Featured Preparedness Blog Articles Page 2

Winter Vehicle Safety and Preparedness Tips


Driving in the winter means snow, sleet, and ice that can lead to slower traffic, hazardous road conditions, hot tempers and unforeseen dangers. Following the winter and car safety preparedness tips below will help you survive winter safely.

WEATHER

At any temperature, 20 degrees below zero or 90 degrees above, weather affects road and driving conditions and can pose serious problems. It is important to listen to forecasts on radio, TV, cable weather and local forecasts wherever you may travel.

YOUR CAR

Prepare your car for winter yourself or have the service station help you:

• Check the ignition, brakes, wiring, hoses and fan belts
• Change and adjust the spark plugs
• Checking the air, fuel and emission filters, and the PCV valve
• Inspect the distributor
• Check the battery
• Check the tires for air, sidewall wear and tread depth
• Check all fluids, antifreeze level and the freeze line
• Fill up the tank

• A properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod-type jack
• A folding shovel
• Air compressor or fix-a-flat
• Heavy gloves
• Basic tool wrap
• Jumper cables
• Tow and tire chains
• A bag of salt or cat litter

• Working flashlight and extra batteries
• Reflective triangles, flares and brightly-colored cloth
• Compass
• First aid kit with a variety of bandages
• Exterior windshield cleaner
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Small candles
• Wooden stick matches in a waterproof container
• Scissors and string/cord
• Non-perishable, high energy foods like unsalted canned nuts, dried fruits, and hard candy
• When driving long distances in winter conditions carry supplies to keep you warm such as heavy woolen mittens, socks, a cap, and blankets

• Do not leave your car unless you know exactly where you are, how far it is to possible help, and are certain you will improve your situation
• To attract attention, light two flares and place one at each end of the car a safe distance away. Hang a brightly colored cloth from your antenna
• If you are sure the car's exhaust pipe is not blocked, run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour or so depending upon the amount of gas in the tank
• To protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia use the woolen items and blankets to keep warm
• Keep at least one window open slightly, heavy snow and ice can seal a car shut
• Eat a hard candy to keep your mouth moist

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Adults and children should be safety conscious when celebrating Halloween this season. Preprare ahead with these useful Halloween Safety Tips:

MOTORISTS

PARENTS

COSTUME DESIGN

FACE DESIGN

ACCESSORIES

TREATS

 

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Safety Tips for Jump-Starting a Dead or Weak Auto Battery

When an auto battery fails a jump-start is often the fix to getting back on the road. Jump-starting is dangerous and must be done properly to avoid injury or damage to the vehicles. Follow the Jump-Starting Safety Tips below to when a jump-start beomces necessary:

• Position another vehicle with a healthy battery and your car so they do not touch each other. Be sure both batteries are of the same voltage.
• Read the owners' manuals for both vehicles for any special directions.
• Turn off the ignitions of both vehicles and set the parking brakes. Place automatic transmissions in "Park" and standard transmissions in neutral.
• Wear safety glasses and gloves while using cables.
• Clamp/connect one end of the positive (+) booster cable to the positive (+) post of the dead battery.
• Connect the other end of the same cable to the same marked post (+) of the booster battery.
• Connect the second, negative (-) booster cable to the other post of the booster battery.
• Make the final negative (-) booster cable connection on the engine block of the stalled vehicle away from the battery.
• Start the booster vehicle and let it run for a few minutes. Then, start the disabled vehicle.
• Remove the cables in the reverse order of connection, being very careful not to let the booster cable clamps touch each other or come in contact with car parts. Also, avoid the fans of the engine. Electric fanes may run without the engine being on.

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Making the effort to do a simple pre-trip inspection can save time, aggravation and possibly lives. Use this checklist to reduce the risk of placing yourself in situations that are not safe and can ruin your trip: 

• Check tire pressure (including the spare). Inspect for uneven tread wear and follow your owner’s manual for proper tire pressures and rotation frequency. Take your car to an ASE-certified technician to have tires rotated and balanced.
• Test brake lights, headlights and turn signals to make sure they work properly. Change weak or dead bulbs.
• Replace worn wiper blades.
• Check fluid levels under the hood, including battery fluid, brake fluid, coolant, oil, transmission fluid and windshield wiper fluid.
• Check belts and hoses for any visible cracks or bulges. Replace belts and hoses over 4 years old.
• When in doubt, take your car to a certified technician; most shops can get you trip ready in no time with litte expense. If there are issues with your vehilce it is best to address them pre-trip.

• Survival blankets and warm clothing
  Working compass
• Exterior windshield cleaner and coolant (antifreeze)
• Complete first aid kit
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Non-perishable food bars (most have a 5 year shelf life)
• Reflective triangles and brightly-colored cloth
• Basic tool kit w/utility knife
• Water packets with extended shelf life
• Working flashlight and extra batteries
• Jumper cables
• Folding shovel
• Air compressor or can of fix-a-flat
• Work gloves
• Emergency whisle

Summer Water Safety

In 2009, unintentional drowning claimed the lives of over 3,000 people in the United States. More than an additional 500 people died from drowning and other boating related accidents. More than 25 percent of drowning victims are children under the age of 14. For every drowning fatality there are five other non fatal incidents that require emergency medical care for submersion injuries. Males are 3.4 times more likely to die from unintentional drowning in the United States. Drowning rates have declined slightly but fatal drowning remains the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death amongst children under 14 years old.

Summer Water Safety Tips

• Never leave a child alone near water: on the beach, at a pool, or in the bathtub. If you must leave, take your child with you.
• Kids don’t drown only in pools. Bathtubs, buckets, toilets, and hot tubs present drowning dangers as well.
• Provide professional swimming lessons for your children but remember even experienced swimmers can drown.
• Always follow posted safety precautions when visiting areas with water.
• If you’re visiting a public pool, keep an eye on your kids. Lifeguards aren’t babysitters.
• Teach your children basic swimming rules: swim with a buddy, only dive in deep end and to be mindful of others safety.
• Never consume alcohol when supervising swimmers or operating a boat.
• Don’t underestimate the power of water even rivers and lakes can have undertows.
• Be prepared for an emergency, keep basic lifesaving equipment by the pool and know how to use them.
• Childproof pool areas; keep toys away when not in use and always check toys for safety.
• Pool covers should always be completely removed from pool area prior to pool use.
• Keep a cell phone or cordless phone by the pool.
• Always have a first-aid kit and emergency phone contacts handy. Parents and older siblings should be trained in CPR.

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Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month May 2010

Tough on the outside, soft and squishy on the inside; as tough as some bikers may be, we are all susceptible to potential accidents and injuries. Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is a national initiative aimed at getting motorists and other road users and motorcyclists to “share the road” with each other.

Nearly 50 percent of all motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with other types of motor vehicles in transport. In two-vehicle crashes, 77 percent of the motorcycles involved were struck in the front. Only 7 percent were struck in the rear.

Over 90 percent of all fatal two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle occurred on non-interstate roadways. Approximately 50 percent of all fatal two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle were intersection crashes.

Share the Road Safety Tips:

• Road users are reminded to never drive, bike or walk while distracted. Doing so can result in tragic consequences for motorcyclists.
• A motorcycle has the same rights and privileges as any other vehicle on the roadway.
• Allow the motorcyclist a full lane width. Although it may seem there is enough room in the traffic lane for an automobile and a motorcycle, remember the motorcycle needs the room to maneuver safely. Do not share the lane.
• Motorcycles are small and may be difficult to see. A motorcycle has a much smaller profile than a vehicle, which can make it more difficult to judge the speed and distance of an approaching motorcycle.
• Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic. This allows the motorcyclist to anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position.
• Remember that a motorcyclist can be hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot or missed in a quick look due to its smaller size. Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.
• Don’t be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a motorcycle – motorcycle signals may not be self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed.
• Remember that road conditions that are minor annoyances to motorists can pose major hazards to motorcyclists. Motorcycle riders may change speed or adjust position within a lane suddenly in reaction to road and traffic conditions such as potholes, gravel, wet or slippery surfaces, pavement seams, railroad crossings, and grooved pavement.
• Allow more following distance — three or four seconds — following a motorcycle so the motorcycle rider has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.

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School Bus Emergency Preparedness Tips
School bus transportation presents unique challenges when planning for safety and emergency preparedness. In some cases entire schools or whole communities need to be relocated. Whether filled with students or evacuees from a disaster, school districts should provide training to school bus drivers so that they are properly prepared to respond to any critical event! School buses should be outfitted with proper emergency response supplies and Minimum National Standard

• All school bus fleet administrators should establish procedures in their respective fleets for handling emergencies such as collisions, riots, strikes, sabotage, natural phenomena, and clinical contamination of a school or the need to evacuate a school or community building for any reason.
• Cooperation and coordination of emergency response efforts among local agencies (police, fire, civil defense) and other community resources should be established.
• School districts should identify which disasters are most likely to occur in their communities and plan ahead to appropriately respond.
• Phone trees with the appropriate lines of cooperating authority and current contact info should be established and shared among the respective agencies.
• Procedures should be defined for the event that land telephone lines are inoperable.
• Reasonable and accurate estimates should be made of available personnel resources and equipment and the time required responding to a variety of critical events.
• Procedures should be established to provide for the transportation needs of mentally and physically challenged in emergency situations.
• Communication and training of emergency preparedness and safety procedures and policies is critical. Everyone involved must buy in to the need to be prepared.
• Review policies regularly! Community wide weekend emergency response practice drills are a great way to get everyone involved.

Workplace Vehicle Safety Tips
Workplace vehicle crashes cost employers $60 billion annually in medical care, legal expenses, property damage and lost productivity. They also drive up the cost of workers' compensation, Social Security, and private health and disability insurance. The average crash costs an employer $16,500. When an on-the-job crash results in an injury, the cost to their employer is approximately $74,000. Fatality costs can exceed $500,000.

Workplace Vehicle Safety Tips:

• Senior management must make safety polices and practices a priority.
• Employees should be involved in developing procedures.
• Develop clear, comprehensive and enforceable safety policies.
• Safety policies and procedures must be communicated regularly.
• Establish contracts with all employees who drive for work purposes.
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) checks must be completed for new employees and reviewed regularly.
• Establish and enforce crash reporting and investigation procedures.
• Develop maintenance and inspection shedules for all company vehicles
• Keep maintenance recoreds and records of all incident reports.
• Create policy for course of action in the event of a moving violation or “preventable” crash.
• Institute a driver reward/incentive program to make safe driving an integral part of your business culture. Safe driving behaviors contribute directly to the bottom line and should be recognized as such.

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Defensive Driving Safety Tips
There are close to 50,000 fatalities in motor vehicle crashes each year and over 2.4 million more suffer disabling injuries. Every driver remains at risk no matter how careful you are or how skilled a driver you think you are. Good defensive driving starts with following the rules of the road and adding a keen awareness of other drivers and vehicles. Below are useful defensive driving safety tips that can help reduce your risks on the road.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING SAFETY TIPS

• Safety belts save thousands of lives each year. Don't start the engine until every passenger is secure. Lock all doors.
• Maintain proper speed; driving too fast or too slow can cause collisions.
• Don't drink and drive! If you plan to drink, designate a driver who won't drink.
• Don't be a distracted driver! No cell phones, no reading or responding to e-mails or text messages, no adjusting GPS's or accessing the internet.
• Be alert! Always be assessing the vehicles within your site. Notice unusual driving behaviors.
• Avoid potential crashes or impaired drivers by turning right at the nearest corner or exiting at the nearest exit. If it appears that an oncoming car is crossing into your lane, pull over to the roadside, sound the horn and flash your lights.
• Notify authorities ASAP after seeing a motorist who is driving suspiciously.
• Follow the rules of the road. Don't contest the "right of way" of another car during merges. Be respectful of other motorists.
• Don't follow too closely. Use a "three-second plus following distance."
• While driving, be cautious, aware and responsible.

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