Tag Archives: Cell Phone

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Health Issues

HAVE YOU MADE SAFE TRAVEL PLANS FOR THIS MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY?

If you are traveling for this holiday, it is important that you don’t just throw a few things in a suitcase, and head for the sunset!  Make your plans based on safety, no matter how you plan to travel.   

As service stations gear up by hiking their gas prices, airlines may have limited discount flights available, but highway traffic is a nightmare. Prepare for your trip by mapping your route and then using road services, travel associations, the internet, news and any other source you can find to get updates. Remember that traveling at off hours can save you both money and time, not to mention hassle. 

You’d love for your Memorial Day weekend trip to be fantastic with perfect weather, but we all know how Mother Nature loves to mess with vacation plans. Check out a reliable weather resource, and plan to pack the proper clothes. Just because it’s warming up in some areas, there may be need for a sweater for evenings, or other warm clothing for camping. 

You don’t need to have a specific budget, but it’s a good idea to know how much you can afford to spend for the weekend and to have a rough idea of how much your planned adventures will cost. Understanding the price of travel, lodging and activities is a great start. Then you’ll have a better idea of how much to spend on meals and incidentals. (Especially if you plan to frequent a casino, make up your mind how much you can afford to gamble, and if you lose, stop; don’t try to catch up!) 

When driving, leave early enough to arrive at your destination in plenty of time. Remember, you state law enforcement officers will be working extra personnel in order to ensure your safety, by seeing that you don’t speed. Don’t drink and drive, or you could possible wind up with different accommodations than you had planned! Also, don’t text and drive. 

If traveling by car, be sure to notify family members or friends of your planned destination, and when you plan to arrive.  If you find you may be late, be sure to let them know where you are and not to send out the Mounties, that you should be there within a certain time.

Take a survival kit along, just in case: a first-aid kit, plenty of water, some non-perishable foods and snacks, your cell phone, a blanket, and pet food if your four-legged friends are traveling with you. Whether you are flying or driving this holiday, stock up with hand sanitizer, as many surfaces will be shared very often by others; doorknobs, arm rests and trays on planes, gasoline pumps, just about anything you touch while traveling.  There are some ugly bugs that seem to thrive on those who are traveling on planes, trains, or automobiles!  

For this first outing of summer, we wish everyone a safe journey, or if they stay home, a restful day.  Have a fun and safe summer; watch for the kids in the neighborhood because sometimes they forget to watch for you!

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK BEGINS MAY 17TH!

It’s the time of year that everyone is ready to get their boats back on the water and have fun fishing, skiing, or taking a relaxing ride on smooth water. Getting boats conditioned after a long winter’s rest is important to the success of the boat starting each time, and running as it should. Having owned a boat, there’s much more to it than just backing it into the water and taking off. The most important thing to have in your boat is a life jacket for each person.

This week’s reminder is sponsored by the National Safe Boating Council.  NSBC was organized in September, 1958, under the name National Safe Boating Committee. Their mission is to be the foremost coalition to advance and promote a safer recreational boating experience through education, outreach and training. The NSBC presently has a membership of over 330 U.S. and Canadian organizations, all with an interest in boating safety and education. The NSBC membership is diverse, with approximately 65% of the membership being nonprofit organizations and 35% being for-profit organizations. 

This year’s theme is “Ready, Set, Wear It,” referring to life jackets. By law, there should a life jacket for each passenger, as mentioned above. At times when you are fishing, and not moving, the jacket may be placed under the seats. But they must be ready for use at a moment’s notice. Wearing a life jacket can be slightly uncomfortable at some times, but even the strongest swimmer could have an accident, falling out of the boat, and possibly hitting their head. With no life jacket, their chances of surviving may be slim. 

When we had our boat, we made sure we had plenty of life jackets, even one for our Cairn Terrier, Willie. He had short little legs, and while we were fishing, he would go to the front of the boat and invariably slip and fall into the water. Our mode of rescue was a dip net, while his jacket kept him afloat. We didn’t want to take the chance that he might not be able to swim very far. 

On one particular outing, the local game warden pulled up to our boat to check our fishing license. He really got a kick out of seeing Willie in his life jacket; he said he hadn’t seen that very often. (This was several years ago, and jackets for dogs are much more popular now.) 

Have a fun summer on the water this year. Remember to use plenty of sunscreen, wear some great sunglasses, (the reflection off water can damage your eyes), wear a hat, keep some soft drinks and water in the ice chest, snacks, and have your cell phone handy in case you get stranded. The same law applies to drivers of boats, as to drivers of vehicles – don’t drink and drive! 

Stay safe and remember, wear that life jacket. After all, that’s what they are for – to save lives!

General Safety Issues

OBSERVE NATIONAL DISTRACTED DRIVING MONTH

 April is designated as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Every day we should observe all the ways we need to be safe while behind the wheel. These ideas are for everyone who drives, no matter your age. How many times you have let some sort of distraction cause you to not pay attention to your safety and that of your passengers? 

Here are some ideas, which you all have read before, but we are going to keep trying to let you know how important this is. 

First of all, DON‘T talk on a cell phone while you are driving if you have children in the car. You may use a hands-free device, but you will still be letting your train of thought veer away from safe driving, and you are setting a bad example for your kids. If they think it’s ok because mom and dad talk or their cell phone and drive, someday they will, too. 

Here are some more driving DON’T’s: 

  • Don’t drink and drive, and never get in a car with someone who has been using drugs or drinking.
  • Don’t text and drive……ever! Pull over, please don’t take the chance!
  • Don’t make assumptions about what other drivers are going to do. Just because someone has their turn signal on does not mean they are actually going to turn. They may be like the rest of us, and have forgotten that it is on!
  • DON’T assume that other cars can read your mind, either. Make sure that you use your turn signals and give yourself, and the cars around you, plenty of room to maneuver.
  • DON’T tailgate other cars, pass on shoulders, fail to yield, run stoplights or stop signs (even if no one else seems to be around), or break any other rules of the road on purpose. If you act like you are above the law when you operate a car, you will sooner, rather than later, find out that you are not.
  • DON’T play your car stereo so loudly that you are disruptive to others, or so loudly that you are unable to hear train signals or emergency vehicle sirens.
  • DON’T engage in other activities, while driving, that distract your attention or reduce your reaction time. Eating, changing clothes, or putting on makeup while driving is dangerous. In some states, if you are caught doing these things while driving you can be cited for “driver inattention” and given a ticket.
  • DON’T treat a car like it is a toy. It is not. Don’t use your car to play chicken, race, or give another car a friendly “tap.”
  • DON’T let your emotions and frustrations get the best of you. Don’t engage in road rage, no matter how irritating another driver might be to you.
  • DON’T activate the cruise control when driving in wet conditions. There can be a build up of water under the tires, and could cause hydroplaning. (This is not a distracted driving tip, but an important DON’T to add to your list.)
  • DON’T drive if you are sleepy. Ask your passenger to drive, or wait until your head is clear. Needing sleep really distracts you from your driving responsibility. 

DO DRIVE DEFENSIVELY. If you have a group in your car, let them lead the conversation so you can keep your eyes on the road at all times. Stay safe and take this message to heart. If you let some distraction cause you to have an accident while driving, chances are someone will get hurt and you will be responsible. So “drive friendly”,  as we say in Texas, and drive responsibly!

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hearing Protection

RINGING IN THE FACTS ABOUT CELL PHONE OVERUSE (GUEST INFOGRAPHIC)

Our thanks to Ashley O’Connor for this infographic, which depicts potential health effects of excessive mobile phone usage. Basically, it shows different health problems we may get from over using our mobile phone.  First and foremost, as Ashley says, please do not use your cell phone to text while you are driving!  I will admit that I am among the 67% that checks my cell phone even if it hasn’t rung!  However, I am not addicted to using the phone or tablet. Most folks will tell you that they sometimes find it irritating to visit person to person with someone who is texting on their phone rather than participating in the conversation. Food for thought! pb

General Safety Issues

TIPS TO STAY SAFE WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER

Winter officially began December 21st, so we know there’s  a lot of winter ahead of us.  There were several areas in the U.S. that had some unusually cold weather prior to the first day of winter.  Many college students will be returning to school pretty soon, so we thought it would be a good time to remind them and holiday travelers to be extra-careful.  Those who are on the road every day can use these suggestions, too.

Weather forecasts are pretty accurate; however, we can sometimes be hit with a cold front unexpectedly.  Rain, snow, fog, and ice can change the way we drive.  Here are some winter driving tips:

  • Check weather conditions ahead of time.   Be sure to tell your family or friends the route you are traveling.  Inform them when you have arrived safely.
  • Drink plenty of water. When the weather is chilly, dehydration might seem unlikely, but as little as a 1-2 percent loss of body weight can lead to fatigue and reduced alertness — both of which can be deadly when you are driving in icy conditions. Carry (and drink) five to six 16-ounce bottles of water per day in a small ice chest in the car.
  •  Take rest stops. Winter travel is much more tiring than summer driving, so stop every hour or so. Get out, and stretch, walk around a little. Just five minutes will significantly improve your level of alertness. (Chances are, if you drink all that water, you’ll need those pit stops!)
  • Pack a winter travel safety kit. Keep your cell phone charged, an ice scraper and brush, a tow rope, cat litter (for use as a traction aid), blankets, a good flashlight, a candle, matches, a portable weather radio and a can of lock de-icer, gloves and extra set of warm clothes.
  •  Eat enough food. Your body needs more nutrition in cold weather than it does on a warm day. Sandwiches, fruit or a thermos of hearty stew are much better choices than candy bars and sweets. Carry a day’s worth of high-energy food in a warm area of your vehicle in case you are stranded for a few hours.          
  •  Don’t speed.  A good rule of thumb is to reduce speed by 50 percent in snowy conditions.  Equally important: Don’t go too slow. Your car needs momentum to keep moving through snow on grades.
  •  Don’t grasp the steering wheel too hard. Smooth operation is the key to keeping control in slippery situations. Nervousness can lead to a hard clench of the steering wheel, which can result in loss of control. Consciously loosen your grasp or stretch out your fingers from time to time to help prevent that tight grip.
  •  Keep your tires in good condition and properly inflated. Cold weather reduces tire pressure, so check and adjust frequently. Tire tread depth should be at least 1/8-inch, and good snow tires with lugs will outperform just about any all-weather tire on the market.
  •  Know how to recover from skids. When braking on a slippery road, it’s all too easy to “lock up” your wheels by stepping on the brakes a little too hard. If you start to skid, steer the vehicle gently in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go and don’t touch your brakes. This previously was termed “turning into the skid,” but tests have shown that drivers often misinterpret these words in real-life situations. 
  •  If you get stranded, stay in your vehicle. Stay warm and wait for assistance. Many persons have made the mistake of trying  to walk for help, resulting in tragedy.  Ensure your exhaust pipe is clear of any obstructions, including snow and ice to keep carbon monoxide gas from building up inside the vehicle. 

If you know that weather conditions are going to be hazardous, don’t take any chances.  There will be another day you can get there more safely, and it’s not worth the risk of an accident.  Some drivers may not know how to drive in icy conditions, and could cause unintentional crashes.  Wait for the right opportunity to travel.  

When you see 18-wheel trucks sitting on the side of the road, that’s a pretty good sign that the road is not safe.  Follow their advice, and wait until it clears up.  Have your safety kit and food in your vehicle and pull over if this is the case.

Drive safely!

General Safety Issues

HOW TO MAKE TRIPS SAFE FOR YOUR CHILDREN (GUEST POST)

When summer comes people start planning to camp outside with the entire family. Many parents are in dilemma thinking about the kids. Well, that is the problem with no problem actually. It is true that camping or travelling with the family is fun at any age but there should always be the first place for the children, and it has to be when they are little. Plus, such experiences are good ways to keep the family relieved from the daily routine and its stresses. So, there is nothing to worry about if the preparations are made wisely.

Planning and Playing It Out First

Planning out any trip, with or without the children, is certainly the first step to go through. If the trip includes camping, make sure to invest in camps that are just suitable for your family and its members, rather than listening to anyone else. If it is camping outside, children should be taught how to stay and sleep inside tents first. It can be turned into a play by putting up a tent in the backyard and letting the whole family stay there for nights to have fun with lessons. Teaching children how to keep their things organized in camps is also the necessary thing to be done.

Taking All the Safety Measures

Camping and outdoor trips may often include things that children do not usually come across in their day-to-day lives. For instance, the idea of how the fire is lit and what to do around it can be gotten during the trip. Still, kids should be taught to basic safety rules. Tips like keeping a bucket of water near the fire ring, as well as not going anywhere or eating anything unknown are to be imprinted in their minds.

Being Prepared for Any Accidents

Of course, parents will be cautious all the time to keep their children out of danger, but accidents are something that happens unexpectedly. So, besides not letting the children go out of sight, parents should ensure that all kids have their own flashlights and whistles. The code for help using whistles is three blows and it is universally accepted. Besides these precautions, there should always be a first-aid kit of the visiting family’s own to be used for injuries. Never take minor cuts and wounds lightly since out in the forest or in the mountains it can be even life threatening.

Making Sure They Learn From It

A trip is all about fun but it should provide children with some valuable lessons about life, nature, doing things by their own. Since it is an extra-ordinary situation, things learned from such trips exist forever. From keeping things tidy to collecting firewood, cooking and cleaning outside to keeping a journal to learning to cope with the nature – all these skills  are no way to be learned within any urban setting. So, parents can make trips both safe and interesting for the kids so that they will cherish memories about them forever.

Post by Linda Waters. Blogger, marketing executive at mspy.fr. Writes on cutting-edge mobile apps, cell phone tracking software and their benefits for families and businesses.

General Safety Issues

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

2 Comments
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

Problem Pedestrians: Impaired Walking and Drunk Walking

Guest Post by Garrick Infanger, Forensic Engineering Hub

Numerous accidents occur each year involving pedestrians. New research is evaluating the effects of impairments on the pedestrians. Impairments can involve physical disabilities, inebriation, or even technology.

In the excellent New York Times series ‘Driven to Distraction’, Matt Richtel examines the effect of modern technology on pedestrians in a new article ‘Forget Gum. Walking and Using Phone Is Risky’.

The era of the mobile gadget is making mobility that much more perilous, particularly on crowded streets and in downtown areas where multiple multitaskers veer and swerve and walk to the beat of their own devices…
Slightly more than 1,000 pedestrians visited emergency rooms in 2008 because they got distracted and tripped, fell or ran into something while using a cellphone to talk or text. That was twice the number from 2007, which had nearly doubled from 2006, according to a study conducted by Ohio State University, which says it is the first to estimate such accidents.
The era of the mobile gadget is making mobility that much more perilous, particularly on crowded streets and in downtown areas where multiple multitaskers veer and swerve and walk to the beat of their own devices…
Slightly more than 1,000 pedestrians visited emergency rooms in 2008 because they got distracted and tripped, fell or ran into something while using a cellphone to talk or text. That was twice the number from 2007, which had nearly doubled from 2006, according to a study conducted by Ohio State University, which says it is the first to estimate such accidents.
Pedestrian
The recent bestseller ‘SuperFreakonomics’ deals with the issue of drunk-walking that involves some of the same issues for impaired walking on a worldwide basis.
Each year, more than 1,000 drunk pedestrians die in traffic accidents. They step off sidewalks into city streets; they lie down to rest on country roads; they make mad dashes across busy highways…
The average American walks about a half- mile per day outside the home or workplace. There are some 237 million Americans sixteen and older; all t old, that’s 43 billion miles walked each year by people of driving age. If we assume that 1 of every 140 of those miles are walked drunk— the same proportion of miles that are driven drunk— then307 million miles are walked drunk each year.
Doing the math, you find that on a per- mile basis, a drunk walker is eight times more likely to get killed than a drunk driver.
Whether an iPhone or a beer, impaired walking seems to be on the rise around the world.
—
Garrick Infanger writes for the Forensic Engineering Hub, an engineering-focused site sponsored by Armstrong Forensic Engineers.
—
Photo Credit: New York Times
General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

A SPECIAL SAFETY MESSAGE FROM SOMEONE WANTING TO HELP!

 This weekend I received the following comment from a very special mother, with regard to  an article, “Drive Safely Work Week.”  Please pay close attention to this message about a subject that we are all familiar with, but don’t  heed the warnings.  Hopefully, this will wake us all up:

We lost our son March 15, 2009 because he was texting while driving. He had everything going for him, he was just 23, a United States Marine and father and he let something as silly as texting take his life. I have made it a point in my life to speak and teach any and everyone I can on these dangers so maybe just one family will not have to go thru the pain and suffering we go thru everyday. Please look at your last text and tell me, is it really worth dying over or possibly killing someone else?? Thank you,
TBreen

In the article, I was trying to convey that a phone conversation is not worth risking anyone’s life over.  I hope my message gets through to all drivers that we must pay attention to our driving, and turn those phones off.  If we must use a cell phone, we need to pull over- to protect ourselves and others on the roads.  I asked for permission to share her message with all of you, and this was her response:

“PLEASE share, my husband and myself have made it our mission now to get our sons story out there and pray that it saves just one life. I am not sure I mentioned but we have done a PSA/Documentary for AT&T and also for a company named Motion Masters a learning video that is for schools and businesses. Your life is changed forever and there is not a waking second that you do not think of your child, a parent is not supposed to bury their child… Keep the articles going.. God Bless..

This mother and father are doing all they can to teach us that we must continue to get out the message: don’t text while driving!  Hopefully,  families will realize how important it is to teach their young drivers that this is one of the most common causes of accidents.  It has been proven that texting and driving is as dangerous as drinking and driving.  It’s time for it to stop!  It can be as simple as turning off the phone.   If everyone would comply, we’d see fewer accidents.

If you wish to comment, please send your wishes to me, and I will be happy to convey them to  this special family, who is trying to save others.  We are grateful to them for sharing their message.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

DO YOU HAVE “HEIGHT-TRO-PHOBIA”?

Seriously, a fellow I worked with years ago, was telling some of us that he couldn’t stand heights!  There was no way he could climb, or stand on anything off the ground, and “height-tro-phobia” is the name he gave that fear.  I share “acrophobia” with him, as I don’t like heights, either. The weird thing is, I love to fly in planes and it doesn’t bother me at all, but I can’t stand to look down from the staircase at my daughter’s house!  Maybe you can help me figure that one out!

There are several occupations that require working at various heights, and these are considered some of America’s most dangerous jobs:

  • Electric Power Line Workers: These people work at high points and often have to position themselves at angles that make it hard to balance.  Power line workers wear special uniforms to keep from getting shocked and require special equipment to keep them balanced.  They also have to deal with a force to be reckoned with – electricity. Slipping, falling, and mechanical failure to equipment are just a few risks they have to contend with.  The next time your power goes down, think of what your friends at the power company are doing to restore electricity to the many homes that depend on them. Out of every 100,000 workers, 34 die each year.
  • Roofers: Some of the buildings and homes that they work on are extremely high.  In addition to the height, they have to carry heavy tools, walk and crawl to be where they can work.  Many times they must use safety harnesses to prevent them from falling, which may be restrictive for them to work to their full ability.  Risks they endure are high winds, skin cancer from too much sun, falls, and slipping off ladders. 35 roofers die each year per every 100,000 workers.
  • Steel/Iron Construction Workers: It makes me dizzy just thinking about walking on those steel beams while building skyscrapers!  It is extremely important that safety checks are stringent and performed often for these workers.  They wear protective gear, and depend on tethers and pullies, which must be maintained regularly.  Weather can be a dangerous factor for these guys.  Out of every 100,000 workers, 47 die annually.
  • Cell Phone Tower Workers: The statistics are very high: out of every 100,000 workers in this huge industry, 184 die each year. Cell phone companies are competing for higher towers and more towers to accommodate the demands of the public. Many times, the workers they hire are not fully trained and equipped to do the job properly.

Well, my hands are sweaty, just thinking about the jobs these folks do.  Most are experts in their fields and they all deserve our thanks.  Think of the things that wouldn’t be here without them!

Just please, while you’re up there looking down on us, work safely!

Source: Bureau of Labor