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Tip of the month
archives
Spring
forward...Fall back....Our return to standard time means that it gets darker
earlier. This month we bring you some evening and nighttime safety and
security tips.
When walking or
driving:
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Use the
LifeScan Security escort service
to have a Security professional walk you to your car. |
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When walking
alone, walk confidently. Be alert. Notice who passes you and who's behind
you. |
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Walk and park in
well-lighted areas. Don't walk or park close to bushes, alleys, etc.
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At stop lights
and other traffic delays, leave enough space in front of your vehicle so
that you have an escape option in case of an emergency.
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If you feel
someone is following you, turn around and check. Proceed to the nearest
lighted house or place of business. |
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Carry a whistle
or a personal safety device. |
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Be careful when
people stop you for directions or information. Always reply from a distance,
never get too close to the car. |
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Wear clothes and
shoes that give you freedom of movement. |
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If you feel that
you are in danger, don't be afraid to scream and run.
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The NHTSC brings you
these pedestrian safety tips:
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Wearing darker
"fall" colors can make it hard for motorists to see you, especially if they
aren't expecting you. Consider "accessorizing" with a brightly-colored scarf or
hat, or reflective material on a purse, briefcase, or exercise clothes.
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The lesson to "look
left right and then left again" before stepping off the curb is still a good
one! Don't just depend on the traffic signal - remember that motorists driving
home in the evening will also be making the adjustment to the nighttime travel
environment.
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Avoid jaywalking and
crossing from between parked vehicles. Crosswalks offer a safer, more visible
pedestrian environment.
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According to the
AAA, night driving is more dangerous this time of year. A longer period of
darkness means less visibility, increased chance of driver fatigue and the fact
that more drunk drivers are out there on darker roads. This requires motorists
to be especially careful as we adjust to the time change.
AAA offers these
tips to improve your safety during night driving:
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Be aware that night
driving requires more concentration.
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Don't rush. Allow
for more time to reach your destination.
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Watch for cars
weaving in and out of traffic. There are more drinking drivers at night.
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Don't stare at
oncoming lights.
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Adjust your mirrors
for night driving.
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Avoid night driving
if you have a vision problem. Remember, ability to see at night often decreases
with age.
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Keep
headlights, windows, mirrors and eyeglasses clean.
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Make sure you are
well rested before you begin a long drive. Stop every two hours, or every 100
miles, to rest.
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Eat light meals.
Heavy meals tend to cause sleepiness.
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Consider these tips
to reduce your vulnerability at your residence:
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Have good
lighting at all entrances. Use either photocell or motion sensors to control
the lights. |
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Use automatic
timers to turn indoor lights on and off to give the appearance you are home.
Stagger the on/off times of the timers for different areas of your house. |
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If you live in
an apartment, be attentive and careful if you are alone in the laundry room
or garage by yourself, especially late at night. |
 Finally, many fire
departments encourage people to change the battery in the smoke detector when
they change their clocks, because it can be so easy to forget otherwise. A
working smoke detector more than doubles a person's chances of surviving a home
fire. More than 90 percent of homes in the United States have smoke detectors,
but one-third are estimated to have worn-out or missing batteries.
If there is a topic
you would like to see added to our Tip of the Month, please let us
know.
Tip of the month
archives |
