Archive for December, 2007
Are Cell Phones and iPods Perils for Pedestrians?
Are Cell Phones and iPods Perils for Pedestrians?
By: Valerie Nay
You see it everywhere and many of us do it ourselves. Whether trying to squeeze the most out of our busy day or out of simple boredom, we talk on the phone or listen to music, news or audio books while we?re walking. The business person trying to get a little work in while going to pick up lunch, the mom or dad having a tense conversation with one of the kids or the teenager listening to her iPod on her way home from school ? it?s a normal part of everyday life now.
Most of the controversy around cell phones has been related to driving a car while talking or dialing but they pose a risk to pedestrians, too. Just the other day, I saw a pedestrian almost get hit by a car while walking through the parking lot of the local supermarket ? not once, but twice! The first driver saw her at the last minute and thanks to another driver who honked his horn, the driver of the second car stopped moving, too. If you can’t already guess, she was talking on her cell phone and was engrossed in her conversation. She kept right on talking - still oblivious, as she walked into the market.
All handheld devices — cell phones, iPods, Walkmans, and portable CD players — can pose a safety risk to pedestrians. One of the biggest risks they present is the fact that they are huge distractions for the pedestrian. Often the pedestrian is so engaged in his or her phone conversation, text message or their music that they fail to see what is going on around them. The pedestrian is often focused on other things besides the street or the parking lot.
Another key factor is that cell phones and music players can block the user’s hearing so the listener can?t hear what?s going on around them. A critical safety sense is stripped away and it could easily cost someone their life.
Here are some quick reminders to make your walking trips a bit safer.
* Pay attention to what is going on around you! Minimize or remove all distractions that prevent you from staying alert and aware.
* Make yourself as visible as possible and never enter traffic from between parked cars.
* Turn down the volume on your phone, iPod, or other device so you can also hear what?s going on around you.
* Be especially careful in parking lots. Look for back up lights and engine noise to alert you to moving cars.
* Be aware of drivers who may not be paying attention themselves.
* Always be extra cautious at night.
And of course, the gold standards:
* Cross the street in crosswalks only!
* Cross at a corner if there is no crosswalk.
* Look both ways before crossing the street.
* Make sure you are carrying up-to-date emergency contact information as well as identification whenever you leave the house.
Are Cell Phones and iPods Perils for Pedestrians?
Are Cell Phones and iPods Perils for Pedestrians?By: Valerie Nay
You see it everywhere and many of us do it ourselves. Whether trying to squeeze the ...
Are Cell Phones and iPods Perils for Pedestrians?
Are Cell Phones and iPods Perils for Pedestrians?By: Valerie Nay
You see it everywhere and many of us do it ourselves. Whether trying to squeeze the ...
Are Cell Phones and iPods Perils for Pedestrians?
Are Cell Phones and iPods Perils for Pedestrians?By: Valerie Nay
You see it everywhere and many of us do it ourselves. Whether trying to squeeze the ...
Pedestrians and Dangers from Hybrid Vehicles
Pedestrians and Dangers from Hybrid VehiclesBy: Valerie Nay
The other day, I put a scare into both myself and a driver when I almost stepped out in fr...
Pedestrians and Dangers from Hybrid Vehicles
Pedestrians and Dangers from Hybrid VehiclesBy: Valerie Nay
The other day, I put a scare into both myself and a driver when I almost stepped out in fr...
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/family/article_2680.shtml
Are You Prepared?
Are You Prepared?
By Dell Facer
That is the question. Now is the time to get Yourself and your Family Prepared for a Emergency,
Such As: A power outage (short or Long term). Water supply disruption. Extreme weather. Fire. Flood and earth quake. Terrorist attack. And many other things which can cause disruption in services of life.
Wouldn t it be nice to not have that burden of trying to find: Food, Water, first aid,and warmth for your family in a desperate time of need?
Get a Kit:
Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:
* Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
* Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
* Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
* Flashlight and extra batteries
* First Aid Kit
* Whistle to signal for help
* Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
* Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
* Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
* Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
* Local maps
Make a Plan
Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another how you will get back together and what you will do in different situations.
Family Emergency Plan
It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has coins or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.
You may have trouble getting through, or the telephone system may be down altogether, but be patient.
Be Informed
Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as making an emergency supply kit and developing a family communications plan, are the same for both a natural or man-made emergency.
However, there are important differences among potential emergencies that will impact the decisions you make and the actions you take. Learn more about the potential emergencies that could happen where you live and the appropriate way to respond to them.
In addition, learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government.
Emergency preparedness is no longer the sole concern of earthquake prone Californians and those who live in the part of the country known as “Tornado Alley.” For Americans, preparedness must now account for man-made disasters as well as natural ones. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.
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Dell Facer is a Respected Emergency preparedness expert, He is Dedicated to making America more self reliant. He says “There are no Problems only Solutions”
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dell_Facer
http://EzineArticles.com/?Are-You-Prepared?&id=837199