Black (Not Black and Blue) Friday
While the country’s best shoppers are gearing up for a festive Black Friday this week, there are times when that cheap X-Box or buy-one-get-one free DVDs just aren’t worth it – like when they cause bodily injury, for one.
And while the wild shopping is propelled by the season of giving, shoppers after deep discounts can seem anything but. And in recent years, as stores have opened to lines upon lines of shoppers, many Black Friday patrons have been hurt – and even killed in the raucous.
So for you bargain hunters out there, we’ve provided some tips on staying safe this Thanksgiving weekend.
First off, be wary of sales offering limited quantities. This is no doubt where the most hustle and bustle (and possibly fists and elbows) will occur. Avoid confrontations with other shoppers (and there will no doubt be ample opportunity). Most Black Fridays are not only anxious to swipe good deals, but are also sleep-deprived, some having been up all night waiting in line for the store to open.
If you’re one of the brave waiting in lines this Friday, take caution. Stampedes through the open doors have left many shoppers trampled and injured. Be courteous of others and protective of yourself and your family. If more shoppers choose not to participate in the stampede, fewer injuries will inevitably occur.
Additionally, if you happen to be shopping in a colder climate, take care to dress appropriately and watch for puddles and ice in and out of the store.
And happy shopping!
Thanksgiving Disaster?
We’ve all been in the kitchen on Thanksgiving morning (or just witnessed it from the couch in front of the football game): the frantic cooking frenzy that turns frozen turkeys into roasted wonders, hard potatoes into creamy goodness and cold squash into warm, fresh pies. And though we love every minute of it, Thanksgiving could easily turn disastrous for unheeding of some basic safety precautions.
Food safety aside, there are plenty of ways to make a mess of this yearly feast, and Safety At Home has offered some great guidelines for the cooks:
• Keep the cooking range and oven area free of clutter.
• Do not cook while holding a child in one arm.
• Never put a glass casserole or lid over a stove burner (it can explode).
• Never put water on a grease fire.
• Make sure all cooking appliances contain a UL (safety standard) mark.
• Don’t use a turkey fryer (they’re dangerous and unhealthy).
• Keep work surfaces clean (especially when poultry is involved).
• Don’t stuff the turkey. This can prevent even cooking.
• Thaw the turkey per its instructions.
• Call for help: USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is there to help: 1.888.MPHOLTLINE.
Let’s keep the Thanksgiving tradition alive, and fill it with things to be thankful for, not mishaps to regret. Have a great one!
Respecting –and Protecting—our Elders
Young or old, the safety of your family members is likely one of your greatest concerns – especially for those who are the most defenseless. Like children, the elderly are also vulnerable mistreatment and abused due to their frailty – especially those who require nursing facilities or hospice care.
Unfortunately, elder abuse often goes undetected because mental or physical ailments might prevent a patient from telling a loved one what’s really going on. Even so, more than half a million reports of elder abuse are reported yearly. So to ensure the safety of your loved ones, keep an eye out for the warning signs.
Symptoms of physical abuse can include unexplained bruises, welts, scars, broken bones, failure to take medication regularly, broke eyeglasses, or refusal of caregiver to allow you to see your elder alone.
Emotional abuse signs can also include behavior that mimics dementia such as rocking, sucking, mumbling, and a general sense of fear.
If your loved one shows signs of unusual weight lose, dehydration, bed sores or is dirty and unbathed, they could be the victims of caregiver neglect.
Since your family’s safety is of great concern, ensure all elderly family members are properly taken care of – after all, it’s their turn.
Status Update… loses court case?
If you’re thinking that your Facebook and Myspace information are all in the safe hands of your privacy settings; think again – especially if you’re involved in a personal injury lawsuit. A recent suit between a woman and Steelcase, an office furniture company, blamed the woman’s serious injuries on a defected chair.
The only flaw in the argument was that the woman’s Facebook and Myspace accounts showed a much different side of her life than the severely-injured and confined-to-bed image she offered the court. In fact, the defense claimed that her social media photos showed her smiling and active and well outside the confines of her own home.
That being the case, the judge ordered access to the private information on both accounts, claiming that the plaintiff had already consented to sharing the information with others in creating the profiles.
Kind of makes you second-guess just how harmless that social media world is, huh?