Tag Archives: adults

General Safety Issues

TEENS AND ONLINE SHOPPING SAFETY (GUEST POST)

Blog4Safety’s main focus is work-related safety; however, we do receive other articles that refer to other types of safety.  Since it the goal of everyone to teach their teens to be safe on the internet, these tips may help them not only now, but when they are working in their chosen occupations. pat

The Internet is enormously powerful in terms of letting people find anything they want online. The problem is that younger people, including especially teens, could end up with a lot of trouble when it comes to using these options. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make sure nothing bad happens and that your teenagers stay safe.

Talk to Them

As is the case with a lot of safety issues when it comes to younger people, the most important thing is to make sure they’re informed on the matter. It may not be simply that teens tend to make poor decisions when it comes to online shopping, it might actually be that they just don’t know any better. They might not have any idea about what can happen if they aren’t careful when making purchases online. There are many stories online about teens who cost their parents thousands of dollars on Ebay because they didn’t realize that it cost real money to obtain the items they were bidding on.

Avoid Debit Cards

One thing that is definitely true is that you should have your teens avoid using their debit cards when making online purchases. When it comes to credit cards, most of them have guarantees when it comes to fraudulent online purchases. Debit cards often don’t have such protections.  Additionally, since debit cards are connected to actual money instead of just credit, anyone who gains access to a debit card due to your teen using it on a bad site online can instantly steal all of the money in the account.

Avoid Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi hotspots are great for getting free Internet access in a pinch, but they aren’t so good when it comes to Internet safety. It’s entirely possible for hackers who have the right equipment to steal debit card, credit card, and other information from anyone who uses a public Wi-Fi spot. They aren’t secured against this kind of thing, and most of them don’t use any encryption whatsoever. This means that the smart thing to do is to have your teen only do their shopping from secured locations.

Trusted Retailers

One of the biggest problems with online shopping is that there are a lot of sites out there that are extremely unreliable. If your teen purchases something from one of these sites, all sorts of bad things can happen. It’s entirely possible for a teen to have their credit card or debit card information stolen from a site that looks like a store but that is actually simply a scam. One of the best ways to avoid this problem is to make sure that your children only shop from trusted retailers. These might include sites like Walmart, Best Buy, and so on. If you’re not sure about it, caution might be a good approach. You can usually check sites using various programs designed for the purpose such as McAffee.

Personal Information

Some sites will ask for a lot more information than is required. It’s a good idea to have teens only fill out the information that is absolutely required in order to make the transaction go through. This is usually indicated by stars. Any information that isn’t needed can be left blank safely.

This advice also applies to anyone making their own site with a website creator. It’s important to choose one that will be safe.  This is actually one of the ways that teens can tell how safe a site is, by looking at what sort of website creator was employed in its creation since many sites will have seals to this effect.

Thanks to Marianne Ross for the valuable advise that we can all use! pb

 

 

 
General Safety Issues

BEYOND STRANGER DANGER: SAFETY TIPS FOR ADULTS (GUEST POST)

At an age when many children still believe in monsters under the bed, we begin to teach them about real life monsters, and the concept of stranger danger. Stranger danger is a concept that extends into adulthood, and we can still feel uncomfortable when a car pulls over and asks for directions, no matter how harmless the driver appears to be (is this old lady going to try and kidnap me?). There are many aspects of personal safety that we can also take for granted as we reach our adult years, and there are many circumstances when we need to pay more attention than we probably do. So what are some instances when we’re not so cautious and perhaps need to be?

When You’re on Vacation

If you live in a larger city, or a place that has particularly unique attractions, you’re probably used to seeing tourists walking around, map in hand, with slightly puzzled expressions on their faces. Remember that you might be exactly the same when you travel, and all too often, tourists might as well have “rob me” written on their foreheads. While violent street crimes aren’t so frequent in most popular tourist cities across the US and Europe, you might be subtly targeted by a pickpocket or for a bag snatching, since tourists are more likely to have “goodies”- expensive cameras, a lot of cash, and even your passport, which can be sold. Certainly, enjoy your trip, but be discreet- check your route before you leave, and avoid obviously staring at your map and street signs when you’re out. Research some of the better known scams as well- like in certain European cities, when a person asks you to fill in a “survey,” which is always in English, despite the fact that you’re in Paris or Berlin, and has poorly photocopied logos of well-known organizations such as UNICEF or the Red Cross- while you’re distracted, the survey persons accomplice might be reaching into your bag or pocket.

When You’re Partying

As children become teenagers and start to test their limits, it’s almost inevitable that they will start to consume alcohol sooner than their parents would like, and in greater quantities than are safe. It’s important to make sure that young adults are educated in the dangers of alcohol, and you can do this at home if the information isn’t offered at school. When people are old enough to legally enjoy bars and nightclubs, there are a certain number of safety protocols that need to be followed. Never leave your drink unattended, as it increases the possibility of it being drugged, which is often done in order to rob or assault a person. The “buddy system” is also a great idea, as it lessens the chance of someone drinking too much and becoming disorientated. Be very wary of recreational drugs, and while we have all heard stories of people partaking and not experiencing any ill-effects, remember that illegal drugs are manufactured in home based laboratories with no quality control, usually mixed by hand, meaning that a pill or powder might in fact contain a lethal dose of the active ingredient. 

When You’re Shopping

You might not think that trying to find a bargain can be a dangerous activity, but on occasions, a shopping mall can become a battlefield, as people become violent in their efforts to grab the best possible deal. This can occur when shoppers are seemingly whipped into a frenzy by a particular sale, such as the Black Friday sale (the first Friday after Thanksgiving- the start of the festive shopping season). A female shopper at a Walmart actually pepper sprayed her fellow shoppers, as she tried to keep them away from the electronics devices she was attempting to grab from the shelves. There have even been deaths from stampeding crowds during these sales. If you don’t feel like facing the crowds, but still want a bargain, then shopping online can be a great way to do this, and many retailers offer their Black Friday bargains online, although this is often focussed around Cyber Monday (the Monday after Black Friday), which is strictly for online sales. Remember to be cautious when buying online, and ensure that the site you’re buying from is legitimate.

About the author: Anita, Higher Click’s writer, enjoys occasional guest blogging and maintains her personal blog as well. She loves to write about everyday topics that offer something interesting everyone. She also blogs on behalf of huge brands, like Macy’s.

Seriously, you may want to take along a first-aid kit, especially on trips, and a small one to keep in your car.  It’s better to be prepared, even if it’s a shopping extravaganza.! pb

 

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

FIVE HEALTHY TREATS FOR KIDS OR THE “YOUNG AT HEART” (GUEST POST)

 

Sent to us by Joyce Del Rosario

Kids tend to be picky eaters and finding foods they actually want to eat throughout the day, while still ensuring that they get the nutrients and vitamins they need, can be quite a challenge.  Some adults are picky, too, so these ideas might tickle their taste buds!

In addition to this, most children don’t eat much in one sitting so you have to plan numerous smaller meals throughout the day, which makes it difficult to think of new and interesting things to serve at snack times.

Snacks, despite being merely a supplement to the main meals, should still be a good mixture of vegetables, protein, vegetables and whole grains.

The key to getting kids to eat healthy is to present the food to them in a fun and appetizing way. Here are five excellent ideas for healthy and delicious snacks that your kids will enjoy.

Popsicle smoothies

Popsicles are sure to go down smoothly with even the pickiest of eaters, but rather than serving the store-bought varieties that are generally full of sugar and preservatives, you can simply make a batch of your own at home.

This is also a good way to keep snacks on hand for those days when you just don’t have time to look for the right ingredients to whip up something edible for your young charges.

You can make your smoothies in a popsicle tray, but if you don’t have one, an ice tray or even small cup and popsicle stick (or teaspoon) will work just fine.

You can make different varieties, although its best to stick to using sweeter fruits that kids will enjoy, such as grapes, apples, pears and peaches. You can even add some yogurt or natural fruit juice to the mix.

Once you’ve blended everything, just pour the liquid into the mold add the popsicle stick and pop it into the freezer to use for the rest of the week.

Orange jelly smiles

Orange jelly smiles can be made with oranges or grape fruits and are full of vitamin C, calcium and fiber, making them a perfect afternoon snack. Just squeeze the orange juice from a couple of fresh oranges, add a little jelly and then pour it back into the orange halves.  Once the jelly has hardened in the refrigerator, you can slice them into thinner pieces (hence the name orange jelly smiles) and serve them on a plate.

Ants on a log

This is a fun snack that will have your kids eating their vegetables without complaining, it’s also a simple one to make and doesn’t require much pre-prep so you can have it on a plate and in their bellies within a matter of minutes.

Just wash and slice a few celery sticks and spread some cream cheese over them. Then add a few raisins to the top and serve on a plate. The name itself is half the fun as kids are very visual, so make sure you spark their imagination by explaining that it looks a bit like ants crawling on a log.

You can also do this with peanut butter instead of cream cheese, depending on what your children prefer.

Hummus or white bean dip with whole grain crackers

Kids tend to love dips, so making a great hummus or white bean dip is a great way to eat their beans, and in combination with a few whole grain crackers, you couldn’t wish for a healthier snack.

You can use either canned beans or dried beans, depending how quickly you want to prepare it. Using dried beans involves soaking and boiling them beans in advance, so you’ll need to plan ahead of time. Canned beans work just fine, though, and kids won’t know the difference.Cook the beans till they are soft, and add some roasted garlic, lemon juice, spoon of olive oil and some salt. For kids you’ll want to make sure that the garlic taste is not overpowering.

Once you’ve added all the ingredients you can let them cool and put the mixture through a food processor or blender to finish off the dip. If you don’t have whole wheat crackers, you can always use a piece of toast or bagel for an equally delicious snack.

Popcorn

Popcorn has gotten a bad rep as a junk food, mainly because of its popularity at movie theaters and fairgrounds. However, it actually has a number of health benefits and if prepared properly, is known to contain antioxidants that can prevent cancer and heart disease. It is also rich in fiber which clears the digestive tract and prevents constipation.

If you choose to serve your kids popcorn as a snack a few times a week, avoid the microwavable kind, which often contains additional calories, grease and other flavorings and chemicals. To enjoy the benefits of popcorn, go for the natural type that can be made in the pan and use oil and salt sparingly. 

General Safety Issues

THIS IS NATIONAL TEENS DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE WEEK

National Teens Don’t Text and Drive Week, November 20th – 26th is a very important observance.  However, it should also be “National Adults and Teens Don’t Text and Drive Anytime!”  Recently, I took my grandaughter to a fast-food restaurant, where we were seated next to the window that drive-thru customers passed by.  I would estimate that 9 out of every 10 drivers were texting or retreiving emails while going through the drive-thru.  That may be a little safer than when they pulled out and got back on the freeway, but it still made me wonder if they do it more than just when they are slowed down.

Texting While Driving Kills Virtual Pedestrians  (from Live Science Staff)

“Several studies have shown that distractions while driving, such as using cell phones or texting, can be dangerous. New research confirms these findings among teens.  The study of 21 teens in a driving simulator found that while texting or searching their MP3 music players they changed speed dramatically, wove in an out of their lanes, and, in some cases, ran over virtual pedestrians.  Similar studies have found that adults who talk on cell phones while driving in simulators perform as dismally as drunken study participants. Studies from the University of Utah show that hands-free devices do not make it safe to use cell phones while driving.  In January, the National Safety Council called on state and federal lawmakers to ban the use of cell phones and text-messaging devices while driving and also urged businesses to prohibit it.”

You may not be old enough to remember the old joke (when riding bicycles):

  • “Look, Ma, No Hands! – Look, Ma, No Teeth!”
  •  Now, when driving and talking or texting on the cell phone,
  • “Look, Ma, No Hands! – Look, Ma, No ME!” 
  •   Seriously, it’s not a joking matter. 

In your opinion, which do you think is the most risky thing to do while driving: 

1.      Talking to passengers in the car?

2.      Talking on the phone?

3.      Texting while driving?

4.      Using the internet on the phone? 

I would be interested in your answer.  In my opinion, it is all of the above.  Let’s don’t take chances.  I can’t even text well when I am in my home, (just can’t hit the right letters!)  Let alone try to do it while I am driving.  From experience, I know that it is hard to concentrate on driving safely if I am having a phone conversation with a friend.  It is just not worth taking the chance. 

So, parents, set the example: turn the phone off while you are in the car.  I know this will fall on a lot of deaf ears.  But if you show your kids that you have the willpower to do what’s right, let’s hope they will follow suit.  Drive safely, and keep that phone turned off!

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

AN AUGUST REMINDER FOR IMMUNIZATIONS!

August is designated by the Centers for Disease Control as National Immunization Awareness Month.  Dr. Anne Schuchat, Director of the CDC’s  National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases states, “Immunization is one of the single most important steps parents can take to help assure their children grow up to be strong and healthy.”  

Communities and cities are already reminding parents through the media such as newspapers, radio, and television  to take their children for the immunization shots now, to be ready for the beginning of school.  Because of the fact that so many people wait until the last minute, schools are announcing that children will not be admitted without proof that they have received the proper vaccines.  It is hard to understand why parents procrastinate about taking their children for these vaccines, when in many cases, there is no cost to them. 

Here is a list furnished by the CDC of preventable diseases for children, thanks to vaccines:

  • Diptheria
  • Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Influenza
  • Measles
  • Meningococcal Mumps
  • Pertussis (whooping cough)
  • Pneumonossis
  • Polio
  • Rotavirus
  • Rubella (German measles)
  • Tetanus (lockjaw)
  • Varicella (chickenpox)

Some adults think that vaccines that they got when they were children will protect them for the rest of their lives, but consider these factors:

  • Some never were vaccinated as children;
  • Newer vaccines were not available when they were children;
  • Immunizations may have faded over time;
  • With age, we become more susceptible to serious disease caused by common infections, (i.e., flu, pneumonia). 

It’s wise to remember that young adults to senior citizens can benefit from immunizations.  Vaccines are recommended to adolescents and adults based on factors such as age, health status and medical history.  Some vaccines are vital to most adults, especially senior citizens.  Others are not appropriate for persons with underlying health issues.  Your physician can advise you.  The following diseases can affect persons over 65 very seriously: diphtheria, Herpes Zoster (shingles), pneumonia, flu, and tetanus. 

If you plan to travel outside the United States, you need to visit with your physician at least 4 weeks prior to your vacation or business trip.  Certain vaccines take a period of time to become effective.  There are three types of vaccines in regard to travel – routine, recommended, and required.  You may be exposed to certain diseases in foreign countries that are uncommon in the U.S. 

If you have children, be sure all their shots are current.  Years ago, people died from diseases that are now preventable.  No one  enjoys getting stuck by a needle, but it’s a small price to pay for good health.