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Back to School Safety

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Picture Source: http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/back-to-school-safety-tips-for-drivers.aspx
Picture Source: http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/back-to-school-safety-tips-for-drivers.aspx

With #backtoschool in full swing, many of us have noticed the inevitable; more cars and more congestion.  Back to school means sharing the roads and slowing down. There are school buses picking up kids from multiple stops, kids on bikes are rushing to get to school on time, and parents are trying to drop their kids off before work.

If you are someone who is dropping off your kids to school, make sure that the area is clear before letting them get out of the car. More children are hit by cars/buses near schools than at any other location, according to the National Safe Routes to School program. Before dropping off your kids be sure you are not double parked. This blocks visibility for other vehicles passing by. Do not drop off your kids across the street from their school, even though it may be more convenient for you. Carpooling is also a great way to reduce the number of vehicles around the school, which decreases the chances of a child getting hit.  Don’t block crosswalks- especially when you are stopped at a red light. Be sure to give the pedestrians the right away, whether they are walking or riding a bike. When you are in school zone and flashers are blinking, be sure to come to a complete stop and watch for children. Lastly, do your best to watch out for your children in school zones, playgrounds and residential areas, as well as the other children around them.

During school hours, there will be more and more school buses on the roads. If you are ever driving behind a school bus, you should always allow a greater following distance than you would driving behind a car. This then allows you to have more time to stop once the bus puts on it’s yellow flashing lights. Never pass a school bus if you are stopped behind them while they are picking up children. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. Passing a school bus from either direction on an undivided road, can potentially put children who are loading or unloading in danger if they are unaware that you are coming.

We are all responsible – as pedestrians and drivers, to make #backtoschool a safe return!

 

Back to School Means Carpooling!

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Picture Source: http://kavodelementary.org/carpools/
Picture Source: http://kavodelementary.org/carpools/

Now that children have returned to school in our area, there will be many vehicles on the roads. Beside school buses, there will be plenty of parents rushing to get their children not only to school, but to their after school activities too! This year, why not set up a carpool!

Setting up a weekly carpool for your children can help you save money, protect the environment, and provide some much-needed help to a fellow busy parent. Creating a schedule for your weekly carpool allows flexibility for the families involved all while saving time and money.  How?  It’s simple.

Carpooling kids to school, activities, games, and practices will decrease the amount of cars on the road and around the community. More carpooling equals less cars on the road which in turn means less carbon and other gasses and pollution getting into the air. This protects the environment by keeping the air, water, and land cleaner. Air pollution caused by auto emissions can significantly increase the likelihood of health issues and stress. By carpooling it becomes far less stressful than simply commuting on your own.

Ultimately carpooling is a great way to interact with friends. Children have the chance to spend more time with their friends in a non-scheduled way. They will enjoy their company, laughter, and presence. And most importantly, it gives parents the fuel (pun totally intended) to keep up with their children’s busy schedule.

So make this the year that you carpool!  We promise it will make life much easier.

Vehicle Theft Prevention

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Picture source: http://www.autofreaks.com/news/the-importance-of-car-insurance-to-consumers/
Picture source: http://www.autofreaks.com/news/the-importance-of-car-insurance-to-consumers/

For many people, a car is more than just a motor vehicle. Cars can be personal extensions to our everyday lives. They can reflect the type of person we are.

Right now somewhere in the U.S. a car has just been stolen. In fact, according to the FBI, in the U.S. a motor vehicle is stolen every 45 seconds https://impotenciastop.pt/.

Crazy, right?

Would you be prepared if it happened to you? The best way to prevent motor vehicle theft is to prevent the theft in the first place. Luckily, here are a few preventive measures you can take to keep you car safe.

Never leave your car running or the doors/windows unlocked. Especially while your vehicle is unattended – this is very important. If your car is off but your doors are unlocked, a theft can easily make their way into your car and take whatever they want.

You should never leave keys in your car where they are visible to others passing by. You should ALWAYS take them with you when you park or leave your car.

Lastly, never leave valuables in your car. Not in plain sight where they will become easy targets for a theft. Cell phones, GPS’s, laptops and money are possible items that a theft can be looking for. If these items are easily spotted, then they can easily be taken.

Research shows that 40-50 percent of vehicle thefts are due to an error made by the driver. Many errors are silly mistakes that can be fixed. By acting today and following these preventive measures can help save you and your car from motor vehicle theft.

Think before you Drive!

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Picture Source: http://baristanet.com/2014/12/drive-sober-get-pulled-campaign-crackdown-begins-today/

Summertime is a time where many people gather to enjoy their free time with friends and family. These can also be some of the most deadly times on the roads due to impaired driving. One of the deadliest and most often committed crimes is #drunkdriving. It is a serious safety epidemic in our country and across the world.

During the summer a nationwide campaign composed of thousands of traffic safety partner all join together to protect the public. The 2016 national drunk driving enforcement “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” goes into effect from August 17 to September 5, 2016. Prevention and arrest are the goals of this campaign. Drivers must perceive that the risk of being caught is too high before their behavior will change.

If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement right away. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost them their life. By increasing law enforcement efforts, raising the publics awareness, and maximizing your local resources, can make a huge difference to save more lives on roadways.

Here are 5 tips to remember for the next time you gather with friends and family and before you go out on the road:
  1. Be responsible. If you know that someone is drinking, do not let that person get into a car and drive away.
  2. Have a designated driver. A good way to figure this out is to decide who’s going to be doing the driving before you go out. Also make sure that person doesn’t drink any alcoholic beverages.
  3. Call a taxi or Uber as a back up. Sometimes you cannot rely on all designated drivers.
  4. Take keys. You shouldn’t be afraid to take someone’s car keys if you know that they have been drinking and that you are going to save their life.
  5. If you know that you have had too much to drink, stay put and sober up.

Make the Most of Family Fun Month!

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Now that it’s August, summer may feel like it’s over. Back to school shopping has already begun and vacations are coming to an end. However, that doesn’t mean that the summer fun has to stop!

August is National Family Fun Month, which means that it’s a great opportunity to seize the remainder of summer by spending time with family. If you are about family togetherness, here are some cool activities to help you and your family finish out the summer.

IMG_2188Day trips are a great way to spend time with the family. If you checked the weather forecast and it’s going to be hot/sunny, then plan a trip to the beach. Enjoy the fresh air and the cool water. If the water isn’t your families thing, then a trip to the zoo is something that is both lively and educational. A competitive game of miniature golf can be fun or even a trip to an amusement park can make for much laughter and fun.  But before you take any of these trips, make sure to download the #njtrafficapp. This FREE app allows you to see the road conditions across NJ and helps you plan accordingly.

Jump on your bicycles and take a family bike ride.  Make sure everyone is wearing properly fitted helmets and all bikes are in good riding condition.  Bring plenty of water and sunscreen and discover new ways to appreciate your neighborhood.  If you are more adventurous, visit NJ Family Biking for a complete list of trails to ride.

Have Pokemon fans in your house?  Lace up your sneakers and take a walk with the family.  Most public places provide ample Pokemon balls and critters are everywhere to be found.  Just be sure to review pedestrian safety tips before you head out.

And when the day is coming to close, consider having a family movie night.  Pick out your favorite family movie, get the popcorn ready and relax with the kids!

Spending time with family is a great way to make memories that will last with you for the rest of your life. Make sure to take part in August Family Fun Month. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you are safe and are having fun with your family!

Bike Safety Tips for Kids

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Bike riding can be a lot of fun, especially for kids. It’s a way for them to get out of the house and enjoy themselves in the fresh air. However, bike accidents do occur. They can happen pretty often if the child is not paying attention to their surroundings. Every year, about 300,000 kids go to the emergency room because of bike injuries. A majority of the time it’s because they weren’t looking where they were going.

Picture Sources: http://www.capjournal.com/people/health/riding-for-fun-riding-for-health/article_c11adcaa-690b-5b42-8e26-9fc324360473.html?mode=image&photo=0
Picture Source: http://www.capjournal.com/people/health/riding-for-fun-riding-for-health/article_c11adcaa-690b-5b42-8e26-9fc324360473.html?mode=image&photo=0

In order to fix this problem and for your child to stay safe while riding, here are some bike safety tips for them to follow:

Always wear a helmet. They may not seem like the coolest and most popular item out there, but they can save your life. A bike helmet can be annoying if not fitted properly. Make sure you size the helmet to fit your head. You do not want it too big or too small. Along with the helmet, always wear sneakers. Open toed shoes and sandals can fall off your feet or get stuck in the bike pedal while riding.

If it’s a hot day outside make sure to bring a bottle of water, sunglasses, and use sunscreen. It’s very important to stay hydrated when doing a physical activity- like bike riding. If the sun seems to be out then you should apply some sunscreen to areas of your body where the sun will be hitting them. It’s not worth getting really bad sunburn, even if you are going for a short ride.

Lastly, do not use your phone while riding your bike. Text messages , emails, calls, and the new game “Pokémon GO” can all wait.  Although it seems like fun to use the app while riding, it is a huge distraction. Not looking where you are going can cause an accident and even lead to injuries. Always make sure you come to a complete stop when playing or checking your phone. That way you are aware of your surroundings and are able to get to your destination safely.

Are you an Aggressive Driver?

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Photo from Pintrest
Picture source: https://www.pinterest.com/faces4/aggressive-driving/

Are you an aggressive driver? Most people know it when they see it. According to law enforcement, aggressive driving is “a behind-the-wheel behavior that places others in danger through willful actions without regard to safety.”

Aggressive driving has become a very serious problem on our roadways. It has become a significant contributor to traffic fatalities. Many individuals drive aggressively every now and then.  They put themselves and others in potential danger, completely unaware that they are doing it.

Increasingly crowded roads can lead to the feeling of frustration- which can be responsible for cases of aggressive driving. Such as tailgating, failing to observe signs/regulations and even seeking confrontation with other drivers on the road. By taking part in these actions, many individuals have suffered from different injuries, some including life threatening.

Even though it is bad for individuals on the road, it is also bad for the environment. Research done at the Flemish Institute for Technological Research, has shown that individuals that suffer from road rage, especially during heavy traffic conditions can use up to 40 percent more fuel. Constantly slamming on the brake or the gas pedals more than you should produces additional greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the heat in the atmosphere.  These emissions are then responsible for the greenhouse effect, which ultimately leads to global warming.

Understanding the reasons of aggressive driving and how to stop it, can help boost traffic safety, as well as the safety of the environment.

  1. You should always show courtesy to other drivers.
  2. If you are on the road and are near an aggressive driver, avoid eye contact and allow them to pass and keep your distance.
  3. Lastly, if you are feeling aggressive behind the wheel, pull over and take a minute or two to breathe.

We all want to arrive home to our families.

Pokemon GO ~ Safety Tips!

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Have you recently noticed gaggles of people walking in groups with their attention focused on the phones in their hand? They seem to be looking for something, find it, and then continue on their way – all without once looking up from their phones? Well, we have answers for you. It’s called Pokemon GO and although it’s fun to play, it’s a pedestrian safety hazard!

Pokemon GO is an interactive game where users capture Pokemon characters in real-time and actual locations.  If you are like me (40+ years old) this makes absolutely no sense, right?  But bear with me.  The game encourages users to walk around their neighborhoods.  With eyes glued to their handheld device, the screen converts to a camera screen and just feet ahead of them lies a Pokemon character waiting for capture.  The farther and longer they walk, the more characters they can capture.  And the more characters they capture, the more points and levels they earn.

So what’s the harm in this game?  People of all ages are walking more and spending more time in their community. Seems like a terrific idea, right?   After walking close to 12,000K steps following my children around our neighborhood this weekend, the safety issues are plentiful.

Sure ,it was wonderful that my children wanted to walk around town with me, but by the end of our adventure, I was ready to put them on leashes.   They were walking into other pedestrians (some of whom were also playing this game), walking too closely to curbs and nicely manicured bushes and plants, and even walking into crosswalks!  I spent the better part of the walk yelling commands.    It was an “eye” opening experience (pun totally intended)!

As a parent and a from a safety standpoint, I share with you these 3 tips to make your Pokemon GO experience safe.

  1. Although the app suggests its users be 10 years old,  if your children are under the age of 15, I recommend the app be downloaded to YOUR phone. That way, you can join them on their adventure.
  2. Designate one person to hold the phone and the others to navigate the path so as to avoid walking into others, crossing streets without looking, and tripping over uneven sidewalks.
  3. Since the app’s release, some users have been lured to secluded places and robbed. Be sure to review the safety features on your profile.  Many features can make the user vulnerable to others finding them since the app is also multiplayer.

The game was just released on July 6, 2016.  Be prepared to see, hear, and learn more about Pokemon GO.  Most importantly, play the game safely and never play the game alone.

photo credit: 9to5mac.com

 

 

 

Showing Courtesy

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Everyone knows the situation; seated at a table having lunch with one party who is constantly checking their cell phone.cell-phone

Frustrating and Rude!

Most people believe that they have good mobile manners. However, this isn’t always the case. Responding to texts, emails, and taking calls seem to be take precedent over live interaction. People become irritated by the use of cell phones in public places.

While we can’t change everyone’s bad habits, let’s bring some attention to it.  July is Cell Phone Courtesy Month and let’s start with ourselves. We can accomplish this by following a few tips for cell phone etiquette.

When you are engaged face-to-face with others, during a meeting or conversation, don’t check your cell phone for texts or emails. You should give them your complete and undivided attention. Concentrate on the person(s) you are having the conversation with.

Be sure to set your cell phone volume to silent or vibrate when in a meeting, courtroom, theater, place of worship and especially while driving. There is no message or call that is so important to check during this time.

Do yourself a favor and don’t embarrass yourself in public. If you know that you have an important call to make, that may become emotional or intense, save it for another time. You want to make sure you are in a private place, not in public where everyone can hear you.

Finally, don’t yell. It’s very easy to start yelling while on your cell phone. Always be mindful of your personal volume control.

If you follow these simple tips for the month of July, everyone will appreciate your mobile manners!

Chocolate Pick-Me-Up

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Picture source: listovative.com
Picture source: listovative.com

Many of us have been there; having an extremely productive day at the office that we often lose track of time.  As we hurriedly grab a bite to eat, we get back to our tasks at hand. That is – until the afternoon slumber sets in.

Your attitude completely changes and you have little to no motivation left to get through the day.

If your’re someone who’s constantly fighting the urge to nap after lunch, then have I the perfect pick-me-up snack.

Chocolate!

If you are looking to gain some energy back to get you through the rest of your day, a chocolate bar will do the trick. Besides chocolate being comfort food, chocolate is also proven to boost energy levels and memory skills. Just what you need to finish up your work day.

Today (July 7) we celebrate Chocolate Day. One of the most delightful unofficial holidays celebrated by chocolate lovers all over the world. A day where we indulge in the mouth-watering taste of all things chocolate related.

So step away from your computer and grab some chocolate to celebrate.  Not only show your appreciation for this midday snack, but importantly get through your work day!