Unique Safety Topics

Many conscientious people take safety seriously when driving a car, repairing a light fixture or mowing a lawn. When it comes to safety in schools, workplaces, cyberspace and while on vacation, however, they mistakenly believe that another entity is in charge. To remain safe, one must always assume that safety is a personal responsibility.

Consumer Safety

• When a famous fast food restaurant's souvenir cup was recalled for high cadmium content, few consumers heard of it. Thousands of cups may still be in use. Awareness, therefore, is paramount. Without actively seeking information on recalls and safety alerts, a consumer may never know that there is a danger. The Federal Information Center's Consumer Action website provides information on the latest recalls and alerts.

Work Safety

• Most work safety issues were first brought to light by employees who discovered a problem and called it to their bosses' attention. When entering your workplace, ask yourself what you would do if an emergency occurred. Find out if nearby equipment generates unseen hazards, such as toxic fumes or electrical shorts.

  The numbers of safety issues in workplaces are vast and the list grows monthly. Government websites, such as Washington's "Safety Topics" site, cover hundreds of topics from agricultural sprays to sidewalk materials.

School Safety

• State laws provide for school security, but it is up to parents and teachers to ensure that these laws are implemented. In Georgia, for example, every school is required to create a school safety plan and review it regularly. Issues covered in the plan include anti-violence measures, preparedness for natural disasters and crisis management. Plans are formulated based on input from parents and advice from public safety officials. If you have not received notification of such a plan in more than 12 months, contact your school to find out why.

Cyber Security

• How often do consumers view unfamiliar webpages without checking security certificates? While surfers cannot be expected to check every address, their security software should. Too many consumers don't use systems beyond that which is installed on their computer at purchase. Others fail to update security on a timely basis.

  Your computer should have anti-spyware, anti-virus protection and a firewall. Anti-spyware prevents others from spying on you. Anti-virus protection thwarts criminals who interfere with your computer systems. A firewall limits access to your computer by unauthorized persons. Once you have all three in operation, set your schedule to update daily. Use a second security system for occasional checks, just in case something sneaks past the first program.

Recreational Safety

• When traveling into recreational areas, your well-being is in your hands. Natural environments are fraught with hazards such as avalanches, floods, wildlife encounters and more. Park rangers put safety at the top of their list of concerns, but they cannot provide total security. Certain areas have their own unique challenges, and it's important to obtain information from officials familiar with the area. Many states, such as Alaska, offer their own safety website, to help visitors ascertain risks.