Tag Archives: Safety Tips

General Safety Issues

How to Stay Safe in a Parking Lot

Written by Mark Taylor

Parking lot accidents are more common than you might think. More than 500 deaths and 60,000 injuries occur from over 50,000 parking lot accidents every year in the US, says an NSC report quoted by EHSToday.

Many types of accidents can occur in a parking lot, including theft, fender benders, and cars hitting other vehicles and pedestrians while backing out. Here are some tips for drivers and pedestrians on how to stay safe in a parking lot.

Stay Focused

One common reason for parking lot accidents is distracted driving. In fact, according a recent survey conducted among drivers nationwide by the US National Safety Council, around 66% respondents said they talk over phone, while 63% program their GPS systems, when driving through parking lots. This could be dangerous. Drivers and pedestrians should avoid all kinds of distractions and stay focused while driving or walking in a parking lot. Some other common types of distractions to avoid include sending and receiving emails, texting, taking snapshots or watching videos, and using social media while driving. 

Add Safety Features

One way to minimize the extent of damage from a car accident is by adding safety features to your car. Modern cars with advanced safety features not only help keep you safe in the event of a parking lot accident, but they also save you money on insurance.  Many of today’s newer cars have safety features that prevent collisions, so they could cost less to insure than older cars, according to a blog post by Oliver L.E. Soden Agency.

Choose a Safe Place to Park Your Car

Ideally, you should park your car in a well-lit area close to your destination point, so you can keep a watch on it from distance. Another good idea would be to park near the entrance or exit of a parking lot. That way, it would be easier to find your car when you return. To reduce the risk of theft and damage, consider avoiding dark areas. Parking your car between two tall vehicles, such as vans or trucks is also a bad idea, as it gives potential burglars a safe place to hide.

Secure Your Car

Before you head to your destination, check if you’ve locked the doors and rolled up the car windows. Also, make sure that you aren’t keeping any valuables in plain sight, suggests a blog post on Consumer Reports. If you have to leave some expensive items in the car, make sure you conceal them under a cover.

Leverage Modern Technology

Nearly 9% of the deaths from parking lot accidents happen as a result of cars backing up and hitting pedestrians, says a new report NSC. One way to avoid this is by installing a rear view camera in your car. That way, you can get a clear view of the back of your car from your driving seat. However, don’t depend on technology alone. Make sure you also check out the surroundings and look at the car mirrors when backing up.

Keep Keys Handy

When returning to your car in the parking lot, make sure you have the keys out in your hand. You don’t want to spend time looking for the keys in your purse or pockets. Avoid talking to strangers. As soon as you return, get inside the car and lock all the doors immediately. Also, drive away as soon as possible without wasting time on checking your mobile phones or GPS.

Finally, while your drive into or away from a parking lot, keep the speed low and drive cautiously. Watch out for oncoming cars, low-laying objects and pedestrians.

General Safety Issues

Workplace Updates that Promote Safety

Your office is your daily sanctuary. Sometimes, you even spend more time in the day in your workplace than inside your own home. And because of that, it’s vital that the environment is safe and less prone to accidents. Unfortunately, not all offices are like that. For a variety of reasons, some companies are not able to maintain a safe and peaceful working space for their employees, and this creates tension within the business. If people feel they’re unsafe while doing their job, they’re more like to decrease their productivity or even quit altogether. And if it leads to that, then down goes the company.

It’s actually not that difficult to maintain a safe work environment. You just have to know what steps to take and which part of the office that need sprucing up. Once you’ve fixed what needs fixing and cleaned what needs cleaning, you’re good to go. For a clearer perspective on the matter, here are workplace updates that promote safety.

Polished Floor

The floor can oftentimes be the cause of many workplace accidents. If it’s too cluttered, people might trip over and break their items. When it’s too wet, some will definitely slip and lead to painful injuries. A clean and well-polished floor is a surefire way to ensure safety in the workplace. Brush off any dust, polish with some wax, take out a few unnecessary objects lying around, and it’ll be as good as new. In fact, another way to maintain the floor is to cover them with anti-fatigue mats. Not only will they be easier to clean, but it’ll also be relaxing for your employees and can improve overall productivity.

Wider Spaces

Sometimes, a mark of an old and run down office is how tight and cluttered it all seems. Desks are too close to each other, there’s no more room on the floor, and objects keep on getting lost. and because of such small spaces, employees will keep bumping into each other or to furniture. If your office is like this, it’s time to upgrade into a more spacious one. There isn’t even much need for a lot of storage furniture as a lot of files can now be digital. As for the desks? The sleeker and simpler, the better. Go for ones that can handle you and your equipment, but are still compact and narrow so that people can still walk around freely in the office.

Better Electrical Wiring

Before even starting your company, check first if the electrical wiring is good. Oftentimes, especially with reused office spaces, the wiring in such areas can be too cluttered and messy. This will be more if you’re planning to upgrade the systems with more modern and state-of-the-art technologies. So before upgrading your gadgets, upgrade the wiring systems first. Make sure it has enough spaces and can handle more electricity, cover up all the wires and systems that need covering up, and you’re all set!

Stable Furniture

Is your furniture in the office stable? Are they sturdy enough to hold all the paper files, computers, and other office supplies? At all the wooden desks and chairs nailed in place, with nothing sharp poking out that might scratch anyone? If not, then you need to upgrade your workplace furniture. Find ones that you’ll be able to store all your work in, whether digital or physical files. For the chairs, choose those that are comfortable and light, but strong enough to hold the employees sitting for hours in a day.

Working Sprinkler Systems

Office fires are more common than you think. While they might not be the big ones that would really make the headlines, small fired within the workplace can still cause considerable damage. To avoid such, make sure you installed sprinkler systems that work well. Put in a smoke detector so that even the slightest whiff of smoke will turn on the sprinklers in no time. Also, ensure that the sprinklers are installed in each and every room, especially ones full of electronics as they’re more likely the most prone to starting fires. This is one of the most important workplace updates you’ll need for your company, to prioritize this well.

Undamaged Door Knobs

Ever carried a whole load of work and then you suddenly crash on a closed door? Or when you’re going to get something inside the supply closet and you realized you’re trapped there? These are just some accidents cause by damaged doorknobs, an often overlooked workplace problem. You’d think that since doors are rarely closed or locked during working hours, there’s no need to update them with working knobs, but this shouldn’t be the case. People can get considerably hurt or even injured when faced with damaged doorknobs. And if there’s a need to evacuate the area, what will happen to those people who aren’t able to open the door fast enough because of such? Fix each and every doorknob in the workplace to ensure a safe environment for your employees.

Your workplace doesn’t have to be dangerous, especially if you upgraded it. And once you do, you’ll find that this newer and better office will do wonders for you and the business altogether!
First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

5 Smart Tips for Employees to Stay Safe in the Workplace

Tips for staying smart and safe in the workplace

According to a report by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), in the year 2014, more than 4,000 U.S. workers were killed while on the job. Now, this is not a stat to be taken reluctantly. Death in the workplace is perhaps the most unfortunate and alarming thing to happen.

From construction workers to desk job employees, none of them is safe in their individual workplace if the right kind of precautionary measures and safety tips are not taken into consideration. Not only occupational hazard can take place due to safety issues, but employees can be exposed to other risks for not being smart enough to know their rights and provisions at the workplace.

Thus, in order to fight off the evil and become a smart and safe employee in the workplace, here are a few of the most effective suggestions that can help you stay safe, smart and secured in the office.

  • Get accustomed to the emergency plans and modules of your workplace

This is perhaps the first and foremost point of concern an employee should consider taking note of. Every workplace has an emergency plan and provision for its employees. For example, you are caught amidst a fire at your workplace and you do not have a fair idea regarding the emergency exits, then that might prove to be a traumatic situation for you.

So, the idea is to inquire and figure out all emergency exits in your office beforehand, so that in times of trouble and mishaps, you don’t panic or get injured while trying to escape the situation in the wrong way.

Takeaway: Try not to miss out on attending the fire drills in your workplace. You get to learn a lot of safety measures to be taken in times of emergencies.

  • Get some rest for your eyes – take short breaks in between

If you have a desk job, try not to develop eyestrains by staring at the computer constantly. It goes without mentioning that it’s your job and you cannot afford to take the task lightly.

Have you ever thought if an overly stressed schedule takes a toll on your health? You might end up developing eyestrains, allergic reactions, eye infection and the likes. How would you manage to come to work for the rest of the week?

Thus, it is always a smarter choice to take short breaks in between, keep your eyes off the computer, and get some refreshments for yourself and then sit back to work with a fresh mind.

Takeaway: According to NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health), computer users should have an eye test before they start working on the device. You should also maintain a routine check-up schedule once a year thereafter.

  • Stay well informed of the area where first aid kits are kept

This is yet another crucial suggestion to be kept in mind, as far as being safe in the workplace is concerned. It goes without mentioning that physical hazards, health issues, chronic injuries and the likes can occur at any time. Now, being a responsible and smart employee, it is your utmost concern to stay alert and aware of the area where first aid box and other safety kits are usually kept. According to a study, around 1.3 million workers suffered from health issues related to their job in 2016/2017.

Now that it is pretty visible and evident that the count of workplace illness has reached an alarming stage, keeping track of your health and being accustomed with the first aid kits at your workplace is perhaps one initiative that could help you to save yourself and others from the wrath of a sudden heart attack, chronic injuries, breathing problems, allergic reactions and the likes. Until the time a physician attends the victim, effective and timely first aid supplies could keep the situation under control.

Takeaway: Make sure your office first aid kit contains cold packs, calamine lotion, alcohol wipes, paracetamol tablets, hand sanitizer, allergy medicine, gauze rolls, saline wound wash and pain relievers.

  • Be smart enough to discard the habit of multitasking

Posted in workplacepsychology.net, a Harvard Business Review has suggested that multitasking results in a 40% drop in productivity, a 10% drop in IQ and also increases stress at the end of the day.
Employees, who have developed stress, become less productive in the workplace. Often, he/she suffers from a poor IQ, because of which carrying out all responsibilities and taking care of daily job targets might turn out to be an intricate affair for them.

Instead of making situations complicated by attempting and failing to do multiple tasks, all at once, it would probably be a smarter and much safer choice for an employee to finish one work at a time.

Takeaway: Take a close look at your job sheet, figure out one task which is of utmost importance and needs to be delivered at the earliest. Complete that particular assignment at first; take a deep breath and move on to the next one with a fresh mind.

  • Check and confirm if the chairs and standing desks in your workplace are in good condition

According to a report, CDC (Center for Disease Control) has cited “falling” as the biggest and probably the most common cause of injuries to occur in a workplace. It could occur due to slippery, wet floors, sitting in an unstable chair, using chairs instead of ladders and the likes.

Thus, the idea is to check and confirm if your office chairs and standing desks are stable and in good condition. If you find anything wrong, consider escalating the issue to the Facilities department at the earliest and rope in a set of sturdy furniture which can ensure a safer work environment.

Takeaway: Check the springs, examine the legs of the chairs and see if the furniture offers sufficient lumbar support, along with the availability of synchro-tilt mechanisms.

It is a known fact that we tend to spend most of the productive hours of the day in the office or amidst office chores. This, as a result, certainly calls for a better safety measure, hazard identification and risk management strategies for a smarter and secured work culture.

Author Bio – Alice is a risk management expert associated with a private agency in Australia. Apart from that, Alice is an online assignment help provider, working on behalf of the firm MyAssignmenthelp.com. Alice is also a passionate pianist.

General Safety Issues

PRO TIPS: What Every College Freshman Should Know to Stay Safe (Guest Post)

You’ve been accepted into a college, picked out your dorm décor, selected your first major, and talked your mom out of crying…again. However, I need you to reserve one tiny piece of your brain for a matter that is often overlooked in all the excitement: personal safety. You’re going to college. You’re going to live on your own for the first time and with that freedom comes the responsibility of being responsible for your own personal safety on a whole ‘nother level.

Chief Yaniello of SUNY College at Old Westbury says that he tells all incoming freshmen that they should understand that their individual safety has as much to do with their individual decisions, observations and awareness as it does with the security provisions at their institutions. He says, “I tell all incoming freshmen that they should not try to live their entire four years in college during the first four weeks of classes and that their choice of college friendships and alliances are vitally important in that positive peer pressure is as potent a behavioral entity as negative peer pressure.”

These first four weeks of college are vitality important. Over these next four weeks the choices you make will impact your next four years. You will be making decisions that will impact your reputation and your personal safety. As you are forming new relationships on-campus, I ask that you remember these six tips.

1.       That guy that you met at freshmen orientation or that you saw one-time somewhere. That guy may be your friend someday but he isn’t a safe person yet. Most on-campus crimes are committed by your peers. This isn’t to say that you should lock yourself in your dorm room. It just means that you should build a group of friends and build relationships in group settings before isolating yourself with a man you’ve met once. Don’t accept rides home from class or from a bar with a person that you’ve “seen somewhere before”.

2.       Do not drink in excess. Do not drink and drive. Do not drink and walk home alone. Not only do crime rates increase when drugs and alcohol are involved but you are most likely to make bad decisions. The buddy system is just as important now as it was in grade school so work on forming strong relationships sober and if you do decide to have a drink stay with your friends (see #1 for definition of friends).

3.       The most common on-campus crime is burglary. You can protect yourself by locking your doors and making sure your roommate does the same. Don’t allow tailgating to be an acceptable practice in your residence quarters. This is not only for your own safety but for those that live around you.

4.       With that said, when you share a group living space you are unfortunately exposed by poor choices that other people make. Contribute to the solution. Form your own “neighborhood watch” with others that live in your building. Make sure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to safety and create a system for reporting suspicious activity. 

5.       It’s also important to take good care of your things. Do not leave your electronics unattended in the library, cafeteria, or other public areas. Not only are these areas that a would-be criminal might look but it contains your personal information by potentially allowing others access to your electronic devices.

6.       Expand your protective circle by providing your parents with emergency contact information. Make sure they have your roomate’s phone number along with contact information for your roomate’s parents. It’s okay to set ground rules with your parents. IE: This contact information is not backup contact information for me. It is for emergencies only. 

BIO:

Rose is the co-founder of SecurityGem.com, a site dedicated to home security as well as personal safety tips and information. She also serves as a researcher for new safety related technologies and has over 10 years of home technology related experience. In her spare time she likes playing video games, spending time with her family, working out, and smiling.   Thank you, Rose, for these safety tips for college freshmen.  It is very fitting at this time, as we have two grandchildren who are graduating this week.  These ideas, coming from someone other than their parents, (or grandparents) are seriously intended for their safety. pb

 

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection

SAFETY TIPS FOR GARAGE DOOR PROFESSIONALS (GUEST POST)

 Garage doors having worn out parts can pose serious safety challenges for both novices and veterans. Read on to know what garage door professionals should keep in mind when at the site!   

Garage doors are highly useful for numerous reasons including storage and safety, but they always have certain potential risks associated with them. Since your garage door is the biggest moving thing within your home, it can lead to serious injuries and damages when out of order or wrongly used! 

Handling a garage door, especially during repair and maintenance work, can be risky not only for homeowners, but also trained and experienced professionals. There are several complicated parts such as a torsion spring that can turn highly dangerous after wearing out.

Considering this, ASAP has come up with some handy and useful safety tips for garage door experts to practice when at work:

Stay Attentive While Replacing Broken Springs

While torsion springs are doubtlessly the most important part of a garage door, it is equally true that they can be highly risky to handle when worn out. Since broken springs become easily breakable, they often cause injuries during garage door inspection and repair.

When replacing a torsion spring, use complete safety equipment including gloves and safety glasses. Also, if the garage door you are repairing has two springs, consider replacing both with new ones, even if only one has worn out. This will prevent any serious mishap from happening in future and keep the door functioning with all its efficiency.

Check Cables Carefully

It remains important to be careful when visually inspecting the cables that combine the entire spring system with the bottom brackets at each side of the door. When worn out, they can break easily and lead to serious and fatal injuries. The right way to handle these cables is to stay fully equipped and always use the right tools. You need to be a little extra considerate when completely replacing cables, for they are associated with high-tension springs.

Tackle a Struggling Door with Care

A garage door that doesn’t properly go up and down implies a risky and dangerous situation, regardless of how old a garage door system you are repairing. If you are trying to operate the door manually and the problem is still the same, it must be due to a faulty spring system. And since an out-of-order spring system is dangerous, it should be tackled with complete care. Make sure you fully replace the broken spring system as it can wear and tear other door components that are adjacent to it.

Get the Old Track Replaced

Most homeowners want to save some dollars by using the old track while getting a new garage door replaced. As a garage door expert, however, it is on your part to make the garage owner understand why changing the old track is important.

Technically, a new door will barely fit well on an old track because of the difference in the weight of the door, thickness of sections and several other parts. Emphasize on the installation of the track that best fits the garage door.

Author Bio

Oren Linder is author and founder of ASAP Garage Door Services Inc. He usually writes for garage door repair, safety tips and garage door installation etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Health Issues, Respiratory Safety

TOP SAFETY TIPS FOR HUMIDIFIER USE (GUEST POST)

Humidifiers are widely used in residential, commercial and industrial environments, especially as the colder months of winter approach and lower temperatures causes the air in our homes and on-site offices to lose moisture. Unbeknown to many people, dry air is just as damaging as air with excessive moisture and humidifiers are the perfect appliance to get your humidity levels where they should be. 

However, whilst the health benefits of maintaining the recommended up to 45% humidity level are widely known, owners of humidifiers must exercise caution when operating and maintaining these useful devices and getting the most out of their air quality enhancing features. Check out our three steps to safe and efficient humidifier use… 

Regularly Measure Humidity Levels 

Maintaining the right level of humidity is the key to creating a happy and healthy work environment especially in the trade industry due to the amount of dirt, dust, debris and other harmful particles brought into the office space by workers. Whilst avoiding dry air is important, avoiding exposure to excessive moisture is equally vital, and offices and homes using a humidifier should measure their humidity levels regularly to ensure they strike the right balance. 

As mentioned earlier in this article, the recommended humidity level for the winter season is 25% (35% to 45% during summer) so if your humidity level goes above 50% you must stop using the humidifier unit for a period of time until these levels have returned to normal. If the humidity levels remain high, then the number of dust mites, mold and airborne contaminants will multiply, exposing your workers to an increased number of health risks. 

Clean Regularly to Minimize Bacteria Exposure 

As you can imagine, humidifiers are a breeding ground for bacteria and mold due to its air processing and moisture restoring methods so it is important to clean the tank of your humidifier periodically for maximum cleanliness and efficient performance. It is recommended that you refresh the water in the tank every day and give the tank and its surroundings a wipe down regularly. Give the device a thorough clean and dry when you are storing the humidifier away on the lead up to the summer months, disposing of any used filters. 

Go for Bottled Refills 

When refilling the tank of your humidifier opt for bottled, distilled water instead of tap refills. This will ensure you avoid the build-up of troublesome limescale (caused by the minerals in tap water) that makes many appliances unsafe to use and inefficient. 

Using these safety tips you can ensure that your office humidifier is kept in good working order and provides the safe and healthy working environment you need through the efficient restoration of moisture. 

The author of this post is Martin Davies. As well as being an avid blogger in the home improvement and trade industries, he works for the Air & Water Centre to provide efficient solutions and improved air quality with the latest humidifying and purifying technologies.

General Safety Issues

FIVE UNUSUAL SAFETY DRIVING TIPS (GUEST POST)

We all know that when someone tells you to drive safely, first thought is… don’t drink and drive or don’t text while driving, buckle up or watch the road. Common safety rules that we often disregard and take for granted. What does it really mean when you say “drive safely”?

1.       Don’t slow down.

Normally the precaution is for you not to go over-speeding. But the opposite is also recommended. Don’t slow down too much as you may stop the flow of traffic. Other cars are moving in a normal and average speed and they can’t wait for the “king of the road” to pass. Driving too slowly may frustrate drivers behind and around you. This can be another contributing factor in road deaths! Just slow down when you are in unfamiliar places and make sure to keep your hazards blinking on.

2.       Do not accept calls while driving.

Some drivers think that answering calls with the use of mouthpiece, earpiece or loud speaking are okay. However, the call will get his attention and he will focus less on what’s on the road. The brain tends to split thoughts so it’s always better to ignore calls and simply call back later. The phone would have the number of the caller anyway and it would indicate how many times the call is missed. If it’s really urgent, the concerned person on the other line would send an SMS you can read when the traffic light turns to red.

3.       Always put on the seat belt.

If it’s a short-distance driving, you may have the habit of not putting on your seat belt thinking that it won’t be of any good use. You may be lazy or sometimes forget this act for safety. Realize that most accidents happen to drivers who do not buckle up behind the steering wheel. The seat belt should claim its purpose and you should maximize whatever is designed in the car for function.

4.       Forget the toys.

Stuffed dolls, small figurines, pillows and toys are put for decorations in the car. These are girly stuff that most drivers have to please their passengers who consist mostly of their family members. Sorry to burst your bubble but these fluffy toys would not help you be safe in any way. In fact, they may even pose as danger when they block the driver’s view. Instead of placing them on the dashboard or at the back near the compartment area, leave them inside the house to avoid the risks of accidents.

5.       Never assume it’s best to overtake.

Overtaking in many cases is dangerous, especially if you are a novice driver in such a narrow road. Blind spots will always be there so it’s best to never take a wild guess and think that it’s okay to overtake when the side of the road looks clear. There might be a fast-moving car to sweep you by and this implies death or massive injuries at your end in a matter of seconds.

Conclusion

With all these safety tips, the best thing is to always make sure your car is properly serviced and maintained. Before getting inside the car, check the lights and the brakes and remove anything unnecessary that will cause distractions. It’s better that you’re safe than sorry.

 

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

TEN PLUMBING SAFETY TIPS (GUEST POST)

Submitted by Jim Klossner 

Many people are choosing to DIY when repairs need to be done in their home. With the increase in home handymen, or handywomen, comes more risk because non-professional plumbers naturally will not think about some of the safety precautions. It is critical to take safety steps to ensure that you get the job done unscathed, as well as to make sure that the job is done correctly. 

Be Mindful of Electricity

Since plumbing usually does not involve electricity, many people do not think to turn off the electricity. Keep in mind that water and electricity do not mix. This is especially important if you are doing something near a power source. 

Do Not Panic

If something goes wrong, like a pipe bursting, do not panic. You need to take the steps to correct the issue as quickly as possible and panic will prevent this. Take a little time before even starting the task to think about some things that could go wrong and then make a few rough strategies to fix these. 

Make Sure Your Eyes are Protected

When you are cutting into things and have the risk of water spraying everywhere, it is important that your eyes are protected. There is always the risk of things flying at your face and when you are wearing protective goggles you can pretty much eliminate the risk of eye damage. 

Protect Your Ears

Plumbing work can get loud and the ears can become damaged with too much loud noise. Things like power saws and other equipment can become loud and ear damage can occur without you even noticing it.  Wearing earplugs will help protect your hearing.

Protect Your Lungs

When doing plumbing work, you are sure to run into some type of dust and/or chemical fumes. If chemicals are being used, a respirator is something you may want to consider. If you will only run into dust, then a basic face mask is enough to prevent breathing in the dust. 

Make Sure You Have the Right Tools

Using the wrong tools can result in injury. For example, if you need a chisel, use a chisel and not a screwdriver. The screwdriver could slip when you are hammering, resulting in slamming the hammer on your hand. The wrong tools could also damage the thing you are working on, causing more issues and costing you more money. 

Have Emergency Numbers and a Way to Call Them Handy

Accidents happen and you need to be prepared to get help if necessary. Numbers like poison control should be handy, as well as utility company numbers. Keep a phone nearby just in case something happens and you need to call quickly. 

Practice Before Doing

Before you start the actual job, get used to the tools you will need to use so that you are confident in using them. You do not want to just learn that new saw when it is time to get work done as this adds more pressure which can lead to mistakes. 

Protect Your Hands

Chemicals, tools and hot water are all potential hazards to your hands. Be sure to wear gloves that are appropriate to what you might run into. For example, gloves that protect against chemicals generally differ than gloves that can protect hands from hot water. If it also a good idea to wear long pants, long sleeves and shoes to protect all of your skin. 

Know Your Plumbing

It is important to know things like the type of pipes used in your home, where the on/off valves are and where the pipes are behind the walls so that you can quickly access what you need. You also want to be able to quickly get to things if something were to go wrong. 

About the Author: Jim Klossner has been writing about plumbing and HVAC solutions for companies like John J Cahill, Inc. for nearly ten years. When he’s not writing, you can find Jim teaching safety courses at his local community center.

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

SAFETY TIPS FOR RURAL LIVING (GUEST POST)

Living safely when you are your own emergency services 

If you’re a recent transplant to a rural area, you face a new and unfamiliar set of safety considerations. You’re less likely to experience crime, for instance, but you also face longer response times from law enforcement and emergency services. We’ve recently talked about Road Trip Safety (now that you’ll be driving longer distances to get anywhere), but what are some things you can prepare for at home? Here are some things to consider:

1. Understand Warnings

Having a radio on hand is helpful especially in times of severe weather, but occasionally those weather warnings may be hard to interpret. Do some homework and brush up on things like red flag warnings, hurricane and tornado measurements, and the like. Flash flood warnings might be something you need to keep in mind for your particular corner of the world as well. Understanding which of these may apply to you, and how they should affect your emergency plans, could save your life.

2. Invest in technology

Whether you’ve lived rural your whole life or recently converted from being a city slicker, you may pride yourself on leaving some of the unnecessary technologies behind and living a more simple life (or you may have all the latest and greatest gadgets) but it’s important to make sure you have some of the essential bits of technology. Recommended parts of this list would include things like radios, alarms, a generator, sump pumps and motion sensing lights.

Radios (battery operated AND standard) are going to be extremely valuable should the power go out to monitor weather conditions, and a generator will help keep vital electronics functional (fridge, radios, etc.).Alarms and lights are important because while you may be far away from major crime, you’re also far from law enforcement. Sump pumps are vital if your area is susceptible to flooding, and since flood insurance is always at a premium, being able to protect yourself from minor flooding is a must.

1. Know your property

If you own a large parcel of land, have you done a thorough walking tour? Not just a casual stroll, but taking some effort, drawing up a grid, and taking note of anything you find. Mark down steep drops, bodies of water, trees, large rocks, blind spots from the home, and anything else that you might think worthy of note. Knowing your property can help keep you and your family safe from injury or other hazards, as well as help you to fully utilize that land you worked so hard to get.

4. Personal Protection

Gun ownership can be a heated topic, so you can leave that option up to yourself (but either way, understanding gun safety, which should include a class, should be a priority before any firearm is purchased), but there are other things to consider. What types of wildlife live in your area, and are they potentially dangerous? If so, how can you best protect you, your family, pets and livestock? Who are your nearest neighbors, and what are their phone numbers? Should a disaster occur, a medical emergency, fire, or home invasion, these are the people most likely able to help you. Is your property well lit enough to allow you to travel without a flashlight to vital areas in the dark without risking running into any hazards?

5. Have a plan

This is the most important step. An emergency preparedness plan should be one of the first things you check off this list. Use the items in this list, and others that might be more applicable to your area (Google can help here) to make a plan for each item. Where will your family go, how will you contact each other if separated, who to call, and more are things to consider.

Living away from it all can truly be a rich and fulfilling experience. Make sure you protect yourself by being prepared should the worst occur; that way, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that whatever arises, you have a way to take care of it.

Katie White is a writer and handywoman from DIY Mother who is passionate about self-reliance and conservation. She takes pride in making her home a more sustainable and comfortable place for her husband and two kids. She lives in Dallas.

Thanks, Katie, and as always, we’d like to remind you to have a survival kit ready if you live in areas prone to thunderstorms or tornadoes.
 

General Safety Issues

HOW TO STAY SAFE WHILE BLOGGING (GUEST POST)

Written by Debra Johnson

Blogging, or online journaling, became popular in the 1990’s as a way to share your feelings, either privately or publicly, with friends and strangers on the internet. It was the online version of keeping a diary, and was widely popular with pre-teens and teenagers. Recently, however, it has taken a new turn, going from a diary-type setting to a business one. Bloggers are using their blogs to intertwine their personal lives with professional marketing by partnering up with companies to review products and services, and to spread the word about a business in exchange for some sort of compensation.

This profession is a popular one because it allows people to work from home, interact with brands and businesses that they enjoy, and get tons of perks, from free products to comped restaurant meals to free hotel rooms and trips, just to name a few. However it also comes with a huge safety concern. Putting your life on display on the internet means that you are opening the doors for anyone to read about you, including those people who have less than desirable intentions. In order to stay safe while blogging it’s imperative to share bits of your life without compromising your personal security. You can do so by:

1.       Never posting anything relating to where you live or work. While disclosing the city you reside in usually isn’t a big deal, you should never post anything that gives away the neighborhood or apartment complex you live in, streets that are close to your residence, or places that you frequent, such as the gym, library, or where you work. 

2.       Never let your readers know when you’re going out of town. Even if you’ve been careful to avoid posting information that could allow people to infer where you live, if you’re going out of town and leaving your house unattended you should refrain from disclosing this information until after you’re back home.

3.       Avoid using last names. When you refer to both yourself and other people on your blog you should never include last names. This makes it far too easy for people to search for you or your friends or family, so you should avoid doing so at all costs. 

4.       Be mindful of any photographs you use. While it may not bother you to have photos of yourself online, other people may not be so keen to be included on your blog. Check with anyone and everyone in a photograph before including it, as you don’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable from something you’ve posted.

5.       Anonymously register your domain name. When you buy a personal domain your contact information immediately becomes available for others to search. To avoid this you should register your domain name anonymously.

Even if your job is to share your life online, you should still be very wary of any personal information that you post, because you never really know who’s on the other end reading. There’s a fine line between sharing just enough information and sharing too much, and to maintain your personal safety you have to constantly make sure that you’re not crossing that line.

About the Author: 

This guest post is contributed by Debra Johnson, blogger and editor of Liveinnanny.com. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: – jdebra84 @ gmail.com.