Tag Archives: stay alert

TIPS TO STAY SAFE WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER

Winter officially began December 21st, so we know there’s  a lot of winter ahead of us.  There were several areas in the U.S. that had some unusually cold weather prior to the first day of winter.  Many college students will be returning to school pretty soon, so we thought it would be a good time to remind them and holiday travelers to be extra-careful.  Those who are on the road every day can use these suggestions, too.

Weather forecasts are pretty accurate; however, we can sometimes be hit with a cold front unexpectedly.  Rain, snow, fog, and ice can change the way we drive.  Here are some winter driving tips:

  • Check weather conditions ahead of time Be sure to tell your family or friends the route you are traveling.  Inform them when you have arrived safely.
  • Drink plenty of water. When the weather is chilly, dehydration might seem unlikely, but as little as a 1-2 percent loss of body weight can lead to fatigue and reduced alertness — both of which can be deadly when you are driving in icy conditions. Carry (and drink) five to six 16-ounce bottles of water per day in a small ice chest in the car.
  •  Take rest stops. Winter travel is much more tiring than summer driving, so stop every hour or so. Get out, and stretch, walk around a little. Just five minutes will significantly improve your level of alertness. (Chances are, if you drink all that water, you’ll need those pit stops!)
  • Pack a winter travel safety kit. Keep your cell phone charged, an ice scraper and brush, a tow rope, cat litter (for use as a traction aid), blankets, a good flashlight, a candle, matches, a portable weather radio and a can of lock de-icer, gloves and extra set of warm clothes.
  •  Eat enough food. Your body needs more nutrition in cold weather than it does on a warm day. Sandwiches, fruit or a thermos of hearty stew are much better choices than candy bars and sweets. Carry a day’s worth of high-energy food in a warm area of your vehicle in case you are stranded for a few hours.          
  •  Don’t speed.  A good rule of thumb is to reduce speed by 50 percent in snowy conditions.  Equally important: Don’t go too slow. Your car needs momentum to keep moving through snow on grades.
  •  Don’t grasp the steering wheel too hard. Smooth operation is the key to keeping control in slippery situations. Nervousness can lead to a hard clench of the steering wheel, which can result in loss of control. Consciously loosen your grasp or stretch out your fingers from time to time to help prevent that tight grip.
  •  Keep your tires in good condition and properly inflated. Cold weather reduces tire pressure, so check and adjust frequently. Tire tread depth should be at least 1/8-inch, and good snow tires with lugs will outperform just about any all-weather tire on the market.
  •  Know how to recover from skids. When braking on a slippery road, it’s all too easy to “lock up” your wheels by stepping on the brakes a little too hard. If you start to skid, steer the vehicle gently in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go and don’t touch your brakes. This previously was termed “turning into the skid,” but tests have shown that drivers often misinterpret these words in real-life situations. 
  •  If you get stranded, stay in your vehicle. Stay warm and wait for assistance. Many persons have made the mistake of trying  to walk for help, resulting in tragedy.  Ensure your exhaust pipe is clear of any obstructions, including snow and ice to keep carbon monoxide gas from building up inside the vehicle. 

If you know that weather conditions are going to be hazardous, don’t take any chances.  There will be another day you can get there more safely, and it’s not worth the risk of an accident.  Some drivers may not know how to drive in icy conditions, and could cause unintentional crashes.  Wait for the right opportunity to travel.  

When you see 18-wheel trucks sitting on the side of the road, that’s a pretty good sign that the road is not safe.  Follow their advice, and wait until it clears up.  Have your safety kit and food in your vehicle and pull over if this is the case.

Drive safely!

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS FOR GROWN-UP ZOMBIES!

It seems as though Halloween isn’t just for kids anymore.  Adults enjoy Halloween parties and if their companies allow, going dressed to work as their favorite spook or celebrity.

We have covered safety tips for Halloween for children, but this year we decided to dedicate this article of safety tips for those “young at heart” parents and adults who look forward to October 31st as much as the youngsters! 

If you are permitted or encouraged to dress for Halloween at work, choose appropriate costumes. You can visit consignment shops that feature clothes from each decade, in case you want to be John Travolta or Marilyn Monroe, or even one of the Beatles.  Some outfits you can make yourself, without spending a ton of money for a “once-a-year” outfit.  Plan ahead for the type of costume that allows you to work freely, without getting anything tangled in equipment, or covering your face while you work.  Don’t drive to work wearing a mask!  You might not look too good as some monster being loaded into an ambulance, in case of an accident.  Horseplay is never allowed at work, so even on Halloween, pranks should not be attempted.  Someone could wind up hurt, and then it wouldn’t be funny for anyone.  

My friends at Texas America Safety Company could find just about anything to wear for Halloween right there at the warehouse, including hard hats, vests, hi-visibility clothing, or even crime scene tape to decorate for their party.  If you do dress for work, be sure your shoes are comfortable, not part of the outfit, if you must stand a long time while working.  Carry the other shoes for later on. 

Pumpkins are at the center of decorations for Halloween; however, pumpkin carving can be an accident waiting to happen!  Each year, thousands of people end up getting emergency treatment for injuries from carving a pumpkin   Grown-ups can find many ways of hurting themselves without even trying!  Be sure you are in a brightly lit room while carving.  Don’t drink and carve, for Pete’s sake.  There’s plenty of time for that later if you go to a party.  (But still, don’t drink and drive).  Use a stencil to draw the design you want for your pumpkin, and use a serrated blade that won’t stick in the skin of the pumpkin, and remember to cut with a sawing motion.  Hopefully, you will be able to keep all your fingers! 

Just as we advise our older kids, once the evening begins, you should always be aware of your surroundings.  Always be alert of who is around you.  Stay out of neighborhoods you don’t feel comfortable in.  If you see a car that you feel is following you, take a photo of its license plate number with your cell phone and stay in a well-populated area.  This is a safety rule we all should follow every day. 

While you are decorating your home before Halloween, remember candle safety.  Battery-powered lights can be just as effective flickering as real candles in pumpkins.  Never leave a pumpkin with a candle near any flammable materials or unattended. 

Be sure your children have a safe Halloween, and you older ghouls and goblins, have fun, too.  Remember, though, safety first!