Tag: reflective clothing

Holidays have many dangers for children and adults

Summer holidays have started, which mainly children use for two months. However, in addition to the expected adventures, summer loves and welfare, many dangers, and injuries can be expected. This also applies to adults who go on vacation during these months, either alone or with their families.

As can be seen from the statistics of rescuers, firefighters or the police, there are a lot of injuries every year during summer holidays. Last July, the Central Bohemian rescuers recorded a total of 12,174 visits and in August 12,167, an increase of roughly one-fifth compared to other months.

Of course, the most threatened group is children. They are mostly inexperienced, they do not foresee what could happen and their injuries often occur within a second, but the consequences can be life-long. Therefore, they should learn to avoid risky situations. Injuries occur at home, outdoors and on roads.

The most common home injuries include burns with hot food, such as favorite grilling, drug poisoning or cleaning, electric shock or falling out of the window. A separate chapter is then a meeting with strangers. “Definitely the child should know that it should not open to unknown people and also not enter the elevator,” reminds police spokeswoman Monika.

Children’s traps are waiting outside even in gardens, playgrounds, and parks. For moving outdoors, it is worthwhile to observe certain principles, such as not touching syringes, old ammunition, walking on power lines and tracks, or collecting only known plants and fruits. “It is important for the children to know that they do not have to jump into the unknown water, because under the surface there may be stones. When riding a boat it is necessary to wear a life jacket with reflective material. In the storm, they must not be hiding under the tall trees, and they should never starve the unknown dogs, “warns the police spokesperson.

Holidays are also a time of trips, but parents should realize that a child can ride a bike alone on the roads for ten years. However, it is necessary to know the traffic regulations, signs, a properly fitted helmet on the head and the bike properly equipped. If it is driving on the road in the evening or in the dark, it is necessary to use reflective clothing with reflective fabric on it and lights. Different bags definitely do not belong to the handlebars, but to the carrier. Children should also be well aware of the rules of proper road crossing and of always being attached to the vehicle.

Maintains your professional clothes

Improper maintenance is a risk. For example, chemical protective clothing with reflective tape must be re-impregnated after each wash. “An extremely thin film of fluorinated carbon, vaporized on the fabric, gives the desired waterproof effect. When the garment is worn, this film can be damaged by mechanical actions. For effective rehabilitation, we add special chemicals at last rinse before drying the garment at temperatures of 130°C to 140°C. This step can only be performed by a professional, “says Christophe, technical director of France.

Unsuitable maintenance also reduces the reflective, antistatic and flame retardant characteristics of protective clothing. Dirt residues significantly reduce the signaling function of reflective clothing. With household detergents and softeners, antistatic workwear gradually loses its electrostatic discharge capacity.

“Washing in a domestic washing machine, drying on a clothesline, or even ironing is not suitable for protective clothing with reflective material,” says Christophe. For work clothes with rain protection (EN 343 standard), the small volume of a domestic washing machine damages the waterproof membrane incorporated in the clothes.

If the work clothing is soiled with solvents, paints, lacquers, oil, tar or chemicals, it can contaminate personal clothing. For this reason, it is strongly discouraged to wash work clothes and textiles for personal use. The power of a domestic washing machine is often insufficient to eliminate recalcitrant industrial fouling. The large washing tunnels of textile service providers are much better able to deal with the constraints of professional cleaning.

Finally, the cleaning of clothing is the first step, but it is far from sufficient to ensure the sustainability of their protective functions. In addition, each garment is controlled after each wash. If there are missing buttons, in the event of a faulty zipper, holes or insufficient thickness, the articles are repaired in the internal sewing workshop.

How to overcome the inner bastard

Even in winter, I think I’m the best fit. How do you motivate yourself to get up from the cozy sofa to run in the dark and cold?

It’s wet, cold and the sun went down before closing time. Who wants to do sports? Being motivated to move can be difficult in winter.

“Humans do not readily accept unpleasant things,” explains Oliver Stoll, professor of sports psychology at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. Because people prefer to move in good weather. With these tips, you can also catch up in winter and do healthy sport.

Set goals and talk about it

A good way is to set goals. These can be athletic ones like “I’m participating in a marathon in the spring” or even personal ones like “I want to lose three kilos over the winter”. The more concrete the goals, the better. Anyone who talks about this with friends and family is committed to living up to their own expectations. “The goal should be so strong in the focus that the weather does not matter,” explains Stoll. It can also help to visualize your goals, for example on small notes.

Create routines

Another trick to motivation is routines. This can be a fixed calendar appointment for the gym or a running group that meets regularly for sport. “Working out together is better in the winter: you are not alone. And it does not matter if it is pitch-deep,” says personal trainer Lars Neumann from Dortmund.

Provide inner and outer motivation

Even small goodies can help to rise from the cozy couch. For example a sauna after running. In this case, one speaks of extrinsic motivation. But it is better if you see the activity itself as a reward. “The intrinsic motivation is the strongest we know,” says Stoll. The problem: there are no recipes. Only those who have fun and recognize the meaning in the movement are really motivated from the inside out.

Look at the benefits

Sport not only keeps you fit and your body healthy – it also lifts the mood. This is particularly important in the dark season. When some are depressed and listless, says extreme athlete Peter. Regular exercise also strengthens the immune system during the cold season. And the cool air makes the head free in case of doubt.

Do not exaggerate

Anyone who is full of energy in winter should not be reckless anyway. Because of the temperature differences inside and outside, the risk of cold is increased.

Tighten properly

If you want to do sports outdoors in winter, you need the right equipment. “Windbreakers are practical, plus functional clothing and a neck warmer that can be pulled over the chin and nose,” recommends Lars Neumann. On the shoes, small spikes can prevent slipping. And to be recognizable in the dark, a headlamp and bright, reflective clothing, a reflective vest with reflective materials are recommended. By the way, if you get good equipment, you can directly commit yourself to use it.

Choose the right workout

“Lax running training is useful,” says personal trainer Neumann. The units should be slower than in summer. Interval training is rather inappropriate, says Peter. Even exercises with your own body weight are possible. “An important factor is that you do not need much material,” says Neumann. Because then you overcome yourself more easily.

If in doubt, practice indoors

If you do not feel like doing sport outdoors in the drizzle or cold weather, you can switch to the gym. Or use the winter to try out some new sport in the hall, such as kickboxing or squash. Those who do not want to leave their own four walls are recommended to do exercises on a gymnastics mat. A bit of self-motivation is always needed to stay fit in winter.

5+1 tips from the autumn wardrobe to make your outdoor work more enjoyable

Do you want to work efficiently, safely and comfortably even in autumn, fog, strong wind or rain? Enjoy outdoor work and have a practical outfit to protect you reliably not only about the safety risks but also from the pitfalls of the autumn weather. Modern, perfectly fitting clothing will also enhance the professional impression of well-done work in the eyes of your customers.

When choosing autumn work clothes, think not only about falling temperatures and increasing probability of showers but also about frequent fogs in the morning and early dimming. Because you will spend a great deal of work in your work wear, do not make any compromises when choosing it and always choose maximum safety, practicality, and comfort. Keep in mind, however, modern design and easy maintenance, because your overall look is your business card for current and future customers.

  1. Is it also the coldest of your feet? In addition to their safety and comfort, always ensure their dryness and adequate thermal comfort with suitable boots and socks made of wool, bamboo or other functional materials.
  2. Lovely fitters with comfortable cuts and plenty of functional pockets do not have to give up even during the cold autumn days – just touch the warm model. For many years, the most popular version has been a versatile version with a lace, the cut of which ensures that the trousers hold in place even with crouch or elbow.

Do you spend a lot of working time in the backyard? Although outfitters are always made of solid and durable materials, choose a model with the option of inserting knees. It protects your pants at the most stressful places while greatly increasing your work comfort.

  1. Soft-shell drains moisture out and at the same time lets it in, so it keeps you dry during intense rain and intense physical exertion. The jackets of this material are also warm and comfortable to wear, making it a clear choice for anyone who spends time outdoors even in cold and rainy weather.
  2. If you wear modern functional outfits under your soft-shell jacket, you will do everything in order to feel comfortable even in the most demanding physical work. A functional merino or bamboo t-shirt will keep you warm and, moreover, will give you moisture away from your body. In cooler weather, add a fleece sweater that is highly breathable and warm enough.
  3. Be seen!

Being seen at work pays off not only when it’s about your boss or client. In autumn fog, in rain or at dusk, you will also appreciate light-reflective materials such as reflective fabrics or reflective thread seams on regular work wear.

If your work requires special reflective clothing, look for insulated reflective jackets, warm fleece sweatshirts or overalls. Unlike thin reflex jackets dressed in a jacket, they will not limit you in motion while doing the maximum for your safety.

Business Tip: Show that you are a professional!

Have you made your employees practical, modern and comfortable work clothes that they enjoy every day? Additionally, if you let your logo print, you will support the commitment of workers with corporate values, and you will do everything to give them a perfect first impression. The others, just as perfect, will then take care of their professional work.

Everything for a safe way to school

For the fourth time, the beginning of the school year will be marked by prevention with the road safety campaign “Red stands, the child goes”. The children learn to walk across the street only when the wheels of the vehicle are stationary. Of course, the handlebars are also encouraged to complete. However, it is not always easy to notice the silhouette of a child in the rain or at dawn. That’s why visibility is very important. Since 2013, the TCS has already distributed half a million safety vests to first graders.

Just in time for the start of school in 2018, the road safety campaign “Red stands, the child goes” starts. It is supported by the TCS, the Accident Prevention Service, and police, which work locally with the communities and schools. A successful campaign because it is perceived and understood by more than 90 percent of motorists. Nevertheless dangerous situations arise daily because the children are seen too late.

The risk of not being seen is higher in the early morning and at night than during the day. It even multiplies by a factor of 10 in rain or snow. In the dark, an automobile driver only recognizes a person in dark clothing at a distance of 25 meters – this can be too late, depending on the situation. If this person wears reflective clothing, it can be perceived from a distance of 140 meters. This enables road users to react in good time.

Half a million safety vests soon to be distributed in order to help children see them better and faster on their way to school, the TCS has been distributing around 140,000 reflective triangles every year to kindergarten teachers and pupils aged four to seven years. This action is funded by the Road Safety Fund. Since 2013, TCS has been distributing 80,000 safety vests throughout Switzerland for the larger primary school pupils (eight to nine years). In total, there will be nearly half a million West this year, distributed by the TCS sections in cooperation with public authorities, to increase security.

Trendy clothing and accessories for the bigger ones, of course, the fashion industry has not missed the fact that the safety vest does not inspire everyone. That is why the TCS and the police have been using the MADE VISIBLE campaign for a year to encourage people to wear clothes and accessories with reflective materials. This label will be visible on all new uniforms of the school traffic service in the future. The mission of this service is to ensure the safety of children on the way to school. Co-financed by the German Road Safety Fund, this year around 3000 safety vests, 1000 jackets, and 3500 caps will be distributed to the transport helpers throughout Switzerland.

Police point to well visible clothing

In recent days, two pedestrians have been victims of a traffic accident. Both were caught crossing the road on a pedestrian crossing of a car and injured. Especially during the winter months, it is important that pedestrians are clearly visible.

During the twilight and the night, but also in fog, rain or snow, dark-clad persons are often overlooked by the motorized road users. This leads to avoidable traffic accidents. In a press release, the police ask pedestrians and cyclists to make themselves visible so as not to fall victim of a traffic accident.

Motor vehicle drivers are also in the duty. If they adopt the speed to the light, vision and road conditions, driving ahead and are particularly careful in the area of pedestrian traffic, they can make a significant contribution to preventing traffic accidents.

Here are some tips from the Police Canton to pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicle drivers:

Pedestrian

Wear bright and reflective dresses or reflective vests. Also recommended are reflective bands on the arms and legs as well as the attachment of sole flares;

Never cross the road by surprise. Always make sure that they are seen by the vehicle driver before entering the pedestrian zone – look for eye contact;

Prefer to renounce the right of priority rather than to face the danger of being overlooked and hit by a vehicle driver.

Cyclist

Check lighting and reflectors before each ride;

Mount spoke reflectors;

Wear reflective clothing with reflective fabric or luminous vest;

Drive ahead in order to recognize possible dangerous situations early on.

Motor vehicle drivers

Adapt speed to light, visibility and road conditions;

Drive ahead in order to recognize possible dangerous situations early on;

Switch on dipped beam early. The daytime running lights are not enough at night, in poor visibility and in the tunnel. In the case of daytime running lights, the tail lights usually do not light up.

Keep all windows clean, completely free from ice and snow to ensure a good all-around visibility;

Exercise cautions in the area of pedestrians reduce speed if necessary and prepare for braking.

“shined example” with policemen

Adam Mayes helped the policemen in the action “To be an example”, which promotes the safety of pedestrians. He talked to passers-by and urged you to use the reflective vests that he handed to them personally.

Police remind reflections to save lives. “Invisible” pedestrians are a plague of Polish roads.

“The image of the master helps a lot in promoting the improvement of pedestrian safety in our region. Adam Mayes together with uniforms participated in the patrol, during which he handed vests and reflective elements, talked with pedestrians and convinced that it is worth to shine with an example” said a spokesman of the police, Krzysztof.

The policeman emphasized that the use of the reflective element (like reflective material, reflective tape for clothing) makes the pedestrian visible to other road users from a much greater distance. Thanks to this, the driver has much more time to react and safely bypass it.

“It is worth noting that this unusual patrol controlled pedestrians after dark, in places where visibility of walking people is poor. Passers-by, instructed by Adam Mayes, was positively surprised by a direct meeting with the master. They were also happy to receive and use reflections. Of course, there were souvenir photos.” said Krzysztof.

The policeman is reminded that Polish ski jumper, multiple world champion, and medalist of the Olympic Games, has been supporting police actions aimed at improving safety for a decade.

“The master from the Vistula himself sees a great need to improve safety among pedestrian road users. During the action with the highway, he mentions how, returning from the competition, he nearly hit a man who walked along the side and was completely invisible. Since then, he has paid close attention to pedestrians. This situation also made him realize that it’s only a second that someone would lose their lives. ” said Krzysztof Pawley.

The policemen use every opportunity to reach the largest possible group of people and convince them that security depends mostly on themselves. The neighborhoods meet with children in schools and provide them with reflective elements, obtained thanks to the support of local governments.

In this year once again, together with Caritas, they run the Diocese with the campaign “Be an example! Not only in Advent!”. They visit churches and after the rats, which often come grandparents and grandmothers with grandchildren, explain that wearing retro-reflective clothing is the basis for pedestrian safety.

It’s about seeing and being seen

Nationwide action on traffic safety in the dark season.

With these posters the police and traffic guard at the Cottbus Elementary School draw attention to traffic safety in the dark season. Children with self-reflective material will be counted on their way to school by Thursday.

The Traffic Safety Network and the Road Safety Forum of the state of Brandenburg are launching a nationwide campaign to improve the visibility of pedestrians and cyclists, just in time for the dark season. In Cottbus, elementary schools compete for the title “Most Visible School” by Thursday.

The students of the four participating Cottbus primary schools are well prepared: “We are very pleasantly surprised at how well children and their parents are equipped,” summarizes Alexander after the first assignment at the Elementary School. Groh, the board member of the Cottbus Traffic Watch, lists what he has seen: bright clothes, reflectors, shining shoes, white T-shirts, which were brightened up with glowing smileys and – “it had some curious features” – a child with a big one LED bulb on the school backpack. Police officers have called for the action to support the campaign, and until Thursday in the morning hours, children with self-reflective material will be counted on their way to school. The school from Cottbus with the largest share of visible children wins a health and safety day in a Cottbus cinema.

The “Days of Visibility” should only be a prelude to traffic safety. Essentially, it’s about taking as much of this as routine into everyday life. Being well recognized as a road user in the dark season can save lives. In Saxony, 3,332 cyclists died last year, 19 of them died and 1418 pedestrians, 15 of them died. This reports the Ministry of the Interior in Dresden. In Brandenburg, nearly 750 pedestrians and around 2,600 cyclists were killed in traffic during the same period, according to the country’s police headquarters. Often these road users would simply be overlooked that in the dark the accident risk was about three times higher than during the day. Therefore: “For pedestrians and cyclists, bright reflective clothing is the be all and end, because reflective tape foe clothing can still be seen 140 meters away,” says Mario Heinemann from the police headquarters.

The police together with the municipal prevention council support the days of visibility. Also in these days, children in kindergartens and elementary schools as well as inhabitants at weekly markets are made aware of visible clothing.

That’s how you make yourself visible

The danger to pedestrians increases in traffic as the days get shorter and darker. Almost half of the accidents happened in the dark season or at dusk. If you are on foot, you should make yourself visible.

In the winter months, it is often dark early in the morning on the way to work and school. Especially when the weather is rain, cloudy or foggy.

The danger for pedestrians rises

In the dark season, the danger increases in the traffic, especially for pedestrians. According to Statistics Austria, a quarter of all accidents happen at dusk and in the dark. In the months from November to January, it is almost half. Similarly, 30 percent of all accidents happen with pedestrians in the same period. In Salzburg, there were a total of 292 pedestrian accidents in 2017. With 31 accidents, most of them happened in November, showing an ARBÖ Statistic.

Visibility is up and down

It is therefore important for your own safety to be visible in traffic. This is the easiest and best with the right clothing. Renate from the ARBÖ Salzburg in conversation with S24: “Reflective clothing is enormously important this season, ideally I’m dressed as a pedestrian completely bright.”

Reflective clothing

Since this is often not possible, there are small tools that provide more security. A reflective hood, a reflective vest or reflective snap-on tapes which made with reflective fabrics worn over arms or legs over the jacket or trousers makes pedestrians more visible to motorists.

Use illuminated crosswalks

In addition, one can avoid danger even with the choice of the way. Renate recommends crossing roads only in well-lit areas if possible. These include illuminated crosswalks, with or without traffic lights. Of course, headlamps and flashlights also make a pedestrian visible. However, Renate points out that they only shine in one direction and are not “round-about lighting”.

Unlit visible much later

A test of the ÖAMTC in Vienna showed how big the difference between a lighted and an unlit person for motorists. While a predominantly dark-clothed person already disappeared about 40 meters in front of a stationary truck in the dark of the night, was a pedestrian with blue jeans and a bright jacket visible to the driver from a far greater distance. Even better to recognize was clothed with reflectors or even a covered safety vest.

Safety vests save lives

In recent years, attention has increasingly focused on better visibility by wearing reflective safety vests or throws.

Corresponding safety vests get the schools free of charge for each student via the ADAC. The foundation also took part in the year so that safety vests in a bright blue with the emblem of FC Schaller 04 were distributed to the schools for a complete urban vintage.

In November, the parties to the regulatory partnership carried out counts of reflective clothing (safety vests, warning triangles, covers for the school bag and so on) at all elementary schools in Gelsenkirchen. The result of this action was for the regulatory partners for the most part very disappointing: out of a total of more than 10,000 elementary school students, only 1412 (the previous year 1479) carried vest. Of these, less than 5 percent of students in one-third of elementary schools have worn reflective clothing. The counting takes place since 2012 so that one can draw comparisons to the previous year’s again and again.

Kirsten Jens, second chairman of the Gelsenkirchen Road Safety Board, makes it clear: “The safety vests are available and will be replaced regularly if they have been around for several years, the biggest problem being parents sending their children to school without this safety.”

Certainly one of the school’s tasks is to alert students to road hazards and to show them behaviors. However, this does not replace the responsibility of the parents.

For the visibility of our children when leaving the apartment, especially in the dark, only the parents are responsible. So once again an appeal to all parents and guardians: Give your children timely help for safe behavior in traffic! Make them visible in the dark at this time of the year so that other road users can recognize them in time!

In the middle of December, the Verkehrswacht Gelsenkirchen and the foundation made a handover appointment in the daycare center on behalf of all other kindergartens. In total, around 2,300 safety vests with reflective materials were distributed.

Especially “Schaller helps” is very committed to the safety of the kids.