18.2 F
Naperville
Thursday, February 13, 2025

Fire Prevention 24-7 — A New Year…Don’t Text and Drive!

-

sorayaI can’t quite wrap my arms around the fact that 2012 is over. But it is time to reflect and make plans for 2013. When the New Year hits, everyone scrambles to announce what their resolutions are going to be. Problem solved! Why not resolve to keep yourself safe at home and while you are away?

Test your smoke detectors on a MONTHLY basis. Although some might think that they are annoying, those little white detectors may save your life! So test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.

Install a carbon monoxide detector. You should have one detector on every level. But if you only have one, plug it in outside of where you sleep.

Make a plan. Know what you are going to do BEFORE the emergency occurs. Practice the plan with your family. Make sure everyone knows where your designated meeting place is, in your front yard.

Why not keep yourself and others safe on the road, as well. Texting and driving is a growing trend, and a national epidemic, quickly becoming one of the country’s top killers. Drivers assume they can handle texting while driving and remain safe, but the numbers don’t lie.

Texting While Driving Causes:
1. 1,600,000 accidents per year
2. 330,000 injuries per year
3. 11 teen deaths EVERY DAY
4. Nearly 25% of ALL car accidents
 
Texting While Driving Is:
1. About 6 times more likely to cause an accident than driving intoxicated
2. The same as driving after 4 beers
3. The number one driving distraction reported by teen drivers
 
Texting While Driving:
1. Makes you 23 times more likely to crash
2. Is the same as driving blind for 5 seconds at a time
3. Takes place by 800,000 drivers at any given time across the country
4. Slows your brake reaction speed by 18 percent

5. Leads to a 400 percent increase with eyes off the road

I can’t tell you how many people I see texting and driving every single day. Not only is it scary, it is illegal!

Let’s work together to make 2013 the safest year ever!

(Sources: National Safety Council, Ins. Institute for Hwy Safety, National Highway Transportation Safety Adm.)

 

- Advertisement -
Soraya McLaughlin
Soraya McLaughlin
Soraya McLaughlin is the Naperville Fire Department Community Education Specialist. Contact her via email at mclaughlins@naperville.il.us.
spot_img

LATEST NEWS