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You are here: Home / Archives for safety

Travelling For Work? Here’s How To Stay Safe

July 11, 2022 by Wendy S

If you’ve just got a new job that requires you to travel here, there, and everywhere in order to close deals, welcome to the modern workforce! So many more people are travelling for job purposes these days, and that can mean catching flights to other countries and trains to the other side of your own. 

However, travelling for work can be just as unsafe as heading off on a solo adventure to parts unknown. Commuting on a small scale is something we’re used to, of course, but travelling on this kind of global scale can sometimes get dangerous. Who knows what situations you might run into? 


Photo by Anna Shvets

Never Travel without Insurance

This is key whenever you leave your own country to jet set off elsewhere. Without insurance, you could be liable for any number of accidents or emergencies! If you get sick or injured, or you lose something or it gets stolen, you’ll have to cough up and cover the damages. And when you’re on a work trip, travelling without insurance isn’t a good way to impress. 

Take a policy out just to be sure; you never know when you may run into trouble and a company laptop or tablet could be damaged as a result. Do your research and double-check the policy before you buy to make sure it’s a comprehensive type of cover. 

Always Connect to Protected Wifi

If you want to check something on a personal account or your company’s secured server, make sure you’re connected to wifi first of all. Using the data on your phone can be dangerous; passing confidential details across servers tends to lack encryption on 4G and above. If you’re wondering how to keep your email secure, the best starting point is a proper connection! 

However, you should also stay proactive about the wifi you connect to and how you use it. If you don’t have your own hotspot to take with you, you’re going to have to use a public version. If you’re in a hotel, this isn’t usually a problem – only paying guests have the password! But in a cafe or waiting area, it’s a different story. 

Have a Backup for Your Documents

Of course, it’s best to have a hard copy of all documents on hand whenever you’re about to travel, but what about if you lose a paper or two? What if one slips out of your pocket or it gets drenched in water from a loose top on a bottle in your bag? How will you get past the airport security gate or into your hotel without the right passes on hand? By having plenty of backups to rely on! 

Start by keeping a copy of everything on your phone. Download confirmation emails and tickets or take screenshots if that’s not an option – you shouldn’t let yourself rely on needing an internet signal here either. If it’s downloaded to the machine itself, you’ve got proof of where you need to be and when you’re allowed in. 

You could also use a portable hard drive or USB stick as storage if you’re taking your laptop with you; if you can bring it up on screen, they’ll be able to scan it! 

Double Check You’re Meeting the Right People

Most of the time people are who they say they are. However, every now and then you can run into the wrong person or accidentally be taken in by a scam. This is especially true if you’ve never seen the person before, but speaking to people face to face beforehand over Skype or Zoom is helping to eliminate that! However, if you’re really not sure, there are a couple of checks you can do. 

If you’ve got the name of the person you’re supposed to be meeting, get them to introduce themself without saying anything; you can ask what their name is, but don’t let them know you’re looking for a certain answer. Similarly, be sure to check for an ID card, or call the company they’re representing and make sure you’re in talks with the right person. Verify before going anywhere else – staying vigilant is a good way to get ahead. 

If you need to travel for work in the future, treat these trips just like any other. You’re there to be professional, and you have more guarantee over the experience you’re going to have. However, when you’re not in a meeting or attending an event, it’s up to you to put your travelling safety head-on! 

Filed Under: Life, Travel Tagged With: safe, safety, travel, traveling, travelling

Keeping kids safe in a car or on a bike — Parachute Safe Kids Week

June 1, 2022 by Wendy S

Parachute Safe Kids Week is from May 30 to June 5, 2022, and this year they are focusing on safe and active transportation. 

They have put together an amazing list of Active Transportation Safety Tips to help keep kids safe and active on their travels.

children crossing safety

Driver safety tips: Help keep pedestrians and cyclists safe

• Reduce your speed. Lower speeds give you more time to react and brake if needed. Lowering your speed also greatly reduces the chances a pedestrian will be killed if there is a crash. Be especially cautious in areas such as school zones, where children may be travelling to or from school.

• Drive at 30 km/h. A pedestrian struck by a car travelling at 50 km/h is almost six times more likely to be killed than a pedestrian struck at 30 km/h. At a speed of 30 km/h, vehicles and pedestrians are both relatively safe; drivers have sufficient time to stop for pedestrians and pedestrians can make better crossing decisions.

• Keep your distance. Ensure you give cyclists space on the road. When parking on the street, always check for cyclists before opening your door.

• Put down the distractions. In the few seconds you turn and reach for something in the vehicle, your eyes are off the road. Leave whatever it is until you stop. Don’t use handheld devices of any kind; these create high levels of distraction risk among drivers.

• Be alert. Traffic congestion and unsafe driver behaviour are common in school zones during drop-off and pick-up times. As a driver, be patient and expect kids to be kids. Be alert for child pedestrians and cyclists darting between cars or moving suddenly onto the road.

• Drive sober. If you are planning to drink alcohol or use drugs, don’t drive.
Visit our road safety page for more helpful tips: parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/road-safety/
Pedestrian safety tips

• Travel with your younger children. Younger children still need to develop the cognitive and physical skills to make safe judgments about road crossing and traffic. While your children are developing these skills, travel with them and talk to them about pedestrian safety.

• Use sidewalks or paths. Spaces that allow pedestrians to move around separate from motor vehicles are safer. Sidewalks can reduce the incidents of drivers hitting pedestrians along a roadway by up to 88 percent. No sidewalks? Travel facing traffic and as far away from vehicles as possible.

• Cross at designated crossings. Use traffic signals and crosswalks when possible. Talk about what you do before you cross a road. Teach your child to use their senses. Think, look and listen, even if there is a crossing guard or traffic signals to assist them. Teach kids at an early age to look left, right and left again when crossing the road. When the way is clear, or all the cars at the crosswalk or intersection have come to a full stop, teach your child to cross the road and not to double back or run.

• Be a role model. Children learn from their parents and caregivers. Over time, your frequent demonstrations will become ingrained in your child’s approach to crossing roads. Expect them to do the same thing when they are crossing the street independently.

Visit our pedestrian safety page for more helpful tips.

cycling safety
Image by Hans Braxmeier from Pixabay

Cycling safety tips

• Check your ride. Ensure your child’s bike is adjusted correctly for their height and have them do a bike check before riding to ensure tires are inflated and brakes are working properly.

• Be prepared. Bike safety training and knowing the rules of the road are important for riders’ safety. Protect young riders by using designated riding areas when possible. Bike safety training courses are available at https://canbikecanada.ca/

• Assess your child’s navigational skills before riding on the road. Children develop better physical and cognitive skills around age 10 – but their ability to ride on the road may depend on their experience, environment and development. Not sure if your child is ready to ride solo? Consider traffic volume, the number of intersections and your child’s level of experience before making a decision.

• Stay on the right side of the road. When using the road, ride on the right side in the same direction as traffic to make you more visible to drivers. Adults should lead kids by cycling single file and having them repeat hand signals.

• Protect your head, wear a helmet. A properly fitted and correctly worn bike helmet can make a dramatic difference, cutting the risk of serious head injury by 60 per cent. Use the 2V1 rule for helmet fitting (two fingers above eyebrows, straps form a “V” under ears, no more than one finger space between strap and chin) to ensure the right fit.

• Be seen and heard. Make sure drivers can always see you and your child. Wearing bright, reflective clothing and equipping your bike with flashing lights and reflectors help increase 360-degree visibility. A working bell will also alert other riders and pedestrians when you are close or passing.

Visit our cycling safety page for more helpful tips –> parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/cyling/


Image by Albrecht Fietz from Pixabay

Safety tips for other wheeled activities (such as skateboarding, rollerblading, scootering)

• Choose a safe place to wheel, away from traffic. Use pathways, sidewalks and skate parks.

• Wear the right helmet for the activity. Bike helmets can be used for in-line skating and non-motorized scootering, but skateboarding helmets should be used for skateboarding and longboarding; they cover the back of the head better and can protect against more than one crash. Visit Parachute’s helmets page for more information. parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/helmets/

• Always wear the gear. Along with a helmet, wear wrist guards to help prevent broken bones and sprains. Wear elbow and knee pads for in-line skating. Also wear brightly coloured clothing and reflective gear to help increase 360-degree visibility.

For more information, visit parachute.ca/safekidsweek

Filed Under: Blog, family, Life, safety Tagged With: bike, car, drive, driver, safety, scooter, vehicle

Water Safety Week: Watch your kids! #WaterSafetyChat @redcrosscanada

June 8, 2015 by Wendy S

Every year, approximately 520 Canadians die needlessly in unintentional water-related fatalities. 

A high percentage of these preventable water-related fatalities consist of young children, almost always due to lack of or adequate supervision.

Safety is in my blood.  My mother and my aunt were lifeguards and swimming instructors and I was a lifeguard and swimming instructor.  I am now a car seat technician and hold my First Aid, CPR and AED certification.  Safety is important to me.

When Red Cross of Canada approached me and asked if I would help spread the word about Water Safety Week, it was a not brainer!

Water can be fun! But water is also very dangerous!

Infographic Water Safety Week @ mapsgirl.ca

Watch your kids!

Water Safety @ mapsgilr.caIf you are near water, a pool or beach, don’t take your eyes off your kids.

I don’t care how well they can swim. 

It only takes a second for something to happen, your kid goes underwater and then doesn’t come back up.  

Yes, it’s horrible to say. Yes, it’s scary.  But if I got your attention, then…good!

Active supervision

  • The absence of adult supervision is a factor in most child drowning’s.
  • Whether it’s a pool, the bathtub, a water park, or the beach, always watch children actively around water-even if they can swim.
  • Consider requiring all non-swimmers to wear a lifejacket to keep them at the surface to assist you while supervising.

Backyard pools

  • Backyard pools are especially dangerous for small children. Ensure adequate barriers are in place such as four-sided fencing along with a self-closing, self-latching gate.
  • Empty portable toddler pools after each use.

Bathing children

  • When bathing infants or toddlers, an adult should remain with the child at all times- children should never be relied upon to supervise other children in the bath.
  • When a child is in the bathtub, never leave to answer the phone or for any other momentary distraction.

Take swimming lessons!

Water Safety @ mapsgilr.caAnother great way to increase safety around water, is to learn how to swim.

Red Cross Canada has put together a great page for Water Safety week with lots of information about swimming lessons and staying safe around water!

Anyone can learn!

When Craig and I got engaged, my parents were very supportive! But the one thing that my mom asked of Craig was that he learn how to swim.  The reason that my mom and my aunt became lifeguards and swimming instructors was that my grandfather required his children to learn how to swim.  His college roommate had drowned. Water safety was very important to him and therefore, was very important to our family.  Craig, at the age of 29, took swimming lessons for the first time.

Join us for a Water Safety Week Twitter Chat!

Date: Thursday, June 11, 2015

Time: 10:30 a.m. until noon

Host: @RedCrossTalk

Topic: Q&A/chat on water safety with a focus on children

Hashtag: #WaterSafetyChat


 

*Statistics are based on ongoing surveillance of data surrounding unintentional water-related fatalities. The data has been compiled by the Canadian Red Cross from coroner’s offices for the period of 1991-2012, the most current in the database.

Filed Under: Life, Products & Reviews, safety Tagged With: Canadian Red Cross, safety, swimming, Water Safety Week

Airbag Safety Tip: Never put your feet on the dashboard! [video]

January 7, 2015 by Wendy S

You’re on a long drive to where ever it is that you’re going. You kick back and put your feet up on the dashboard and fall asleep.

View image | gettyimages.com

How many of us have done this? Here is a horrible reminder of why you should NEVER put your feet on the dashboard:

“A deployed airbag inflates at about 320 km/h. That’s a little faster than most Formula One cars race. This is what hit Bethany’s hamstrings, driving her knees into her face. Her left eye socket and cheekbone were broken, as was her nose. Her jaw was dislocated, a tooth cut through her lower lip and she would lose her spleen. Both feet were broken and compressed, and would eventually end up nearly 2 sizes smaller than they were before the crash. Her left pupil would remain permanently dilated affecting her vision, her hearing would remain altered and her memory would be wiped and rebooted like a faulty computer program. But perhaps the most dangerous injury would be the one her mother was told at the time not to worry about: a brain bleed.”

Sunfire after hitting a transport truck

She is lucky that she is not dead.

When I first read the article on Driving.ca, I re-read that paragraph twice. The list of things that happened from her knees slamming into her face are horrific. And the pressure on her abdomen from being folding in half (plus the pressure of the seatbelt) is, most likely, why she lost her spleen.  

Here is a demonstration of what happens when an airbag deploys and you have your feet on the dashboard:

 Please, please, please!  Don’t put your feet on the dashboard!

(Images from: Flickr and Pixabay)

Filed Under: Car Seat Safety Tagged With: crash test, dashboard, passenger, safety

Cleaning your dryer and dryer vent is so important!

August 27, 2014 by Wendy S

Have you cleaned your dryer vent lately?Last week as we were trying to get ready to go camping, the dryer started to smell like it was burning.  It was very noticeable every time I opened the door.

After seeing several stories in the news about house fires caused by the dryer, I didn’t want to risk it.

I finished the last few loads of laundry at the laundromat, and called a dryer repair guy.

Steve from Cascade Appliance Service came to figure out what was going on.

Lint and dust everywhere!

Once he took the front cover off, it was evident why there was a burning smell.  Dust and lint was all over the place, even on the heating element. Oi!

The air couldn’t circulate properly because of a build up of lint on the fan.

IMG_2100 1

He cleaned up all of the dust that was inside the dryer.

Air flow is key!

After he put it all back together, we went outside to where it vents outside. The air flow wasn’t very strong.  He recommended replacing the dryer hose and outside vent cover.  He would have done it, but due to the [ridiculous] location of our dryer [due to the previous owners of the house], he didn’t have anything long enough with him.

Off to Home Depot!

I headed off to Home Depot to pick up a new hose and a new vent cover.

IMG_2102 1

Out with the old dryer vent…

IMG_2103 1

IMG_2104 1

…back to Home Depot…

IMG_2105 1

Not fun.

IMG_2107 1

Look at all the lint!!

IMG_2110 1

After taking that apart, cleaning it, and putting it back together, I’ve come to the conclusion that that has to be fixed properly.  We definitely don’t need all of those bends.  There used to be an air conditioner there, but it was relocated to the other side of the house.

More lint inside!

IMG_2111 1

IMG_2112 1

…in with the new!

IMG_2113 1

3 hours + 2 trips to Home Depot = Success!

Once I got the new hose hooked up, I tested the dryer.

No more burning smell!!

And when I went outside, the air was flowing out the vent so much faster!

Don’t wait!

The biggest mistake we made was not cleaning this sooner.  The manual for the dryer says it should be done every 2 years.  I think that since we have a dog, that maybe a bit sooner than that might be a good thing.  Our dryer is 8 years old and we had never cleaned it.  We’re pretty lucky that we didn’t have a fire.

After watching the dryer guy go through the cleaning process, I’m pretty confident that I can do the cleaning part myself next time.  Oh, and he reminded me that that I need to unplug it first!

 

Filed Under: Life, safety Tagged With: cleaning, Dryer, Dryer vent, dryer vent cleaning, safety

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mapsgirl@gmail.com

Why “mapsgirl” ?

Wendy is a cartographer! She draws maps!

When not mapping, Wendy is also a mom to two daughters. They are the inspiration of this blog. Passionate about child passenger safety, Wendy was a certified Car Seat Technician in Ontario, Canada from 2008 to 2020. [Read More …]

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