Safety Tidbits

Click here for this week’s copy of Safety Tidbits including important information on stroke signs, symptoms and prevention.

Stroke Awareness Tips Know Stroke symptoms – Stroke strikes F.A.S.T. and you should, too! Many people don’t know that if you can recognize the symptoms of a stroke you can save not only your life, but maybe the life of someone else. Control Blood Pressure – high blood pressure is the number one cause of stroke? Yet, nearly 60 million Americans have high blood pressure, and almost a third do not know they have it! Manage Cholesterol – Plaque build-up in the arteries can block normal blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke. High cholesterol may also increase your risk for stroke by raising your risk for heart disease, a stroke risk factor. Manage Diabetes – Did you know that 6.2 million people in the United States are unaware that they have diabetes? People with diabetes are at increased risk of stroke because diabetes adversely affects the arteries. Stroke risk is two-and-a-half times higher in people with diabetes compared to those without diabetes. Make Lifestyle Changes – Stroke is one of the most preventable of all life-threatening health problems. By making simple lifestyle changes you can reduce your risk of stroke. •Get moving, stay active and incorporate exercise into your daily regime. •Don’t smoke! If you are a regular smoker, make a resolution to quit. It may be one of the very best things you can do for your health. •Eat a well-balanced low fat, low sodium diet, rich in fruits, vegetables & whole grains. •Drink alcohol only in moderation.

Think Outside the Box

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which read: I am blind, please help. There were only a few coins in the hat.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?”

The man said, “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way.”

What he had written was: Today is a beautiful day and I cannot see it.

Do you think the first sign and the second sign were saying the same thing? Both signs told people the boy was blind, but the first sign simply told people to help by putting some money in the hat. The second sign told passersby they were able to enjoy the beauty of the day, while the boy could not because of his blindness. That sign reminded folks to be grateful; to remember things could be a lot worse. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

Moral of the Story: Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently! There is ALWAYS A BETTER WAY!

And two important lessons:

-Use your gifts to help others whenever you can!

-Be grateful for the all the simple, yet wonderful, blessings in your life!

Zero Injuries – No one gets hurt!

Safety Wayne

Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. Marcel Prous

Thanks WK