Posts filed under ‘Safety’
Wind Chill Chart
To help Minnesota residents minimize risks and mitigate the hazards of winter, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety — in collaboration with the National Weather Service and other state, federal and non-profit agencies — is sponsoring “Winter Hazard Awareness Week” beginning today.
One of today’s topics is wind chill. Admit it. You’ve always wanted a nifty chart with a mathematical formula that lets you calculate your own wind chill. Seriously, the chart is handy, and the “Frostbite Times” color coding is a great tool. Use it. Take precautions when necessary.
More information about Minnesota winter preparation can be found at www.winterweather.state.mn.us.
How To Identify Official Door-to-Door Census Takers
- Must present an ID Badge with the U.S. Department of Commerce logo, their name and expiration date. Census takers will also provide a driver’s license or photo identification, if asked.
- May also be carrying a black canvass bag with a U.S. Department of Commerce logo.
- Will provide their supervisor’s contact information and/or the local census office phone number for verification, if asked.
- Will only ask questions appearing on the official 2010 Census form.
- NOT ask to come into a resident’s home.
- NOT ask for social security numbers, bank account numbers or credit card numbers.
- NOT ask any information about your taxes or income.
- NOT solicit donations or contact you by e-mail.
Facebook Safety
The June 2010 edition of Consumer Reports Magazine listed 7 things to stop doing now on Facebook. Click here to see what they say will make Facebook a safer place for you and your family.
Severe Weather Awareness Week
Severe Weather Awareness Week is once again upon us. The week is dedicated to preparing people for the upcoming summer weather hazards.
Each day this week, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety will focus on different topics. Today’s focus is thunderstorms, hail, straight-line winds and lightning.
The highlight of the week will be Tornado Drill Day on Thursday, when the statewide tornado drill will be held. Families, schools, health care facilities and work places throughout the state will be participating beginning at 1:45 in the afternoon, with an optional evening drill at 6:55.
Nationally, severe weather causes in excess of one billion dollars in damage annually.
More information on Severe Weather Awareness Week is available at www.severeweather.state.mn.us.
Staying Alert on Minnesota’s Highways
As the end of 2009 approaches, highway safety attorney Douglas Horn would like to remind all Minnesota motorists that there is much each of us can do when we get behind the steering wheel to help ensure that we, our passengers, and other motorists on the roadways “arrive alive” at our destinations.
Horn talked with us today about distracted driving.
There is technology now being developed to prevent texting while behind the wheel.
Besides avoiding cell phone use, Douglas Horn has some more tips for drivers.
Winter Driving Survival Kit
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety has declared this to be Winter Hazard Awareness Week. Of course, one thing you can do to prepare for winter is make a Winter Driving Survival Kit to keep in your vehicle. The MN DPS recommends using an empty three-pound coffee can or any similar container with a plastic cover to store the following items:
-Small candles and matches
-Small, sharp knife and plastic spoons
-Red bandanna or cloth
-Pencil and paper
-Large plastic garbage bag
-Safety pins
-Whistle
-Snacks
-Cell phone adapter to plug into lighter
-Plastic flashlight and spare batteries
They also recommend storing small packages of food that you can eat hot or cold. Some suggestions are:
-Raisins in small packets
-Semi-sweet chocolate in pieces for sharing
-Miniature candy bars
-Chewing gum
-Wrapped hard candies
-Food bars
-Canned Soup, meat and poultry
Some bulky and heavy items that are recommended to keep in an accessable place in your vehicle:
-30 foot cord to use as homing line when you must exit the vehicle
-Booster cables
-Basic tools
-Sand, cat litter or other grit in a plastic milk carton
-Shovel
-Tow cables or chain
-Sleeping bag or blankets
-Road flares and reflectors
-Snowmobile suit and heavy boots
Tips, planning materials and other information from ten different state agencies are available at www.winterweather.state.mn.us
Motorist Safety Tips for Deer
The Minnesota departments of Public Safety (DPS) and Natural Resources (DNR) urge motorist to drive cautiously and keep an eye out for deer. MN’s 1.2 million white-tailed deer are especially active right now, so the DPS and the DNR are offering some safety tips for you to help avoid hitting deer. Among them:
• Drive at safe speeds and be prepared and alert for deer.
• Don’t swerve to avoid a deer, this can cause you to lose control and travel off the road or into oncoming traffic. The best defense is to buckle up and brake.
• Don’t count on deer whistles or deer fences to deter deer from crossing roads in front of you. Stay alert.
• Watch for the reflection of deer eyes and for deer silhouettes on the shoulder of the road. If anything looks slightly suspicious, slow down.
• Slow down in areas known to have a large deer population; where deer-crossing signs are posted; places where deer commonly cross roads; areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forest land; and whenever in forested areas between dusk and dawn.
• Deer do unpredictable things. Sometimes they stop in the middle of the road when crossing. Sometimes they cross and quickly re-cross back from where they came; sometimes they move toward an approaching vehicle. Assume nothing. Slow down; blow your horn to urge the deer to leave the road. Stop if the deer stays on the road; don’t try to go around it.
• Any Minnesota resident may claim a road-killed animal by contacting a law enforcement officer. An authorization permit will be issued allowing the individual to lawfully possess the deer.
Oh Deer!
Scott O’Konek of South Haven went bowhunting last week and got a 32 point buck in Fort Ripley! With the firearms deer hunting season in Minnesota opening November 7th, the DNR would like to remind hunters of a few basic safety rules:
- Always point the muzzle of your firearm in a safe direction.
- Treat every firearm with the same respect you would show a loaded gun.
- Be sure of your target and what is in front of and behind your target.
- Unload and safely store firearms when not in use.
- Handle firearms and ammunition carefully.
- Never climb a fence or tree, or jump a ditch or log with a loaded firearm.
- Carry your firearm safely, keeping the safety on until ready to shoot.
- Never point a firearm at anything you do not want to shoot.
- Don’t drink alcohol or take mood-altering drugs before or while handling firearms.
- Be aware of changing weather conditions.
These safety tips and more can be found on the MN DNR’s website.
