Tag Archives: lighting

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

HOW TO KEEP SENIORS SAFE AT HOME (GUEST POST)

Your mom is the best cook in the world. You could die for her bacon and eggs breakfast and chocolate cake for dessert! Even your friends come home for dinner sometimes because they simply love her cooking, and let’s face it, she loves to feed people too. Even though you think you’re a bit overweight and could do with some exercise, she thinks you look skinny and could do with some more food in your tummy! But all this aside, she’s a bit of a klutz and that scares you a little. She’s had some minor falls here and there—they didn’t hurt her too much but she’s still shook.

After some minor fractures, you realized that your house could do with some fixing. A little bit of adjustments could make your house safer for her. After all, at her age, you don’t want to be messing with physics! Because you never know when those frail bones of hers might fail her. You’d rather be prepared for the worst because klutziness might become her worst enemy! It’s not that difficult or expensive to make a home safer for seniors. Let me show you the ropes. Here are some things you could do:

1.       Make your house accident proof

Since older bones can be brittle, it’s important that the house does not have jutting corners or slippery surfaces which may cause untoward injury. You won’t realize but changing small things in your house may prevent your parents (or elderly people in general, or even kids for that matter) from being prone to small accidents. You need to be careful about small things like making sure that all electrical wires are placed along walls and no one can trip over them. The stairways also need to be in a good condition because a tumble down those steps may cause some serious hurt and you don’t want that, do you? It’s important for you to keep the smallest things in mind while you change things around in the house to make it safer. You should make sure that there is plenty of room to walk and there is no clutter (such as small pieces of furniture or your dog Max’s food bowl) to trip over. Clean up spills as soon as they happen!

2.       Lighting is really important

Everyone knows that as you grow old, your eye sight gets weaker. So, it becomes really important for the house to be well lit for the seniors. Be it the kitchen, the bedroom or the bathroom. The lighting is absolutely necessary. Nowadays you have the option of lighting with something called proximity sensors. This simply means that when you walk into a room, the lights will automatically come on. The elderly people in your family will love this feature and it will come in handy especially during the night. It’s also quite energy efficient so it’s good for your pocket too! Good lighting on stairways is also really important.

 House light

Source: http://www.viahouse.com/2010/08/modern-concrete-house-inspiration-space-saving-house-interior/decorative-lighting-concrete-house-designs/ 

3.       Handrails are the way to go

Hand rails next to the stairs and the tub are an easy option. They should be securely attached to the wall and will come in handy (see what I did there?) when you want to prevent falls. And as I said earlier, it’s important to protect those brittle bones!

 Wall Handrails1

Source: http://www.shawstairs.com/images/Wall%20Handrails1.jpg

4.       It’s also about security

You must have come across so many news stories where the elderly were targets of thefts and violence. Keeping that in mind, security from burglars and your amateur Jack the ripper becomes an important aspect of making the home safe for your folks. Make sure that your entry door is (almost) bulletproof. I recently replaced my door with this one from Champion Window– comes with a lifetime warranty! Porches and balconies should also be protected with fences or gates that cannot be climbed over. It’s important to secure the outdoor area as much as the indoors. 

These are some steps that you can take if you’re looking to make your home safe for seniors. It’s all about the little things that may cause injury and replacing them is easy and quite inexpensive. Take a good look around your house because these things can be extremely subjective. Good luck! Your folks are going to be quite happy with your efforts. 

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General Safety Issues, Home Safety Products

LIVING ALONE: STEPS WOMEN SHOULD TAKE TO STAY SAFE (GUEST POST)

 With increased financial independence, more and more women prefer to stay alone. The idea of living alone has its own perks that most women find very appealing. You can live on your own terms, feel emancipated and enjoy absolute freedom. However, such a life also comes with its own share of disadvantages in the form of security issues. Increasing crime against women has made it imperative for women to adopt means to ensure their safety. If you are a woman living alone, here are the things that will make sure that you stay safe and enjoy your life.

Choose a neighborhood with care

The safety measures you undertake should start from looking for a safe neighborhood. Check out the crime rate in the neighborhood and talk to the people and local businesses. These people will give you a fair idea about the area and also whether it is safe or not.

Once you move in, establish a rapport with your neighbors. Keep in touch always so that you are aware of the happenings in the area and can take steps accordingly.

You should know the layout of the neighborhood also. Familiarize yourself with the places so that you know the areas that tend to remain dark or deserted at night. If you have an erratic work schedule you will know which areas to avoid and when.

Secure your home           

Burglars look for homes that they can break in easily. Homes with wooden doors and windows are their easy targets. To ensure your security, you should replace old wooden doors with reinforced steel. If possible, install security grilles. Invest in deadbolt locks for the exterior doors. The windows also require special attention. Hire a specialized locksmith service and get your entire house inspected and adopt their suggestions to bolster the security system. But also remain aware of ghost locksmiths as Nashville lock maker 456lock points out. Simple things like door chains and spy holes go a long way in making you feel safe and secured.

Beware of strangers

You can install an intercom at the door to identify people who visit your home. Never open the door if you are not sure about who is on the other side. Use the door chain to slightly open the door while attending to strangers. The incidents where the innocuous pizza delivery boy or a courier guy has tried to break in or molest women staying alone necessitate you to be alert always.

Get canine company

A dog is not only a man’s great friend but can be a protector also. Apart from giving you company and much needed love, your pet dog can keep a watch on your house and also alert you about any suspicious movements. Even when you are away, presence of the dog will deter burglars from trying to encroach in your house. 

Leave your home secured all the time

Always keep the doors and windows shut. When you leave your house, take extra care to check all the entry points. No one should be able to gain entry when you are absent. While going for vacations, inform your neighbors about your plan so that they can keep an eye on your house. Keeping spare key under the doormat is a very bad idea. Keep it with a neighbor or a friend instead.

Sensor floodlights installed on the exteriors like the balconies, porches and doorway will keep away burglars.

Take help of technology to ensure your safety

Technology has made it extremely easy to keep your house under constant surveillance and also make you safe always. Your mobile phone can play a great role in ensuring your security. You should include 911 in the speed dial list. Always keep the mobile near you even when you are inside the house. While traveling alone, inform your friends or your relatives about your whereabouts.

Wireless security systems can be installed at home to keep a constant watch on your home. You can even get CCTV cameras installed at certain locations. Geo-locations software, energy savings security systems are great options to make your house burglar-proof. These systems are not only easy to operate but also make your home safe when you are away. With advancement in technology, they have become affordable also.

Keep your personal life to yourself

Social networking sites often become traps for women. Avoid sharing your personal information in social networking sites. Your working hours, travel plans and whereabouts should be kept to yourself only. Share this information only with friends whom you trust and know personally.

To prevent stalking and strangers knowing your whereabouts, you should alter your daily schedule from time to time. Change the route you usually take to reach home or office and also alter the timing also.

Being alert and responsible will keep you safe. Carrying pepper sprays, being fit and knowing self-defense techniques will instill confidence in you to handle any situation and protect yourself. 

About the Author

Anna is a home security expert in Nashville, Tennessee, who helps home owners and business owners stay safe. She loves writing articles related to home security and women safety. 

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

SAFETY COMPLIANCE IN THE WORKPLACE: KNOWING THE RULES WHEN WORKING WITH DANGEROUS MACHINERY (GUEST POST)

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Compliance with health and safety regulations will not only help protect you, the employer, from liability concerns but will also help keep your workers safe and machines in good working order.

The Workplace Regulations 1992 cover the majority of health and safety issues that can occur in the workplace.  These regulations are split up into three different sections: health, safety and welfare. Each of these sections is especially relevant to a workplace where dangerous machinery is used on a daily basis. 

Health 

This section relates to ensuring that your workplace isn’t set up in a way that will give your employees health issues in the short or long term.  Referring to specific key areas, here is a rundown of how the regulations apply to working with dangerous machinery:

Ventilation:

When materials are cut noxious gases or fine dust particles are often given off. This can lead to lung problems if your workers are exposed to this without adequate ventilation.   Installing mechanical ventilation will ensure that there is a supply of fresh air. Windows may provide enough ventilation, but well maintained mechanical ventilation will always be more efficient. 

Temperature:

Ambient temperature can be affected by machinery running in the workplace. If your workplace doesn’t have air conditioning then temperatures can become too uncomfortable to work in.  Temperature also refers to humidity in the workplace.  Having your workplace at an uncomfortable temperature can lead to stress and loss of concentration. This is especially relevant if your employees are working with machinery as any mistakes can lead to accidents. 

Lighting:

Your workspace should be contain adequate lighting. This is especially important for workspaces using machinery. safety precautions should also be in place incase of sudden loss of light. this means that backup systems are a must if sudden loss of light could lead to accidents.

Cleanliness:

Workspaces should be kept clear of rubbish that could pose a tripping hazard or fire risk. Provide an appropriate means of waste disposal and ensure it is removed regularly. 

Safety 

This second section deals with day to day measures that must be put into place in order to protect the wellbeing of employees. The headings that safety regulations deal with are: 

Equipment Maintenance:

Keeping your machinery well maintained will help prevent accidents that arise from faults and breakages. Likewise, keeping your devices such ventilation systems in good order will help prevent complications from arising further down the line. 

Floor Traffic:

Keeping the areas of your workplace which encounter high foot traffic clear of tripping hazards is very important. This is especially important for workers who are using machinery as a trip or fall can result in serious accidents. 

Windows:

When windows in the workplace are open, they shouldn’t pose as risk to anyone.



Welfare

The welfare aspect of health and safety compliance in the workplace relates directly to the conditions experienced by employees and maintaining their mental and physical health.  Your workplace is only as efficient as the people who are running it, and ensuring your employees are in good health will enable them to focus more and work more efficiently.   This is done by providing suitable sanitation facilities, access to clean water and regular breaks. 

By following these guidelines, your workplace will be a safer and more efficient place. 

This piece was written by Mark Enright, a writer for http://www.yorkshireprofiles.co.uk/, Yorkshire Profiles, a laser cutting, water cutting and fabrication provider. 

General Safety Issues

A FEW PRACTICAL TIPS FOR IMPROVING SAFETY AND SECURITY AROUND YOUR HOME (GUEST POST)

 In this day and age, improving the safety and security around your home is something in which I encourage all homeowners to consider investing in. After all, your home is where you live, where you raise your family. It contains expensive electronics, jewelry and other valuables like financial records that could lead to identity theft in the wrong hands. Therefore it is important to protect your property both indoors and out as well as secure your family’s peace of mind.

Consider installing security cameras

One easy way to improve the safety of your home is by installing security cameras. When installing surveillance cameras as part of a security system you can typically expect to earn a break in your insurance and can expect the system to pay for itself in a short amount of time and is ultimately a lot less expensive than having your home burglarized.

Home security cameras are often installed above the main entrance point. This is a great way to keep aware of who is coming and going from your home even if you are not present. Moreover, some security systems allow you to unlock a locked front door from a remote location. This is an extremely helpful way to let your kids in the house when they lose their key while you’re at work.
Also, be aware that you can also set up your own remote home monitoring system without the expensive dedicated setup and save some additional money. However, I’m not sure if this approach would qualify you for any discount on your homeowners insurance.

Take your landscaping into consideration

Burglars are always looking for an “easy mark,” and when they pick a home to burglarize it’s rarely, if ever done at random. One of the first things a burglar does is scope out the neighborhood. The last thing a burglar wants to deal with is a nosy neighbor and one of the main things they look for is a home with the least visibility from the street.
Burglars can get exceptional cover from tall privacy fences; break into your home without being caught by using tall trees and unkempt shrubbery that conceals windows. They look for things like un-mowed lawns that could indicated the homeowner is away from home a lot or kids toys left on the lawn because kids in most instances means a mom lives there which means there’s a good chance there’s jewelry inside.

Improve the lighting in your yard

One of the most important steps to take when making your home more secure is by installing adequate lighting outside your house. These lights can be solar-powered which prevents you from having to replace batteries, times so that they come on as the sun goes down and go off as the sun rises or they could be motion sensitive lights that are triggered when motion is detected in the lights “protection zone”.

Choosing the type of security lights to install is largely a matter of your own personal preference and not every type of light will meet the needs of every homeowner. Nevertheless, since security lights do a very good job of highlighting someone’s approach, they can be powerful deterrents to anyone who wants to enter your home uninvited.

Secure your front door

Although many homeowners may be unaware of this fact, one of the main entry points for burglars is through the front door. This is because homeowners often times neglect to replace a worn out and brittle door. Therefore, the burglars can sometimes break the door and gain entrance with little or no real effort.

About the author

Alex Goodwin is a writer, husband, father and aspiring novelist. When he isn’t writing for HomeDaddys or completing chores from his “honey- do” list, he’s most likely spending quality time with his wife and kids or working on his novel.

General Safety Issues

HOW TO KEEP YOUR OFFICE SECURE (GUEST POST)

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HOW TO KEEP YOUR OFFICE SECURE

Whether you’re a boss or an employee, office security and safety is of paramount importance. You must protect your employees, information, and equipment, but what is the best way to do this? Here are some pointers.

CAMERAS 

You can hire a security firm to install cameras, or you can install them yourself. There are different kinds, too. Some of them take a picture every 5 seconds, some of them are motion sensitive, and still others take continuous pictures. The very presence of cameras can be a deterrent to theft and abuse. Some classroom teachers even purchase their own security camera for their classrooms so they have defense in case of accusations. The videos can be recorded over, or you can change out the disc or tape as needed to keep a record of all activity.

SECURITY CODES

Have a security company install security coded locks on your office doors – especially the exterior ones. You can either have one code for the entire office, or an individual code for each employee – an ID number. This way you can have a record of who has entered the office, as well as the time and the day they came in. This gives your employees security when they’re working late, and also gives you a record of traffic in and out of the office.

PARKING LOT LIGHTING

If you have a number of employees who must enter or leave your building in the dark, make sure there is security lighting in the parking lot and surrounding area. Keep any storage or trash containers away from the building so there’s no cover for a prowler, and have those employees park close to the building. Even if you have a security fence around the parking lot, people can still climb the fence, so do everything you can to keep the parking lot safe.

NIGHT WATCHMAN

Some companies use a  Security Training Website to source experienced officers to patrol the grounds. Having security professionals is an especially good idea if you are located in an area that has a high break-in problem. It will also provide an armed escort to employees leaving or arriving in the dark.

ALARM SYSTEM 

Have an alarm system installed. Yes, you know that employees are going to set it off now and then, but the old adage “better safe than sorry” is true. This is especially important if you have a lot of valuable equipment in your office, which could walk off if there is no alarm system to alert the police.

IT SECURITY

Most companies are computerized and networked. This can present extreme danger to private information if your system gets hacked. Be sure you have backup for everything, and some form of IT security.

And, this won’t make you popular with your employees, but you should have some kind of safeguard to keep employees from playing computer games at work. Some sites can be blocked at the server, so find out if World of Warcraft, Facebook, Pinetrest, and any pornographic sites can be blocked. This not only protects employees, it protects your company from being involved in scandal.

BIO

Josh enjoys writing and looking for  ways to save, and currently works
for a company involved in UK security jobs and training.

 

General Safety Issues

OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

A long time ago, my husband, who owned a machine shop for a number of years, made the statement, “no one knows what being in business for themselves is like until they have actually done  it.”  Overhead, insurance, waiting to get paid, paying employees, maintenance, and many other headaches contribute to being in private business.  With that in mind, we’d like to encourage businesses everywhere to think about how safe their enterprises are. 

One of the first things is to hire good employees.  You can be a victim of internal theft, as well as external.  Do thorough background checks on all applicants.  Know whom you are allowing access to your buildings.  Be sure that keys cannot be duplicated without the master key.  There should be a locked closet that holds the master key to every door, with only certain employees having access to it.  Encourage staff to confidentially report any dishonesty by colleagues that they are aware of. 

How safe is your business equipment?  Keep an up-to-date inventory, including leased equipment that is not insured by the leasing company.  There are many types of security systems, including sensors on doors, closed-circuit cameras, and contract security companies that alert authorities when there is a problem.  Adequate lighting should be provided at all times.  Clear away any shrubs, bushes, or trees that could provide hiding places for thieves.  Installing dead bolts or coded locks may be another deterrent.  Develop safe procedures that protect every employee, from the very first person arriving to work in the morning until the last person leaves each evening. 

Building maintenance is very important.  Water leaks can cause costly damage.  Pipes, drains, and appliances should be checked often.  A crack approximately 1/8 of an inch in a pipe can release up to 250 gallons of water per day.  There are two types of water leak detection systems – active and passive.

  • Active systems are battery operated and can set off an alarm when moisture is detected as well as stop the water flow with some sort of shut-off valve.
  • Passive systems are battery operated and usually stand-alone units, with moisture sensors on the bottom of the apparatus, and will activate an alarm.  They are easily installed.

Roofs should also be inspected often for damage, or possibility of water leaks.  In the fall, it’s a good idea to insulate water pipes to avoid freezing later on. 

Of course, businesses should install sprinkler systems and smoke detectors, and have appropriate fire extinguishers ready for use in case of fire, depending on the types of equipment that are involved.   Individuals can plug in surge protection devices; however, the electric service meter surge protection devices must be professionally installed.  

This is probably just the tip of the iceberg; however, we hope the things that have been pointed out will help businesses be a little safer.  We salute both the small and large business owners, who make keep our communities going, by offering jobs that are so badly needed.