• If you asked for those in a room to raise their hand if they are guilty of not always fastening their seat belts, I would have to comply!  Just because of living in a small town, it is certainly not an excuse for failing to wear my seat belt.  So help me, I promise I will click it every time I get behind the wheel, from now on!  Our three grandchildren were so well trained that they wouldn’t allow anyone to start the motor until they were safely fastened in their seats.  Two of them are driving now, and the other is five.  It has been such a great experience to see that it became a habit of safe riding naturally, and we thank their parents for teaching them.

Click It or Ticket Campaign began Monday, May 21^st, and will continue through June 3^rd, coinciding with the Memorial Day holiday.  If you plan to travel this week-end, it is a good idea to fasten those seat belts, and observe speed limits if you want to get home without a high-dollar souvenir from your friendly Department of Public Safety troopers.

With larger volumes of traffic anticipated on our roads and highways,  we want every motorist to know the importance of buckling up while driving or riding in a motor vehicle.  The theme for this year’s campaign is simple: “Always focus on your driving and be certain that everyone riding in the vehicle is buckled up every trip, every time.”  It only takes two seconds to buckle a seat belt and this injury-reducing and life-saving task should be an automatic practice for everyone riding inside a motor vehicle.  And, as always, please let one of your passengers take care of the cell phone – don’t let distracted driving cost your life or anyone else’s.  Don’t drink and drive or drive under the influence of drugs.  Let’s keep our highways safe.

Have a safe Memorial Day, and don’t forget to honor our fallen heroes of past and present wars.  It is the beginning of summer vacations that we all look forward to, however, we must always remember those who gave their lives for us.  One more thing to consider:  Thanksgiving is a day when we pause to give thanks for the things we have; Memorial Day is a day when we pause to give thanks to those who fought for what we have.

Have a safe and happy summer, and drive friendly!

The eye is by far the most essential organ of the body. Being one of the five sense organs, the eye performs the primary function of seeing. To any individual, vision is the essence of life. A wide range of problems and diseases can cause hindrances in clear visibility. Often, it is because of our own shortcomings that we develop various eye problems. Hence, special care should be taken by us in order to protect our eyesight. This article will now render a few useful information and steps that can be followed to have good and healthy eyesight.
1. Avoiding extensive use
Staying up entire night with no sleep at all causes immense pressure on the eyes. Just like the entire human body, the eye as well needs an amount of rest. With a continued pressure on the eyes, it comes vulnerable to any type of vision problems. It is essential to give a rest of at least six hours to our eyes.
2. Sensitive
The layers of skin on the eye are the thinnest. It is needless to say that they are sensitive. Hence special sort of care should be taken to make sure that no sort of physical damage is caused to the eye. In such a case, the covering skin is affected forever and with a less or no layer for protection, the eye faces a lot of problems during its course of action. Therefore, special care should be taken to make sure that no physical damage is caused to the eye.
3. Light resistance
Our eyes are quite sensitive to light with a high intensity. The vision is numbed for quite some time when the eye is exposed to a bright light for a prolonged period. The color distinction property of the eye also suffers on such exposures. Therefore, special eye protecting gear should be made use of in such cases. For example, the use of goggles during experiments in a lab helps in saving the eye from bright radiations.
4. While On The Go
While traveling it is advised not to read books. As during journeys, the body is constantly moving and the focus of the eye has to fix itself constantly. In such a condition if the reader has to put in concentration into the book that he is reading, the pressure on the eye is immense and often results in a headache. Thus special care should be taken during traveling.
5. Computer Usage
Computers are another hazardous source of eyesight degeneration. The bright screen of the computer results into an increased amount of pressure on the eyes of the person who has stick to the screen to operate the computer. It is advised to put vision protection glass coverings on the Monitor of the computer to reduce the pressure on the eyes.
6. Dust Particles
The dust on road is also another factor for which the eye is prone to problems. Dusts often have an undesired chemical effect on the eye fluids and the eye in turn and are harmful for it. It is hence said that wearing glasses or sunglasses while being out in a dry weather is always good for the eye.
7. Cleansing
Also the dirt accumulated in the eye needs to be cleaned. Besides the eye fluid, a certain eye drop is required to be treated into the eyes to clean them. A regular practice of taking such a medical protection is very beneficial for the eye and its protection.
8. Contact Lens
The contact lenses are made from very heat sensitive materials. Any influence of heat melts the lens. It is always risky to stay in a cooking area or any other warm area while with contact lenses on. Various cases of such accidents have proved that the contact lenses on melting can end up making a person lose his eyesight forever.
9. Nuclear Emission
Nuclear radiations are the most harmful elements for the eye. Special lead aprons and eye gear is to be used while performing nuclear reactions or doing any other nuclear elements related jobs.
Therefore, with all said and done it can pretty much be concluded that the eye is prone to various unnoticed and unidentified harmful factors daily. Every little thing that we do involves the eye and the various potent problems that it can face. Hence, extra care should be taken for these problems and it is to be made sure that the eye is kept safe at all costs. After all, a world which cannot be seen is a missing link in the gift of vision.

About the author: Kelly is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and luxury. Beside this she is fond of blogging. Recently an article on Britney Spears Perfumes attracted her attention. These days she is busy writing an article on Nokia n900.

Thanks, Kelly,  for reminding us how precious our vision is, and ways to protect it!

During the winter months, taking care of your weight is a hassle. The cold makes it difficult to exercise and you need to have plenty of food to maintain the body heat. Coming off the winter season, you will have gained a few extra pounds that will be clinging to you. The best to get your weight on track is by improving your overall health. Follow the best tips for a perfect spring health kick and you will be able to cut down the excess flab.

1. Get Up and Start Moving

The lack of physical activity during winter has to be compensated for. Exercise is the foremost way to get a spring health kick. As the weather improves, exercising becomes easier. The lungs won’t hurt and you won’t face shortness of breath. You don’t have to sweat it out at the gym. You can complete a daily regimen with a 20 to 30 minute walk. If you have the time, take short power walks or runs several times a day. Exercise gets your blood up and running through the body. Improved blood flow takes care of a number of health problems as well as keeping your skin and hair healthy.

2. Stop Smoking and Drinking

Smoking is extremely harmful to your health. Since most of the winter months are spent indoors, smoking regularly will have caused major damage. Quitting cigarettes is the perfect way to get some fresh air into your tired respiratory system. Alcohol is fattening and can wreak havoc on your digestive system. When intoxicated, you are bound to overeat and the slow metabolism makes it nearly impossible for the food to digest properly.

3. Keep Healthy Food in the House

You decide to eat healthy for a change. When dinner time comes along, you find there isn’t much in the way of healthy food. This is a problem faced by many people. They don’t have healthy food in the house. You are not going to change your eating habits unless and until you have the options in front of you. It is time you filled your fridge up with fruits and vegetables instead of soft drinks and chocolates.

4. Sleep Well

People usually sleep longer when the weather is cold. Now that the season is changing, you have to adjust accordingly. Alter your routine to ensure that you get sufficient sleep. Proper sleep ensures that all your body’s systems are working fine. It is a precursor to an overall healthy lifestyle.

5. Have Breakfast

Last, but not the least, starting having breakfast daily. Go for a light and nutritious meal. Make sure you don’t leave your home on an empty stomach. When you don’t eat for an extended period of time, your body slows down the metabolism causing problems with digestion. Since you haven’t eaten for quite a few hours, you are bound to eat more than the usual meal to compensate for it.

These are the 5 top tips for a spring health kick.

Allan has been blogging about nutrition and healthy living for quite some time. He has published many articles on prominent health blogs. Allan’s favourite topics include health covers, diet and low impact exercises.  

Please follow these important tips for a healthy lifestyle  from our friends in Australia. pb

Sponsored by the National Safe Boating Council, Inc., May 20^th through 26^th is observed as National Safe Boating Week.  Probably, many of you who have gotten out those dusty boats and launched them already.  It’s time for some fun and sun on the water!  There’s nothing more fun than going fishing, skiing, or just a leisure ride in a boat, but please take boating safety seriously.  Be sure you have plenty of suncreen, a hat, and safety sunglasses that keep harmful UV rays from damaging your eyes!

The National Safe Boating Council, Inc. (NSBC) was organized in September of 1958.  The NSBC has a current membership of over 330 U.S. and Canadian organizations, all interested in boating safety and education.  This article includes a common-sense agreement regarding the responsibility that you owe yourself and your friends and family any time you operate a boat.  If you wish to sign this pledge, you can go to the National Safe Boating Council website.  If not, please take the pledge to heart, as accidents can happen, and many times it is because the persons in charge of the boat are not familiar with the proper handling of it.  

Search for information regarding boater education and what you need to know, as well as the five types of life jackets (PDF’s) – personal flotation devices, that are available.  There are many other resources that one should seek before taking off in that new boat.  Safety is the big thing when it comes to operating a boat.  Many lives are in the hands of the driver, the same as a vehicle on the road. 

Regardless of where you are boating – in fresh or salt water, on a river or a lake, the one common thread throughout this article is the importance of wearing a life jacket.  In about 80% of all fatal boating accidents, the cause of death is drowning.  In 90% of those drownings, the person wasn’t wearing a life jacket.  Each person on your boat should have a life jacket on; it won’t help if it’s under the seat when they fall in.  Life jackets are not as bulky as in the past; there are many styles that are comfortable and easy to put on.  It may be hot, but it sure beats the risk of drowning.  Life jackets are available for your dogs, too.  It isn’t easy to “dog paddle” to safety, so it’s much easier to rescue them if they have their life jacket on. 

Check the weather conditions before you start your boating trip.  If the water becomes rough, get to the shore as soon as possible.  Be sure you have a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit on your boat.  Having a second person that knows the operation of your boat doubles your chances of staying safe, just in case.  A very important part of boating safety is common sense.  Operate at a safe speed, stay clear of large vessels, and be respectful of other boaters.  Staying safe in a boat (everyone) is accomplished when the alcohol is saved for later.  Chances of being involved in a boating accident are doubled when alcohol is involved.   

Beginning boaters and experts alike should be familiar with boating safety rules of operation.  State boater education requirements vary by state.  Be educated, aware and prepared for every circumstance that may arise.  The U.S. Coast Guard offers free Vessel Safety Checks.  They offer complimentary boat examinations to verify the condition of certain safety equipment that is required by State and Federal regulations.  They also offer virtual online safety checks as well.  Please make the decision to honor the rules of boating safety for yourself, family, and friends. 

Here is a sample of the NSBC pledge card: Get on Board for Boating Safety:

Sources: NSBC, discoverboating.com

National EMS Week 2012 is May 20 - May 26, with Wednesday, May 23 - Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Day. This year’s theme is “EMS:  More Than A Job. A Calling,” and is sponsored by the American College of Emergency Physicians.

There are many great ideas and opportunities during National EMS Week, so start today to plan a great week to not only thank our EMTs & Medics but to promote safety to the community!   EMS Week was developed to bring together local communities and medical personnel in an effort to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine’s “front line” and is strongly supported by American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) .  This is the week to educate the public.  The public should realize “who” EMS personnel are and what they, as citizens, can do to help support us. It is time for “us” (EMS field providers and organizations) to claim our week to make the public safer!

 “EMS Week is very important for us,” says Chris Stevens, PIO for Emergency Medical Services Authority’s (EMSA) Eastern Division in Tulsa, Okla. “It gives us an opportunity to bring what we do into the public’s eye. I’m always surprised by how many people think all we do is put people in the back of ambulances and drive fast to the hospital. We need to let them know paramedics and EMTs bring care and lifesaving service to patients as soon as we make contact with them.”

Emergency Medical Services, known more commonly as EMS, is a public safety service, as essential as police and fire services.  EMS is easily recognized when one sees emergency vehicles or helicopters responding to incidents in the community, but it is, in fact, much more. It is an intricate system of agencies and organizations; communications and transportation networks; trauma systems, as well as hospitals, trauma centers, and specialty care centers; rehabilitation facilities; and highly trained professionals—including volunteer and career pre-hospital personnel, physicians, nurses, therapists, administrators, government officials, and an informed public that knows what to do in a medical emergency. Each component in the EMS system has an essential job to perform as part of a coordinated system of care.

Responding to medical emergencies is the responsibility of local emergency medical services (EMS) systems. They represent a coordinated effort among many different organizations to deliver the best possible medical care to all patients.   Local communities use the EMS system model to design their own EMS system, using local resources to fill local needs. For instance, pre-hospital care, (one component of an EMS system), may be provided by a volunteer rescue squad, a hospital-based ambulance service, a fire department, a commercial ambulance service, or others.  We should appreciate all the Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics, and Emergency Physicians and Nurses for their dedication to saving lives.  Thanks to these skilled persons who are on call 24/7, ready to serve.

Sources: American College of Emergency Physicians; BruNotes, Davesems

Because the month of May is National Employee Physical Fitness Month, it’s time for us to focus on developing and maintaining a fit and healthy workforce.  According to the Centers of Disease Control, regular physical activity can help control body weight, reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, improve brain function and moods, and strengthen bones and muscles.  Unless you work at a gym, are an athlete, or serve in the military, chances are some of your workforce is not as physically fit as others. 

So, what are you doing about it?  Depending on the size of the company, there are many things that can help employees become and remain stronger and healthier.  Luckily, in my experience working at a hospital, there were many services offered to the employees; things such as annual health fairs for employees and the public for various screenings, including cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose checks, and other health risk assessments.  There was also a cardiac center, where employees could use the equipment during times that patients were not present.  Our registered dietician conducted healthy food classes for employees, as well as patients that had experienced heart problems. 

If you are considering establishing a fitness program for your employees, first of all, you should conduct a survey to see how many are interested in participating.  Next, select a wellness committee to assume various duties, such as furnishing healthy snacks, and contacting outside health care personnel to present workshops.  You may already have an employee that is certified to teach First Aid Classes and C.P.R.  Search within your company to see which personnel can assume leadership roles by making it fun for all participants. 

Yoga, even 10-minute breaks at the workplace, can help a person escape from the stress of work.  Stress management “coaches” can teach techniques to relax and decompress from the strains both at work and home.  

Other ways to help your employees become more active, especially those whose jobs are sitting at a desk all day, are encouraging them to walk to discuss something with a coworker, rather than using email; take the stairs rather than elevator, and stand while talking on the phone.  Workers can get more exercise also by parking farther away from the building, getting off the bus earlier than the regular stop, and participating on a company sports team.  Get a group of workers together to take a lunch walk. 

Does your company encourage smoking cessation?  If not, this is a good time to start.  How about having contests between departments to bring healthy snacks every once in a while, rather than cookies, cakes, and all the good stuff?  Things such as fruit, nuts, cereals, yogurt, healthy muffins, and vegetables are much better for us all.  See which group comes up with the best ideas.

Workplace safety is a very important aspect of success in every workplace.  Does your workforce know what to do in case of an emergency?  Are there eyewash stations, and first aid supplies within the range of areas where they may be needed?  If not, now’s the time to get started on encouraging cooperation among workers to get healthy and stay that way, and be prepared in case of an emergency.

Areas of work, occupancy buildings and public sites are all required by law to provide an adequate escape route out of a building in times of emergency. These exit routes must not only be readily accessible but they must also be clearly illuminated by emergency lighting in the event of a power failure.

Emergency lights are required to correctly light up an evacuation route to enable all occupants to safely leave a building in times of an emergency and can be required for a duration of up to three hours or longer. Regular maintenance and testing therefore is required to ensure that all emergency lighting systems are functioning correctly. In the UK these requirements are covered by the Regulatory Reform Order and British Standard Codes such as BS 5266. The British Standard BS 5266 for example recommends that emergency lighting systems are serviced regularly.

To test any emergency lighting system, a power failure or power cut will need to be simulated, which then forced the emergency lighting and luminaires to be switched on.

It is also a good idea to keep replacement lamp bulbs, spares and legends, which can be immediately installed if required.

Manual Testing

Many emergency lights will have to be manually checked, particularly on old and legacy emergency lighting systems, although some more modern systems are now capable of automatic testing.  To manually test an individual light or circuit a test or ‘fishtail’ key is used to simulate an isolated local power failure. This will then trigger the back-up emergency lights to operate.

It is important to systematically check that all emergency lights are working, particularly in a non-maintained system. This will often involve a single walk along the escape and evacuation route.

Automatic Testing

Many site managers and in particular new builds now have installed automatic testing devices. Automatic testing is more efficient and comprehensive and is also flexible enough to test various elements and sections of a system. The cost of automatic testing against the cost of an engineer manually testing the system is also favourable over the long term.

Duration

Daily – Daily checks only apply to standard emergency lighting systems with one central back-up battery. In this instance a visual inspection of indicators is required to confirm that the system is in a suitable condition.

Monthly – Monthly checks involve checking luminaires and legends for any sign of damage. A brief test of the lights can be performed during a simulation power failure, which can be achieved few a fuse box or at a manual test box using a lighting test key.

Annually – at least every twelve months it is essential to perform a full discharge test. This involves a three hour run down test to guarantee that the battery system is able to perform for the maximum time of an evacuation period. Individual lights will need to be examined and it may also be useful to conduct an audit of the system, checking the overall effectiveness and adequacy of the emergency lighting as well as the correct use of emergency legends.

As a general rule a logbook should be kept recording the test results, whether they are carried out daily, monthly or annually. Any faults found within the emergency lighting system should be logged and fixed as soon as possible.

Burglar Reveals 15 Trade Secrets – A Look Into The Mind of a Burglar

Ever wonder what goes through the mind of a burglar? Well, SimpliSafe home security sent a team of us out to hit the streets for some raw data. We got the chance to sit down with burglary professionals and ask them some real tough questions. It wasn’t easy getting these questions answered but we got them! We gathered the most common answers and assembled them to give you an inside look into the mind of a burglar. It’s time for you to meet Bob, your local burglar.

“Hello, my name is Bob and I’m your local neighborhood burglar!”
First I’m going to tell you what I look for before breaking into your home, and then I’m going to tell you how I can break into your home. I’ll even tell you what I’m doing and looking for inside your home.  A lot of people ask me why I do what I do, and why I haven’t been caught yet. Do you know what I tell them? Because people don’t realize how easy they make it for me. I shouldn’t be doing this but I need a challenge!
Here’s what I’m looking for to make your house my next target:
Before picking a house I have to scope the whole neighborhood. To do this I’m not going to be walking in the traditional cat burglar uniform. I’m going to be walking around with a rake, dressed up as the cable, electric, or phone repairman. In some cases I even post a flier on your door for a closer look. Usually my work hours are from 8AM-11AM. I want to avoid any kind of confrontation.

 
· High privacy fences – This way your pesky neighbors can’t sneak up on me or call the police
· Any sort of high vegetation, like trees or shrubbery, covering your windows – this way they can’t see me break your window. I prefer lots of cover.
· Toys or playground equipment in your yard – Toys or playground equipment in your yard are signs that kids live there, which to me equals a mother lives there and “cha-ching” that means JEWELRY.
· I’ll post a flyer on your door to get a closer look of your home. I’m also checking to see if you have a burglar alarm.
Here’s how I break into your home:
· I’ll knock on your door to see if anyone is home. If someone answers the door I’ll just come up with some bogus story.
· I’m going to check if the front or back door is unlocked. Sometimes people usually hide a key somewhere easy to access. If I can’t find a key I will check the windows. If worse comes to worse I’ll just smash a window.
· I can also get into a home through your doors using my trusty crowbar.
· If I can’t make it into your house in one minute I just move onto the next one.
Now here’s what I’m doing once I’m inside your home:
· I always use the same search pattern. I go straight to the master bedroom. I look for cash, jewelry, or anything that might be valuable. People often make the mistake of leaving money or jewelry in the most common areas.
· I’ll even look under the bed and in your closets.
· I’m always listening for outside noises. It’s a 6th sense.
· I check your bathroom medicine cabinets for any narcotic prescriptions. Pills are easy money.
· I’m going to check your kitchen and living room for electronics, credit cards, car keys, and personal information.
· After I have gathered everything I need, I call my backup driver to meet me so we can load up all the goods in the car or van.
· Once I have loaded all the goods, my associate and I drive away to the next target. It’s a never ending cycle.

And that’s it folks. It usually takes me about 8-12 minutes to get in and out of your home. It’s as easy as that!
In closing, there are a lot of things that you can do to avoid someone like me. A security system is a no brain-er. If that’s not an option, leaving a TV or stereo on during the day usually helps someone like me avoid your home. This usually indicates someone is home. Also most burglars won’t even attempt entry if they know there’s a large dog in the home.
So now you know my methods and secrets. Hopefully this will help you avoid bad guys like me. If not, I’ll be lurking around. “So, once again, I’m Bob, your local Burglar, and I’ll be coming to a city near you!”

Our thanks to Kevin Raposo, with another article from his series on home security.  Kevin Raposo is a writer for SimpliSafe-Live Safely, and can be contacted at kevin@simplisafe.com. He will be featured in upcoming articles.  Our homes are our castles; we don’t want Bob or any other bandit invading them!

The Month of May recognizes two types of riders: first, Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and second, Bike Month.  We felt that this would be a good time to feature both forms of riding,  and the safety factors involved to keep all cyclists safe on the roads. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) supports Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.  Temperatures are on the rise and motorcyclists and bicyclists are taking to the roads.  This is the time to remind all drivers to share the highways and streets.  The League of American Bicyclists sponsors Bike Month. This year Bike to Work Week is May 14-18, (so think about it), and Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 18^th.  The inaugural Bike to School Day is May 9, 2012.  This is a chance to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride.  Regardless of your reason to ride – commuting to work or school, saving money or time, preserving your health or the environment, exploring your community –  get involved in Bike Month, and possibly recruit more people in your community to ride bikes, as well! 

First, we want to furnish safety tips for bicycle riders; however, many of them apply to motorcyclists, as well. 

• Follow the rules of the road.
• Ride with traffic and obey the same laws as motorists.
• Use the rightmost lane that heads in the direction that you are traveling.
• Always look back and use hand and arm signals to indicate your intention to stop, merge, or turn.
• Obey all traffic control devices, such as stop signs, lights, and lane markings.
• Be visible.
• Ride where drivers can see you.
• Wear brightly colored clothing at all times.
• At night, use a white front light and red rear light or reflector.  Wear reflective tape or clothing.
• Be Predictable.
• Ride in a straight line and don’t swerve between parked cars.
• Do not ride on the sidewalk.
• Make eye contact with motorists to let them know you are there.
• Anticipate conflicts.
• Be aware of traffic around you and be prepared to take evasive action.
• Be extra alert at intersections.
• Learn braking and turning techniques to avoid crashes.
• Wear a helmet.
• Make sure that the helmet fits on top of your head, not tipped back or forward.
• After a crash or any impact that affects your helmet, visible or not, replace it immediately. 

Are you aware that over two-thirds of vehicle-motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers, not motorcyclists, and lead to more serious injuries and deaths?  The main reason is that drivers tend to look for other vehicles and don’t notice cyclists until it is too late.  There are no seatbelts on motorcycles, of course, so a rider can easily be thrown off in an accident.  Here are some safety tips for motorcyclists:

• Practice defensive riding.  Avoid riding in blind spots, use turn signals, and extra caution when passing a vehicle.
• Position yourself to be seen.  Lane placement will help you see further and others see you.
• Protective eyewear and protective clothing will serve as a buffer from the impact of an accident.
• Wear a helmet even if it is not required in your state.  Generally speaking, those who wear a helmet suffer far less head injuries and/or are less seriously injured. 

Last, but not least, here are some safety tips for drivers of automobiles and trucks:

• Be aware of motorcycles and bicycles at intersections and when they may be making a left turn or changing lanes.
• Anticipate a rider’s maneuver: obstructions that you do not notice may be deadly for a rider.
• Don’t follow too closely behind a motorcycle; allow plenty of room. 
• Be courteous to bicycle riders.
• Be mindful that motorcyclists and bicyclists have the same rights and privileges as other drivers. 

Increased safety will result in increased awareness.  Drive friendly!  Let’s make it a safe summer for everyone.

Source: League of American Bicyclists; NHTSA