Back To School Safety and Security NightOwl Giveaway

This post was created in partnership with eAccountable. All opinions are my own.

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Review - Top Quality Reflective Vest Harness

If you're into walking, running, cycling or even the simple task of walking the dog, then this is the perfect reflective vest harness to own and wear.

Walking my dog before was a great challenge. I used to look over my shoulders when I walk my dog because before I don't have any reflective vest or indicator to suggest my and dog's presence on the busy street along our building premise. There is a park near our place but we have to walk half a mile to reach it. And our place is just right in front of a major thoroughfare to pass by which can be challenging for me and my dog. So, we always end up walking on the very narrow sidewalk, check every now and then for oncoming traffic and then pass. Sometimes, we traverse the sandy vacant lots which is not very good for my little dog's paws. There should be a more safer and better way to go to the park without having to drive there nor walk across sandy vacant lots.

The Top Quality reflective vest harness is so perfect that I feel more safe walking outdoors because of the reflectors. I also like the fact that this reflective vest is so stylish that while it does not cover my whole upper body, I still have enough visibility and coverage at the same time with the V-pattern in front and X-pattern of the reflector at the back.

I can also adjust the vest according to my body frame without it making too snug or too loose.

It is also lightweight and very easy to use and I don't have to fumble just to attach the snaps together.

This is a very good vest to have for that extra precaution while going about your daily walking/running and even cycling routine. Aside from the extra precaution you will get, you also have that extra visibility now. I highly recommend this reflective vest harness. It's for your safety.

You can purchase this product from Amazon.



I received this product for free in exchange of my unbiased review. My feedback is 100% mine and may vary from yours.

Safety Precautions To Take When Handling Firecrackers

Photo credit: dreamstine.com

It is that time of the year again when people are scurrying to buy their firecrackers to welcome the coming of the new year with fanfare. Some people prefer to celebrate quietly in the comforts of their homes or with their relatives and friends while some prefer to celebrate with a bang, and I hope not literally.

Firecrackers can be both entertaining and dangerous at the same time. While it is nice to see and appreciate the creativity of how the firecrackers explode to show off beautiful colorful sparkles of lights and sounds, it can also emit dangerous chemicals and cause fire when things go wrong.

If you are one of those who prefer to celebrate New Year using firecrackers, it is best to keep a tab of these tips to ensure a safe, hazard and fire-free New Year celebrations with the ones you love.

• Always purchase firecrackers from known manufacturers with good safety standing.

• Read the laws about firecrackers and know what is legal or not and if possible, stay safe by buying only firecrackers that are allowed by the law.

• Read and follow the manufacturers instructions and warnings on how to safely light and handle firecrackers.

• Keep water or a water hose ready just in case you need to dose of a fire. 

• Do not hold a firecracker when lighting it. 

• Wear a safety goggles. You may look weird or overly dressed for the occasion but the rule of thumb is better be safe than sorry!

• Do not point firecrackers at the audience/

• Do not leave firecrackers in your pocket as they may catch fire and also combust.

• Do not let kids light firecrackers. Never!

With all these safety tips in mind, please be careful and practice extreme caution when handling firecrackers. Avoid using them if you can and settle for the old-fashioned way of welcoming the New Year with loud, clanging noises coming from hitting pots and pans, playing loud music, honking your cars momentarily or simply cheering "Happy New Year."

Be safe everyone and enjoy the coming year!

Tips To Keep Your Employees Safe

Photo credit: 2dconstruction.com

Making sure you have a safe workplace makes business sense. Not only do you have a legal – and moral – obligation to look after your employees, you also owe it to your bottom line to make sure that compensation and sick leave aren’t being paid out for situations that could have been prevented.

Preventable workplace injuries are something that law firms like Turner Freeman see all too often. Below are five ways that you can make sure your people stay safe and healthy at work.

1. Encourage a Safety First Culture

How much of a focus do you place on workplace health and safety? Make sure it’s not just something that you ‘tick off’ to meet your legal obligations. You should have robust policies and procedures that mandate safe work practices and be using opportunities like staff newsletters and meetings to facilitate training and discussion around being safe at work.

2. The Right Tools for the Right Job

Giving your team access to the most appropriate tools and resources to perform their tasks is crucial. Some of the most preventable workplace accidents, injuries and incidents stem from people doing things like climbing on furniture to reach something high rather than a step ladder, attempting to cut or modify something with the improper tool – things that would have been much less likely to happen had the right resources been available.

3. Keep Things Tidy

If people need to navigate – or relocate – obstacles in order to complete their regular job function, accidents are more likely to occur. Not only is it a very inefficient way to work, but the chances of trips, falls or lifting injuries are increased. They may be distracted due to a deadline or frustration at things not being tidy, and make careless or reckless mistakes like ‘just climbing over’ the obstacle in an attempt to save time. Taking the time to organise work and storage areas reduces this risk greatly.

4. Reduce Workplace Stress

Don’t underestimate the significant impact that stress can have on your employees. Conflict with colleagues or management, long hours, unrealistic expectations and heavy workloads can all take their toll on your team’s state of mind. Not only are you at risk of having them need to take significant time off, but they may also be more likely to make dangerous mistakes.

5. Encourage Breaks

Ensure that your workplace culture is one where rest is as valued as work – employees are entitled to lunch and rest breaks, days off and periods of leave. Refreshed employees are productive and focussed employees. No matter how busy it is, ensure your team are getting regular opportunities to rest and recharge.
Workplace health and safety is everyone’s responsibility and the penalties for non-compliance can be high. The fines and compensation claims are hefty, but so is the emotional toll of knowing that someone was put in danger just trying to do their job.

Do you feel your workplace is doing enough to provide a safe work environment?

5 Ways to Keep Your Things Safe While You're Away

Photo credit: yahoo image

Going on holiday or getting away somewhere is your chance to relax and take a well-earned breather from the life at home. But you are not going to be able to really relax unless you are sure that everything at home is safe and sound. There are ways of preparing so that you have that peace of mind while you are away and here are 5 ideas for keeping your things safe while you are away.

Get Friends to House Sit

One way to make sure that your house and things are safe is to get friends or family to live in your home while you are away on holiday. Thieves will be less likely to go to a house that has people living in it than one that seems to have nobody around. For the price of having someone living in your home for a few weeks/months, you can have the peace of mind of knowing that your things are safe and sound with an eye being kept on them every day. Another great thing about this is that your friends or family member/s will have the opportunity to have a little holiday of their own as they stay in your house.

Store Them

If there are specific things that you are concerned about such as garden furniture, tools, personal items, or anything that you don’t feel safe leaving at your home unattended, hiring a storage unit could be just the thing that you need. A storage unit, such as the ones at Fort Knox Sunshine Coast can be any size from small to large and will be kept securely for you so you will be able to access them again when you need them.

Mail Collection

One thing that tells thieves that there is nobody home is the mail building up in the letterbox. Organising a mail collection, or redirection service through your local post office is one way of ensuring that this little clue is not available to would-be thieves who might be looking for a free ride. You could even get the mail redirected to a friends or families home and they can let you know if there are important letters that arrive while you are away. Alternatively get someone that you trust to go to your home regularly and collect the mail for you.

Stop the Newspapers

A pile of newspapers building up on the front lawn is another way that thieves might get the idea that there is a chance to steal some stuff, so make sure that you have your newspapers stopped for the time that you are away. If you are unable to do that, such as in the case of the freebie newspapers that are delivered weekly then ask a neighbour or someone you trust to pick them up for you and put them in the bin.

Lights on Timers

Having your lights on timers to come and on and off at certain times will give the illusion that there is someone in the house that is coming and going. The small effort that it takes to install some light timers could mean the difference between keeping your stuff safe and having a nasty surprise when you get home.

Carabiner Keychains

I didn't know what a carabiner looked like until a friend gave us carabiner keychains from his recent trip to the US.

It is a metal loop with a gate usually attached to a spring for locking mechanism. It is normally used in safety-critical systems like climbing, trekking, securing harness and on rescue missions.

Carabiners are high-grade metals and imitation ones are used as novelty items like keychains and these novelty products normally have prints indicating that they are not designed for weight-bearing use.

What To Look For In A Children’s Car Seat

It's probably the most vital piece of equipment you'll buy for your car and it's so important get it right. Choosing a child's car seat is about gathering the facts, checking your child's size and considering the practical side, such as what types will fit into your car. With this in mind, here is my essential guide to kitting out your car for the kids.

Types of seating fit into rough age groups, but it's more important to make sure your child has correct equipment for their size. At the moment, this means a rear-facing seat for Brookland but she's getting near the stage when she'll outgrow it, as these seats are only ok for children under around 29lbs.

Rear-facing seats are designed to support babies who can't sit up on their own and can be used in the front as long as there's no airbag. But once you can see your child's head over the top of the seat, it's time to move on to the forward-facing seat. Austin has one of these and she's 3.5 years old, but again, you need to go by weight: around 20-40lbs is fine for these seats.

Child seats must be fitted correctly in order to work, so when you head out to the stores, try and test the products out in your car and think about any other cars that your child needs to travel in as well. A good retailer will suggest different types and help you fit the seat yourself, but you can also find videos on the web.

Many newer cars come with a system called Isofix (also called LATCH), which means there are points built into the car which match corresponding car seats. There's less risk of incorrect fitting with this system, but we've also used seatbelt systems in our car and they're no less effective so long as you install them properly. It's good to look at both options, especially as Isofix seats tend to be more expensive.

Lastly, always buy new, rather than used. Seats from a trusted friend or family member are ok if you know the history, but a second-hand seat from elsewhere could have been involved in a crash and have structural problems. I found as many brand reviews from other moms as I could online before going anywhere; it's best to be as well-informed as possible when it comes to child safety in the car.

Scary Fog In Dubai Yesterday

The fog has arrived and yesterday was one of the many more fogs we will encounter here in Dubai. Yesterday's fog was scary because it was dense and descended so fast. I peeped through our bedroom window to see only flicker of lights from vehicles and the street lamps. And 5 minutes after, the fog was thick, very misty and very dangerous.

The news today warned the public of the many more fog encounters we will have these coming days because the weather is changing. We are slowly easing into fall.

Driving in a very dense fog is treacherous. Plenty of motorists decided to stay home and waited it out while others pulled on the shoulder and the side of the road for safety. Others decided to skip work or school while others drove slowly than ever because you couldn't see the curb nor the pavement on the thick fog yesterday. Even flights were diverted and delayed. That one fog which lasted for several hours in the morning caused mayhem both on the ground and off!

So if you happen to drive into another fog in the coming days, please remember to practice caution. Do not, I repeat, do not ever use hazard lights as motorists behind will not be able to anticipate your sudden change of lane or stop. Use the fog lights and maintain a low beam. Using a high beam can reflect more light to tiny moisture and can cause more visibility issues. Also, drive slowly and maintain a safe distance of about 2-3 cars apart. Be patient as everyone else is hoping and praying to get to their destinations safely and in one piece.

Riding the Motorcycle

The motorcycle is one of the easiest vehicle to operate. All you need is the proper gear while choosing the right motorcycle helmets, the right balance and a sensible reflex to drive responsibly and safely.

I have driven a motorcycle in the past and I enjoyed the liberating feeling of being strong and in control in the road. Of course, I had to be cautious at all times to ensure that I don't find myself getting hurt or the other way around.

It may be an easy ride to operate but if an irresponsible and risky driver is behind the motorcycle then it becomes a dangerous mode of transportation.

Driving Safely in Foggy Condition

I am not used to drive in foggy conditions. It is a common occurrence here in the UAE especially when the season is changing. We are used to the weather but navigating through main thoroughfares with other motorists who have no consideration to other human lives is another story.

Fog is a thick cloud bank that lies low in the ground. Visibility can be affected and most and if the fog is very thick, then you can expect a zero visibility. This condition is the scariest for motorists because you don't know if there is a vehicle in front of you and if it is slowing down or not.

Here are tips to drive safely in foggy condition:

• Check weather conditions and be aware so you can prepare in advance.
• Use your fog lights if it is installed in your vehicle. Is you live in a place where foggy condition is common, install fog lights in your vehicle.
• Do not drift in the middle of the line and stay in line as much as possible. Use your right side as a guide.
• If you are driving with someone else, please ask the help of your passenger to watch out for any oncoming traffic.
• Keep a safe distance. One full length of a car is normally the safe distance between 2 vehicles. However, in foggy weather, allow at least 2 full length of car distance.
• Do not speed up. It is difficult to know if the vehicle in front of you is slowing down if the fog is thick.
• Keep your defroster and wiper on if necessary because the moisture in the air can collect on your windshield making driving more difficult.
• Pull over to the side of the road if the visibility is zero. Better yet, let the fog settle and it normally clears mid-morning. If you can afford to skip work for few hours then do so. I would rather be late than sorry.

Safety First This New Year

Christmas has come and gone and people are now anticipating the coming of 2011. A lot of you may celebrate New Year with a bang, quite literally. However, here in Dubai, residents are not allowed to hold their own fireworks display at home. Maybe some who have permission but it is done by big hotels only or the government body.

So, New Year is rather safe here. We just watch the fireworks from the distance and it is being set up by the professionals. For those of you who are going to have fireworks display, just bear in mind these simple tips to avoid any accidents or mishaps you may regret.

1. Keep all your fireworks in a safe place, preferably away from the reach of children.

2. Don't put your fireworks near hot areas like stoves, fireplace and kilns. This is rather common sense!

3. Set up your fireworks in a vacant yard or at least few feet away from the residential area or where the public has access. You don't want your fireworks to accidentally "blast" on unwitting passers-by.

4. If you need to light up your fireworks the conventional way, i.e., use of a match, please wear protective gloves like the ones used by construction workers.

5. Tie a candle on a long stick and use it to light your fireworks from a distance.

6. Do not fire "weapons." Period!

7. Tap the pots and pans instead if you want to make some noise or put your stereo on for some nice and non-deafening music. 

We have managed to live without the frivolities of fireworks display for many years now. It is a welcome respite though, to see the magnificent display brought by the professionals as sponsored by the government and hoteliers here in Dubai from a very safe distance. Although the celebration back in the Philippines is really missed, I would rather settle for a simple and safe welcoming of 2011 than find my fingers all over the place. If you know what I mean.

So, let us keep it safe and simple. If we can avoid not setting up fireworks then let us do so. However, if one intends to welcome 2011 with grand display of fireworks, be my guest. Just be cautious and have a first aid kit within reach just in case.

Happy New Year everyone. Where ever you may be. Have a safe and peaceful 2011!

Philippine Hijacking Gone Bad

I didn't realize that something bad was already happening in Manila while I was in the office. I checked my Facebook for updates when I saw updates from friends about the hostage taking. I got to read more information when I came home to check the news.

A sacked policeman named Rolando Mendoza, 55 years old, seized a busload of Hongkong tourists near the Quirino Grandstand in Manila today, 23 August. The hostage taker carried with him a M16 rifle and opened fire to the hostages.

The hostage drama ended in a bloodshed and this is not good to our tourism.

I am completely saddened by this event. Innocent lives were endangered because of the gunman's bid to get his post back. And all for what?

I offer my prayers to the victims and their families. I hope the Filipinos will get through this though circumstance and show the world that this is just a setback done by a lone Filipino.

Hot Weather = Fire!

Summer is often associated with fire due to the extreme temperature and humidity. Hearing sirens and honking of the fire trucks is a regular occurrence here in my neighborhood. Dubai is quick to respond on such emergencies and that is what I like in this place.

I was able to capture a fire which broke in one of the industrial warehouses near my building few minutes ago. It is just a block away and I can see it from my veranda. It started with white smoke bellowing from the warehouse and then it turned to black. The fire was just a flicker and became red-orange flame. More firetrucks, police cars and ambulance came to the scene in a span of few minutes.

So, folks, be careful with your electrical outlets, flammable items and appliances. Make sure you don't light incense or candle and leave it unattended. Also, unplug any unused appliances. Remember to use fire exits in case of emergency and call for help.

(Photo taken on 20 July 2010, 2115 hrs by the author - ME, ...fresh from the "oven...")

Beach Body But Sun-Scared

It's that time of the year again where I always tell myself that I am definitely wearing a bikini. Like the previous years, I always end up in a one piece swimwear hidden under a loose shirt. Sometimes I wear shorts and a bikini top, again only to hide under a big shirt.

It's not that I do not have any confidence in my body, it's just that wearing bikinis, tankinis, one-piece suit or any bathing suits for that matter in this terribly hot and humid country is making me think twice on whether or not I will expose my sensitive skin to the harsh rays. I want to feel comfortable and at the same time not worry about how safe my skin will be under the heat of the sun. However, Dubai has plenty of beautiful beaches where you can actually sun bathe, apply suntan lotion and wear proper swimwear, even bikinis! It is hard to resist the call of the waves, the yellow-creamish colored sandy beaches, the cozy cabanas, jet-ski, surfing and the sports in the beach.

Dubai lies in the Middle East where the sun scorches and the rays just pierce your skin making you like a living, walking prune. I do not go out at the beach without wearing sun protection because it is just too hot here. I even wear sunscreen while driving, so you could just imagine how hot it is in this part of the world. A lot of the expatriates here who are sun worshippers love the beach area. I always see them apply either sun tan lotion or sunscreen but at the same time, enjoy the glorious sun.

I know a lot of people will go in drove to the nearest beach area to cool off wearing their beautiful swimwear. I just hope they will be wise enough to keep their skin safe and have their sunscreen lotions handy, just in case.

Window and Door Safety

My best friend who now resides in Florida has had her share of ferocious typhoons passing Florida since she moved there. She used to live in a small apartment where the windows were not as safe as she would describe them. She has seen water seeping through the old windows and what was worse was the absence of Florida shutters to further protect them from any untoward incident when the inclement weather would not calm. Since they were renting out the place for some time already, they just decided to have their own home built according to their preference and one that would meet their high standard on quality and safety.

One company that caught their rigid screening was Ocean View Windows and Doors. This company has variety of products and services to offer. The products range from impact windows, custom glass etching, retraceable screens and remote controlled ones, interior doors, door and window casements, hurricane shutters florida, and store-front windows. Not only that they carry high quality products which all meet the strict building code of Florida, they also have services to offer for both residential and commercial properties. The list of their services offered is appealing to home-builders and those who are planning to have some home improvements or renovations without compromising safety and quality. This company values their clients and provides excellent customer service, installation, and sales and marketing with great professionalism.

My best friend and her husband are quite impressed with the portfolio of Ocean View Windows and Doors. You rarely get the chance to come across a company with high quality products to offer with par excellence service.