Do you see your kids cramming binders, notebooks, textbooks, and laptops into their bags in the morning (not to mention lunch bags, musical instruments, sports gear, and more)? It seems that the loads students lug to school get heavier every year. In order to prevent back injuries, backpacks shouldn’t weigh more than 5% to 10% of a child’s body weight. And kids should wear their backpacks on both shoulders for even weight distribution.
Though backpacks are as much a fashion accessory as a practical feature, you should choose (or encourage your style-minded student to consider) a backpack with comfortable straps and a supportive structure.
Mornings at the bus stop are an opportunity to practice safe habits with your children. Until you’re confident that your children are experienced enough to safely get to the bus stop and board the bus alone, go to the bus stop with them.
Teach your kids to stand at least six feet away from the curb and look both ways before crossing the street. If they must cross in front of the bus, teach them to stand at least 10 feet ahead of the bus before crossing the street so that they can clearly see oncoming traffic.
Your children should also know that they must remain seated while riding the bus (tempting as it may be to stand in the aisle or kneel on the seat while playing with friends!).
If you have teenagers, you probably don’t worry too much about bus stop safety. But teens driving themselves to school face an even greater risk of accidents. Even once your teen has his or her driver’s license, you should continue to practice driving together.
Like waiting at the bus stop, walking to school is a great opportunity to teach your kids safe walking habits. Teach your kids to walk on the sidewalk whenever one is available, walk facing traffic when no sidewalk is available, look both ways before crossing the street, and make eye contact with drivers before stepping onto a crosswalk.
Remember that cell phones present a host of distractions. Teach your kids the importance of keeping their eyes up and being aware of their surroundings when walking. Make sure they understand that texting while walking – like texting while driving – is dangerous.
Recess may be one of your child’s favorite parts of the school day. While time on the playground is a lot of fun, it also presents some risks. Teach your kids how to safely use playground structures like swings, rock walls, and slides. If you have young children, make sure they leave necklaces and jackets with drawstrings at home to reduce the risk of strangulation.
Sports are another rewarding aspect of many children’s education. Though bumps and bruises are to be expected, it’s important for you and your children to take head injuries seriously.
Inside the classroom, cold and flu season (and the rest of the year, for that matter) put your kids at risk of illness. Make sure your children know to wash their hands frequently (with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds), avoid touching their face, and cover their mouth with their elbow when they cough or sneeze.
Following these simple tips will ensure your child has a safe, productive, and fun school year. At ZenLyfe, we really care about your safety and hope that by providing these guidelines, we make it easy for you to protect yourself and your kids. For more safety tips and conversations, follow the ZenLyfe blog!
]]>The winter months bring harsh weather in many parts of the country, and for some pets, these cold conditions are tough to withstand. But there are some simple things you can do to keep your pet happy and healthy all winter long.
Never shave your dog’s coat during the winter. If your dog has long hair, trim the ends to prevent snowballs and ice-melt from clinging to his fur. If your dog has short hair, consider getting him a sweater or coat with a high collar for outdoor excursions.
After taking your pet for a walk, wipe down her feet and stomach to remove ice, salt, and chemicals. Keep an eye out for redness, cracking, or bleeding skin. Not only can winter substances cause irritation; some can be toxic if consumed. Booties can prevent these chemicals from getting stuck in your pet’s paws, protecting your pet from irritation and poisoning.
An even more dangerous substance is antifreeze, which is a lethal poison to cats and dogs. Antifreeze has a sweet taste, which means your pet is likely to lap it up should it be spilled. Make sure you keep antifreeze well out of your pet’s reach and clean up spills immediately.
Though it’s tempting to take your furry best friends with you wherever you go, whatever the season, it’s often wise to leave them at home in cold weather. Dogs and cats are just as susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite as people are.
Make sure your pet doesn’t spend too much time outside in freezing temperatures; if it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet. Never leave your dog or cat outdoors during the winter.
Cars can also present danger in cold weather. Just as rapidly as they heat up in the summer, cars cool down in the winter. Limit the time your pet spends in the car, and never leave your pet in the car unattended.
For both your pet’s safety and your own, be cautious of ice when walking your dog. Look out for black ice on roads and sidewalks, and stay away from frozen bodies of water.
If winter’s long nights mean you have to walk your dog in the dark, keep him on a short leash right by your side, and make sure both of you wear reflective gear.
Make sure that your pet maintains a healthy weight through the winter. It’s not necessary for your pet to put on extra weight to keep warm; in fact, the health risks associated with weight gain usually outweigh the benefits. But some pets require more calories to maintain their body temperature and therefore more food to maintain their weight during the winter. And as always, be sure to feed your pet nutritious foods and avoid unsafe ones.
Before extreme weather strikes, make sure you include your pets in your emergency plan. Have enough food, water, and medication on hand to last your pet at least five days. Also make sure your pet has a cozy place to sleep during cold weather, which can be as simple as adding an extra blanket to his bed.
By following these simple guidelines, you and your pet are sure to have a healthy and happy winter. At ZenLyfe, we have your safety in mind. Our goal is to make it easy for you to stay safe so that you can enjoy your life to the fullest. For more tips on keeping your whole family safe this winter, follow our blog!
While the winter season is nice to enjoy when playing in the snow and staying inside to enjoy a hot cup of cocoa near the fire, it doesn’t make for favorable driving conditions. This is why it’s important to take many precautions before and during the winter season to ensure your car runs smoothly. After all, regardless of the weather, you are most likely driving your car almost every day.
Here at ZenLyfe, our goal is to ensure both you and your loved ones have the knowledge to keep you safe. In this blog post, we will be covering a variety of ways to prepare for winter driving and everything you should know.
Here are some things you should do to your car before the cold weather hits. If you haven’t already done some of this, it’s not too late to start now.
Low tire pressure only adds to dangerous driving conditions, so you want to ensure you check your tire pressure before driving and fill up as needed. If you notice your tire pressure keeps lowering, you might want to take your car in to get inspected and possibly buy new tires.
If you live in the northern states of America or in another country like Canada that gets tons of snow, it might be worth considering getting snow tires. To ensure you buy the right ones, consider heading to a tire or automotive shop to help with the selection process.
Did you know your vehicle’s battery capacity lessens in cold weather? With that being said, you’ll want a professional to check your battery’s fluids and cables.
You’ll want to check your car’s tire tread and look for balding or obvious signs of usage. This is because the tread on a car helps you with traction on the road. Having traction is especially important when dealing with icy roads and snowy weather.
There is an old trick called the “penny test” that is used as a good indicator when it’s time to change your tires. You do this by taking a penny and placing it in the tread groove of your tire. Place the penny with Lincoln’s head facing you, and stick the penny in the tread so that the top of Lincoln’s head is no longer visible. If his entire head is visible while in the groove, it’s time to replace your tires.
If you live in an area that isn’t used to snowy and icy weather when it does hit you can expect sheer panic amongst residents. Or, even if your area is used to it, there is always the chance that certain individuals aren’t.
Driving during winter conditions usually takes more time than usual because people drive slower and roads might be blocked due to accidents or weather. To avoid the need to speed, give yourself extra time to travel to your destination.
Before heading out for the day, remove all snow and ice from your car. This prevents any large chunks of ice and snow from flying off your car and hitting other people in the road.
You should drive slower than usual in these weather conditions because you need time to break and react to any objects in the road. It will also help prevent the possibility of you losing control of your car. If you need to be somewhere by a specific time, leave earlier to allow yourself to drive at a safe speed.
Winter conditions mean you should be in full control of your car at all times. Cruise control is when the car is set at a certain speed and you don’t have to press the gas pedal. To avoid any unnecessary accidents, don’t use cruise control in weather like that.
You should always wear your seatbelt no matter what but most storm-related deaths involve a vehicle. And did you know that Wearing a seatbelt reduces your chance of injury in a car crash by more than 45%?
Overall, the winter season can be enjoyable in all aspects if you use common sense and practice safe driving. The easiest thing to remember is to drive with caution and prepare your car before the winter season hits. For more winter safety tips like these, subscribe to the ZenLyfe blog!
]]>If you’ve ever traveled outside your home town or state, you’ve probably felt the sensational feeling that comes with experiencing a new place. This feeling explains why the world's airlines carried a total of over 3 billion passengers in a single year.
Modern transportation has allowed us to see the world, experience new cultures, and connect with a variety of people. It’s so popular in fact that, the U.S. travel and tourism industry generated over $1.6 trillion in economic output in 2017.
However, with traveling and visiting new places means you’re exposed to a variety of health and safety risks. Not only is it important to be aware of what these risks are, but it’s important to understand how you can help mitigate them.
In today’s blog post, we’re going to be covering four important travel safety tips. Keep reading to learn how you can stay safe the next time you travel.
The first thing you should always do before traveling somewhere is to perform research on the place you’re traveling to and any stops you’ll be making. If you’re driving, pre-plan your stops, read reviews on hotels, and check local crime statistics. If you’re flying, read about the airline and any airports you’ll be stopping at.
While research can’t always prevent the unexpected, it can help you make smarter traveling choices. Read through the ZenLyfe blog to learn more about why we recommend research.
While it can be excited to travel to a big city and dress the part, you want to avoid unnecessary attention that can make you an easy target of a robbery, sex trafficking, or other crimes. Instead of decking yourself out head to toe with the latest Gucci, try keeping things simple. It might be frustrating to hear but you’ll be less likely to be a target of a robbery.
Unfortunately, sex trafficking is a real problem all across the country. These days, the horrible people who commit these vicious acts look for tourists in foreign countries that can be easy targets. Be wary of making a scene in a crowded place or showing off your luxury goods. Keeping to yourself can help prevent running into the wrong people.
Whether it’s a friend or family member, you should always tell someone that you trust the details of your trip. There have been many instances were people go traveling alone without notifying anybody and go missing. If you don’t notify anybody it makes it hard for authorities to help locate you in the unfortunate case that something happens.
Updating friends and family can also come in handy if something happens where you can’t access a phone. For example, if you were unfortunately involved in a car wreck, shooting, or natural disaster, if friends and family know where you were, it can help easily reunite you with them.
Staying aware is one of the most important travel safety tips. It applies to how you’re traveling, where you’re traveling to, and what places you go to and stay at during your trip.
If you’re at an airport, hotel, mall, or any other public place you want to report suspicious behavior to authorities or staff members. You should have a reasonable concern as to what makes this individual suspicious. Simply their race, religion, sexual orientation, or age does not mean you can report them. Instead, focus on what this person is doing.
Here is a great article that explains suspicious behavior.
Too many times you hear stories of people’s hotel rooms being bugged with microphones and cameras. There are a few tricks on the internet floating around that help you detect these things, but there is a great article on CNBC that shows you a relatively inexpensive gadget from Amazon to help you.
Pickpocketers are very good at what they do, which is why most people can never tell when it’s happening to them. A few ways to help avoid this is to:
Why all of these tricks can’t guarantee you won’t get pickpocketed, they do lessen the chance that it will happen to you.
Our goal at ZenLyfe is to keep you and your loved ones safe by providing free safety tips and tricks. Hopefully, with this blog post, you feel better prepared to travel, knowing you are doing everything to stay safe.
For more free tips and resources sent to your inbox, subscribe to our blog or follow us on social media.
]]>Even though the holidays are over and we’re finally in a new year, most people are still experiencing winter weather. Winter weather is a fun time to play outside in the snow that only last a few months out of the year.
Families take ski trips or travel to areas of the world to bask in the glory that is an early morning snowfall. However, like most recreational activities and traveling, it’s important to keep you and your loved ones safe.
Here at ZenLyfe, we’re dedicated to providing the best tips and resources to help you do this. In today’s blog post, we’re going to be giving you all the information necessary to stay safe while having fun this winter season.
If you’ve ever done either of the three activities listed above you know how much fun it can be to spend time with friends and family on the slopes. It’s crucial that during this time you keep a few safety tips in mind to ensure you can safely enjoy the rest of your time.
Just like any physical activity you should ensure you properly stretch beforehand. Not only does this help get you warmed up for whatever activity you have that day, but it can also help prevent unnecessary injuries. In fact, researchers at Johns Hopkins recently estimated that about 600,000 people nationally are injured each year as a result of skiing and snowboarding. Avoid being one of these people by taking the extra precautionary step.
Here are some great stretches you can perform before winter activities.
When on a winter vacation it can be easy to get caught up in all the fun and forget about simple tasks like eating a snack and drinking water. To avoid spending a ton of money at resort cafes and restaurants, try packing snacks and water bottles before heading up the slopes. This way, you can have everything ready, for free, when it’s time for a lunch break.
Eating properly can also help make sure your blood sugar doesn’t go too low and that you are physically and mentally ready to enjoy the rest of your activities for the day.
We understand that the consumption of alcohol is not something you can always entirely avoid while on a winter vacation, but you want to avoid drinking excessively before participating in winter activities. Not only can this be a hazard to yourself, but you are also putting others around you at risk.
When drinking, it can easily escalate into severe intoxication which hinders decision-making and motor skills, which are very necessary when skiing, snowboarding, or sledding. If you do decide to drink alcohol before these activities, drink plenty of water and give yourself time to recoup.
Physical activity makes your heart rate rise and gets your blood pumping, which ultimately leads to your body temperature going up. If you’ve ever had an intense workout you’ve probably needed to take your sweatshirt off in order to keep cool. Winter activities are no different, except that the weather outside can be dangerous if you aren’t protected.
The best way to avoid getting frostbite or sick from the cold is to wear gear that is breathable and allows for airflow once your body temperature starts rising.
Wearing proper gear also means you should be wearing the correct boot sizes and other safety gear that’s necessary to stay safe. If you are unsure what size you are or how to properly wear your gear, ask someone who is familiar or consult a staff member at the resort you’re at. Worst case, Google will have the answers!
According to the CAIC, over the last 10 winters, an average of 27 people died in avalanches each winter in the United States. It can be easy to assume that you will never be stuck in an avalanche since these fatal numbers are low, but you should always take precautions.
The National Weather Service states that “In 90 percent of avalanche incidents, the snow slides are triggered by the victim or someone in the victim's party”.
Here are some avalanche warning signs:
If we’re being honest, there are a lot of safety risks that come with winter recreation, but you can help mitigate a lot of them by following these tips. Some natural occurrences like avalanches and snowstorms are fully up to Mother Nature, but you can help stay safe from other accidents by being aware and educating yourself.
If you have any winter recreation tips, feel free to share them in the comments or connect with us on our social media!
]]>According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1,830 drivers between the ages of 15 to 20 died in motor vehicle crashes in 2017. With this in mind, it’s crucial for newer drivers in this age group to understand what it means to be a safe driver.
At ZenLyfe, we take you and your loved one’s safety seriously. In this blog post, we’re going to be giving you our top tips for teenage driving.
First and foremost, wearing your seatbelt is the most important safety factor. In fact, among drivers and front-seat passengers, seat belts reduce the risk of death by 45% and cut the risk of serious injury by 50%. Seatbelts keep passengers and drivers from ejecting out of the car, which more than 3 out of 4 people who are ejected during a fatal crash die from their injuries.
It’s best to get your children and teenagers in the habit of wearing their seatbelt and ensuring it’s on properly. The seatbelt should be diagonally placed across the chest, not under an arm.
Nearly 4,000 people were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2015. Driving distractions come in many forms. Teenagers tend to eat, drink, do their makeup, talk on the phone, listen to music, and many other distractions. While listening to music or using Bluetooth speakers to make a call is safe, they should avoid doing anything that takes their hands off the wheel and eyes off the road.
In 2016, 10,497 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for 28% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. No matter the age it is never acceptable to be driving while under the influence of anything, especially for teenagers.
While those over the age of 21 have a certain blood alcohol limit, teenagers are not old enough to be drinking or accessing marijuana where it’s legal. The DUI laws in every state make it illegal to drive while actually impaired by marijuana (or any other drug).
As a new driver, it’s easy to get confused by traffic signs and road changes. Teenagers should be educated on all traffic signs, what they mean, and how to follow them properly. The DMV should administer a test that makes them identify them, but in the case that they didn’t, you can take the time to educate your teenager.
Before leaving for any trip, you should take the time to plan out your stops, who you’re driving with, what you’re packing, etc. All of this is crucial because you need to be focused on driving, not any of these other distractions.
For long trips especially you should have an idea of how many hours a day you plan on driving and what stops you’re making. This helps prevent a teenager from driving too long without any stops, thus potentially causing an accident.
Driving is dangerous all around, especially for new drivers like teenagers. By educating young drivers and teaching them good habits early on, you help minimize the risk of accidents by negligence.
Some great resources for teenagers looking to improve their driving are their local police department, safeteendriving.org, or the DMV. For more free safety tips and resources subscribe to the ZenLyfe blog and follow us on social media.
]]>We have pulled together a few simple safety tips that will keep you and your loved ones safe no matter what you decide to do on New Year’s Eve.
Before heading out to your New Year’s Eve destination, you want to make sure you have a ride planned. This can be a pre-scheduled Uber or a designated driver from your group. If you do decide to pre-schedule an Uber, make sure you’re at the location you say you’ll be and be cautious of getting into any cars that aren’t marked with the Uber or Lyft sign.
If you have a designated driver, be sure they have not had any alcohol to drink that night and are comfortable to drive you and your guests.
It’s tempting to want to start the New Year off with a bang, but avoiding fireworks all together is your best bet. Not only are they a safety hazard in of themselves, adding alcohol and the excitement of a new decade can make for some unsafe choices.
If you must enjoy a fireworks show, look on Google or social media for any events being put together by professionals who have a firework show.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, New Year’s Day is the top holiday for car thefts. It might sound like a safe idea to leave your car instead of driving intoxicated (which it always is!) but you want to avoid leaving your car at all costs. Not only can someone break into your car and cause damage, but they might also be able to access personal information about you and your family.
If you want to avoid this, look at our first tip about scheduling a right before heading out for your New Year’s festivities.
Even if you don’t plan on using your phone much on New Year’s Eve, you want to have it charged in case of an emergency. The worst thing would be for your phone to die and need help or a ride, and no way to call anyone.
This is also a great way to have others be able to reach you in case they need you. You should especially have your phone charged and on you if you have children who are going to be with friends celebrating the New Year.
It’s no secret that many people like to enjoy alcoholic beverages on New Year’s Eve. While we aren’t condoning that at all, we are leaving you with our last tip which is to eat plenty of food before consuming alcohol.
Not only will this help with your intoxication levels, but it can help prevent you from getting sick from drinking heavily on an empty stomach. The same goes for drinking water. The general rule is to have at least one 16-ounce glass of water with every 12-ounce beer or 4 to 6 ounces of liquor.
New Year’s Eve is a day where you and your loved ones get to celebrate together to bring that year to a close and welcome a new one the next day. Follow our tips to help you have a safe night and mitigate unnecessary risks.
For more free safety tips, subscribe to our blog and follow us on social media!
]]>Before any holiday traveling, you want to make sure you plan ahead. This means figuring out how long you will be driving per day (if the trip takes more than 1 day), where you will stop, what hotels you will stay at, and when you want to arrive at your destination. Having all of these details planned out can help mitigate the risk of rushing or making uncalculated decisions that can lead to accidents.
There are many websites that can make planning easier. Consider using sites like Travelocity or Trivago to help find hotels to stay at. Yelp or other review websites can give you an understanding of safe areas or good restaurants to eat at. You can also always ask a friend or family member for tips and advice on traveling to your destination.
Before leaving for a holiday trip, you should have an idea of what time you want to leave. Whether you’re making a road trip or driving to the airport to catch a flight, you should give yourself enough time to drive safely and not speed. This also means giving yourself more time to sit back and relax at the airport or arrive earlier at your destination.
Distracted driving is one of the many causes of driving-related deaths and accidents. Distracted driving doesn’t only include talking or texting on your phone, but also eating while driving, applying makeup while driving, and anything else that takes your hands, eyes, and attention away from the road.
If you know you need to be using your phone or eating a meal in the car, have someone else drive while you finish those tasks. At the end of the day, arriving safely to your holiday destination is more important than fixing your makeup or posting on social media.
It’s understandable that after a long night or extended drive you can start to get tired. However, you want to make sure you stay alert while driving, especially during this time of year. Many factors including winter weather and an increased number of drivers on the road create a higher risk of getting into an accident.
If you feel yourself starting to get tired or drowsy, pull over, stop for the night, or have someone who is fully alert take over driving.
Pro tip: Planning your drive times can help you mitigate the risk of driving for so long that you start to feel tired.
Before you leave for holiday travel, you should make sure your car has some necessities in case of an accident. Here are 10 things you should always keep in your car:
While most of these items will only be used in case of an emergency, it’s better to have them packed and ready for when accidents do arise, especially if you’re traveling during the holiday season.
Driving during the holidays isn’t too different from driving during the rest of the year, however, there is an increase in traffic which can cause an increase in accidents. With these easy safety tips, you can become better prepared for any accident that may arise.
Do you have any safety tips you want to share? Feel free to post them in the comments or on our social media pages! Don’t forget to subscribe to the ZenLyfe blog so you don’t miss more safety tips and tricks.
Festive decorations are a hallmark of the holiday season, but they can also spell danger for your pet. Make sure your Christmas tree is securely anchored in a stand to minimize the possibility of it tipping and falling on your pet. Similarly, make sure candles are anchored on a stable surface to prevent your pets from tipping them, burning themselves or starting a fire.
Equally important is keeping wires, batteries, and glass ornaments – which, when broken, can cause electrical shocks, chemical burns, and puncture wounds, respectively – out of reach of your pet. And if you have a kitty at home, make sure any tinsel is inaccessible to them.
If fresh flora is part of your holiday decor, be aware of popular holiday plants that pose a risk to your pets. When ingested, mistletoe can cause both cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems. Similarly, holly can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Worse still, certain varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats and dogs, which can be deadly. And poinsettias, while unlikely to poison your pet, also cause gastrointestinal upset.
It’s wise to keep these plants out of paw’s reach to avoid costly medical bills and to keep your pet happy and healthy.
One of the simplest ways to protect your pet is to keep rooms containing hazardous substances off-limits. If you decorate with any of the above plants, for instance, try to keep them contained in a space that you can close off to your pets.
Medications are one of the greatest hazards to pets at any time of year, but they become especially dangerous when you’re entertaining. Make sure guests know which doors are to remain shut, and keep medications secured in a cabinet or drawer out of your pet’s reach.
Dressing up your pet can be an adorable way to celebrate the season. And in cold climates, pet clothes can actually enhance your pet’s safety and comfort. (For dog breeds with light coats of fur, for example, a winter jacket can make cold weather more tolerable). Regardless of whether you dress your pet for practicality or fun, it’s important to do it safely.
Keep in mind that small accessories pose a choking hazard if swallowed and that scarves can become wrapped too tightly and restrict your pet’s breathing. No matter how cute they look, it’s always best to avoid clothing that may cause your pet discomfort or harm.
When entertaining guests, be mindful of keeping toxic foods away from your pet. Remember that holiday treats like cocktails, fruit cakes, chocolate, and anything sweetened with xylitol are toxic to pets. It’s a good time to brush up on a complete list of foods that are toxic to dogs and cats.
Be sure to take extra caution this month to protect your pets from holiday hazards. This way, you can enjoy a festive holiday season that you (and maybe even your pet!) will remember for years to come. For more holiday safety tips, check out our recent blog posts!
]]>Where electricity is involved, it’s important to take precautions to reduce the risk of fire and electrical hazards. If your holiday lights have broken bulbs, fraying wires, or broken sockets, you should replace them.
You can reduce the risk of fire by opting for a fake Christmas tree, but make sure you read its labels. While a fake tree marked “fire-resistant” is less susceptible to catching fire than a real tree, a fake tree without this specification may not be.
If you choose a real Christmas tree, make sure you water it frequently to reduce the risk of fire. A well-hydrated tree is less likely to catch fire than a dried-out one. Make a habit of checking the water level each day and replenishing it as needed.
When decorating outside, use only lights and extension cords are marked for outdoor use – always check the labels first.
Avoid wind damage to your lighting display by fastening lights securely to trees and houses. Make sure, however, that you don’t damage the wires – use insulated staples or hooks rather than nails or thumbtacks.
Sometimes, scaling a ladder to finish your elaborate holiday lights display is well worth it – but it’s important to keep safety in mind. Have someone watch you; make sure the base of the ladder is on firm, level ground; stay near the middle of the ladder; and maintain three points of contact with the ladder at all times.
It’s important to turn off holiday lights when you’re not around to supervise them. While a fire is unlikely, the consequences of a fire that happens when you’re sleeping or away from home can be detrimental. It’s best just to turn the lights off and enjoy peace of mind.
While candles add a beautiful and festive touch to your holiday decor, fire presents some dangers. As well as keeping a safe distance from flames, make sure candles are secured on a sturdy base, and never leave a lit candle unattended.
The holiday season brings with it lots of cooking, baking, and entertaining, so make sure you keep the basics in mind each time you’re in the kitchen. Wash your hands frequently, be prepared in case of fire, wear shoes, and keep your knives sharpened.
Make sure your stockings are hung by the chimney with care! Placing objects near an open flame poses an increased risk of fire, so use caution when hanging stockings on an open fireplace.
Before you set off on a holiday trip, make sure your home is secure. Keeping doors and windows locked is the simplest way to prevent a break-in while you’re away. If you’ll be out of town for a long time, consider having a friend or neighbor check in on your house.
By following these tips, you’re sure to have a safe and festive holiday season!
]]>The holidays bring a lot of safety hazards for not only people but for pets too. Here at ZenLyfe, we care about everyone in the family, including your fur-babies. With that, we want to share some general information about holiday foods and how they can be dangerous to pets.
During the holidays your pets are going to be exposed to a larger variety of people than normal. Not every person who will be around your pets are familiar with what they can and can’t eat. As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to inform your guests on what your pets can have, but to prevent them from consuming toxic food in general.
There are a few ways you can go about doing this. First, you want to get familiar with what foods are not safe for dogs to eat. Here is a solid list of foods:
Just like any other situation, accidents are bound to happen. With that being said, you still should have a general idea of what to do if these accidents occur. Keep the number to your local vet handy as well as the number of an emergency clinic. You can also always call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
From the list that we gave it might seem like there is nothing your pet can safely consume. Well, the good news is there is an endless variety of safe pet treats. You can either buy some from the grocery store, companies like Chewy, or even look up a local pet treat store. Some pet owners even opt for making their own treats by using vet-certified recipes
Overall, you can find many yummy treats for your pets that won’t come with any health complications. Don’t be afraid to educate your guests on pet safety and be sure to keep all non-pet foods out of reach from your furry friends!
For more safety tips that help you and your loved ones (including your fur-babies), subscribe to our blog and follow us on social media!
]]>Something to add to your prep list for Thanksgiving is reading up on some safety tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe.
Whether you’re heading out of town or traveling to the store, there are going to be thousands of other people in your town doing the same. The National Safety Council estimates 417 people may die on U.S. roads this Thanksgiving holiday period. Given this statistic, there are a few things you can do to keep you safe on the road.
If you’re traveling to a place that is expecting heavy snow, or the state you live in gets snow, you’ll want to invest in some snow tires or chains. Not only does this give your car more traction, but it helps to avoid sliding all over the road, which can put other drivers in danger.
Drivers tend to forget that both sides of your car come with a few blind spots. This makes it hard to see other drivers when exiting the highway or even changing lanes. Before moving out of any lane you should turn around to check each side of the car and not avoid on side mirrors.
You should avoid distracted driving all the time, but especially during busy times of the year where more people are traveling than average. Avoid texting and driving, eating while driving, or anything that takes your hands off the wheel and eyes off the road. It is better to wait or pullover rather than get into an accident and ruin this time of year.
There are so many public events going on during Thanksgiving that it’s too much to list. But, some of the more popular ones are the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Rose Bowl Turkey Trot, and many other Thanksgiving Day races and festivals. While all of these are fun things to do, large crowds can attract unwanted behavior.
You want to always be alert of your surroundings and report any suspicious behavior to authorities immediately. Do not be afraid to leave an event or relocate to a different spot if you see something that could potentially put you and your loved ones in danger.
To avoid theft or robberies, keep your personal belongings close, or completely out of sight from strangers. If you need to leave items in your car, keep them out of sight and make sure your car is locked and the alarm is working.
Before heading out to an event, tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back. This will come in handy in case of an emergency.
Not everyone stays in their homes for Thanksgiving, so you want to make sure you still keep your home safe.
A home security system is a great way to keep your home secure while you’re out of town or at an event. You want to make sure it’s installed properly and all features are set up and working before you leave.
As simple as it sounds, don’t forget to lock your doors and windows before heading out. You’d be surprised how many homeowners have their homes broken into simply because a window was left open and a door was unlocked.
If you’re heading out for an extended period of time, tell a trusted neighbor when you’re leaving and when you’re returning. This will have an added layer of security because they won’t let mail pile up (which is a huge signal that a house is unattended) and they will be able to turn porch lights on.
Traveling during this time of year is chaos but there are a few easy things you can do to mitigate the risk of accidents.
Before going out of town, make sure to plan your trip all the way down to where you stop for breaks and what hotels you’re staying at. You want to have all your bases covered so there’s no room for accidents.
So many accidents are caused by reckless driving due to being late for a trip. Give yourself plenty of time to head to the airport or travel to your destination. If you aren’t the one driving, make sure your form of transportation gets to your house with enough time to pack up the car and head out.
Before picking a place to vacation, do proper research on the place or event you’re going to. You’ll want to read reviews, ask around, or even call some places to get the scoop.
Overall, there are many precautions to take year-round, but this time of year makes people frantic and act without thinking. To protect you and your loved ones, take the extra time to be safe and prevent any unnecessary accidents.
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During power outages, communication, water, and transportation get disrupted. Businesses, grocery stores, ATMs, and gas stations are also closed. Food may spoil and water can become contaminated, as well as prevent the use of important medical devices.
With all of this in mind, there are many things you can do before, during, and after a power outage to keep you and your loved ones safe.
If a power outage looks possible, there are some things to do to prepare.
Overall, power outages aren’t dangerous themselves, but they do have lasting effects that can be harmful. The best things you can do to keep you safe is to prepare for the worst, have enough supplies on hand, and stay alert.
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]]>No matter how severe the accident is, you should never drive away from it. It is your legal obligation to stop anytime you collide with something. By driving away, you are ultimately putting yourself at risk for legal action to be taken against you.
Also, if possible, stay inside your car after the accident occurs, especially on a busy road or highway. Unfortunately, many cases happen where people recently in a car accident get out of their vehicle and end up getting hit by cars passing by. If you must leave your vehicle, quickly get out of the way of traffic and try to be as far away from it as possible.
Even if the accident you’re involved in is minor, you still need a legal report to state what happened. The police will assist in this as well as help anybody who is injured and insure that other cars do not interfere with your accident.
As tempting as it might be to talk to the person you were in an accident with, avoid doing this. It’s best to communicate what happened at the accident with the police, medical professionals, and insurance representative.
It’s easy to forget this tip because accidents can be very stressful. It’s important to get names, addresses, and phone numbers of everyone involved in the accident. If you can, get a description of the car and license plate number, but also make sure to get a vehicle identification number and insurance company.
You’ll also need to collect information about the actual car accident itself. This includes:
If you have a mobile phone and it’s safe to do so, take photos of the accident as well as any damage. This will be helpful because most insurance companies allow you to submit claims using apps or online.
It’s easy to forget about your injuries when you have police officers asking questions and insurance companies needing information. However, listen to the paramedics who are trying to take care of you. Not only are you helping yourself at that moment but you’re also helping your future self as well. By not tending to injuries when they first happen, you are setting yourself up for severe damage as time goes on.
Getting into a car accident is extremely stressful, especially if you’ve faced major vehicle damage and injuries. The best thing you can do for yourself is to have yourself checked out by medical professionals and gather all the necessary information needed by law enforcement.
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]]>Whether it’s your first time hosting the holidays, or the first season celebrating in your new home, you’ll be using your electrical system to its full capacity. Make sure your kitchen outlets are upgraded to GFCI and check all your cords to ensure there are no rips, tears, holes, or exposed wires.
Many people have fire extinguishers laying around but you’d be surprised to find out how many people can’t locate them or even know how to use them. It’s a good practice to keep one on each level of your home, and one stored in the kitchen just in case there are any kitchen fires.
Cooking fires are extremely dangerous and not a lot of people know how to put them out. However, it’s best to start by knowing just how to prevent them.
Most people don’t know this but it’s advisable to never leave the home while your dishwasher is running. You should time the wash and dry cycle of your laundry for daytime hours so if a fire breaks out, it’s not at night when everyone is asleep or gone.
Even if you don’t have babies, your guests might. Take some time to make your guests with children feel a little safer by removing cleaning supplies that are laying out, heavy objects out of the way, and block off any areas you don’t want kids or pets getting in to.
Any decent chef knows to sharpen knives to prevent cooking with dull ones. But, the average homeowner does not typically think twice about it. Familiarize yourself with all knife sharpening methods to ensure all your knives are sharp and safe to use during the cooking season. You’ll also want to read up on how to properly use each knife. Don’t waste time in the emergency room because you wanted to use a steak knife to cut cheese cubes.
Overall, you want to make sure you use general precautions when doing things that can end in an accident. Look up cooking tutorials, how to use certain utensils, read instruction manuals on new appliances. At the end of the day, taking the extra time to be prepared saves you a lot more time than getting injured and ending up in the hospital.
Here at ZenLyfe, it’s our mission to equip you with the necessary knowledge and tools you need to keep you and your loved one safe from all dangers. Subscribe to our Blog to stay informed and follow us on all social media for free tips!
]]>To help make it easier on you, we’ve gathered our top safety tips for your next night out whether it’s a company holiday party or a fun Friday night.
One of the first things you should remember is safety is in numbers. If you’re unfamiliar with the phrase, it essentially means you’re safer if you travel with a group of people. Whether you’re walking to your car after a long night or heading to the next hot spot, stick with at least one other person.
If you can’t travel with another person, inform someone of where you’re going and your estimated time arrival. Instruct the person to call the police if they don’t hear from you by a certain amount of time. Keep a phone close to you and emergency numbers on speed dial.
Before you go out you should arrange a ride if you know you will be consuming anything that could hinder your ability to drive safely. These days there are no excuses to drive under the influence, especially with the accessibility of Uber, Lyft, and Taxis. If neither of those options works for you, consider carpooling with someone who will not be drinking that night.
Whether it’s your first time at a bar or your 20th, you should always know to watch your drinks. Unfortunately, there are people out in the world who take advantage of people who are just wanting to have a fun time. Don’t ever let your drink out of sight and if you do, it’s better to buy a new one than risk drinking something that could be contaminated with something.
If you’re going to an event or possibly walking around, stay in areas with ample lighting and enough people around to keep any predators away. Many women are taught to carry pepper spray or small tazers, but this can be useful to anybody. If your path home or to the next hangout spot includes walking through dark places with no street lights, consider taking a taxi or Uber there instead.
Whether we like it or not, we have to take some valuables with us when we go out. You might be carrying an ID, car keys, or money, which makes you a prime target to criminals. Keep your personal valuables out of sight from strangers and if you’re carrying a bag, keep it close to you and don’t take your eyes off it.
If you are driving to your night out, make sure to lock your car properly and avoid leaving out anything that could be considered valuable to a criminal or carjacker.
As nice as it might sound to be the hero of the night, if you witness a fight or unsafe situation, don’t get involved. What you should do instead is call the police immediately with a clear description of the situation, how many people involved, and what your location is.
While not all danger is preventable, there are small things you can do to help mitigate potential risks. Everyone deserves a night out but you want to make sure whatever you’re doing you should stay alert and remember these basic safety tips.
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Considering these facts, it’s more important than ever to learn the dos and dont’s of driving, as well as basic tips that can keep you safe on the road. At ZenLyfe, we’re committed to providing you and your loved ones with safety tips to help mitigate potential dangers. Here are our top safety driving tips.
Drivers tend to forget that there are blind spots that make it hard to see the cars or other vehicles next to you. When changing lanes or entering a road, do more than just peak at your side mirrors. You will need to actually look behind you to check to make sure there is nobody in that blind spot.
When you’re in a hurry and there is someone driving unreasonably slow in front of you, it can be tempting to tailgate them. However, you are doing more harm than good in those situations. Tailgating is putting not only the driver in front of you in danger but your entire car and the ones behind you.
Rearend collisions are extremely common and happen typically when the person in front of you brakes and you do not have space or reaction time to brake behind them. Your best bet is to avoid tailgating and give yourself ample space for reaction time and braking if necessary.
Here you can actually find the science behind safe braking distance and how it’s calculated.
Within the last few years, many states have passed or are starting to pass laws that prohibit the use of hand-held devices while driving or a completely hands-free law. The increasing use of cell-phones prompted lawmakers, law enforcement, and the general public to see the dangers associated with technology use while driving.
Remember our statistic from earlier? 1 out of every 4 accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving. Some ways to avoid texting and driving is to install a Bluetooth connection to your car that allows you to receive and place calls just using voice command. Some cars even come equipped with the ability to send and receive text messages with a voice command.
The best way to avoid distracted driving is to completely avoid using your phone while driving. This also includes anything else that can cause you to not pay attention like eating, doing your makeup, writing, or virtually anything that takes your hands off the wheel and eyes off the road.
Aggressive drivers can cause unnecessary accidents so it’s best to try and avoid them. If someone is tailgating you on the highway, move over into a different lane. If someone seems to be swerving in and out of traffic, it’s advised not to drive close to them or interact. The best thing you can do is call 9-11 to report an aggressive driver.
This also means you should not be an aggressive driver either. Road rage has become something that drivers don’t take seriously anymore. It’s a real problem that puts everybody on the road’s life in danger.
Did you know that seat belts can reduce injury and death rates by 50%? Despite it being almost 2020, there are still drivers out there that don’t understand the importance of wearing a seatbelt. No matter the distance or if your seatbelt is uncomfortable, it can save you from possibly dying even in the smallest accidents.
Our last tip is to frequently check your mirrors. You want to constantly be aware of your surroundings when you’re driving. Take a few seconds to check your side mirrors and review mirrors, especially before changing lanes.
Driving can be very dangerous and there are a lot of risks involved. However, as a driver on the road, you have a responsibility to take necessary precautions, stay alert, and do your part in keeping the road clear. If you want more information on safe driving, you can contact your local law enforcement officials to help educate you on the driving laws and good driving habits.
If you want more general safety tips delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to the ZenLyfe blog. You can also find daily safety tips and information on all of our social media pages.
]]>If you see any warnings on the news for winter storms, blizzard, wind chill, and winter weather advisory, take immediate precautions. These warnings range in severity and estimated start date, but should all be taken seriously.
If you live in an area that receives harsh winter weather you want to make sure you’re prepared during this season. Some steps you can take to prepare are:
You should talk to your family about what to do if a winter storm watch or warning is issued in your area. Having discussions ahead of time helps reduce fear for young children who don’t understand what’s going on.
In the case that you will need to evacuate or use your car to travel, you’ll want to prepare your car. First, start by having your vehicle winterized before winter storm season. This helps decrease your chance of being stranded in cold weather. Have a mechanic check your:
You will also want to install good winter tires with adequate tread. Some jurisdictions require vehicles to be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs. A great tip is to keep your vehicle’s gas tank full so you can leave whenever necessary. When it’s time to drive your car during potentially dangerous weather, you’ll want to keep a few items in your vehicle in case of emergencies.
Preparing your home is another crucial step to getting ready for winter weather. The first thing you want to do is make sure you take the necessary steps to protect your pipes from freezing. Pipes that most frequently freeze are pipes exposed to severe cold like outdoor pipes, as well as water supply pipes in unheated areas like basements and crawl spaces.
Before cold weather approaches, you’ll want to:
Once you’ve made all the initial preparations to your home, you’ll want to start stocking up on supplies and emergency equipment. Consider buying a wood, or electric stove, space heater, wood for fireplaces, portable generators, and purchasing flood insurance. You’ll also want enough non-perishable foods, warm clothes, matches, and a first aid kit.
Most of the damage and safety risks come from during the storms. It is highly advised that you don’t try to travel or go outside during harsh winter weather. Listen to a local station on battery-powered radio or television for updated emergency information. Bring your furry friends inside during the storm and make sure they are in sheltered areas with a supply of non-frozen water. Most animal deaths in winter storms are caused by dehydration.
The winter season can bring harsh weather and undesirable conditions. If you take the time to prepare your home, your car, and your family, you are able to mitigate danger and help keep your loved ones out of harm’s way.
For more free safety tips and tricks, subscribe to the ZenLyfe blog and follow us on social media!
]]>Smartphones
The rise of smartphones has fundamentally changed the way we live, and today most people are rarely more than a few feet away from their phones. Smartphones can alert you to danger instantaneously, allowing you to take precautions and protect your safety. Emergency weather alerts, for instance, are immensely beneficial to safety. In the case of severe weather such as flash-flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, or blizzards, it’s critical to stay up-to-date on conditions outside. Other types of emergency alerts, such as AMBER alerts, facilitate cooperation between residents of a particular area to keep entire communities safe.
Driving
Cars, though not a recent innovation, are as ubiquitous as smartphones in today’s world. While the popularization of cars in the early 20th century greatly increased the efficiency and ease of travel, it also presented some risks. Throughout the past century, innovations like airbags, seatbelts, and shatter-proof glass have made car travel much safer than it used to be, but they’ve also presented risks of their own. Thankfully, ZenLyfe offers products that maximize your safety when driving.
The Smart Car Charger by ZenLyfe is much more than a portable smartphone charger. It’s equipped with a seat belt cutter and an emergency window breaker that could save your life in the event of an accident. It also includes a car locator feature, which allows you to get directly back to your vehicle and mitigates the risk of encountering danger on your way back to your car. Plus, it enables you to keep your phone battery full so you never find yourself in a dangerous situation without it!
The Safe Drive Pal is your complete companion for bringing safety and convenience to the road. It includes the Smart Car Charger (and all it’s life-saving capabilities) as well as a phone mount that eliminates the need to look down at your phone while driving and acts as a wireless charger for your mobile phone. (Read more about the “‘Swiss Army Knife of wireless phone chargers” and how it could save your life in this blog post!)
Smart Tags
Not only can technology protect your safety; it can also protect your belongings. With the Smart Tag and Smart Luggage Tag by ZenLyfe, you’ll never lose track of your keys, luggage, or other personal belongings again. Ring the tag from your smartphone when its nearby to easily find your things (the tag makes a loud and clear noise) or track its location from the ZenLyfe app. You can also find your phone by pressing the tag, even when your phone is silenced!
Home Security Systems
Another way to use modern technology to protect your property is to install a home security system. According to the FBI, “there were an estimated 7,196,045 property crimes” in the United States in 2018, with losses as a result of these crimes estimated at $16.4 billion. While securing windows and doors is important, many burglaries involve forced entry. That means making sure your house is physically secure may not be enough to prevent a break-in. But with the aid of modern technology, home security systems can keep you and your property safe.
Firstly, many home security systems offer mobile apps that allow you to keep an eye on your property even when you’re away from it. The best systems offer features like remote viewing, which allows you to live stream video surveillance of your home on your smartphone, and two-way voice, which allows you to communicate with potential intruders without meeting them face-to-face.
It’s not only the technological features of a home security system that keep you safe; the very act of having a visible home security system can deter potential intruders from targeting your home. And, in the event that an intruder recognizes your home security system and tries to disable it, many systems now include tamper detection, which will instantly alert emergency operators.
Takeaways
Because of modern technology (and innovative products from ZenLyfe!), it’s easier than ever before to keep yourself, your loved ones, and your property safe. Looking for more safety tips? Visit our website. Or, to get valuable tips delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to our blog!
Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to stay safe in a new city and ease any worry. Here are our top tips to help you stay safe when moving to a new city.
Ideally, before moving to a new city you’ve had some time to get to know it and explore a bit. What you can do is research the city and neighborhood online to help discover any areas you might want to avoid. A great tip is to also drive your route from home to work, or home to the store to get a better feel of the area. You can also walk around your neighborhood or visit any of the local attractions.
Once you start navigating your new city, give yourself time to travel; plan your route, stay alert, and try traveling in the daytime. If you are traveling at night, avoid walking in dark streets and alleys. A good tip is to take a trusted friend or family member with you to continue exploring. If taking someone with you isn’t an option, tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return.
Odds are when you’re out and about you’ll have your smartphone. Something that you can easily add to your phone is a safety app to help keep you safe. ZenLyfe will soon be coming out with an app that is your all-in-one safety pal. You can check crime reports for areas you’re traveling to, get notified of any immediate dangers, and family members will have the ability to monitor your location.
Of course, if you ever find yourself in immediate danger, you should dial 911 for help.
If you’re moving to a new city alone, take some time to get to know your neighbors. Not only will you feel safer if you know people around you, but you’ll also have a support system of people you can trust.
The ability to defend yourself can come in handy when you’re in a dangerous situation or feel threatened. Some great ways to increase your confidence is to take a class to learn some basic self-defense moves. Nothing is worth more than your life, so if you can diffuse a situation or get away, it’s best to do this rather than risk your safety.
You’ve all probably heard the term “stranger danger” before. Well, even as adults this phrase couldn’t be more true. Often we find ourselves trusting strangers because they don’t appear threatening or risky.
Don’t feel obligated to stop for someone, loan your phone, or even be nice to a stranger if you feel your safety is in danger. Even if you’re from a smaller town where it’s normal to do these things, put your safety before being polite.
There are a few ways to go about guarding your personal property. When you are leaving your house, be sure to keep necessary valuables inside your pockets, and never in your back pocket. Don’t leave your valuables laying around and when walking with a purse or a bag, tuck it into the inside of your arms and keep your hands in your pocket.
Protecting your home and your loved ones is something that requires an investment. No matter if you’re living in an apartment or a house, consider investing in a home security system. A home security system is one of the smartest ways to protect your family and calm any anxieties about potential break-ins.
Some systems go beyond modern technology and allow you to control your lights, appliances, lock from your smartphone, receive an alert when people go in and out of the house, or check on your pets via live video surveillance feed.
Moving to a new city, especially a larger one, can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Take time to learn about the area, meet your neighbors, and invest in proper security measures. By doing these things, you’ll find yourself feeling calmer about your upcoming move to a new city.
At ZenLyfe, we take safety seriously and strive to provide tips and tricks to help mitigate the risks and dangers of today’s world. Here are some tips to help keep you safe this Halloween.
On Halloween, many people decide to go trick or treating. This means you’re going to be doing a lot of walking around, whether it’s in neighborhoods or around busier streets. When trick or treating, you want to take extra precautions when walking from house to house.
When trick-or-treating, it’s important to understand the many ways you can mitigate danger for you and your children.
Halloween makes for a busy night with many people driving and walking around. As a driver on the road, you want to make sure you are aware of your surroundings and practicing responsible driving habits.
Whether you’re staying home to pass out candy or leaving to enjoy the festivities, you want to take the extra steps to keep your home safe and secure.
Halloween is a fun time for people of all ages. While danger is not completely preventable, we can at least take the extra steps to help mitigate unnecessary risks caused by negligence. For more safety tips and tricks, subscribe to our blog to get them delivered directly to your inbox!
]]>Not surprisingly, the one thing about mobile phones that hasn’t changed in all these years is their battery life. We’re using the same kinds of batteries, but we’re using a lot more juice. From powering our apps to using our phones as a GPS to watching movies, we ask a lot of our mobile devices.
And now the world of wireless car charging has finally caught up.
Simple on the Outside, Powerful on the Inside
Innovative minds have already begun to look at the wireless car charger and wonder what could be done to improve it. For example, many wireless phone chargers simple sit on the console of your car. There’s nothing to attach them to unless you want them to just hang out in the cup holder. You can easily buy a mount for your phone, but it’s likely that the wireless charger won’t reach or won’t fit.
Plus, if you upgrade your phone to a different model or brand, the mount likely won’t hold it. Over time, exposure to the elements can cause the underlying glue or even the stickiest substance to melt or freeze or simply wear off, which can cause it to fall at the WORST possible times.
Another common complaint from drivers is something that we’ve complained about since cars were invented; where the heck did I park?! During busy shopping seasons, it can be impossible to find your car in a busy parking lot. To find it, you’d need to invest in a Bluetooth beacon that attaches to your vehicle, and locates it by way of an app on your phone. Yet another device that can easily find itself chilling on your car console or cup holder.
Staying Safe in the Worst Case Scenario
No one likes to think of what can happen in the worst case scenario, such as having a car accident and needing to cut yourself free from your seat belt, or being trapped in your car when the locks or window malfunctions. You need to take action, and quickly. And while there are devices that can work to shatter windows and cut through tough restraints - can you readily get to them in case of an emergency? You have to think fast and act even faster!
The good news is that the wireless car charger has recently evolved to encompass all of these things. The Safe Drive Pal by ZenLyfe is specifically designed to be something of a “Swiss Army knife” of wireless car chargers. Using its streamlined, ergonomic design, you’ll find a wealth of tools that can help you in the event of an emergency, or simply help you get more done with less time.
From the moment you open it up, you’ll notice that the Safe Drive Pal is unlike any other wireless car charger on the market. It features:
Why just have one wireless car charger when you can own a multi-function tool that doubles as a cell phone mount, glass breakage tool, seatbelt cutter and USB charger all in one? Get the Safe Drive Pal today for $45.99. Get one for your car to protect yourself on the road, and get one for your teenage driver or aging parents so that they can stay safe wherever the road takes them!
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Teaching children proper safety getting on and off the bus is crucial to helping them stay safe. Teach them to stay away from the curb at least five steps and wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before going on or off. Look left and right both ways before crossing the street whether you’re getting on or off the bus.
But proper bus safety is just one of the ways to keep kids safe when school starts. Many also bike or walk to school, and safety is equally important in these cases.
Taking steps to stay safe while walking to school just as important. Encourage your children to stay on the sidewalk or walk on the side of the road facing traffic. Make sure they understand that you should never push, shove or play around traffic. It’s also important that they keep their eyes on the road and not on their phones.
Students walking to school should look for vehicles before crossing, including bikes, and used marked crosswalks where available.
Just like walking to school, biking also has a set of rules and responsibilities that children should be aware of including making sure, first and foremost, that they wear an age-appropriate helmet. They should also stay in the bike line where possible and avoid using any electronics while driving (including cell phones) since they can be major distractions.
Be sure your child understands proper safety signals and traffic signs and understands to ride in the same direction as the traffic in order to stay safe on the street.
But even once they get to school, kids can face things that they often don’t want to tell their parents about, including bullying or downright dangerous situations. That’s why it’s so important to foster open communication at all times, and teach your child the following:
The truth is, there are plenty of internet videos that have gone viral showing some of the most upsetting footage you’ll ever see happening in the hallways and classrooms of schools around the country. From kindergarten until graduation, kids face all kinds of things that we never did in school, which is why it’s so important to stay informed.
For example, creating a family culture where you encourage your children to come to you about anything -- anything at all -- teaches them to trust you, and also teaches them a healthy respect for authority. Knowing they won’t be judged or criticized also gives them the confidence and courage to approach a police officer, security guard, teacher or another adult if they see a problem, like another student getting bullied.
Bullying itself is another common issue in schools, but those who allow it to happen are just as much a part of the problem. Teach your children to be champions of bullies. Often if they stand up to the bully, the bully will back down, but if not, be sure to ask the school about any anti-bullying initiatives or programs they have going on.
If the only time you know what’s happening at your child’s school is during parent teacher conferences or open houses, it’s time to step up and play a more active role. Volunteer if you can, and take a good look at the environment they’re in. Does it feel safe? Get to know your child’s teacher, principal, resource officer and safety procedures. Be an active presence.
As you can see, there are many ways to keep your children safe to and from school, as well as within the school itself. But perhaps the most important component of safety is open communication. Encourage your child to tell you about their day, what they did, where they went and with whom. Much of staying safe during the school year is simply following common sense procedures, but children have to be taught not just these important safety steps, but why we do them and why they matter.
No matter how your child gets to school or arrives home, you as a parent can only do so much to keep them safe while they’re at school. And while buses and schools as a whole are remarkably safe, being an involved parent goes a long way in helping to grow your child’s education and teach them the importance of education in the first place.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s safety in school, don’t keep it to yourself. Be sure to ask those responsible and keep prodding until you have an answer. Oftentimes, school safety issues can fall by the wayside, especially at the beginning of the school year with so many other things needing attention. A vigilant and concerned parent can be all it takes to put things back on the right track.
Are you a parent of a school-aged child? How do you help them stay safe on the road and while getting on or off the bus? Share your safety tips with us and fellow parents below!
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