Win a Car Emergency Kit at Safety Kits Plus

 Enter to win a free car emergency kit (including shipping). Simply submit your info to enter. One entry per contestant per month please. A winner is selected each month.

Since the contest started in July 2008 we have given away 16 car emgergency kits to winners from Nova Scotia, Canada to Berkeley, California. At Safety Kits Plus we genuinely believe that every vehicle should have emergency preparedness supplies. The contest is our way of giving people a jump start toward preparedness.  Congratulations to all 2008 winners!

http://www.safetykitsplus.com

Good Luck!

Winter Vehicle Safety and Preparedness

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

BE PREPARED

Plastic tubs work great for storage:

• 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

ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES

Plastic tubs work perfect for storage:

• 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.

IF STRANDED

• 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.

Resources:

National Safety Council – Resources – Fact Sheets [online]

Safety Kits Plus – Car Emergency Kits, Auto Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Kits, First Aid Kits, Vehicle Safety Plus

Drive Responsibly, Don’t Drink and Drive

On average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 45 minutes. In 2008, an estimated 11,773 people died in drunk driving crashes involving a driver with an illegal BAC (.08 or greater). These deaths constitute 31.6 percent of the 37,261 total traffic fatalities in 2008. Alcohol is a factor in 6% of all traffic crashes, and over 40% of all fatal crashes.

• Your best defense against a drunk driver is wearing your safety belt.
• If you are drinking, do not drive. If you plan to drink, designate a non-drinking driver.
• Never ride in a car with someone who has been drinking – call a cab or ask a friend to drive you home.
• Support the strengthening and vigorous enforcement of impaired-driving laws. These laws save lives.
• Young drivers are at particular risk to be involved in alcohol-related crashes. If there is a young driver in your family, strictly enforce a zero tolerance policy with alcohol. All states have a 21-year-old drinking age law.
• Speak out expressing your concern over drunk driving and underage drinking in your community.

References:

National Safety Council – Rescources- Fact Sheets [online]

Safety Kits Plus – Car Emergency Kits, Auto Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Kits, First Aid Kits, Vehicle Safety Plus

Kitchen Safety Tips

Kitchens are heating up everywhere for the Holidays! Culinary distractions are abundant and safety in the kitchen cannot be overlooked. By design, kitchens are dangerous and full of hazards. A few basic kitchen safety tips can help you prevent accidents.

Basic Kitchen Safety Tips

• Keep knives sharp. Do not store sharp knives loose in a drawer
• Keep all cooking surfaces and areas clean
• Do not overload electrical circuits
• Use appliances away from water
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and learn how to use it
• Wash hands correctly and often
• Avoid cross contamination – wash appliances and containers after each use
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Young children must be supervised
• Keep a first aid kit in the kitchen; prepare for cuts and burns

Safety Kits Plus – Car Emergency Kits, Auto Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Kits, First Aid Kits, Vehicle Safety Plus

Safety Tips for Night Driving

Driving at night is more of a challenge than many people think and it’s more dangerous.Traffic death rates are three times greater at night than during the day.

Ninety percent of a driver’s reaction depends on vision, and vision is severely limited at night. Depth perception, color recognition, and peripheral vision are all compromised after sundown.

Another factor adding danger to night driving is fatigue. Drowsiness makes driving more difficult by dulling concentration and slowing reaction time. Help to minimize risks by preparing ahead and making use of the  following tips:

SAFETY TIPS FOR NIGHT DRIVING

• Keep headlights, taillights, signal lights and windows clean.
• Have your headlights properly aimed. Misaimed headlights blind other drivers.
• Don’t drink and drive, alcohol severely impairs your driving ability. 
• Avoid smoking when you drive it may hamper night vision.
• If there is any doubt, turn your headlights on. Being seen is as important as seeing.
• Reduce your speed and increase your following distances. 
• Don’t overdrive your headlights. 
• When following another vehicle, keep your headlights on low beams.
• Make frequent stops for light snacks and exercise. 
• If you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible. Warn approaching traffic at once by setting up reflecting triangles near your vehicle and 300 feet behind it. Turn on flashers and the dome light. Stay off the roadway and get passengers away from the area.

References:

National Safety Council – Resources – Fact Sheet [online]

Safety Kits Plus – Car Emergency Kits, Auto Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Kits, First Aid Kits, Vehicle Safety Plus

Halloween Safety Tips

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

MOTORISTS

Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.

Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.

Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.

At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.

PARENTS

Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12.

Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of older children’s companions.

Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.

Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger’s home.

Establish a return time.

Tell your youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home.

Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.

Pin a slip of paper with the child’s name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.

COSTUME DESIGN

Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath.

Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard. (Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.)

If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of retroreflective tape should be used to make children visible.

FACE DESIGN

Masks can obstruct a child’s vision. Use facial make-up instead.

When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled “Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives,” “Laboratory Tested,” Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics,” or “Non-Toxic.” Follow manufacturer’s instruction for application.

If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.

ACCESSORIES

Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.

Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark.

Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.

TREATS

Give children an early meal before going out.

Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.

Wash fruit and slice into small pieces.

When in doubt, throw it out.

Resources:

National Safety Council – Resources – Fact Sheets [online]

Safety Kits Plus – Car Emergency Kits, Auto Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Kits, First Aid Kits, Vehicle Safety Plus

CPR Basics – The ABC’s – Get Trained

Few people know how to correctly administer CPR in the event of an emergency situation. For most people, witnessing such an event is traumatic  enough let alone jumping in and assisting. Proper First Aid and CPR training provides the necessary skills to react appropriately in an emergency situation.

Fatal emergencies such as attack, drowning, choking or electric shock happen every day. The steps taken in the following seconds can mean the difference between life and death. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the best training to have to try to help someone in an extreme situation when that person has stopped breathing. Learning this basic first-aid technique can help you give a friend, a loved one or a stranger a second chance for life. CPR is administered when someone’s breathing or pulse (or both) stops.

The heart and lungs work together to circulate oxygen throughout your body. If your brain is deprived of oxygen more than four minutes, you are at chance of suffering brain damage. After 10 minutes, your chances of surviving drop to one in 100.

The standard CPR method taught is a three-step process which is as simple as ABC. Knowing these steps is not enough, it is critical to be trained and to practice. Once trained and certified, refresher courses are highly recommended every few years to maintain certification. Courses are offered nationwide by the Red Cross and other local organizations.

CPR BASICS - AS SIMPLE AS ABC

If you find an adult who has collapsed, check responsiveness by gently shaking a shoulder and shouting, “Are you all right?” If the person doesn’t respond, shout for help.If a helper is available, send that person to call 911.If no help is available, make the call yourself.

AIRWAY

• Place victim flat on his/her back on a hard surface.
• Shake victim at the shoulders and shout “are you okay?”
• If no response, call emergency medical system -911 then,
• Head-tilt/chin-lift – open victims’ airway by tilting their head back with one hand while lifting up their chin with your other hand.

BREATHING

• Position your cheek close to victims’ nose and mouth, look toward victims’ chest, and
• Look, listen, and feel for breathing (5-10 seconds)
• If not breathing, pinch victim’s nose closed and give 2 full breaths into victim’s mouth (use microshield).
• If breaths won’t go in, reposition head and try again to give breaths. If still blocked, perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)

CIRCULATION

• Check for carotid pulse by feeling for 5-10 seconds at side of victims’ neck.
• If there is a pulse but victim is not breathing, give Rescue breathing at rate of 1 breath every 5 seconds Or 12 breaths per minute
• If there is no pulse, begin chest compressions as follows:
• Place heel of one hand on lower part of victim’s sternum. With your other hand directly on top of first hand, Depress sternum 1.5 to 2 inches.
• Perform 15 compressions to every 2 breaths. (rate: 80-100 per minute)
• check for return of pulse every minute.

CONTINUE UNINTERRUPTED UNTIL ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE.

NECK INJURY
If you suspect that the victim may have a neck injury (such as might occur in a diving or automobile accident, for example), you must open the airway differently.
Open the airway using a chin-lift without tilting the head. If the airway stays blocked, tilt the head slowly and gently until the airway is open.

Resources:

National Safety Council - Rescources – Fact Sheets [online}

American Red Cross - Preparing and Getting Trained - CPR [online]

Safety Kits Plus – Car Emergency Kits, Auto Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Kits, First Aid Kits, Vehicle Safety Plus

Safe Bicycling Tips

An estimated 73 to 85 million Americans ride bikes ranging from high performance, 18-speed, touring models, to “dirt bikes” equipped with balloon tires—and dozens of variations in between.

Millions of cyclists share the roads with millions of motor vehicles that are larger, heavier and faster. Attitudes fly in both directions which increses risks for everyone. Defensive driving applies to people who pedal with their feet to travel, as well as to those who push on the gas pedal. Approximately 700 bicyclists were killed and 540,000 visited the emergency room with injuries in 2007. Cyclists and drivers alike must be aware and respectful. Taking precautions in traffic and wearing protective equipment are a cyclist’s best shields against injuries.

SAFE BICYCLING TIPS

WEAR A HELMET:
Head injuries cause about two-thirds of all bicycling fatalities. The Council strongly urges all cyclists to wear helmets. The first body part to fly forward in a collision is usually the head, and with nothing but skin and bone to protect the brain from injury, the results can be disastrous.

ALWAYS BE SEEN:
During the day, cyclists should wear bright clothing. Nighttime cycling is not advised, but if riding at night is necessary, retro reflective clothing, designed to bounce back motorists’ headlight beams, will make cyclists more visible.Make sure the bicycle has the right safety equipment: a red rear reflector; a white front reflector; a red or colorless spoke reflector on the rear wheel; an amber or colorless reflector on the front wheel; pedal reflectors; a horn or bell; and a rear view mirror. A bright headlight is recommended for night riding.

SAFETY CHECK:
Make sure the bicycle has the right safety equipment: a red rear reflector; a white front reflector; a red or colorless spoke reflector on the rear wheel; an amber or colorless reflector on the front wheel; pedal reflectors; a horn or bell; and a rear view mirror. A bright headlight is recommended for night riding.

OBEY TRAFFIC RULES:
Get acquainted with ordinances. Cyclists must follow the same rules as motorists.

KNOW YOUR BIKES CAPABILITIES:
Remember that bicycles differ from motor vehicles; they’re smaller and can’t move as fast. But, they can change direction more easily, stop faster and move through smaller spaces.

RIDE SINGLE FILE WITH TRAFFIC:
Bicycling two abreast can be dangerous. Bicyclists should stay as far right on the pavement as possible, watching for opening car doors, sewer gratings, soft shoulders, broken glass and other debris. Remember to keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.
Make safe turns and cross intersections with care. Signal turns half a block before the intersection, using the correct hand signals (left arm straight out for left turn; forearm up for right turn). When traffic is heavy and the cyclist has to turn left, it is best to dismount and walk the bicycle across both streets at the crosswalks.

STOP AND LOOK:
Before riding into traffic: stop, look left, right, left again, and over your shoulder.

NEVER HITCH ON CARS:
A sudden stop or turn could send the cyclist flying into the path of another vehicle.

Since March 1999, all helmets manufactured or imported for sale in the U.S. must carry a label or sticker stating that they meet the requirements of the new standard. Cyclists who currently have a helmet that meets the ASTM, ANSI or Snell standards do not need to rush out to buy a new one; these helmets provide adequate protection. However, when it’s time to replace a helmet because it has been outgrown or damaged in a crash, buying a helmet that meets the CPSC standard is recommended. The helmet should fit securely and should be worn low and near the eyebrows—not back on the forehead.

A properly designed helmet has four characteristics:
1.  A stiff outer shell designed to distribute impact forces and protect against sharp objects.
2.  An energy-absorbing liner at least one-half inch thick.
3.  A chin strap and fastener to keep the helmet in place.
4. It should be lightweight, cool in hot weather and fit comfortably.

Resources:

National Safety Council – Resources – Fact Sheet [online]

Safety Kits Plus – Car Emergency Kits, Auto Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Kits, First Aid Kits, Vehicle Safety Plus

Car Seat Safety Tips

Car seat safety tips from the National Safety Council may save a child’s life. If children ride in your vehicle, please take 5 minutes of your time to review these tips:

Does your child ride in the back seat?
Children 12 and under should ride properly restrained in the back. The back seat is the safer seat for children.

Does your child ride facing the right way?
Infants should ride in rear facing restraints in the back seat until at last 1 year old and at least 20 pounds. Always read your child restraint manual for instructions on properly using the restraint. It’s possible that the manufacturer of your child safety seat might allow infants larger than 20 pounds and older than 1 year to remain rear facing. In that case, keep your child rear-facing for as long as the manufacturer recommends. After your child reaches the weight, height and age limit for rear-facing in your particular safety seat, switch to forward facing.

Does the safety belt hold the seat tightly in place?
Put the belt through the correct pathway. If your safety seat can be used as both rear and front facing, use the correct belt path for each direction. Check the vehicle owner’s manual and child safety seat manual for instructions.

Is the harness buckled snugly around your child?
Keep the harness straps snug over the child’s shoulders. You may need to move the harness straps up to higher slots as the child grows. Place the chest clip at armpit level.

Does your child over 40 pounds have the best protection possible?
Keep your child in a safety seat with a full harness as long as possible, at least until 40 pounds. Then use a belt-positioning booster seat, which helps the adult lap and shoulder belt fit better. It is used with the adult lap and shoulder belt. A belt-positioning booster seat is appropriate for children of about 40-80 pounds.

How should a safety belt fit an older child?
The child should be tall enough to sit without slouching, with back against the seat and knees bent at the edge of the seat. The lap belt must fit low and tight across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should rest over the shoulder and across the chest. Never put the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the child’s back. The adult lap and should belt system alone will not fit most children without a booster seat until they are at least 4′9″ tall and about 8 years old. Children should remain in safety belts in the back seat through age 12.

Has a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician checked your child restraint?
Certified technicians are trained to check for proper installation and use of child restraints, and are good resources for information.

Resources:

National Safety Council - Resources – Fact Sheet [online]

Safety Kits Plus – Car Emergency Kits, Auto Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Kits, First Aid Kits, Vehicle Safety Plus

Safety Management 101

Highly successful managers understand the benefits of making safety a top management priority. Businesses that commit dollars and time to safety management are reaping the rewards. Making every effort to avoid work related accidents and illnesses these companies have healthier, more productive and safer employees. Over time the return of investment made in safety management becomes very apparent. Identify safety as a top managment goal for your company.

• Create a safety and health plan for your business and employees as well as your home and your family. Include plans for all types of hazards,  communication plans for employees and family members, fire protection plans, safety related rules and regulations, emergency disaster plans, and even a plan for when a serious injury or death occurs. All plans should be committed to writing and reviewed annually. Safety procedures alone do no good; it is critical to maintain proper safety supply inventories, practice safety procedures and review safety materials on a regular schedule.
• Educate your employees, review written plans and rules, discuss the locations of all emergency supplies and safety materials, enforce safety rules and encourage safe behavior.
• Regularly inspect safety equipment and all facilities and record and make necessary repairs.
• When appropriate maintain restricted areas within facilities and enforce these areas strictly.
• Make physical health a priority. Take action to reduce stress. Help reduce fatigue by sleeping well and taking breaks.
• Stay informed and current regarding  safety, health and environmental issues. Attend safety related conferences and events and provide the resources that allow all top managers to do the same.

References:

National Safety Council – Resources – Fact Sheets [online]

Safety Kits Plus – Car Emergency Kits Auto Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Kits, First Aid Kits, Vehicle Safety Plus