What is ASAP?

Over the weekend was World First Aid Day so we decided to share some tips in that direction.
ASAP does not mean as soon as possible in this context. It is a quick tip to staying safe and helping others in a Road Traffic Accident (RTA). I lost my mum in an RTA because people on the scene did not know how to help. I do not like to talk about this part but if it helps others, I have no choice.

When an accident happens, timing and knowledge is the difference between being alive and being a victim. There are times accidents happen that were not supposed to affect more people but because they did not stay away from harm, they became victims

A – Assess the situation
S – Stay away from harm
A – Alert emergency medical services
P – Provide First Aid if you are trained
Thinking through this, do you see how some victims of explosions or accidents could have had a fighting chance at survival. Knowledge applied correctly is Power.

Would you like us to visit your school and train children and teachers on safety? Send a message.

Many people will be travelling this week either outside or within the state. Many others will stay put but will still go visiting for fun and bond. Here are things to remember so you do not get hurt on the roads or be a scapegoat to regulatory agencies
1) Ensure your car undergoes maintenance to ensure all parts are working well: brakes, tyres. We do not want to hear reports of accidents due to failed brakes
2) Ensure your driving documents are correct and valid. If you’re travelling out of state, I am certain you do not want to be delayed by officers of the regulatory agencies because you do not have valid documents
3) Ensure your fire extinguisher is present and serviceable. Kindly check the expiry date today so you do not forget
4) Always put on your seat belts. Your seat belt is very important because it’s almost like your last line of defence in a mishap

5) Keep your phone away. I know this is becoming harder by the day so I have a suggestion. When driving, get someone you trust to take your calls if you must take them and serve as an intermediary. If you absolutely need to respond to a message, ask the person to read and you dictate your response too. This tips ensure your hands are not distracted
6) Do not drive under the influence of alcohol instead get a friend to drive or take a cab

7) Do not be tempted to overspeed or pull unnecessary stunts. This is one of the highest causes of road accidents during the holidays. Avoid it

8) Be situationally aware whether you’re a driver or a passenger. If you see something early, it gives you a chance to do something about it. But if you’re distracted, you’d do a last minute move that will be to your detriment.

Wishing you a safe holiday season

Image Credit: inquizimedia

Using your mobile device right now? Not a problem at all but where you are using it determines if it’s a problem. On the walkway? On the road? In your office? On your bed? In a bus? In your car with you as the driver? On a bike?

If you are in motion while using it, you are a hazard to your environment and you’re doing what my fellow safety professionals would call an “unsafe act”. You are a distracted road user and as such could cause problems for both motorists and pedestrians. Our generation has caught the Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) fever, as such we are always on our devices. It’s either we are chatting, checking out what others are doing, reading stories or listening to music. Either way, we are caught up in our own world and are not fully aware of our immediate environment. And this can kill you.

This is not an exaggeration. Few weeks ago, another person was killed by a train in the Ikeja axis of Lagos. She was listening to music and her ears were blocked with earphones. Most deaths that have occurred on that particular railway were due distracted road users. There have also been lots of bike and car mishaps because either the pedestrian or motorist was  absorbed in the use of mobile devices. Even though most of the deaths were due to use of mobile devices, other forms of distraction like eating, making up, thinking of problems can lead to accidents when we are in motion. We therefore need to cut off all distraction when using the road.

With just a little lifestyle adjustment we can become better pedestrians and motorists without being a source of harm to others.
1) Put away your phone
Yes, put it away. Preferably somewhere far so that you have to make an effort to get to it. As soon as you get to your destination, you can continue. If it is urgent, stop, get off the active walkway/road first before whipping out the device.

Did you know the road safety law regarding use of phones when driving does not say “receiving calls”? It mentions “use of phone” and that phrase encompasses a lot not just taking calls. Be guided.

2) Stop multi tasking
Doing make up or eating while driving can get you into trouble. All you need is the wrong pothole, careless driver or distracted pedestrian and the rest is history. Remember that in driving just a little swerve when you’re at a top speed can spiral into an accident. So, focus. It’s better to get to your destination first, apply the makeup or eat the food. Or better still, since you’re already late, finish your makeup and eat before heading out.

3) Stop thinking about your problem on the road
If you get knocked down by a vehicle before you get to your destination, how does that solve your problem? Stop thinking on the road, focus on trying to get to where you are going. You have enough time at your destination to think.

The little things we take for granted could be the difference between life or death. It could be the difference between complete health and reduced quality of life. Commit to choose the safe choice always.

Last week I posted the requirements of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for our cars. If you missed the post, here are the requirements:

1. Warning triangle (c-caution)
2. Fire extinguisher
3. Jack
4. Spare tyre
5. First Aid kit
Pair of scissors, Safety pins, Iodine, Cotton wool, Handkerchiefs, Plasters/dressing for wounds, Splints, Bandage, Disposable gloves, Razor blades, Adhesive tapes, Aspirin/ Paracetamol, Antibiotic, ointment, Antiseptic, Petroleum jelly, Antibacterial Soap, Latex gloves / Facial mask

6. Wheel spanner
7. Water
8. Hydraulic
9. Transmission fluid
10. Torch light
11. Spare fan belt.
12. Razor Blade (for emphasis, check number 5)

One of the comments asked what will be the duty of FRSC and emergency response if we carry all those stuff around. Now, this is the wrong attitude towards ones personal safety. While I understand that it might seem the Government keeps hounding the citizens while not performing its role optimally, we need to begin to take ownership of our safety. Because we have hospitals and emergency response services, does it mean we should put ourselves in the line of danger? NO

The thing about emergencies is they occur anywhere and anytime without your permission. Therefore the onus is on you and I to be prepared. It is not in the time of the emergency we should wonder what to do. Instead, that is the time to act based on the plan and resources put together for such eventuality. Time is very important during emergencies, therefore valuable, life-saving time shouldn’t be spent looking for materials or just waiting for emergency response. That is the time to act. Just the way we administer first aid to prevent degeneration of injury, that is the way having the right tools and plans help to reduce the dire effects of emergencies. If someone were to stop to help you, how can they if you have no tools? If you’re alone, how can you help yourself if you have no tools?

We need to change our orientation that bad things can’t happen or we have to wait for others to help us. What if bad things do happen? What if we are alone and help is far? A popular saying goes “Prepare for the best, plan for the worst”. That should be our attitude to our personal safety. If nothing happens, that is absolutely perfect, but if it does, you shouldn’t be caught napping.

It’s that time of the year again, things are winding down and with it comes safety challenges. Assess your home, are you ready for emergencies? Assess your workplace, your children’s school, your place of worship, your preferred leisure spot, your car. What could possibly go wrong? Plan, prepare and act.

You are driving on the road and suddenly you hear a loud sound, one of your tyres begin to wobble. You successfully get the car to stop safely. However, after checking your car, the tyre is a write-off  and you discover your spare tyre is not in good condition. How did this happen? How conducive is your next course of action?

You are just about to drive into your street late at night and suddenly smoke starts choking you in the car. You rush out and open the hood, sure enough a fire has started. Quickly you fish out your fire extinguisher but it’s not spraying effectively. You check the expiry date, it expired 8 months ago. What would happen to that car if timely help doesn’t arrive?

We have probably experienced this, seen or heard about someone it happened to. How do we allow things deteriorate to this level where things that are supposed to save us end up hurting us due oversight? How often do we check our vehicles to ensure that all the necessary spare materials are present? How often do we check that the content of our vehicle emergency kit are present and in good condition? Do you even have a vehicle emergency kit?

Emergencies are emergencies because they do not let you know before they occur. This is the reason it is important to be prepared at all times. It is therefore important for every vehicle to have the following at every point in time:

Flashlight

Towline

Booster cable

Spare tyre

Serviceable fire extinguisher

Jack

Caution sign

Handheld tools (screwdriver, spanner)

Engine oil

Coolant

These things are not used on a daily basis but the day you have an emergency, you’d be glad you have them. You may not be able to use some of them yourself but when help arrives, you would be asked for them. The availability is the next step to solving your car problem quickly.

Unfortunately, some of us would rather say “God forbid” or “it’s not my portion” but whose portion is it? If you do not check that your car is in good condition, whose fault is it if something goes wrong? If you do not check periodically that items with expiration date are still serviceable, whose fault will it be when it is time to use that item and it is not functioning optimally? We need to begin to be more proactive about our personal safety wherever we find ourselves for long periods as emergencies can happen anywhere.

Are you still considering cost? The cost of your life or damage to the vehicle is way higher than what you would spend on purchasing the right safety tools for your vehicle.

Take action today!

In the past few hours  of 2017, there has been various prophecies from Men of God  all over social media. As I scanned through, I saw a common thread of emergencies: road accidents, building collapse, fire outbreak, kidnap and natural disasters. Even if you do not believe in prophecies, I can assure you that it doesn’t hurt to be proactive. In 2016 alone there were too many avoidable accidents and safety incidents across the country.

Today. Take. Responsibility. For. Your. Safety. In. 2017.

Road Safety

As a passenger, if you are not comfortable with your driver’s style of driving, speak up. If he persists, please alight from the vehicle. You’ve got just one life. To comply with regulations and ensure your safety as a driver, you need the following in your vehicle: Warning triangle (C-caution), Fire extinguisher, Jack, Spare tyre, First Aid Kit, Wheel Spanner, Water, Hydraulic, Transmission fluid, Flashlight and Spare fan belt.

Fire Safety

Do you own a fire extinguisher? Do you know how to use one? Is your home safe from  fire? Does you office have a fire safety plan? Do your staff or co-workers know the actions to take in a fire emergency? You need a safety professional to assess your home and workplace in order to come up with a plan that ensures your safety. I’m certain you do not want to lose property to fire in the current economic clime.

Building Collapse

When building, it is important to use sufficient materials and follow due process. But this is not just for contractors and construction workers, our observations as concerned citizens could save lives. Most times, buildings give signs before they collapse. You need to raise alarm when you see these signs:

• weird sounds or see cracks on walls
• water seeping into the foundation
• gap forming between the door and door frame
• cracks near a column
• frames of doors or windows appearing bent or inclined to one side

Natural Disasters

We are in a part of the world that is less prone to natural disasters. However, the environment in different states is beginning to react to our man-made activities. It is therefore important to identify what is more likely to happen in your area and prepare for it. Could it be flood or  an earthquake? Prepare a bag with essentials like flashlight, non-perishable food, clothing, radio, water, water-proof box for documents, money. Keep the bag and a written plan in a safe place. It’s always better to be prepared.

Kidnapping

Teach young children to avoid speaking with strangers. As adults, we also need to be conscious of our environment and exercise caution when speaking about our personal lives in public. There are a variety of personal locator devices that can be made available for individual or official use. Trends like ID cards, wristwatches, shoes are quite efficient at pinpointing ones location without the knowledge of the kidnapper.

Take responsibility for your safety. Have a beautiful and safe 2017.

Image Credit: Google Images