Tag Archives: November

General Safety Issues

IT’S NOVEMBER, 2010!

It’s hard to believe that the last two months of 2010 are here!  Most of us live in such a scattered whirlwind, that we haven’t stopped to smell the roses lately.  Hopefully, we can make the most of November and December before we greet 2011.  Because our focus is on safety – at home, at work, and at play, we want to encourage you to enjoy these two months that are full of holiday plans and preparations, by keeping safety in mind.

First, in the United States, we have an important day coming up this Tuesday, November 2nd, Election Day.  This is your chance to make your wishes known.  Please vote on Tuesday.  Hopefully, those who are elected will represent their constituents to the best of their abilities, and not be influenced by outside interests.  We depend on our leaders to do what is best for the country.  If you agree, get out and vote! 

With your safety in mind, we wish to remind you that the upcoming holidays – from Thanksgiving until after New Year’s Day, bring about serious warnings from law enforcement that driving is more dangerous during this time.  Whether it is drunk drivers, distracted drivers, or those simply in too big a hurry, this is the time to decide that you are going to pay special attention to getting to your destination safely.  Plan ahead and leave a little early, in order to avoid rushing.  

Thanksgiving is a holiday that brings families together, and we can reflect on the many things that we have to be thankful for.  One is to have this time before the Christmas rush, although many businesses skip Thanksgiving,  hurrying to get ready for Christmas.  We will talk  more about Thanksgiving closer to time. 

November is time for the Great American Smoke-Out, an important project that  brings  awareness to the health problems associated with smoking.  Attention is also focused on  American Disabilities, Alzheimers’, Diabetes, and Epilepsy during November.  The eleventh month is also Child Safety and Protection Month.  We have previously shared information on many of these topics, and each one is very important to the health, safety, and well-being of those we love. 

As we go through November, we ask you to slow down and savor every day you are given.  Each day is a gift, to be unwrapped the moment you wake up, with all sorts of pleasant surprises,  if you just look for them.  At the end of that day, be thankful for what it has brought, and look forward to the next one.  Try to see your glass as half-full, rather than half-empty.

And please, do as one of our posters says, “Uncle Sam Wants You – To Be Safe.”   That’s our theme.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

DON’T BE A TURKEY THIS THANKSGIVING BUCKLE UP AMERICA. EVERY TRIP. EVERY TIME.

This is the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s theme for Thanksgiving season, beginning November 16th and going through November 29th.   Law enforcement agencies will be cracking down, coast to coast, day or night, to enforce one of their main objectives: seat belt use.  During the 2008 Thanksgiving holiday period, (November 26 to December 1st) of the 231 passenger vehicle occupant deaths that occurred in crashes at night, two-thirds, or 67% did not have their seat belts fastened (where seat belt use was known).  Forty per cent of the 156 daytime fatalities during that period were not wearing their seat belts.  The NHTSA says that regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.

Several states have passed laws requiring passengers in back seats to also buckle up.  Drivers and passengers should be aware when they head out for the holiday (or any other time), that “Click It or Ticket” is a certainty if they are caught unbuckled.  Statistics show that nighttime is the most dangerous time on the road because seat belt use is lower.  Chances of death to front-seat passenger car occupants is reduced by 45% and the risk of moderate to serious injury is lowered 50% when lap and shoulder belt are used correctly, so why take the chance?

Along with the NHTSA, we want to share our hopes that you always use caution and follow the law when driving, especially during the holiday season, which begins November 16 and concludes January 3rd.  Don’t drive impaired, don’t speed, use cell phones with care, and please don’t text while driving.  Keep those youngsters buckled up properly and see that you all arrive at your celebrations safely.

We especially liked a couple of many posters the NHTSA has as part of their campaign:
“Forty-five million turkeys will die for Thanksgiving Day – Don’t be one of them!”
and  “Make sure the only belt left unbuckled this Thanksgiving is the one at the dinner table, not the one in your vehicle.”

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

NOVEMBER IS AMERICAN DIABETES MONTH

Before we let the month of November slip away, we want to remind you that for those who have some type of diabetes, every month is American Diabetes Month!  The American Diabetes Association works diligently to provide resources throughout the country to spread the word to help Stop Diabetes!  There are 24 million children in the United States that have diabetes; 57 million Americans are at risk for Type 2 diabetes.  If current trends continue, one out of every three children born today will face a future with diabetes.

Here are three types of diabetes:

  • Type 1 – Body does not produce insulin, which helps the body use glucose from food for energy.  This type is mainly developed during childhood or adolescence, but adults can also develop Type 1 and require insulin replacement therapy.
  • Type 2 – Body does not make or is resistant to insulin.  Often preventable, this type of diabetes can be handled with exercise, healthy diet, and overall lifestyle change.  Blood sugar levels must be checked regularly, with use of medicines if needed.  This type of diabetes is preventable in many cases.
  • Gestational Diabetes – Occurs in pregnant women who otherwise do not have diabetes.  This type usually goes away after pregnancy.  Mothers-to-be are monitored closely to be sure their blood glucose levels stay at a safe level.  Those who have experienced this type of diabetes usually need to watch their weight, exercise, and make healthy food choices before and after delivery.  They do have a higher chance of developing Type 2 diabetes later, so it is wise to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Diabetes can be a devastating illness.  Persons with diabetes are at greater risk of heart attack, stroke, amputation, and kidney failure.  Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults. Those with diabetes should not smoke.  Persons with diabetes need to keep blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol under control.  They should also wear a medical ID necklace or bracelet so medical personnel will know they have diabetes, in case of an emergency.  The average medical expenditure to those with diabetes is 2.3 times higher than those without it, with $1 out of every $5 they spend going toward healthcare.

We urge everyone to get the word out that we need to give money, share stories, and do whatever we can do to help stop this serious disease, and find ways to prevent it for future generations.  Check out the American Diabetes Association’s site to gather more good information on this serious disease.  Most of us either have family members or friends who have diabetes, and we need to be more involved in the challenge of stopping this disease.

Source: American Diabetes Association
National Diabetes Education Program

Uncategorized

WELCOME TO NOVEMBER, 2008!

When we started checking out all the national observances for the month of November, we found it will be a very busy month!

First, for those involved, Daylight Savings Time began Sunday, November 2nd.  Tomorrow, November 4th is a very important day for the United States: the day we elect a new President!   November 10th is a day that has celebrated the Marine Corps birthday since 1921.  On November 11th, Veterans Day honors all those who have defended the Unites States.  This day commemorates the signing of Armistice in 1918, which ended World War I.

Get ready, here the list of other things to be aware of:

  • National Adoption Month
  • National Novel Writing Month
  • National Peanut Butter Lovers Month
  • National Pomegranate Month
  • National American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month
  • National Career Development Month
  • National 4-H Month

And, Health Related Observations:

  • National American Diabetes Awareness Month
  • National Epilepsy Awareness Month
  • National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
  • National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
  • National Lung Cancer Awareness Month
  • National Marrow Awareness Month
  • National Hospice Month

Last, but not least, Turkey Day!  Thanksgiving will be observed Thursday, November 27th, and will kick off the holiday season.  Black Friday will follow Thanksgiving Day, which is usually a very busy shopping day, as folks try to get ahead of the holiday shopping rush.

We hope November will be a safe month for everyone, either at home or traveling.  We have much to be thankful for in this great country of ours; keep those above-featured observations in mind as you go through this month.  Hopefully, we didn’t overlook anyone.