Safety Matters Radio

Bathroom Safety

Bathroom safety is more important than you may think. People use the bathroom each day without thinking about the risks they face. The bathroom has the same problems that the kitchen does with electrical appliances. The threat of burns and electrocution can be minimized with bathroom safety products. Another danger, slipping on wet floors, can lead to serious injury, especially in the confines of the shower. But there are also safety measures, like non-slip pads and railings, that can help you avoid these problems. Even though you use the bathroom each day without incident, bathroom safety is still important for your family.

Information from www.safetyed.org

The snow has melted and the grass is growing.

Yes, it is time to start mowing the lawn.

Here are a few safety tips to help keep you and your family safe while mowing your lawn.

Do not allow passengers on a riding mower.

Keep children out of the yard and indoors while mowing the lawn.

Wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, eye protection and heavy gloves. Wear sturdy, close-toed shoes with slip-resistant rubber soles.

It is recommended that children under the age of 14 not be allowed to operate a lawnmower.

Always prepare your lawn for mowing. Check your lawn for items such as sticks, rocks, toys, etc. Make sure nothing is hidden in the grass.

Use a mower with an automatic blade cut-off. Stay behind the handle until the blade stops. Never reach under a mower while it is still operating. If you need to remove debris or check the blade, disconnect the wire from the spark plug.

Handle fuel with care. Always use care when filling the tank with gasoline. Wipe up spills. Never fill the tank on a mower that has been operating and is hot. Vapors from the gasoline can be ignited by a hot muffler.

Never point the discharge chute at anyone. You never know when something will be thrown from the mower. Never run the mower over gravel.

Don't cut grass when it's wet.

Use care on inclines. Some slopes are too steep to mow safely, so use good judgment. Always push walk-behind mowers across slopes to avoid coming in contact with the mower (e.g., by sliding down the hill onto the mower, or allowing the mower to roll backwards on top of operator). Drive riding mowers up and down slopes.

Never leave a running mower unattended. When you leave the operator's position the mower should be turned off. New models have an operator presence switch that automatically kills the engine when the operator releases the handle.

Make sure your house or apartment is secure. Always secure outside doors. Fit barrel locks top and bottom. If you have to use a key, keep it in a safe place away from the door where you can find it quickly in an emergency - you may need to use the door in the event of fire.

If other people such as previous tenants could still have keys that fit, change the locks. Don't give keys to workmen or tradesmen, as they can easily make copies.

If you wake to hear the sound of an intruder, only you can decide how best to handle the situation. You may want to lie quietly to avoid attracting attention to yourself, in the hope that they will leave. Or you may feel more confident if you switch on the lights and make a lot of noise by moving about. Even if you're on your own, call out loudly to an imaginary companion - most burglars will flee Call the police as soon as it's safe for you to do so. A telephone extension in your bedroom will make you feel more secure as it allows you to call the police immediately, without alerting the intruder.

Draw your curtains after dark and if you think there is a prowler outside - dial 911

Use only your surname and initials in the telephone directory and on the doorplate. That way a stranger won't know if a man or a woman lives there.

If you see signs of a break-in at your home, like a smashed window or open door, don't go in. Go to a neighbour and call the police.

If you are selling your home, don't show people around on your own. Ask your estate agent to send a representative with anyone who wants to view your house.

When you answer the phone, simply say 'hello'; don't give your number. If the caller claims to have a wrong number, ask him or her to repeat the number required. Never reveal any information about yourself to a stranger and never say you are alone in the house.

If you receive an abusive or threatening phone call, put the receiver down beside the phone, and walk away. Come back a few minutes later and replace the receiver; don't listen to see if the caller is still there. Don't say anything - an emotional reaction is just what the caller wants. This allows the caller to say what he or she wants to say, without causing distress to you. If the calls continue, tell the police and the telephone company and keep a record of the date, time and content of each phone call. This may help the authorities trace the caller.

Information provide by Crime Reduction

Step 1:
Hang up the phone as your first line of defense in dealing with obscene phone calls. If you engage the caller in conversation, it just encourages him. It usually does no good to ask questions about why they are calling or why they won't stop. Be careful to never disclose any type of personal information over the phone. Teach your children to simply hang up and not give any information.
Step 2:
Call the phone company first if the calls become consistent or if the caller becomes threatening. Most obscene phone calls are random. But if a caller makes a connection between you and your number, he may note it and keep calling. Phone companies vary in how they handle this situation. Some companies take measures to deal with obscene phone calls. The company will put a system in place to monitor your calls. Some phone companies advise contacting the police.
Step 3:
Deal with obscene phone calls by keeping a phone log. If the calls persist, write down the date and time. Describe the voice, whether it's male or female, has an accent or any distinctive sound to the voice. Listen for background noise. This is the type of information you'll need for the police, should it become necessary to file a report. If you are ever threatened in any way, call the police.
Step 4:
Consider changing your phone number and making it an unlisted number in order to deal with obscene phone calls. There is usually a small fee, but it's worth it in order to stop the calls and give you peace of mind.

It is a simple and easy transition from being fear-based to being empowered. First, we raise our awareness and accept that real threats to our safety exist. Second, we educate ourselves with the very best safety information, strategies and tools available to us. All of our vehicles have spare tires, but do we dwell in constant fear that every time we get in our vehicle to go somewhere we're going to have a flat? Certainly not, but having a spare tire is a safety strategy that both puts us at ease and keeps us at ease should we happen to have a flat. Just like the spare tire, we need to keep safety strategies catalogued away for those 'What If' or 'Just in Case' scenarios in all aspects of our lives.

A TOUGH TARGET

Becoming a 'Tough Target' helps to raise the odds in our favor that we will be less likely chosen as a target by a 'Bad Guy'. It has been my experience over the years that many people simply do not want to accept and acknowledge the fact that we have to be prepared for some things that we wouldn't want to have happen to us. We need to think about the things we don't want to think about so that we can be the best prepared that we can possibly be. We need to do things like: discuss with our family members what to do to get out of our burning house including alternate escape routes; what to do if we breakdown on the side of the road; what to do if we are approached by a potential mugger, robber or rapist, etc. Our awareness becomes heightened when something happens to a family member, co-worker, neighbor or friend, or if we see something on the news about a rapist or burglar near to us. But typically, we are complacent and haven't thought about safety strategies. But guess what? The 'Bad Guys' have already thought about their next victim and that does not keep us on an even playing field. Everyone actually does have strategies in place, but most of the time they are not good ones or the most effective ones we can implement. We cannot afford to live life with our heads in the sand and think, "I never thought it would happen to me".

SAFETY STRATEGIES

So, when we create a catalogue of safety strategies, we are better prepared 'just in case' and just like the spare tire, we don't give it a second thought unless we need to. (How different the legacy of the Titanic would have been if they had enough lifeboats and were prepared for the possibility of an unexpected tragedy, like hitting an iceberg.) The unexpected is now out of our everyday consciousness and we don't dwell in fear. And since we are better prepared, we send out a different vibration and are less apt to attract the bad stuff or the bad guys. We need to remain vigilant every day and keep an acute awareness about our surroundings. We need to listen to our 'gut' feelings and always honor them. If something feels bad or wrong, IT IS! If a person feels creepy, THEY ARE CREEPY! And the great thing about being a tough target is that we only need to be PERCEIVED as a 'tough target'.

ALWAYS BE PREPARED

The Boy Scout's motto of "Be Prepared" is an excellent one and I'd like to take liberty and modify it a bit to read; "ALWAYS BE PREPARED". So, learn as much as you can about personal safety, employ the latest and best strategies, buy the very best safety products available and develop a demeanor that makes you a 'tough target.' Stack the odds in your favor and live a life where you are attracting less of what you don't want or fear, and attracting more of what you do want and empowers you.

DATE RAPE DRUGS: Common date rape drugs are GHB (gamma hydroxybuterate), Ketamine, Rohypnol (Ruffies), and other benzodiazepines that come in either liquid or tablet form. Most are either illegal, by prescription only and/or off the market. All are unfortunately easily obtainable throughout over 10,000 illegal internet pharmacies. They are fast acting (3-10 mins), sleep inducing, anxiety reducing, create loss of muscle control, tingly feelings, rubbery legs and total amnesia that lasts for anywhere from approximately 3-8 or more hours. (More deaths occur each year due to GHB overdose that crystal meth overdoses, and this from a drug that has been OFF the market legally since 1990!) Drinks are typically tainted by squirting the liquid date rape drug from an eye drop container (like a Visine dropper). So, never accept a drink from someone, never leave a drink unattended and make sure you are always operating within a 'Buddy System' with at least one other person. Make - and most importantly - KEEP a pact with your buddy/s to look out for one another and never let anyone out of the other's sight until you all end up safely at home.

RAPE: Rape is NEVER a woman's fault, regardless of the circumstances. All rapists are serial rapists. If you or any one you know is the victim of a rape, you should immediately call the Police and immediately seek medical attention. Seek help from a professional counselor experienced in rape counseling to assist you in dealing with the repercussions.

ALCOHOL: Alcohol reduces inhibitions, adversely affects your judgment, thinking processes, physical reaction times and makes you more vulnerable, to getting robbed or sexually assaulted and to even become a predator yourself.

INTERNET SAFETY: Websites like MySpace, etc. and chat-rooms put you at potential risk if you allow yourself to become too exposed, trackable or traceable by someone you would not want in your personal life. If you would not post certain private or proprietary information on your dorm, apartment or home door for every one to see, you should NOT post it on a website or disclose it via an on-line chat.

CELLPHONE USAGE: A cell phone is a necessity today and can be one of the most important emergency items we can carry. However, it is a common misconception that if we are walking some place alone we are safer if we are talking with someone. When using a cell phone nearly 40% of the visual cortex is active and our attention is severely compromised because our brain is more engaged in picturing what we are talking about rather than paying attention to our immediate surroundings. The person we are speaking to can never respond quickly or effectively enough to help us simply because we are talking with them. Keep your cell off, pay 100% attention to your surroundings and do not call anyone until you are either safely in a building or a vehicle.

If you are a college student- CAMPUS LAW ENFORCEMENT: Know where and how to contact Campus Security in the case of an emergency. Campus Safety Officers are professional law enforcement personnel who have the same training and level of expertise as City, County and State Law Enforcement professionals.

An important segment of our S.A.F.E. program is Verbal Self-Defense. But being a 'Tough Target' and projecting a 'Tough Demeanor' consists of a combination of words, voice, facial expressions, body posture, positioning, and distance. Taken together, these express the message of the actual words or phrases we use, like 'BACK OFF' or 'GET AWAY'. What is essential is to be congruent in the above-mentioned modalities. For example, your child will not take you seriously if you are laughing or smiling while reprimanding them. In maintaining your 'Safety Bubble' and using verbal self-defense strategies, you absolutely must be able to project this 'Tough Demeanor'. No questions asked. Period!

If you have a quiet nature or a non-threatening personality type, to be convincing and effective, you MUST be dramatic to project a 'Tough Demeanor'. A 'Bad Guy' needs to be clear about your intent. You want him to back off or leave you alone, and you want to leave absolutely no room for doubt as to that intention. But remember, you don't have to actually BE a 'Tough Target', you only have to be perceived as one! Smaller animals when approached by larger predators in the wild 'puff' themselves up by posturing, movement, noise, etc. The Blowfish actually blows up it's body and makes itself larger, less easy to attack. We too have strategies to implement to get the same effect, warding off our potentially 'Bad Guy' predators.

INTUITION

The flip side of this is reading other people and learning to pick up on their intent. We absolutely need to be aware of others and our surroundings at all times. And what I mean is to not only be alert to things or people that seem out of place or incongruent, but to learn to identify and respond to incongruent signals automatically. To avoid potholes in the road, we need to know what a pothole is, what to look for, and how to steer clear of it. We also need to react quickly to avoid tearing up the underside of our car.

Our greatest and most valuable safety gift is our intuition or 'gut' feeling. We must ALWAYS listen to a gut feeling, never trying to logic it out for any reason, no matter how contradictory our feeling may seem. Our intuition is always right. We need to become more adept at noticing details about someone that we get a bad feeling about and understand why we have that feeling by putting a face on it. Your gut tells you something is not right about a person. Next, you become conscious of the details: his posturing, his loitering behavior, the way he is sizing people up, his body tension, the way he clutches his fist, his stare, etc. You should never delay in employing a safety strategy for your protection, especially based on a gut feeling. When you honor it and carry out your safety strategy, your intuition will be confirmed about how and why you had this feeling.

If life were a Jerry Springer stage, we would see who was going to attack us and probably have a pretty good reason why too. But life is not that obvious or simple. There are NO guaranteed strategies to help us avoid absolutely all attacks. We can be the best and most defensive driver on the road, but still get t-boned by someone running a red light at an intersection. We can only prepare and stack the odds in our favor to the best of our abilities regarding our personal safety. Even the best-trained martial artist, fighter, soldier or law enforcement agents cannot protect themselves from an attack they didn't see coming, or one they saw coming but too late.

TIME AND DISTANCE

Time and distance are either our friends or our foes depending on how much or how little of them we have. If we respond too late or have too little distance between us and a 'Bad Guy', we have severely compromised our safety. The time that elapses between an impending attack and executing a response is called 'Survival Reaction Time'. So our goal is to have as much 'Survival Reaction Time' in a potentially threatening situation, which will position us most powerfully. Our intuition is our alarm and then we need to assess the situation based on the cues we pick up. These cues literally will telegraph a person's intent to us. Business people, attorneys, police interpreters, martial artists, etc. study non-verbal cues to better read people. Meaning, intention, truthfulness, even deceit can be interpreted by body cues and signals.

INTENT

Meaning and intent are transmitted in three modalities:

1) Words (actual dialogue)
2) Voice (how something is said via tone, inflection, pitch, rate, volume, etc.)
3) Body language (movement, posturing, gestures, positioning, distance, etc.)

BODY LANGUAGE

Percentages vary from various studies and experts, but most agree that words account for approximately for 10%, voice 30% and body language 60% for one's communication. So, most of our communication is non-verbal and conveyed through body language. Think about watching a Mime and how we know exactly what they are conveying with only body movements and facial expressions. The way we carry our body and project ourselves can either make us an easy target or a 'Tough Target'. And remember, 80% of the time 'Tough Targets' don't get chosen. Knowing what to look for and being attentive is a necessary shift one needs to make to lead a safer daily life. Examples of body language to be aware of in individuals preparing to attack or who aggressively approach you are:

Blading (placing the dominant foot to the rear and adopting a more solid stance from which to launch an attack)
Clenching or pumping the fists
Clenching the jaw
Extreme trembling
Looking around before moving in or closing distance
Distracting, aggressive, or even inappropriate dialogue
Rapid shallow breathing
Stoppage of movement
Thousand-mile stare
Shoulder shrugging or rolling

Notice people in your different surroundings and play a game where you observe their behaviors, body movements, posturing, facial expressions, etc. Become aware in movies and TV shows of the aggressive behaviors and posturing the actors exhibit before they make aggressive moves or attack someone. Make it your job to constantly increase your awareness of those around you to better position yourself outside the predator zone. Remember, you are 100% responsible for your safety and the more you educate yourself the better prepared you will be and the less likely you are inclined to have your personal safety compromised.

Mark Spencer, M.A. , S.A.F.E.

The CyberTipline is designed for reporting incidents of internet exploitation. If you, or someone you know are in a situation where you need help, visit cybertipline.com and make a report. If you fear that you are in immediate danger, contact your local law enforcement.

Based on our successful Women's Safety Education model, our children's seminar is a unique and comprehensive program, containing age-appropriate safety information and training designed to empower children in fun, skill-based, interactive modules.

We've utilized information and tools from law enforcement, the most current literature and recommendations from a wide variety of experts in order to bring you the most cutting-edge technologies and tools to help you keep your child safe.

Learning important and potentially life-saving skills will help to make your child more confident, responsible and safe.

- Basic Safety Awareness: How to be a "tough target" techniques that are a "must know" for every child.

- Verbal Self-defense: Basic "What if" scenarios with answers that are simple, direct, effective, non-threatening and empowering* (based on the 8 most common "lures" predators use).

- Physical Self-defense: Basic Defensive arts (based on martial arts) techniques that physically empower kids.

- Internet Safety introduction

* Programs that include concepts such as "Stranger Danger" can be potentially scary for children because they have to differentiate between ok and not ok adults. Our program is gentle, but effective.

This kit provides all the tools a parent needs to create a pair of credit card sized cd-rom disks that contain all the essential information for their child. The disks are designed to be carried by a parent or caretaker in the wallet and come in their own sturdy plastic case. The disks contain a self-running program that allows the parent, in about 10 minutes, to enter all their child's information, plus three photos, and any other pertinent information, such as adoption papers, birth certificate, etc. that they feel might be important if their child was injured, missing or lost. Click here for more information or to order

Carry pepper spray with you on your walks. They can help keep you safe from 2 and 4 legged assailants. Don't leave home with out pepper spray.

Click here to order

1. Ultraviolet identification dye
2. Contains up to 15 1/2 second bursts up to 8 feet
3. Fast acting even against individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol
4. Easy to use, effective, non-lethal
5. Same formula used by park rangers, police departments and security guards.
6. Can be used for animal control as well as criminal attack.
7. The extra spray contained in this container is adequate to fend off multiple attackers.

Ever broke down on the highway? Murphy's law states when you break down you will be in a no-signal zone for your cell phone.

Rapist and murders are opportunist. They will gladly stop and offer assistants.

The honest driver will not stop fearing a set up.
What's this world coming to?

What we have found out is people will make a cell phone call to the police when they can if you display the Highway Safety Sign.

Click here for more information or to order then scroll to the bottom of the page.

Keep Safe

The best way to cut the risk of attack is by taking sensible precautions. Most people already do this as part of their everyday lives, often without realising it.

- When in doubt that someone else may have a key to your home or appartment... Change the locks.

- If you see signs of a break-in at your home, don't go in. Get in a safe place and call police.

- Draw your curtains after dark. If you hear a prowler outside, call the police.

- If you receive an abusive or threatening phone call, do not react. Set the phone down, and walk away. Then, after awhile return and replace the receiver.

This advice has been taken from "Your Practical Guide to Crime Prevention". http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/yp/ypgcp.htm

To order a personal copy contact the Crime Prevention Officer at your local police station or write to:

Crime Prevention Publicity
Home Office
Room 155
50 Queen Anne's Gate
London SW1H 9AT

http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/personalsafety.htm