Earth Day - Recycling

Happy Earth Day!

Did you know that since 1985, the percentage of waste recycled in the U.S. has doubled!

And the trend is likely to continue. People are becoming more and more aware of the environment and different ways to give back to the Earth. While recycling is good for the environment, it can be potentially dangerous for workers. Certain materials that are recycled contain materials that pose hazards to workers. These materials include things such as scrap metal, electronics, batteries, and used oil and other chemicals.

One of the most dangerous components of recycling is actually the collection process. So many workers tragically lose their lives from being backed over by trucks or struck by oncoming vehicles. In 2008, the fatality rate for the waste management and remediation services industry was over 5 times the fatality rate for all industries! To avoid these accidents, you should follow these vehicle safety tips:

• Wear seatbelts that meet OSHA standards
• Always conduct a vehicle inspections to ensure all parts are fully functioning
• Never drive a vehicle in reverse with an obstructed view
• Only drive vehicles on safe roadways
• Make sure you and all other personnel are in safe positions before dumping or lifting
• Always set parking brakes
• Never exceed a vehicle's rated load or lift capacity
• Do Not carry personnel unless there's a safe place to ride

 

Even if you are not in the recycling industry, you can still do your part to recycle! Use the bins designated for recycling. If you're office or workplace doesn't have such bins, ask your supervisor about getting some. Know the difference between what you can and can't recycle, this will make everyone's job easier. Whether you work for a big company or a local business, Waste Management can create a custom waste pickup program that meets your needs. So there's no excuse to not take part in this easy system. Remember that recycling helps conserve resources and energy, preserves valuable landfill space and supports a healthy environment. Do your part this Earth Day and start recycling!

Source: United States Department Of Labor

Child Drowing Prevention

The state of Florida has an alarming amount of child fatalities due to drowning. So many in fact, that Florida has the highest unintentional drowning rate in the nation. According to the National Injury Data, the rate of children drowning from ages 1-4, is 7.29 per 100,000 population. This is more than twice the amount of Oklahoma; the runner-up on the list.

These tragedies must be prevented. A child's life must not be cut short due to the carelessness of caregivers. There are many steps to prevent this from happening. It all starts with being aware. Always have a "water watcher" or an adult supervising children swimming. Parents and caregivers should learn CPR, and always have a phone nearby incase of an emergency situation.

Teach children how to swim at an early age, so it becomes nearly instinctual. Make water safety rules. For example, not allowing children to be at the pool alone, not allowing them into the deep end, and staying away from drains, pipes, etc. If the pool is inflatable, drain it immediately after use, just to be sure. If the pool is below ground, put up a minimum of a four foot fence surrounding the pool, with self-latching and self-locking doors. Keep floatation devices near the pool at all times, as well as long reaching device.

It is important to be able to recognize the signs of drowning. Here are some warning signs:

• Head tilted back with mouth open
• Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
• Not using legs - vertical
• Appear to be climbing invisible ladder
• Hair over forehead or eyes

Drowning happens swiftly and silently. It is imperative to have many layers of prevention, and then some. This issue has become very relevant, very fast. There are plenty of precautions that can be taken to reduce the amount of child drowning fatalities. There is nothing worse than the loss of an innocent child. Be aware, and stay safe.

Sources: www.floridaealth.gov, www.healthychildren.org, www.drowningpreventionfoundation.com/water-safety-tips/

Move Over, It's The Law

                                Move Over, It's The Law

There is a new campaign underway called "Move Over, It's The Law." This whole week law officials are cracking down on drivers who don’t move over or slow down for emergency vehicles that have their flashing lights on. The Orange County Sheriffs Office is one of the agencies involved in this campaign. Here are some of the rules outlined by the campaign:

• On a two-lane roadway, you are required to slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit.
• If the speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less, you must slow down to five miles per hour.
• If you are driving on an interstate or roadway with multiple lanes of travel in the same direction, and you approach an emergency, law enforcement, sanitation, or utility service vehicles parked along the roadway, you must vacate the lane closest to that vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If you are not able to safely move over, you must slow down to a speed of 20 MPH below the posted speed limit unless directed otherwise by a law enforcement officer.

 Violating the Move Over Law puts both yourself and a public safety professional at risk of getting injured. Not following these simple rules can result in a fine and points on your license. Is it really worth it? So what if you are unable to safely switch lanes? You still must slow down to a speed of at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit. People often wonder "If I cannot change lanes safely should I stop my vehicle in the roadway?" The answer is no. This would just block the flow of traffic and definitely cause an accident. It's better to just slow down while still maintaining a safe speed. The most important thing to remember is to just stay alert! Always keep your eyes on the road and be aware of your surroundings.

"Move Over, It's The Law" is being strongly enforced this week, but it's a law that applies to drivers all the time. Remember to always follow the rules outlined above, and you'll be making the road a safer place for everyone.

Source: Channel 13 News

Getting Stricter On Texting While Driving

                                            Texting & Driving Ban

So I'm sure everyone knows by now, texting and driving is not very safe. In fact, it's the leading cause of car accidents among teenagers and young adults. But do you know what we're doing to combat it? As of right now, there is a texting and driving ban in place. The way it works is that drivers can only be charged with texting while driving if they are pulled over for another reason first. For example, you can pulled over for speeding and then given a ticket for texting as well. Law enforcement cannot pull someone over just because they see them texting and driving. This ban has been in affect since October of 2013, and has resulted in very few citations. It's not a real law, so it's not taken seriously by most people.

Lawmakers in Brevard County are looking to add some more restrictions to the ban. They don't want texting to be considered a secondary offense. State Senator Thad Altman, along with other lawmakers, is proposing that texting while driving should be a primary offense. They see texting while driving as a serious safety risk and think that the punishment for doing it must be more severe. If a cop sees you texting on your phone while driving, he or she should be able to pull you over for that reason solely.

However there are opponents of this view that say instead of making a new law, a better awareness campaign is needed to stop distracted driving. They argue that people care less about laws and more about facts. A good awareness campaign that informs drivers about the real consequences of texting while driving would be more effective than a law. Once you know the statistics and are aware of the dangers of texting, you are way less likely to do it. This is definitely going to be a difficult battle. It took several years for state lawmakers to pass the original texting and driving ban, so who knows how long it'll take to have an actual law passed for it. If you would like to learn more about texting while driving and the bans associated with it click HERE.


Source: http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2015/3/4/lawmakers_propose_st.html

Let's Go To The Beach

                                     Beach Safety Tips


As Spring Break and warmer weather quickly approach, so does the opportunity to go to one of the best destinations in Florida: the beach. Although the beach is super fun, it's important to remember to be safe. There are many opportunities for danger at the beach that we don't think about, normally. Here are a few tips about how to stay safe at the beach!

• Learn To Swim. This sounds silly, but it's the best way to protect yourself in and around water. This applies to both children and adults. Swim lessons are often given at the local YMCA and are proven to be very effective.
• Check Surf Conditions. Check the weather conditions before you enter the water and make sure no warnings are posted. (Red flag = swimming is prohibited. Yellow flag = dangerous conditions.)
• Watch Out For Aquatic Life. Watch out for Jelly Fish, especially Man-O-Wars! These are a type of jellyfish that appears harmless, but is actually extremely poisonous. If you get stung, rinse the infected area immediately with cool water and seek medical attention if needed.
• Never Fake Calls For Help. If you're ever in real danger, you can signal a lifeguard by waving your arms and shouting "help!" Always follow a lifeguards instructions, they are professionally trained in beach and water safety.
• Drink Plenty Of Water. Even if you don't feel that thirsty, still drink a lot. Try to avoid alcohol and caffeine, they just dehydrate your body more.
• Protect Your Skin. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive, and always wear sunblock of at least 15 SPF or higher. The sun is the hottest between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm, so try to avoid too much exposure during that time.
• Protect Your Eyes. Sunglasses with UV protection are a must have at the beach. Your sunglasses should absorb a minimum of 90% of UV rays.
• Protect Your Feet. Not only should you wear some form of shoes to protect your feet from getting burned, but also to protect from glass or sharp shells that might be hiding in the sand.
• Watch For Signs Of Heat Stroke. Heat stroke can be life-threatening. Symptoms include hot, red, dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and shallow, rapid breathing. This one doesn't only apply to the beach, being outside anywhere for a long period of time can cause these symptoms.

 

Source: SouthFloridaVacation.com

DUI Checkpoint Controversy

                           DUI Checkpoint Controversy

Do drunken-driving checkpoints violate drivers' constitutional rights? Well that's what Warren Redlich, a South Florida attorney, thinks. And it turns out that many people agree with him. According to Warren, drivers don't have to speak to police or even roll down their windows. They just have to place their license and registration on the glass, along with a note saying they have no comment, won't permit a search and want a lawyer. Warren and an associate have even made a website dedicated to this idea and made several viral videos that show them refusing to interact with authorities.

Warren states that he is not doing this to protect drunk drivers, but rather to protect the innocent. He claims that he has many clients who passed their breath-alcohol tests but are still facing DUI charges because an officer "smells an odor" coming from the vehicle. Not very surprisingly, law enforcement officers do not approve of this tactic. Speaking and the use of words is necessary for the checkpoints to work properly. Law enforcement officials point out that in 1990 the US Supreme Court upheld the use of random DUI checkpoints, concluding they don't violate constitutional protections against unreasonable search and seizure.

Legal professionals are uncertain whether or not Warren's tactic will hold up in court. This seems to be a topic that has public opinion split into two separate directions. What do you think? Do you have the right to refuse interaction with the police? I'm sure this topic will be intensely debated for a while; you have not heard the last of it.


Source: http://news.yahoo.com/florida-lawyer-sparks-debate-rights-dui-checkpoints-172407203.html

Safety Can Be Stylish

                         Tips On How To Make Safety Stylish

We all know that seat belts can be annoying. Especially when they rub against your shoulder, leaving that horribly uncomfortable red line on your skin. No one likes that. But seat belts are a very necessary part of driving. Seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about half. An easy solution is to purchase a seat belt shoulder pad. That sounds pretty weird, but it can actually be a fashion statement. You could get a cute bow to show off your girly side (like the one above) or many patterns including polka dots and stripes. I'm sure there are some guys rolling their eyes at this right now, but based on a scientific study in 2010 men are 10% less likely to wear seat belts than women. That's why there's also many designs that men would find appealing, such as sports teams.

 Safety doesn't only apply to cars though. Bicycles on the roadway are, by law, vehicles with the same rights, and responsibilities as motorized vehicles. Did you know that two percent of motor vehicle crash deaths are bicyclists with serious injuries to the head. Helmet use has been estimated to reduce head injury risk by 85 percent! Although wearing a helmet may not be the most comfortable feeling in the world, you can still make it stylish. For women, I've personally found Eleanor's  bicycling website to be the best. You can check out some cool helmets by clicking HERE. If you're more into efficiency and not appearance, there are many helmets available in bicycle shops and local super stores that will also do. Bicycling is a fun activity, but always remember the importance of wearing the proper safety gear.



Source: http://www.cdc.gov/Motorvehiclesafety/seatbelts/facts.html

62nd Annual Safety Awards Banquet

On Friday, January 23, 2015, the United Safety Council held its 62nd Annual Awards Banquet at the Rosen Plaza Hotel.

 

 

 

The banquet had a great turn out with many award recipients. It is apparent that the United Safety Council is growing through the use of the internet due to the many award recipients from overseas.

A delicious three course meal was served. Starting with a small appetizer salad with your choice of dressing, chicken and rice served for lunch, and even some chocolate cake for dessert. The theme of this year's banquet was Safety in the Social Media Era. Intern Briana Hauck and I introduced the Selfie Stick to our guests to help present the theme. There was also a selfie station in the back corner of the room lit up like a stage. Pictured below are some shots taken from my cell phone attached to the Selfie Sticks!

 

 

 



 

 

Here is a photo of the Directors at this year's Awards Banquet.

 



 

 



 

What's the Number One Cause of Car Accidents?

     Have you ever been driving down the road when all of a sudden a song you can't stand comes on, so of course you have to change it. You have to keep turning the dial until you find a good station. Then you realize you're hungry, so you reach into your bag and grab a granola bar to munch on. Badink badink, you got a text message. You don't know who it is but it might be important so you have to check. It's your boyfriend so you decide to text him back. Everything that was just described falls under the category of distracted driving. Distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents in America.

     In 2011, 23% of auto collisions involved cell phones; that's 1.3 million crashes. The safest thing you could do is turn your cell phone off when you get in the car. Whatever someone has to say can wait, it's not worth putting yourself in danger. It's becoming a common misconception that texting while driving is normal and can be done safely. A group called Responsible Young Drivers did an experiment that tricked young people into thinking that in order to pass their driving test they must perform a new task: texting and driving. It proved to be incredibly distracting and quite impossible. Click HERE to see their reactions. If you simply cannot turn your cell  phone off, the next best thing to do is use a Bluetooth system that will allow you to speak on the phone through the radio.

 

     While eating and changing the radio stations are both very distracting and extremely dangerous, driver fatigue is actually the next most dangerous way to drive. Last year 37% of adults in the United States admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel. And out of that 37, 13% admitted to doing it at least once a month! When you drive drowsy you're not only putting yourself at risk, but also everyone who is driving around you. Here are some tips to avoid driver fatigue. Get a good nights sleep, don't drive more than 8 to 10 hours in a day, stop for a break every 2 hours, share the driving whenever possible, don't consume any form of alcohol, and don't travel at times you'd normally be sleeping. And if you do feel yourself becoming extremely drowsy, pull over and take a quick 15-minute power nap.

Remember these tips and you can become a safer, more focused driver.

10 Things You Should Always Keep In Your Car

Here are the 10 essential things that you should always keep in your vehicle. You never know, they may just save your life. The best part is whether you have an SUV or a mini cooper, you will be able to shove these things somewhere into your car.

1. First Aid Kit: This one is pretty self explanatory. First aid kits contain the basic items needed to patch up an open cut or wound (band aids, gauzes, etc.). It's always good to keep one in your house as well as your  vehicle.
2. Flashlight: Power outages are very common, especially during storm seasons. Keeping a flashlight in your car will allow you to see in the dark better, which is especially important if it's nighttime and your car happens to break down.
3. Matches: You never know when you'll need to start a fire. A lighter (which is probably more convenient) can be used in place of matches.
4. Energy Bars: These are a good, healthy snack and can provide you with essential vitamins that you will need in case you are unable to reach other sources of food. They're also very delicious.
5. Water Bottles: The longest that a human can survive without water is about 8 to 10 days. So water is a definite necessity.
6. Weather Radio: It's always important to have a radio as a source of information to let you know what's going on outside. Information about storms provided by the weather stations can be vital in your decisions as to whether you should drive or not.
7. Flares or Reflective Triangle: Good to use when pulled over on the side of the road in the dark.
8. Maps: When your cell phone service gets lost, you don't want to get lost too. Keep a paper map in your glove box for navigating when you're not quite sure where you are.
9. Ice Scraper: This one is less relevant to those of us who live in the sunny state of Florida... but better safe than sorry, right?
10. Seat Belt Cutter: This is possibly the most important item on the list. Make sure to keep this in your glove box where you have easy access to it, not the trunk. If you're in an accident and locked into your seat belt, this could save your life. Seat belt cutters give you the perfect amount of sharpness and leverage to slice through the average seat belt. You can buy one fairly cheap on a website such as amazon.com or by clicking on this link. A recent article based out of California told about a mother and 17 month old daughter who were in a car accident. Their car flipped 7 times and landed upside down in a canal. They both drowned because they were unable to remove their seat belts to get out of the vehicle. Don't underestimate the important of these items. They're not "extra junk", they're your safety protection.

Sources: http://lifehacker.com/30-essential-things-you-should-keep-in-your-car-1263514115

Briana Hauck

   Hello everyone, my name is Briana Hauck and I'm a new intern here at the Safety Council. This is only my second day of work but I already feel at home. Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming, how could I not. I'm an advanced first year student at the University of Central Florida. This means that I graduated high school with an Associates Degree. So although it's my first year at UCF I'm already in my major, which is Advertising and Public Relations. I tend to be a bit of an over-achiever so I also decided to have a marketing minor. I spend a lot of time in the library and focus (probably way too much) on school work and constantly improving my grades.

   Although it may sound like it, I'm not a complete nerd. I do have many interesting hobbies. I love to dance, and have been dancing for five years now. I'm currently part of a hip hop dance team at UCF called Rukus. We perform at a lot of UCF events and other sorts of showcases. I feel that this has helped me open up and make some new friends; I tend to be quite shy. A little fun fact about me is that I'm a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. So don't let my girlish appearance fool you, I know how to kick some serious butt. Another hobby of mine is shopping. This may sound silly to some, but I take it very seriously. I have over fifty pairs of shoes, and a closet stuffed to the brim with the latest shopping spree outcomes. And of course I follow all the best fashion bloggers on every social media site you can think of. My goal is to one day work as part of an advertising team for a high fashion clothing company.

   Some of the most important things in my opinion is family and friends. What's the point of being successful if you have no one to share your success with. I'm from a small town called Port Charlotte, which no one here seems to have heard of. It's located just north of Fort Myers, if that helps. It's a place where ninety percent of the population is over ninety years old, but it's home. I have a two little brothers who I love to death, so I visit often to see them. I came to Orlando completely on my own, not knowing anyone or having any friends. It was a big adjustment for me moving to such a big city. But one day on campus I met a very strange boy who asked me out on a date, and he is now my boyfriend. So that's made the journey a little more exciting.

   Although it's only been two days, I can already tell that this internship is going to teach me a lot and help me gain plenty of experience. I look forward to making mistakes, because that's how we learn. I feel like this is a step in the right direction, the direction toward a long lasting career. Thank you for making me a part of the safety council family.