Tag Archives: peace

General Safety Issues

FIRST, SAFETY!

As we begin the year 2014, think about the many plans that are on your list.  First, we make those New Year’s Resolutions.  That usually last maybe two weeks, (especially the one about losing weight!)    We all have much to look forward to in the coming year.  And we need to focus on the positive, living a good life, and not worrying about things that are out of our control.  

Today is a good day to talk about safety.  Safety should be the first item on everyone’s agenda.  From the time you get up in the morning, preparing for the day, make up your mind that this day will be a safer driving day.  When you leave for work , depart a little earlier than usual so you won’t be stressed getting to work on time.  That’s the safe way.  Drive as though your life depends on your control of your vehicle – because it does.  Don’t talk on your cell-phone and definitely do not text!  Those messages can wait. 

Don’t take unnecesssary chances.  Is there anyone out there that can honestly say they haven’t pulled their vehicle into another lane and almost caused an accident?  Or ran through the yellow light, rather than waiting for the green?  What if someone else going the other way does the same thing?  You may not reach your destination at all.

Once you arrive at work, get started.  There’s no need to visit about what just happened, because you are now on someone else’s time.  If the job you perform is hazardous, use the appropriate safety gear that your company has furnished you.  It won’t be their fault if something flies into your eye because you didn’t wear your safety glasses.  You know what you are expected to do, so keep safe while you do it. 

Businesses should have an agenda to keep their employees safe at all times.  Each New Year is an ideal opportunity to assess the company’s safety plan, and convey it to all employees.  Plan training on a regular basis; things change and we all get in the habit of doing things a certain way, when there may be a new, easier, faster, and safer way.  Safety leaders could make this year’s resolution to include their employees in the design of their safety program; let them know how important their cooperation is to the company and their co-workers. 

Safety posters play a large part in encouraging employees to work safely.  They may be humorous or serious, either way, they convey a very important message.  

The employees of Texas America Safety Company and Blog4Safety wish each one of you a very safe, healthy, and successful New Year.  It is our hope that newfound peace will be attained in parts of the world that are in strife.  The most important wish of all is that our troops can return home safely.  Their duties require them to perform their job all the while staying safe! 

 

General Safety Issues

TEN TIPS FOR KEEPING THE PEACE AMONG SIBLINGS (GUEST POST)

This weekend, we are going to feature various articles about child care that are important to all parents and caregivers.
This article from BabySitters.net gives us some insight into the mystery of peace among brothers and sisters.  I could have used this when my three were growing up! pb

For parents and caregivers of multiple children, keeping the peace among siblings can seem like a full-time job in and of itself. Siblings may fight for a parent’s attention, they may fight over a toy, or they may fight because their developmental levels are so different from one another that it’s hard for them to relate to each other. If siblings have opposing temperaments, such as when one is laid back and one craves a rigid routine, they may also bicker constantly because they are simply wired differently, making it hard for them to connect.

Fortunately there are things parents and caregivers can do to help keep the peace among siblings.

These include:

Allowing them their own space. Siblings spend most of their time together, and often it is not by choice. Allowing each child to have their own space and to play independently can help defuse feelings of resentment. While siblings should of course learn to play nicely together, allowing children to play alone at times gives them permission to take a much needed break from a sibling when needed. When a child says he wants to play alone, insisting other children allow him to do so provides an opportunity to teach about respect.

Allowing them their own things. While most of the toys in your home will be available for any and all children to use, each child should have a few cherished toys that they aren’t required to share. When children have their own things they are forced to take responsibility and ownership of them. Having a few toys that are share-free can help children to feel like individuals, which is important for their self-esteem.

Laying the ground rules.When it comes to acceptable and unacceptable treatment of siblings, the rules should be clear and few. Your rules may read something like this: “In our home we are kind to our siblings. We don’t hurt our siblings with our hands or our words.”  Make a simple sign and hang it on the fridge so everyone is reminded of the rules.

Staying out of it. At all costs, parents must avoid taking sides. Trying to assign blame or figure out who did what only makes the situation worse. When safety isn’t an issue, stay out of it for as long as possible to give the children a chance to work it out on their own. If you do need to intervene, instead of trying to referee, insist that both children stop doing whatever they’re doing wrong.

Teaching them to talk it out.For a child, learning to communicate their feelings with words, rather than fists, doesn’t always come naturally. Get out a paper towel tube and give it to one child at a time. Encourage them to use “I and when” statements to communicate their feelings with words rather than fists. “I feel hurt when you won’t let me play trucks with you.” While you may have to model and coach them through their dialogue at first, teaching them to talk it out is a life lesson that’s worth the time invested in instruction.

Insist they kiss and make up. When the children fight, encourage the instigator to apologize and say something nice to his sibling. When you do this, it forces the child to consider something nice about his sibling and allows the child who was hurt to hear something nice about himself. Teaching children to never go to bed angry is another life lesson worth teaching.

Appreciate each child. While it can be tempting to compare siblings, don’t. Appreciate each child for the unique being she is. If one child loves dance and the other baseball, encourage them to each pursue their own interests and passions. Don’t expect all siblings, even twins, to be cut from the same mold. As each child is unique, so is each sibling.

Spend time alone with each child. Carving out one-on-one time for each child every day can significantly reduce sibling rivalry. Each child wants to know that they are special to you and valuable enough to have your undivided attention. Whether it be giving each child a bath, reading a book to each child before bed or going for a short walk with each child after dinner, spending time with each child individually is vital to helping siblings to get along.

Foster a friendship. Your children are siblings by blood, friends by choice. Encourage your children to become friends. Provide opportunities for them to help and support each other. From attending school events in support of each other, to getting a diaper for a baby sibling, adopting an “I am here to help and support you” attitude in your children will foster lasting friendships for life.

Praise good behavior. When you see your children treating each other kindly and with respect, call them out on it. “I saw how you shared your last piece of candy with your brother. That was so kind and something a good friend would do. I am so proud you made the choice to share.”  When you call attention to desirable behavior, you naturally reinforce it.

While almost all siblings will bicker and argue from time to time, with a little planning and support from parents and caregivers, the overall relationships between siblings can be peaceful. 

It is a wonderful gift to be able to see your grown children truly become best friends, and be there for each other. pb

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

TIME FOR OUR VETERAN’S DAY HISTORY LESSON

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This article repeats the message we sent last year, but it is very important that all Americans, especially our young people,  understand what Veterans Day is all about.   Thursday, November 11th,  will be Veterans Day.  We aren’t history teachers, yet we want to share  information about this important observance.  Originally known as Armistice Day, it was set aside as a day to honor the military servicemen who fought so valiantly in World War I.  Here is part of a resolution made by Congress on June 4, 1926: 

    “Whereas the 11th of November, 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations;” 

At the time this was written in 1926,  WWI was called “the end of the war to end all wars”.  In 1938, Congress made Armistice Day a legal holiday.  Then World War II was declared, which required the greatest mobilization of military in our history.  Next, we entered the Korean War.  The holiday name was changed in 1954 to Veterans Day in order to honor veterans of all wars we have been engaged in.  Since then, we have been engaged in the Viet Nam War, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Iraq, and Afghanistan.   “The resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed” –  those words reflected the hopes of people that had gone through war, but sadly,  battles continue.

The purpose of Veterans Day is a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. 

Our forefathers who wrote the above quote had no idea what the future would bring.  They thought WWI was the Big One.  We are a great nation and we need to look back on those words and try to follow their hopes for us.  We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the brave men and women who have fought so courageously, and to those who continue in their footsteps.  Let’s hope someday, somehow they will be able to serve our country in a safer, peaceful world.

 

Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs