Enjoy this beautiful Christmas infographic, sent to us by Thomas Fairclough, of Ason’s Solicitors. He warns us to not be so festive that we forget to stay safe. We know you will find this very informative in a pretty way.
Tag Archives: lights
ALL MECHANICS SHOULD UNDERTAKE THESE SAFETY CHECKS (GUEST POST)
Regular servicing of a vehicle means that it remains roadworthy for longer. Not only does servicing keep the car in good condition and pick up on mechanical problems, which might cost you more in the long run, it keeps you safe. When conducting a service all mechanics should be checking the safety features as well as the engine parts. Knowing what sort of checks repairmen should be making on your behalf, therefore, is essential for any motorist. And remember that not all of these types of checks are immediately obvious ones.
Seat belts
One thing that many car owners don’t know is that a simple seat belt check is something that ought to be carried out during a service. Seat belts should be checked for their accessibility as well as their condition. In both the front and back seats, belts should be replaced if they are no longer in top notch condition.
Steering
The steering mechanism of your car or van should also be the focus of a check. Loose or failing steering components need to be addressed and replaced, from time to time. Steering alignment is key for the good running of your vehicle and can wear down your tires quickly if it is not perfect. Seriously misaligned steering, on the other hand, is a safety issue. You could have trouble under heaving braking if problems like this are not resolved.
Suspension
The suspension system of your car should also undergo a safety inspection. Common suspension systems, such as leaf springs, can cause damage to the vehicle if they are not serviced properly. Different manufacturers use different types of leaf springs for suspension, so a qualified mechanic is needed for this sort of check. All of the U-bolts of the car’s suspension need to be checked to make sure they are fully tightened, for instance.
Brakes
Brakes are an important part of any vehicles operation and especially so if you want to remain safe whilst on the road. Common problems with the braking system are that the pads become worn. These are the parts of the system that come into contact with the wheels when you apply pressure on the brake pedal. Your brake technician should check that any wear they show is tolerable and replace ones that are overly worn.
Tires
Like breaks, you car’s tires should also undergo an inspection to make sure they are not too worn. Of course, all tires show wear after time on the road, but tires that have become bald, where no tread is visible, are dangerous and should be replaced. Your mechanic should check the depth of tread remaining on your tires. Remember that this should include an inspection of your spare tire, as well as the four that are fitted.
Lights
The proper functioning of your vehicle’s lights is something that many motorists don’t think about, particularly drivers who rarely travel about in the night. Nevertheless, a proper check of all the lights your car uses should be made when it is serviced. Of course, the headlights should be checked for full beam and dipped functionality. Your car’s side lights should also be inspected. Indicators need to have their own separate check. At the rear, brake lights should be checked as well as your vehicle’s reversing light. Lastly, your emergency fog light should be confirmed as working properly.
Windscreen (windshield)
Your vehicle’s windscreen comes in for a lot of abuse while on the road. Chips and cracks can be common problems, particularly if you do a lot of motorway driving. Left un-dealt with, they can lead to serious problems with little or no notice. When your car is serviced, your windscreen’s seal should also be checked – something that many motorists don’t know about.
Author Bio
UK Aftermarket Spring Specialists has been an established name in the automotive industry since 1962 and with almost 50 years of experience to draw from, we have the knowledge and expertise to help and guide you.
SAFETY BENEFITS OF SOLAR LIGHTS
With all the publicity out there, most people are very conscious of efforts to help save our planets’ resources. Many people are beginning to change their lifestyle in small and large ways. There are recycle plants or drop-offs in most cities and even towns in the country. Finding ways to re-use products is becoming popular. One of the more simple ways to help save our planets resources are solar lights and other solar products.
Solar lights are using the suns’ energy by storing it in a solar panel. At dark, after a days sunlight charge, solar lights can last up to 8-10 hours. The main cash outlay with solar lights and products is the cost of the item. After that, the sun charges the solar lights – no plugs, wires or outlets.
Outdoor Solar lights come in different shapes, sizes and for different uses. They usually turn on automatically when dark, although some do have an on/off switch in case you do not want it to light up one night. Solar powered lights are not dependent upon conventional electrical supply. This means that you can automatically light up any dark corner or stairway. Line a walkway or pathway. All this means a safer walk or stair climb for you, your family and guests.
Solar lights come in different degrees of brightness. Solar spot lights, for example, usually have a brighter LED for brighter light output. Because it is a spot light you can aim the light directly where you want it to shine. Do you have an out-building or a fence out in the back of your property? You can easily find it and walk to it with more safety. You can outline an entire fence line with solar cap lights.
The ability to place these solar powered lights just about anywhere you wish makes them unique in the lighting world. They provide added safety wherever you have them. Knowing you are saving money and the earths’ resources at the same time makes them very practical, as well.
Solar powered barricade lights, solar powered revolving and flashing lights, as well as several models designed for 24/7 operation are available in amber (caution) and red (stop) for drawing attention in low-visibility areas where dangerous conditions or obstructions exist. Waterproof, steady-on or flashing lights, also solar-powered, are available for marine or extremely wet applications.
Installing flood lights outside a home makes good sense because these kinds of lights improve visibility and they also increase security around your property. However, the high costs of conventional flood lights can put many people off – until they look for alternatives such as solar powered flood lights. Solar energy technologies over the recent past have provided many affordable lighting solutions and the solar powered flood lights in particular provide you with a great means of keeping your home safe and without going over your budget.
Just like any other solar lighting system, the solar powered flood lights too require sunlight in order to get their energy which is converted with the help of DC electric power and stored in batteries so as to provide power during the night. The main reasons for choosing solar powered flood lights are that they provide security and also safety which together and along with motion sensors make such lighting systems a more effective solution.
Typically, solar powered flood lights also make use of LED bulbs that are great for illumination while being energy conserving and which do not also waste any of the energy that they are supplied with. In fact, there are many useful functions that the solar powered flood lights can serve including lighting the backyards and boat docks as well as for your sheds and even for landscape. The discerning homeowner too has become more aware about how solar energy can provide better lighting solutions than conventional lighting solutions. This means that they need to seriously consider using solar powered outdoor lighting solutions that provide numerous benefits. These lighting solutions include saving precious energy resources and being very easy to install.
There’s no doubt the fact that solar powered flood lights are also very useful for lighting up business premises to secure the premises or to create a more beautiful landscape. Such flexibility means that you can use solar energy in many different places.
An added benefit of solar lighting: we recently received information that solar lights are much safer than oil lamps and candles when home power is out. One family lost power for several nighttime hours during a thunderstorm. The husband looked outside and noticed the solar lights shining brightly all around the outdoor area. They walked outside and brought several of the solar lights inside and stuck them into plastic drink bottles, creating much needed light. Another lady placed her solar lights in jars and bottles, which gave off lots of “free” light. These lights will fit into most 2-liter bottles or 20-ounce water bottles, and can be weighted down by sand, marbles, gravel or whatever is available to keep them from tipping over. Additionally, if you need an all-night light, place your solar light where needed, and then take it back outside so it can recharge and be ready again.
Last, but not least, try some LED lights for your caps that help you be seen, as well as enhance your vision when you are walking or riding your bike. These provide super safety! Every home needs a flashlight or two, as well.
Sources: Linkroll; Home & Garden Solar
NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION MONTH – OCTOBER
Sad to say, but if there’s one thing we have enough of in our country, it’s criminals! Not to say there aren’t a lot of really good folks around, but there are also those who want to scam, overcharge, rob, or bully others. The National Crime Prevention Council designated October as Crime Prevention Month in 1984. Since that time, government agencies, schools, civic groups, businesses and youth organizations have strived to educate the public, showcase their accomplishments, and explore new partnerships during this special month. This is the official month for recognizing the practice of crime prevention, while promoting awareness of important issues such as victimization, volunteerism, and creating safer, more caring communities. This month-long celebration highlights successful crime prevention efforts on the local, state, and national levels.
When we talk about keeping one another safe, we must spread the word about preventing bullying; scamming on the internet or phone; preventing graffiti; vandalism; hate crimes; gang violence;dating violence; sexual harassment; criminal recidivism, drug abuse, cyberbulling; sexting; and domestic violence. According to the Crime Prevention Council, these crimes have been on the agenda of community activists and law enforcement personnel alike in the past year.
October also marks the start of the sixth year of Celebrate Safe Communities events. This association is supported by the U.S. Department of Justice, and was created by NCPC and the National Sheriff’s Association. It’s all about local folks working with local leaders to address local problems. This way, we can celebrate safe communities every day! Some events of the Celebrate Safe Communities require partnership with local law authorities, such as a community trash pickup, tour of a local law enforcement agency, or community safety fair. The Circle of Respect is one of NCPC’s major programs, and this project incorporates the theme of respect for others – neighbors, seniors, the entire community. Why not do your part to become a promoter or follower of the Circle of Respect?
One way to prevent crime is to not be a victim -keep your home safe. First, you should have effective locks on all doors. Even the best locks can’t protect you, if you don’t use them. Lock the door every time you leave. If you plan to be gone for an extended period of time, leave the yard looking neat, so the house doesn’t look vacant, and there are no hiding places for burglars. Be sure all entrances of the home are well lit. Timers or solar-powered lights make it hard for burglars to hide. Leave the radio or t.v. on, to give the appearance that you are home. Leave a spare key with your neighbor, never hide it on the property. Prowlers are usually able to find hidden keys easier than you can. It’s not a good idea to announce where you are going, or how long you plan to be gone. Let your Facebook, Twitter, or other social media friends find out where you’ve been when you get back. You can tell family or friends, but leave it off the information highway.
Start a new Neighborhood Crime Watch Group. NCW is a partnership between residents and law enforcement to improve safety and prevent crime. Here are some of the things you can learn with NCW:
- Who your neighbors are and how to work with them.
- How and why crime happens.
- How to use a neighborhood map and roster to communicate.
- How to improve home security and personal safety.
- How to recognize and report suspicious activity.
- Active NCW groups with visible NCW signs can deter crime.
If you live in rural communities, you can organize your own watch group, usually by word of mouth. One of my neighbors cautioned me the other night about walking over to my other neighbor’s house to set out the trash. It was around 11 p.m., and she had heard there were some thefts in our area. There was a streetlight, but she was right to warn me that I should wait till morning to do errands for my friends who were out of town.
Good neighbors can also choose a safe house in the neighborhood, where children know they can go if they need help. Work with your neighbors and watch for suspicious and unusual behavior in your neighborhood. We must look out for each other, and help stop crime.
National Crime Prevention Council
DECORATING CAN BE DANGEROUS!
By now, many of you already have your homes beautifully decorated, with the tree trimmed and glowing lights outside the house. If we’re too late for you, this warning is for those who haven’t done their decorating yet, and/or all of you who will be taking them down in a few weeks. According to the U.S. Consumer Safety Products Commission, around 12,500 people each year are treated in emergency rooms for cuts, shocks, and other holiday decorating-related injuries. Four in ten accidents are reported to be falls from ladders, with men being the ones hurt more often than women.
The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons advises that when working on a ladder, position the ladder close to the area you plan to work, and keep materials near-by, in order to not to have to reach too far. They also advise to take your time in order to avoid risks. More good advice from the AAOS: place some nightlights in rooms where you’ve had to rearrange furniture to accommodate decorations. This will hopefully help your family avoid falling by lessening nighttime confusion.
If you choose a fresh Christmas tree, be sure to keep it watered frequently. Artificial trees should be marked “fire resistant”, indicating the tree will likely not catch on fire. Hundreds of fires are attributed to dried-out Christmas trees each year, resulting in approximately 17 deaths, and an average of over $13 million in property loss and damage. Be certain that any lights you put on your tree are tested in recognized labs that show they meet safety standards. Many imported lights may not meet those safety standards. Christmas trees are things of beauty, but there are other hazards involved, in addition to the lights on them. Avoid decorating with breakable or sharp decorations. If using “angel hair” (spun glass), be sure to wear string knit gloves to avoid cutting your hands. Also, art snow sprays can contaminate the lungs and cause skin irritation, so read the container’s directions carefully.
Candles also start numerous fires each year, resulting in an average of 150 deaths, 1,200 injuries, and approximately $385 million in property loss. Please be sure to never leave your home with candles burning. Of course, you would never leave burning candles in the reach of children or where they could be tipped over by pets. Many times we have seen persons dislocated from their apartments because of the carelessness of a tenant that left a burning candle unattended.
We hope your holiday decorating goes by without incident. The emergency rooms are standing by, just in case, but let’s keep them quiet this year by staying safe and healthy for the holidays!