Tidbits 8/04/08

Red Means STOP
Whether it is a stop light of a stop sign, it is there for a reason. Did you know that as many as 171,000 automobile accidents occurred in 2006 because of people running red lights? The result was over 144,000 injuries and 887 deaths. One alternative to running late because of unexpected delays is to simply leave earlier. Running a stop sign or red light is dangerous! Consider the risks…and don’t put yourself or family members in harms way. –IIHS

Cell Phones and Germs
Research found mobile phones are a technological petri dish for tens of thousands of germs. Why? Germs multiply in warm places. Between the heat the phones generate and the germs on faces and hands, you've got a bacterial breeding ground. You put it in a warm place, you hold it in your hand, you put it in your pocket, it’s nice and warm -- bacteria like that and can grow in these types of places.
If you're worried about germs growing on your cell, Motorola has come up with a clever tactic -- some of its phones have an anti-microbial coating, which prevents bacteria from growing. In the meantime, keep your phone to yourself and clean it frequently with anti-bacterial wipes.

Think about it!
“Joy is what happens when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.” -Marianne Williamson

Protect your hands
Hand injuries account for 80% of all occupational injuries because the hands are engaged in almost all activities on the job. There are many dangerous conditions on the job to which the hand is always exposed. Sharp edges, pinch points, protruding objects, splinters, exposed blades on unguarded machinery and many more. These conditions may not always be too obvious to employees. Some precautionary measures include: following Lockout/Tagout procedures; making sure machines are properly guarded at all times and not wearing rings when working with machinery; checking to be sure you have proper hand clearance before moving loads through doorways. Use your brain. Avoid dangers and protect your hands. You need them as long as you live.

More Numbers from Time Magazine
$0.12 – Price for a gallon of gas in Venezuela
13 – Percentage of college kids who suffer injuries because of drinking
26 – Percentage of college students who have experienced blackouts because of drinking.
42 – Percentage of people in the U.S. who say they have tried Marijuana.
48.2 – Percentage of the U.S. beer market held by Anheuser-Busch
34,000 – The number of Japanese who killed themselves last year (where the suicide rate is twice as high as the U.S.).
85 – Percentage of Americans polled who think the U.S. economy is seriously off track.

Quote of the week
“Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” -Lou Holtz