See and Be Seen

See and Be Seen

Bicycling seems to be growing in popularity.  It is a great form of recreation, fitness exercise and, with higher fuel prices, even transportation.  This week we will focus on bicycles and bicycle safety.

The increasing number of bicycle riders makes this a good time to review some safety tips - for drivers and riders.  Motorists need to know that cyclists have the same rights on the road as they do.  Likewise, cyclists have the same obligation to follow the traffic laws as motorists.

First, please wear a helmet whenever riding a bicycle.  It is now the law in North Carolina that helmets are required for riders under 16 years old.  Look for a safety label that the helmet is approved by ANSI or the Snell foundation. This safety certification is also required under the law.

More than half a million people are injured each year in bicycle mishaps and thousands are killed.  Children 15 and younger account for one-third of the deaths and two thirds of the injuries.  Three-fourths of all deaths are due to head injuries.

Cyclists have an obligation to make sure they can be seen.  Selection of cycling attire can affect the distances that cyclists, or pedestrians, are visible.  Amazingly that range can be from a low of around 200 feet to a high of over 2000 feet just by selection of clothing.

Most cyclists try hard to be considerate to motorists and follow the rules of the road.   Experienced cyclists know that obeying the rules and looking out for their own safety also earns more respect from drivers.

Likewise, most motorists really do try to look out for bike riders.  However, both drivers and cyclists need to be aware that they are sharing the road in order to look out for each other.  Lastly, a friendly wave goes a long way toward keeping our roads safe.

We have several avid cyclists here on our Daggett Shuler Team.  Please feel free to call us if you have questions.  Be Safe!

THE HEAT IS ON

THE HEAT IS ON

Wow!  This past week we got suddenly hit with a large dose of mid-summer heat.  Perhaps that means it is a good time for us to review some summer safety tips.

Believe it or not, there are more illnesses, injuries, and deaths due to the heat of summer than to lightning, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or earthquakes.  Accordingly, the effect of heat on us and our families should not be taken lightly.  There are several heat safety recommendations and tips to help us through the heat such as we have had recently:

1. Drink Water.  Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty.  Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.

2. Dress For The Heat.  Wear lightweight, light colored clothing.  Light colors will reflect some of the heat’s energy.  It is also a good idea to wear hats, or even use an umbrella.  To make a fashion statement, call it a parasol.

3. Eat Small Meals, and Eat More Often.  Avoid foods high in protein, which increase your metabolic heat.  Increasing metabolic heat is like putting fuel on your internal fire, and also increases water loss.

4. Slow Down.  Avoid strenuous activity.  If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is close to dawn.

5. Stay Indoors When Possible.  When heat is excessive, avoid staying outside for long periods of time.

6. Take Regular Breaks.  When engaged in physical activity on warm days, take time out to find a cool place.  If you recognize if you, or someone else, is showing the signs of heat related illness, stop activity and find a cool place.

7. Don’t Get Too Much Sun.  Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation much more difficult.  Further, too much sun drastically increases the risk for skin cancer.  Be particularly careful with the tender skin of young children.

Remember to have fun!  But, please be safe and stay cool during our hot weather.

Awards and Rewards

Awards and Rewards

Over the last couple of weeks members of our Daggett Shuler team have participated in, been featured speakers at, and presented awards at a number of high school awards ceremonies in the Triad area.

It is fun to honor our local graduating high school seniors including those who have earned additional distinctions and awards.  It is an exciting time for them to continue on the road to success.  We are encouraged by the quality of our local high school graduating classes.

Consistent with a theme from our Safe Sober Prom Night program, we are pleased to participate in the circle of encouragement and support for our young people.  Our teachers, parents, administrators, and community leaders need to continue to come together to offer encouragement and support for our young people.  In this evermore competitive world we need to encourage them to achieve even more.  These achievements will lead to future rewards, personally and for our communities.

Conversely, watching these young people is inspiring and we are encouraged by them to keep achieving ourselves.  As they progress, we too must progress.  Part of our progression is the realization and awareness that we have a whole a new crop of students to encourage and support toward their future successes.

So, please join us in reaching out to our young people.  In particular, our graduating seniors are to be congratulated for their achievements.  We also need to encourage them toward their future successes, and thereby supporting the future successes of our communities and ourselves.  Surely this will lead us to future rewards individually, collectively, and as a society.

Congratulations seniors!  We are proud of you, have high expectations for you, and wish you the very best.