15-Passenger Van Rollover Report from VanAngels on Vimeo.
Van Angels is dedicated to making others aware the dangers of 15 passenger vans. Here are some facts from their website.
Fact one: Over 1,100 people have died in 15-passenger van rollover accidents.
Fact two: In many of these accidents, the rollover was triggered by a left rear tire de-tread!
Fact three: NHTSA has issued four warnings for 15-passenger vans. More than any other vehicle.
Fact four: In most states, it is illegal to transport public school children in a 15 or 12-passenger van.
Check out the website for more information
Van Angels
This is a funny video on surviving a bear attack.
The Rocket City Rednecks show that you can create a tornado proof shelter for cheap.
Tailgating is the act of following another driver too closely. When you are driving behind someone it is recommended that you remain at least 3 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. You figure this out by choosing an object beside the road such as a tree or sign. You start slowly counting “one one thousand two one thousand three one thousand” when the vehicle in front of you passes the object. You should be finished counting before you pass the object. If you are still counting when you pass the object then you are following too closely. Most rear end collisions are caused by following to closely. Research done by the Highways’ Agency indicates that tailgating is a factor in more than one third of all auto collisions. If you find yourself being tailgated pull over, if it is safe to do so, and let the tailgater pass you or change lanes. Once the tailgater has passed get their license number and notify your local authorities.
This past Sunday Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, along with guests Emma Roberts and Justin Bieber, highlighted the Remember Alex Brown Foundation. This organization was created in remembrance of a seventeen year old Texas girl who tragically died while texting and driving. The Remember Alex Brown Foundation was created in order to educate people to the dangers of texting while driving.
Here are some important facts concerning texting while driving:
- According to Virginia Tech Driving Institute, you are 23 times more likely to get into an accident if you text while driving.
- Studies indicate that someone who is texting will have reaction time equal to or worse than someone who is drunk.
- You can do something to save your life or somebody elses. Sign a pledge. You have plenty to choose from. There is a pledge on the Remember Alex Brown Foundation website. Oprah and AT&T both have their own pledges as well.
Oprah
http://www.oprah.com/packages/no-phone-zone.html
The Alex Brown Foundation
http://www.rememberalexbrownfoundation.org/
AT&T
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=2964
So be smart. Don’t text and drive.
We all have memories of watching lightning storms. Lightning has excited, scared, and amazed us. We can not help but be astounded by the beauty and sheer power of lightning. While some of us love lightning storms there are some of us who are terrified of them and even fewer who really understand lightning and how to stay safe during a storm.
Lightning is actually one of the primary causes for weather related deaths with floods being the number one. It causes an average of 58 deaths per year and causes more than 300 injuries per year. A lot of people don’t realize how dangerous lightning can be because it typically causes individual deaths as opposed to killing several people at once like hurricanes, tornados, or floods. The damage caused by lightning is also quite minimal compared to these other acts of God, which only adds to the misconception that lightning is not that dangerous.
A lot of these unnecessary deaths could be avoided if more individuals understood how dangerous storms can be, as well as understanding how lightning works. It is not just important to know that lightning is dangerous though. It is important to know how to be safe during a lightning storm.
One of the first things to remember about lightning is its extreme power. The upstroke of a lightning strike is capable of reaching temperatures in excess of 55,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That is approximately five times hotter than the surface of the sun is estimated to be. These temperatures are hot enough to cause anything with moisture such as wood or concrete to literally explode. It will also cause metal objects to melt or even vaporize. And the average peak power generated by a bolt of lightning is around 1012 watts.
Unfortunately, due to how we see it portrayed in movies, TV shows, or other forms of media, some believe that being struck by lightning is not that bad. In the movie Twister you can even hear the characters talking about what it would be like to be struck:
Rabbit: Y’know, in a severe lightning storm, you want to grab your ankles and stick your butt in the air.
Haynes: He’s right. If you’re gonna get hit it’s the safest orifice.
Joey: Yeah, I’d like to get struck by lightning once, y’know, see what it’s like.
This is obviously a bad idea. Even if the lightning victim survives the strike, the vast majority of survivors suffer long-term or even permanent side-effects.
After realizing how dangerous lightning can be it is important to figure out when you are in danger and how to avoid these situations. It is important to keep in mind that lightning has incredibly long range. An average lightning bolt is 6-8 miles long and capable of traveling 25-40 miles before striking the ground. Since you can usually only hear lighting between 2 to 12 miles away or closer, the moment you hear thunder or see lightning, you are in immediate danger. Its reach is so long that people have reportedly been struck by lightning while there was no cloud cover. Additionally lightning can actually travel for short distances through the ground so the strike can be lethal from about 60 ft away through the ground and 600 ft in water.
The safest place to be during a lighting storm is inside your home or a building. Do not use any appliances or anything else that is plugged into an outlet or phone line. You should also unplug any unnecessary items as soon as possible including computers. While some surge protectors will work like they are supposed to this is not always the case. Even if it protects against the electrical surge very few of these devices offer any protection against the magnetic field generated by a lighting strike. Failure to unplug electrical devices could lead to electrical fire.
Also avoid contact with anything that conducts electricity. Metal and water are really good conductors so it should go without saying but, do not take a shower or wash your hands. Even though your pipes and wires may be underground, as previously stated, lightning will travel for short distances through the ground. If pipes or wires happen to be near the point of contact with the ground then the lightning will be able to reach those conductors.
Keep the windows and blinds closed as well and stay away from them. While it is unlikely that someone would be struck on the inside of the house through the window, it is possible for the lightning to cause the window to shatter, potentially causing injury to anyone who is too close.
If you happen to be outside during a storm, get inside and follow the above advice. If you can not get inside, then the safest place to be is going to be inside a hardtop metal car. This should provide enough protection. Once inside, roll the windows up and keep your hands in your lap. A lot of people assume that it is the rubber tires that keep the occupants safe from harm. This is a myth. Rubber tires or shoes do nothing to protect against a lightning strike. It is actually the metal shell, functioning as a faraday cage, which keeps anybody inside the car safe. This technique does not work as well if the vehicle has a plastic shell like certain Saturn vehicles and various sports cars. It also does not work as well if the occupant is handling anything connected to the exterior. This especially applies to electronics such as the radio.
Sometimes it is not possible to get to shelter. In those situations avoid tall trees and open structures such as gazebos or car ports. Due to their open design, these structures do not offer adequate protection and may actually attract lightning and put you at greater risk. Researchers advise that the safest place to be outside is away from tall or lone trees. It is suggested that your best bet is to choose a more open area and stay as low to the ground as possible while touching the ground as little as possible. Squat on the balls of your feet to ensure that you are maintaining minimal contact with the ground and keeping a low profile. If you are in a group, spread apart so that you are at least 60ft. from each other. You should stay this distance apart so if someone in your party is struck by lightning the others will be able to give first aid and call for assistance.
It is a good idea to keep in mind that following this advice does not guarantee your safety. Scientists are constantly discovering new information about how lightning works. The information contained in this article merely helps the reader to be prepared and increase their chances of survival.
Tags: Outdoor Safety
We would like to think that we are safe in our own homes. The home is where we unwind, relax, and not worry about outside intruders. Most people feel that way, unless their home has been broken into. It is one of the worst feelings in the world to know that you are not even safe in your own home. So how does one overcome this fear? Well, you can always move to a safer neighborhood. One of the easiest ways, however, will be to fortify your home.
Here are just a few of the ways that you can make your home safer and more secure from intruders.
Deadbolt
Deadbolts are a good bit more secure then a standard lock, which can easily be overcome by a credit card or thin screwdriver. I have seen this first hand when I watched my fiancée break into her house with her college ID card after she accidentally locked herself out. Make sure you have a deadbolt lock on all outside doors. Also keep in mind that if your door has glass in or directly around it, you may want to get a deadbolt that requires a key to open it from the inside as well. Just make sure that it is easy for you to get to the keys in case of a fire.
Reinforce Doorframe
Even with a good deadbolt it is quite possible to kick the door in, so it is a good idea to reinforce your doorframe while you are replacing your locks. There are a number ways that you can accomplish this. When you open the door you should notice a metal plate on the door frame with a hole in it for the bolt to go into when the door is locked. If it’s not there, then get one. The easiest and cheapest way to reinforce the door is to simply use really long screws to anchor in the metal plate. The other alternative is to use a metal plate that runs the whole length of the door frame. Both of these modifications should make it very difficult to break the door in.
Reinforce Window
There are several options for reinforcing your windows as well. If you have a window that slides open the simplest, easiest, and most affordable way to fortify the window is to drill a hole in the frame of the window, which will mostly likely be wooden, and insert a metal rod. This will make it impossible to open the window, as long as the metal rod remains in the window. Please keep in mind that this will make it difficult to leave the house in a hurry if there is a fire or something of that nature. Another option is to replace your windows with shatter resistant glass or applying a protective film that would make your current glass shatter resistant.
Security Lights
Motion sensor lights are one of the more common forms of burglary prevention. Most of these lights include the necessary instructions for an average home owner to install one of these devices.
Security System
Security systems are also a very common form of burglary prevention. These types of systems usually require professional installation. For those with a smaller budget, however, you can find similar devices online or at electronic stores such as Radio Shack. You may also choose to use one of these similar systems to compliment your professionally installed security system.
Bushes
A lot of homeowners like to plant bushes right next to their house to help beautify the property. However, caution should be used whenever you put anything on your property that could give a potential burglar someplace to hide. If you decide to plant bushes next to your house try to stick with thorny bushes. The thorns should help discourage any would-be burglars from using those bushes as cover.
Dog
Dogs can be a great crime deterrent, but they can also be more than some people can handle. Do plenty of research before deciding on a breed of dog and obedience class is always a great idea no matter which breed you choose. You should also make sure you can make the commitment needed to take care of a dog. There are two main types of dogs. (1)The watch dog will let its owner know that there is an intruder without doing much else. (2)The guard dog will typically try to attack or restrain any potential intruders. A watch dog would obviously be a better choice for an inexperienced owner. Also keep in mind that the owner could be held responsible if their pet hurts anyone and may be required to put the dog down. Please research all local laws.
Video Surveillance
Video surveillance is a great way to keep tabs on what is going on around or on your property. Cameras can even be used inside the house or checked online while you are away. These surveillance systems can usually be found online or at electronic stores.
House Visibility
An often overlooked part of burglary prevention is making your house visible and recognizable to police and first responders. Make sure the house number is clearly visible. If you feel like being a little more extreme, you may want to consider attaching a strobe light, or something similar, on the outside of your house that can be activated in case of emergency. This will help ensure that police officers are not wasting precious time trying to find your house.
These are just some of the tools available to homeowners today. Explore all the options and choose the security features that make you and your loved ones feel safe.
Tags: Home Safety
It is amazing how many sex offenders are living in our neighborhoods and near our schools. Every parent should know this information. Sex offenders are the hardest to reform. Please know who lives on your street, in your neighborhood and wherever your children play.
If you do not have children but are a woman, you need to do know this, too. If someone raped once, they could rape again.
Not paying attention.
I am convinced that is the number one mistake we make when we are outside the home. It is so easy to get caught up in shopping, errands and our phone and forget to watch what is happening around us.
We must be vigilant about this. While we will never hear about the lives that are saved from it, it is the single most important thing we can do while we are out.
I can be guilty of this myself and find myself catching myself and reminding myself to pay more attention to….
- who is walking out to the parking lot of a store at the same time that I am? This is probably one of the unsafest situations for women….walking to our cars. Never take chances here.
- am I seeing one particular person in a store a lot? No one should be following you in a store.
- is someone following my car? Always pay attention when you are in the car. As good drivers, this is something we should all be doing anyway.
- is someone being too friendly? I for one never feel the need to be polite to men who want to make small talk. That is just not what I go out for.
I’m not saying be paranoid…just careful…just watchful.
If for ANY reason you are uncomfortable in a situation, ask someone who works at the store to walk out with you. Just whatever you do, do not leave in any situation where you are being watchful and do not feel 100% safe. Notice how I added “where you are being watchful”? Just because you feel safe does not make you safe….if you are not aware of your surroundings.
It’s been a couple of years since I started this site and with the many stories I have heard since then, I still feel strongly that this is the single biggest mistake we make.
Tags: Self-Defense
PLAN
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Let others know where you are and when to expect to hear from you, and ALWAYS follow-up with them.Let them know if they do not hear from you to try to contact you to make sure you are okay.
- Be aware – Be aware while you are driving, while you are shopping, and when you leave a location. Get in the habit of checking our your surroundings…even look behind you.
- If you find yourself in a parking lot alone with a man, walk quickly to a safe area with other people.
- Walk out when others are walking out.
- Have your keys ready and in your hand when you walk out.
- Get into your vehicle and lock the doors as quickly as possible.
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Carry a cell phone.Keep it charged and on.
- Important telephone numbers to have on speed dial: 911, mall security, ICE # (in case of emergency).
- Make your telephone calls before you leave the store. You do not want to be distracted while walking to your vehicle.
- If you’re in a store and feel someone is following you, go to a store employee or manager and explain the situation and ask them to call mall security.
- Draw attention if you need. Use your remote key access panic button or a whistle.
- Never, ever let someone take you to another location. No matter what he threatens to do, your chances are better if he does not take you somewhere else. Do whatever you can to not go to another location. If he takes you to another location, your chances of survival will be very slim. Don’t worry about him shooting you if you get a chance to run. Run for safety. Yes, there is a chance you could get shot, but there is a greater chance that you will be killed if you end up at a second location. If you are driving, crash your car into a pole or tree in a very public place. It could save your life.
- If it looks like someone is trying to abduct you in your own vehicle, throw the keys as far away as you can.
- Never assume that all attackers will look a certain way. They don’t. Some look like they could be the nice guy next door.
- If someone does approach you to rob you, whatever you have to give to them, don’t just hand it to them. Throw it. When they go after it, you run like your life depends on it in the opposite direction making as much noise as you can to draw attention if you are in an area where others may be nearby.
- Watch who is parked next to you. Be especially cautious when a van is parked next to you. It is way to easy to abduct someone with a van. It’s easier to get someone inside and less chance of being seen. Also, note if someone is sitting in a parked car next to yours. It is always better to be safe.
- If you are thrown into a trunk, kick out the tail lights and wave your hand out the tail light hole. There is a chance someone could see you and call for help.