulations.  After these displays or any other time, children should never pick up fireworks that may be left over, because they could discharge by still being active.  Children should always tell an adult if they find fireworks. 

Facts worth repeating (in case they haven’t all been mentioned):

  • More fires are reported in the U.S. on July 4th than any other day of the year, and fireworks account for more than half of those fires, more than any other cause of fire.
  • In 2009, fireworks caused an estimated 18,000  reported fires, including 1,300 total structure fires, 400 vehicle fires, and 16,300 outside and other fires.  These fires resulted in no reported civilian deaths, 30 civilian injuries, and $38 million in direct property damage.
  • In 2009, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 8,800 for fireworks related injuries; 53% of 2009 emergency room fireworks-related injuries were to the extremities and 42% were to the head.
  • The risk of fireworks injuries was highest for children ages 10-14, with more than twice the risk for the general population.
  • Few people understand the associated risks – devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death, permanent scarring, loss of vision, dismemberment that could result. 
  • Amateur fireworks use endangers not only the users, but also bystanders and surrounding property and structures. 

One look at all the wildfires that are happening throughout the country easily displays the devastation that one spark can cause.  How about giving our firefighters a break this year?  There are some spectacular live fireworks shows on television, and with the HD quality of the pictures you see, pop some popcorn and watch it at home.  That way you won’t have to fight the mosquitoes or traffic!  Have a safe one!  P.S.  Please keep Fido in a safe place (on the couch with you), or in a room where the noise won’t frighten him.  Animals are more sensitive to noise, so keep that in mind. For all they know, the popping sounds could be guns. Thanks.

 

 

Source: NFPA, Firewise.org

 

Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

ARE YOU READY FOR A SAFE JULY 4TH?

Both June and July are designated as National Fireworks Safety Month by Prevent Blindness America, who urges Americans to celebrate safely by leaving fireworks to the professionals.  According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC), almost 6,000 Americans spent part of their Fourth of July holiday in the emergency room in 2009 due to fireworks injuries.   Of those, fireworks caused an estimated 1,600 eye injuries, which included contusions, lacerations and foreign bodies in the eye.  Some injuries even caused permanent vision loss. 

According to the National Fire Protection Association, “safe and sane” fireworks cause more injuries than illegal fireworks, especially to preschool children.  For children under the age of 5, half of the total injuries were from sparklers.  Do you have any idea how hot a sparkler becomes?  According to the NFPA, the tip of a sparkler burns at a temperature of more than 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to cause third-degree burns. ( By comparison, water boils at 212 degrees F; cakes bake at 350 degrees F; wood burns at 575 degrees F; and glass melts at 900 degrees F.) 

Children ages 15 and younger make up around 39 per cent of fireworks injuries.   Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s oldest eye health and safety organization, supports the development and enforcement of bans on the importation, sale and use of all fireworks and sparklers, except for authorized public displays by competent licensed operators. The non-profit group believes it is the only effective means of eliminating the social and economic impact of fireworks-related trauma and damage. 

“We encourage everyone to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday this year without using consumer fireworks,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America.  “Whether you’re attending community events, family picnics or public displays by fireworks professionals, we wish you and your family a safe Independence Day.”

In case of an eye-related accident, Prevent Blindness America also offers its “First Aid for Eye Emergencies” sticker in both English and Spanish, free to the public, and recommends the following should an eye injury occur:

If the eye or eyelid is cut or punctured,

  • DO NOT wash out the eye with water.
  • DO NOT try to remove an object stuck in the eye.
  • Cover the eye with a rigid shield without pressure.  The bottom half of a paper cup may be used.  See a doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

If there are specks in the eye,

  • DO NOT rub the eye.
  • Use an eye wash or let tears wash out specks or particles;
  • Lift the upper eyelid outward and down over the lower lid;
  • If the speck doesn’t wash out, keep the eye closed, bandage and see a doctor or go to the emergency room.

It would be wise to have a first aid kit handy, to be prepared for any type of fireworks accidents at home.  This is the beginning of summer fun; don’t spoil it by risking injury to the eyes or any other part of the body.  The best way to ensure that your family doesn’t suffer from fireworks injuries is to leave the displays to trained professionals.  It may seem that they are having all the fun, but it isn’t that easy to put on the fantastic shows that they provide without training and hard work. 

For more information on fireworks safety, or to request a free copy of the Safe Summer Celebrations brochure or the First Aid for Eye Emergencies sticker, call (800) 331-2020 or log on to preventblindness.org.

Tomorrow, we will talk about other risks involving fireworks.  Till then, be thinking of other ways you want to spend your holiday, safely!

Source: NFPA, Prevent Blindness America

General Safety Issues

TURN THE PHONE OFF WHILE DRIVING, PLEASE!

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Continuing with this important message about safety while driving (featuring cell phone use), the National Safety Council is using the final week of National Safety Month to focus on the theme: On the Road – Off the Phone!  Yesterday, we gave statistics that involve crashes on U.S. highways, many attributed to distracted driving, and that distracted driving has been added to the top leading factors in fatal and serious injury crashes, along with alcohol and speeding.  Using a cell phone while driving can be a serious distraction. 

Drivers must understand the full impact of driving while talking on cell phones with either handheld or hands-free phones.  We want to explain how cognitively complex it is to talk on the phone and drive a vehicle at the same time, and why this drains the brain’s resources.  We like to think of ourselves as being able to “multitask” in today’s society.  Even though you may complete a phone coversation while driving and arrive safely, you did not “multitask” and you did not accomplish both tasks with optimal focus and effectiveness.

Our brains cannot perform two tasks at the same time.  The brain handles tasks sequentially, switching between one task and another. Yes, they can juggle tasks very quickly, which makes us think that we are doing two things at the same time.  However, we are switching attention between tasks, doing only one at a time.  The brain has to decide what to pay attention to.  This is known as “attention switching.”  When you are talking on a cell phone while driving, your brain is dealing with divided attention.  You may be more interested in the conversation than the warnings of navigation and safety hazards.  You may be so involved in the phone conversation that you fail to see a red light or stop sign, until it is too late. 

According to Barry Kantowitz, Director of University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, thinking about a conversation requires mental capability made for safe driving.  He doesn’t hold out much hope for hands-free devices because they tend to reduce the amount of concentration required to process a phone conversation.  University of Kansas psychology professor, Paul Atchley states, “hands-free devices are only safer under very limited circumstances”.  In his work, hands-free devices show a reduction in attention in drivers 20-years-old, to the same attention level they see in many 85-year-old drivers.

We think it’s easy to talk on a cell phone while taking a walk, but even then your judgment can be impaired.  If that’s the case, think how much more responsibility you should show when you are behind the wheel.  Listening to music does not result in lower response time, according to studies.  But when the same drivers talk on cell phones, they do have a slower response time.  Loud music, however, can prevent drivers from hearing sirens and other warnings they should be alert for.

These articles are meant for drivers of every age.  It is our hope that thinking about this will keep yourself and others on the road safer.  I see mothers driving down the streets with little children in the back seat,  but they are more engaged in texting and talking on the phone.  All of us can name an incident where there was a sign of inattention by a driver, (even a close call!)  I know someone who can’t seem to talk while driving without turning to address her audience in the back seat.  We can all make a list of things that shouldn’t be done while driving, let me go first! 

But this week’s focus is on leaving the cell phone off while driving.  This is not too much to ask of anyone.  It would be great, if technology could do it for us; then we wouldn’t have to trust each other to do the right thing!   Please drive safely!  Remember, you must pay attention to the other guy, as well as yourself.

General Safety Issues

ON THE ROAD – OFF THE PHONE!

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Of all the articles we have presented, please read this one!  Being the last week of National Safety Month, and sponsored by the National Safety Council, this week’s title can have more impact on drivers than anything, if they will pay attention!  The theme is “On the Road – OFF the Phone!”  After reading information that the National Safety Council has to offer, I am now convinced that when I start my car, my cell phone will be turned OFF. Whatever messages I have will be there when I arrive at my destination.  If I need to make a call, I will do it when I am stopped for a soft drink or break and the car is parked. 

We have written about this subject as other bloggers, all in the interest of keeping drivers safe: distracted driving, drunk or drugged driving, texting and driving, and all the hazards of driving a vehicle that can cost your life or the lives of many innocent persons.  In the United States, so far this year, 626,997 (count ’em!) crashes involving drivers using cell phones while driving have already happened.  That’s one crash every 29 seconds!

Although I could use the hands-free device in my car, I really don’t like to use it.  Now, I am finding that hands-free driving is really no safer.  Vision is the most important sense for safe driving.  Many times, drivers using hands-free phones (and those using handheld phones) have a tendency to “look at” but not “see” objects.  There are estimates that show that drivers using cell phones look but fail to see up to 50 per cent of the information in their driving environment.  This is what researchers call “inattention blindness,” similar to that of tunnel vision.  They are looking out the windshield, but they do not process everything in the roadway  that they must know to effectively monitor their surroundings, seek and identify potential hazards, and respond to unexpected situations. (Primarily, because they are too engrossed in their phone conversation!)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 11 per cent of drivers at any given time are using cell phones, (there are more than 285.6 million wireless subscribers in the U.S., many who admit that they regularly talk or text while driving.  The National Safety Council estimates more than one in four motor vehicle crashes involve cell phone use at the time of the crash.  This shows us that cell phone use while driving has become a serious public health threat.  A few states have passed laws making it illegal to use a handheld cell phone while driving; this gives the false impression that using a hands-free phone is safe. 

At one time, alcohol and speeding were the leading factors in fatal and serious injury crashes; now “distractions” has been added to the list.  Although texting is clearly a serious distraction, NSC data shows drivers talking on cell phones are involved in more crashes.  More people are talking on cell phones while driving more often, and for longer periods of time than they are texting.  In 2008, an estimated 200,000 crashes involved texting or emailing, versus 1.4 million crashes involving talking on cell phones. 

 I recently advised my grandson, who is in the Graduated Drivers Licensing program, to make that a habit.  After learning this information, I am more than convinced that I told him to do the right thing; whether or not he will, is his and his parents’ decision.  However, I am going to turn mine OFF while driving!  I will let my friends and family know that the phone is off while I am driving, and they can leave a message.  That’s one more way to solve the problem; let callers know that you won’t be answering while driving.

Hands-free devices often are seen as a solution to the risks of driver distraction because they help eliminate two risks – visual, looking away from the road and manual, removing your hands off the steering wheel.  However, the third type of distraction can occur when using cell phones while driving, cognitive – taking your mind off the road!  Hands-free devices do not eliminate cognitive distraction.  Cognitive distraction will be our subject for tomorrow.  Till then, hang up, and drive safely!