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General Safety Issues

HOW TO KEEP SAFE WHILE WALKING HOME AT NIGHT (GUEST POST)

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How to Keep Safe While Walking Home at Night

 

If you’re forced to walk home at night, one of the best and most effective ways of ensuring that you reach your destination safely is to have a companion along for the journey. Assailants tend to strike single targets, rather than couples or small groups that can be more difficult for them to successfully subdue on their own. While men should certainly be cautious when they’re walking home at night, it’s especially important for women to understand the dangers of walking alone at night and to be aware of the best ways to reduce their chances of being the victim of violent crime.

Project Confidence

When you’re walking, make sure that you take a well-known and familiar route so you don’t look confused or lost, and that you project plenty of confidence along the way. Violent criminals target potential victims that appear vulnerable, and may choose not to engage with a woman who projects an air of strength and seems to know exactly where she’s going. If you’re so nervous about walking home that you don’t feel you’d be able to project that self-assurance, it may be smarter to opt for mass transit or even spring for a taxi, rather than anxiously making the trek back home.

Avoid Dark Areas

It may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how easily some people can be tempted into taking a shortcut through an alley or walking across a dark parking lot to shorten their journey back home. Whether you’re alone or in a group, it’s best to restrict your route to well-lit areas, always try to stay under streetlights and never duck into a shadowy area simply because it will shorten your walk. Attackers want as much seclusion as they can get to lower their chances of being spotted by passersby. If you’re hidden in the shadows with someone who has dangerous intentions, you may not be able to safely attract the attention of anyone passing by.

Wear Sensible Shoes

No matter how excited you are to wear your brand new heels, you should avoid them if you know you’ll be walking home after dark. If you’re insistent upon wearing fashionable but less-than-sensible footwear for an evening out on the town, be sure that you stash a pair of ballet flats into your bag to wear as you walk home. Should you need to outrun a potential attacker, you’ll have far better chances escaping if you’re not wearing precariously high heels that increase your risk of falling, twisting an ankle or just being slowed down dramatically by your lack of balance.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

When you’re projecting confidence on your way down the street, don’t be so confident that you pop in a pair of earbuds and ignore everything around you. A long walk might be more enjoyable if you’re able to listen to your favorite songs, but it will also make you less likely to hear someone approaching and can distract you enough that you don’t notice a threatening figure until it’s too late. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted so that you’re never unpleasantly surprised.

Keep Your Cell Phone Charged

Talking on your cell phone as you make your way home may seem like an effective way to discourage an attacker, but it can actually distract you enough that you don’t notice their approach. Taking advantage of someone is easier when they’re distracted, so make sure that you have your phone charged and readily available, but don’t spend your walk home chattering away. You should make sure that it’s within a moment’s reach, however, so that you can quickly dial for help if you spot something suspicious.

Carry a Deterrent

Non-violent deterrents like pepper spray or mace can buy you enough time to successfully evade a would-be attacker and seek help, and as such are great tools to keep on hand if you frequently walk home alone. Be sure before purchasing a canister of mace or pepper spray, however, that it’s compliant with all state and local laws. The maximum concentration legally allowable can vary from one state or city to another, so you’ll need to double check before heading out of the house with a deterrent that it isn’t illegal in your area.

Sent to us by Patricia Salaway of Liveoutnanny.com

 

General Safety Issues

IT’S NATIONAL DROWSY DRIVER PREVENTION WEEK, SO WAKE UP!

Drowsy Driving Prevention Week®, November 12 through 18th, is a National Sleep Foundation public awareness campaign to educate drivers about sleep safety.  The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released a study showing that the tragedy of drowsy driving is more pervasive than shown in previous estimates. Their study shows that drowsy driving involves:

  •          About one in six deadly crashes;
  •          One in eight crashes resulting in occupant hospitalization,
  •          One in fourteen crashes in which a vehicle was towed.
  •          These percentages are substantially higher than most previous estimates, suggesting that the contribution of drowsy driving to motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and deaths has not been fully appreciated.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving results in 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and more than 100,000 accidents each year. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety analysis of the accidents resulting from drivers falling asleep behind the wheels is cause for alarm and concern. According to the study, younger drivers age 16-24 were nearly twice as likely to be involved in a drowsy driving crash as drivers age 40-59, and about 57 percent of drowsy driving crashes involved the driver drifting into other lanes or even off the road.

The study also found that –

  • Vehicles in which the driver was accompanied by a passenger were nearly 50 percent less likely to be involved in a drowsy driving related crash.
  • More than half (55%) of those drivers who reported having fallen asleep while driving in the past year said that it occurred on a high-speed divided highway.
  • More than half (59%) of those drivers who reported having fallen asleep while driving in the past year said they had been driving for less than an hour before falling asleep; only one in five reported they had been driving for three hours or longer.
  • More than one in four drivers (26%) who reported having fallen asleep while driving in the past year reported that it had occurred between noon and 5 p.m.
  • Men (52%) were much more likely than women (30%) to report having ever fallen asleep while driving; men (14%) were also more likely than women (8%) to admit having done so in the past year.
  • Drivers age 24 and younger were most likely to report having fallen asleep in the past year, but they were least likely to report having ever fallen asleep. This is consistent with other studies that have found younger drivers to have a higher risk of falling asleep at the wheel.

According to the Foundation’s 2009 Sleep in America poll, about one-third (28%) of Americans admitted that they have fallen asleep behind the wheel within the past year, and more than half (54%) said they have driven while drowsy. The following warning signs indicate that it’s time to stop driving and find a safe place to pull over and address your condition:

  • Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking and/or heavy eyelids
  • Difficulty keeping daydreams at bay
  • Trouble keeping your head up
  • Drifting from your lane, swerving, tailgating and/or hitting rumble strips
  • Inability to clearly remember the last few miles driven
  • Missing exits or traffic signs
  • Yawning repeatedly
  • Feeling restless, irritable, or aggressive.

Sleepiness can impair drivers by causing slower reaction times, vision impairment, slips in judgment and delays in processing information. In fact, studies show that being awake for more than 20 hours results in an impairment equal to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%, the legal limit in all states. It is also possible to fall into a 3-4 second microsleep without realizing it.  Here’s how to prevent a fall-asleep crash:

  • Get a good night’s sleep before you hit the road. You’ll want to be alert for the drive, so be sure to get adequate sleep (seven to nine hours) the night before you go.
  • Don’t be too rushed to arrive at your destination. Many drivers try to maximize the holiday weekend by driving at night or without stopping for breaks.
  • It’s better to allow the time to drive alert and arrive alive.
  • Use the buddy system. Just as you should not swim alone, avoid driving alone for long distances. A buddy who remains awake for the journey can take a turn behind the wheel and help identify the warning signs of fatigue.
  • Take a break every 100 miles or 2 hours. Do something to refresh yourself like getting a snack, switching drivers, or going for a run.
  • Take a nap—find a safe place to take a 15 to 20-minute nap, if you think you might fall asleep. Be cautious about excessive drowsiness after waking up.
  • Avoid alcohol and medications that cause drowsiness as a side-effect.
  • Avoid driving at times when you would normally be asleep.
  • Consume caffeine. The equivalent of two cups of coffee can increase alertness for several hours.

Here’s another unsettling fact: National Sleep Foundation’s 2012 Sleep in America Poll Finds sleepy pilots, train operators as well as bus, taxi, and limo drivers.  The people we trust to take us or our loved ones from place to place struggle with sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation’s (NSF) 2012 Sleep in America® poll.  It is the first poll to ask transportation professionals, including pilots, train operators, truck, bus, taxi and limo drivers about their sleep habits and work performance. Pilots and train operators are most likely to report sleep-related job performance and safety problems. 

So, people, let’s get those zzzzz’s, rest and recoup before you take to the roads, rails, or sky!

 

 

Source: National Sleep Foundation

 

Back Safety, General Safety Issues, Head Protection, High Visibility Safety

MORE ABOUT BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY

This year approximately 55 million students will return to classrooms in the United States.  Regardless of how they get to and from school, whether it’s walking, biking, riding in a car, or bus, safety is a concern the minute they leave their home.  This is the time that parents need to plan how they can ensure the safety of their children by being involved in every aspect of their school experience.  Many students are apprehensive about beginning a new school year, and parents must assure them that they will be there for them, listening to their concerns.

 This is a good time to get your student in the habit of getting to bed early.  It’s hard to wind down from summer, getting to stay up later than usual.  Getting a head start on “early to bed, early to rise” might help them get used to their early morning routine. 

A great way for kids to get more exercise is to walk or ride a bicycle to school.  If it is possible for your child to do this, walk the route with them to find the safest way possible.  The best plan is to have a group from the neighborhood go together each day.  There’s always safety in numbers.  If your student rides his/her bike to school, be sure that they wear their helmet every time they get on the bike.  Wearing helmets can reduce the risk of injury by up to 85%.  Also, caution them to walk their bike across the streets, and to obey traffic signals and crosswalk guards.  Wearing bright colors or reflective gear will help your child be seen, whether riding or walking.

“Stranger Danger” is always an important thing you must teach your children.  They should never talk to strangers or get in vehicles with someone they don’t know.  Many predators apper to be very nice and can lure children with candy, or ask them to help look for a lost puppy, etc.  Most youngsters know to tell their teacher or parent if they notice someone suspicious hanging around their school. 

Check out the school playground that your youngster will be using.  More than 200,000 children, ages 14 and younger, are treated in emergency rooms for playground-associated injuries each year, mainly caused by falls from equipment.  It’s also a good idea to scope out the school menu.  On days that healthy options are not available, pack a lunch.  Be sure to start them off with a good breakfast, and send a nutritious meal that they will enjoy.  Food to be sent to school should be kept in the refrigerator until time to leave for school.  Packing a frozen juice box, or water bottle in an insulated lunch bag will help keep lunch products cool. 

Most kids carry their school supplies in backpacks.  Younger children should not carry a backpack that is more than 10% to 15% of their body weight.  Help them arrange their load, by packing the heavier items first, which results in less strain on their backs and shoulders. 

Transportation is one of the most important safety concerns during school years.  Be sure children are buckled up.  Every driver should let their children out of the vehicle in front of their school, and not leave until they see that they have entered the building.  We again stress what we say every year, “slow down.”  Parents should allow plenty of time to get their kids to school and then on to work.  If your child rides a school bus, he should understand how to get on and off the bus safely.  

There are many other things to think about when it comes to school and safety.  Pay close attention to details that you feel are important to your child’s well-being.  Parents sometimes get overwhelmed with responsibilities of raising children, trying to combine work, school, church, and other activities.  The twelve years of school (plus kindergarten) go by faster than one can realize.  Try to slow down and enjoy every minute of your child’s school experience that you can.  You’ll be sending them off to college before you know it!