SafetySkills is offering the public not only important safety tips to keep you and your family safe while traveling this holiday season, but also their Hazardous Driving Conditions course completely free of charge (http://www.safetyskills.com/winter-driving).
Here are some tips to keep your road trip as smooth as possible.
1. Check the weather and know how to drive in bad weather safely before going out.
75% of winter weather related deaths are due to driving in dangerous weather. Only venture out it bad weather if you have to and take SafetySkills Hazardous Driving course free at http://www.safetyskills.com/winter-driving.
2. Winterize your vehicle.
Make sure all vehicle maintenance is up to date and stock your vehicle full of self-sustainable technologies and supplies (first aid kit, blankets, bottled water, flashlights, etc.)
3. Pay Attention.
Don’t get distracted. Driver distraction is becoming the most dangerous issue affecting the roads today. In 2008, 500,000 car accidents and 6,000 deaths were caused by driver distraction. Combine a distracted driver with hazardous weather and you have got a huge problem on your hands.
4. Never drink and drive.
There is really isn’t much need to elaborate. Everyone knows that driving while intoxicated impairs your judgement and reaction time. Just don’t do it.
5. Drive as much as possible when the sun is shining.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Safety Council (NSC), driving deaths are 3 times more likely to occur between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Try to travel during the day as much as possible.
No matter what your opinion is on the right to bear arms one thing is for certain – as long as gun ownership exists, gun safety is necessary. Gun safety is a valid concern for everyone because it can affect everyone. Individuals with high risk jobs (such as convenience store clerks and security guards), as well as people who simply own guns for either protection or a hobby, knowing the proper way to handle and care for a firearm is only being responsible.
Accidental shootings have been a long-standing issue and taking proper safety measures with any weapon is extremely important to avoid injury or death. Taking SafetySkills™ new and free Gun Safety course will help prevent accidental shootings, like the ones that have been making headlines.
Just last month, John Tabutt of Winter Springs, Florida accidentally shot and killed his fiancee, Nancy Dinsmore, when he mistook her for an intruder on the eve of their wedding. Tabutt said that he thought that she was laying next to him in bed at the time.
This summer another accidental domestic shooting occurred in San Miguel, California. On July 9, 2009, John Aaron Norris tripped on the stairs while emptying his gun when his dog ran under his feet causing the gun to go off. Norris’ wife, Tasha Dawn Norris, was fatally shot while sitting on the couch.
These two incidents alone prove that more gun safety courses need to be taken by those with guns, not to mention the added concern of what could happen with children in the home. According to the National Safety Council, 8 children die each year in an accidental shooting.
“I think that much of the fear about guns in the general public comes from misunderstandings and the lack of education on the subject,” said Melissa Kaupke, mother and gun owner. “The more familiar one is with how they work and how to handle them, the less chance of any accident.”
I think this video says it all – provide forklift training for your staff! Oh, and if you’re company sells alcohol, make sure that the workers aren’t keeping the party going while on the clock.
This video won’t teach anyone to park a car, but it definitely lets us know that we are surrounded by dummies who need to take a driver safety course or two. This driver, a 62 year-old woman, was arrested after completing this stellar parking job and leaving the scene of the crime. This video reminds us all that driver safety is extremely important because this could have been a tragic situation if the owners of those cars were inside.
According to a poll done by Harvard, only 4 out of 10 adults are definitely getting the H1N1 virus vaccine when it becomes available this year. This number rises slightly, 6 out of 10, when asked if they would get the vaccination in the event that their community members were sick or dying from the virus.
Some might find these results shocking, but when the 1976 national influenza campaign gone wrong is put in perspective it makes complete sense. This campaign ended with blood on the hands of the government. The disease never spread as expected and 500 of those who were vaccinated developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, resulting in the 25 deaths. Knowing this and the effects that have been linked to countless other vaccinations, it’s only natural that people, especially parents, would be concerned about vaccinating themselves and their children.
But with all that said, there is still a great risk being expressed by experts about the dangers of swine flu. It is still expected to become a major problem and everyone should decide how they want to handle the situation. For those who would like the vaccination, contact your medical professional about the vaccine and when it will be available to you. For those who choose not to be vaccinated, be extremely aware of the other prevention methods you can take to avoid getting swine flu.
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays of the year because it gives everyone an excuse to dress up, act like a kid and my favorite part – I don’t have to cook! That being said it is also a very dangerous holiday. I mean, one of the goals is to get scared, but not to get hurt. Luckily there are some things that parents and childcare professionals can do to help train children to have a safe Halloween.
Do candy checks
Wear costumes that are easy to see and move in
Know pedestrian safety
Only adults should cut jack-o-lanterns
Beware of stranger danger
Only trick-or-treat in well-lit and safe neighborhoods or trick-or-treat venues
Create an route for trick-or-treating and stick to it in case of an emergency
Children under 10 should probably NOT trick-or-treat without adult supervision
Bring a flashlight
Make a specific route for your child to trick-or-treat on if doing so alone. Set a curfew and if your child is late you know where exactly to look.
Summer is coming to a close and parents are busy getting their children prepared for going back to school. This is usually the time of year where young children are experiencing a mix of emotions ranging between excitement and nervousness, but now it’s their parents that have something to worry about. Experts say that the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, could make a comeback when kids head back to school.
Here are a list of things that you can do to reduce risk of infection.
1. Do your research.
Learn about the H1N1 virus and what precautions you should be taking yourself. The Center for Disease Control (CDC.gov) is a great resource on the latest information about health threats. You can also take SafetySkills free Flu Symptoms and Prevention Strategies course. This free online course includes vital information about swine flu and how to protect yourself from infection. After taking this course, recommend it to other parents and your children’s daycare or school staff members.
2. Be clean.
It sounds like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how many people do not perform simple cleansing chores that could save them and their family members from getting sick.
Use proper cleaning supplies in your kitchen and bathrooms, but don’t over do it with the bleach. That will cause a whole new health problem.
Take out the trash in a timely fashion. This will prevent insect infestation and mold, plus it’s not the best smell to have in your home.
Always use anti-bacterial soap and carry anti-bacterial gel (such as Purell) in your purse, car, etc.
Keep tissues available in every room of your home.
Make washing hands fun for kids – have them sing their ABC’s while washing to ensure that they have done it long enough, they’ll love it!
Use anti-bacterial sprays around the house, like Febreeze. It really does help.
3. Ask your child’s teacher and daycare center administrator what they are doing to prevent the spread of infection.
As a parent, I know that I feel guilty enough about leaving my child at her pre-school everyday without needing to worry about if she is going to come home with a dangerous case of the flu. Having a good relationship with your child’s teachers and caregivers is extremely important for many reasons, but especially when it comes to being aware of how they are protecting your child. If you do not feel satisfied with their approach, give them a recommendation of what you would like for them to use or consider moving your child to another daycare or school that fits your criteria.
4. Use common sense.
Obviously if your child is sick, do not send your child to school. This spreads illness and it turns into an endless cycle of misery. If your child appears to have more than just a case of the sniffles, make an appointment with your pediatrician. Remember to keep your house as clean as possible when anyone in the household is sick to reduce the chances of others in the home coming down with it.
If anyone has any helpful tips to give other parents or child caregivers, please leave a comment below. Thanks.
Now I remember learning about fire safety as a child in school, but for some reason those lessons are not always retained. Luckily, Candace Quinn’s new book I Survived a House Fire…I Wish My Stuff Hadis a great reminder of a luxury we all take for granted. Here is a quick and simple recap of fire safety from her book, fireSafety.gov and SafetySkills Basic Fire Safety course.
1. Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms are the simpliest, easiest and most effective way to save lives in a fire. Unfortunately, 2/3 of deaths in a home fire are because the home did not have a working smoke alarm or a smoke alarm at all. In order to reduce your risk during a fire do as follows:
Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home or business and near all sleeping areas.
Replace batteries at least once a year and your smoke alarm every 10 years.
Perform a monthly smoke alarm test.
Avoid placing smoke alarms near bathrooms, heating appliances, windows or ceiling fans.
2. Escape Plans
The next most vital part of fire safety is having an escape plan. All you need to do is think of every possible way to exit your home or business. Think of every alternative because the most likely exit may be blocked. Think of every door and window as a potential exit.
Practice an escape plan from every room twice a year.
Try to create 2 escape routes from each room.
Practice your plan during both daylight and evening hours.
Designate a specific meeting place away from the home.
Designate one person to go to the nearby telephone to call the fire department.
3. Practice Fire Safety
Practicing fire safety is the best way to avoid a fire occurring in the first place. Fires can start anywhere and at anytime, so safe habits are always a good idea.
Check all appliances and electrical equipment for frayed cords
Never leave food unattended while cooking
Have professionals regularly check heating and electrical equipment
Never smoke a cigarette in bed or without an ashtray
Never leave burning candles unattended.
4. Prepare
Install and routinely check smoke alarms
Install fire escape ladders to rooms on upper levels
Place fire extinguishers in kitchens and other locations with potential fire sources
Install fire blankets
Use electrical outlet covers on unused outlets
Purchase home owners or rental insurance to protect valuables
Keep documentation of all valuables – important paperwork, pictures, receipts – in a fireproof safe
Install indoor fire sprinklers – commercial and residential
5. What to do After a Fire
Contact your local American Red Cross, Salvation Army or other local disaster relief service to get temporary food, shelter and other necessities.
Contact your insurance company and locate important documentation. Insurance usually covers all necessities during this difficult time, so know your coverage.
Workplace safety can appear very daunting for many employers. Creating a safe work environment for workers is not only morally right, but also a legal right in this country. There are many important tools available to ensure that all of the necessary precautions are taken to avoid and reduce accidents in the workplace.
1. Hazard Assessment/Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
Hazard assessment or job safety analysis (JSA) helps identify potential safety risks in the workplace and what measures should be taken to avoid these hazards.
2. Implementing controls at work stations
Implementing safety controls and devices to work stations based on the findings of your JSA will reduce the occurrence of workplace accidents. This includes built-in safety devices, such as a chemical eyewash station, or requiring employees to wear hard hats and protective eye wear on the job. This year alone, 78% of eye injuries were due to a lack of protective eye wear.
3. Provide proper safety training to employees.
View training as an investment. The better the training your employees receive, the less likely an incident will occur. Many employers forgo educating their workers on topics that could potential save them thousands in workers’ compensation claims and lawsuits.
Today there are more choices than ever when it comes to safety training. Many employers think the only option is the traditional classroom setting, but thanks to technology – online training is the quickest, easiest, cheapest and most environmentally conscious choice. Many online safety training companies offer their own tracking systems to alleviate the administrative burden from employers and some offer free courses (www.safetyskills.com) or trials. But always make sure that your training provider is IACET certified and has the proper credentials.
Whatever type of training is chosen, setting high standards of training completion on employees is crucial and any incidents of negligence by an employee should be deemed unacceptable. This ensures your financial security as a company, as well as the safety of all of your workers.
4. Staying current.
Keeping up with the latest guidelines and trends in safety is very time consuming, but necessary. OSHA sets the standard in safety. If an employer doesn’t have time for this task, finding a training provider that does is the best route to take.
It is also important to pay attention to any news coverage about emerging workplace safety issues. For instance, incidents of Heat Stress have become more and more common resulting in heat-related illness and death. Providing training on Heat Stress is a new trend that is becoming necessary, especially for those who work outdoors.
Besides training, all gear and equipment should be regularly maintenance and replaced when it becomes outdated or a potential hazard. This is another topic that has been in newsstands across the country due to the recent metro tragedy in Washington, D.C. It was reported that the metro train that crashed needed to be replaced for a newer model, which would have saved the lives of many.
5. Refresher courses.
Like any student who finishes a class, sometimes a refresher course is needed down the road. Issues in safety are constantly changing because our technology keeps advancing. This also means that with new advancements means new problems. Giving refresher courses every year is a great way to reduce the likelihood of workplace accidents.
SafetySkills Offers Police Departments $1300 of free safety training
As a token of appreciation for police officers, SafetySkills is offering 100 free training credits to Police Department nationwide that signs up to use SafetySkills™ Direct online training in August, 2009.
SafetySkills offers Bloodborne Pathogens, Basic First Aid and a Basic CPR Refresher course. Each of these courses has a printable completion certificate for each police officer that successfully completes an online course.
All SafetySkills courses satisfy OSHA training requirements. The complete SafetySkills course catalog has over 100 pre-packaged courses that can be assigned immediately after registering for a SafetySkills Direct account.
Go to http://www.safetyskills.com/registration/ to sign up. Please mention that you heard about SafetySkills from a Law Enforcement Magazine before August 30, 2009 to receive 100 training credits for your police department. These credits will not expire and can be used immediately, or a year from now.
