Dog Bite Prevention Week 2013

This week May 19-May 25 is National Dog Bite Awareness Week, which calls attention to a common and continually growing public heath problem: dog biting. The American Veterinary Medical Association sponsors this special observance to raise awareness about this problem and educate society on tips and prevention techniques, which are both key elements to reducing the number of dog bites.

Each year over four and a half million people in this country are bitten by dogs and over 800,000 of these bites require medical attention. Children are the most common dog bite victims and are more likely to be severely injured when bitten.  The stats are alarming.

We at SABRE Red understand the mental, physical, emotional, and financial toll dog bites can have on a family so we have offered some safety tips below.

1.    Understand that ANY dog can bite. There are no breed, size, or age limitations.


2.    Educate your dogs and educate yourselves. Dogs should be trained appropriate behavior from an early age and people must learn how to approach dogs from an early age. It’s never too early for either.


3.    Socialize your dog in a safe and non-volatile environment.


4.    Monitor your dog’s behavior patterns. What physical changes does it undergo when it is upset, nervous, or afraid? Consider using a muzzle if it demonstrates any perilous behavior.


5.     Purchase SABRE Dog Protector. It is a very effective personal defense spray that will deter an attacking dog, providing the user with an opportunity to escape without causing any severe harm to the dog. This is especially useful when walking your dog to protect yourself and your dog against other aggressive dogs. Visit www.sabrered.com/protector

Examiner.com offers many tips as well. Source: http://www.examiner.com/article/how-to-prevent-dog-bites

1.    Don't disturb a dog eating/chewing on something.

2.    Don't disturb a sleeping dog.

3.    Don't pet a dog without asking.

4.    Don’t run past a dog. This can activate the dog's prey drive.

5.    If a dog threatens you, don’t scream. Remain calm. Move slowly.

6.    Avoid eye contact which is confrontational.

7.    Don’t approach a strange dog, especially one that is tethered or confined.

8.    If you believe a dog is about to attack you, try to place something between yourself and the dog, such as a backpack or a bicycle.

9.    If you are attacked, roll up into a ball with your hands over your ears.

Although the stats are troubling, dog biting is preventable so let’s continue to work together to raise awareness and increase education around this issue.
  

Memorial Day Weekend Safety

Millions of people are preparing to celebrate this Memorial Day. But whether you're traveling, barbecuing in your backyard, or visiting your city's local parade, you must still prioritize your personal safety. So as you're preparing to kick your summer into gear, check out these safety tips:

1. Don't drink and drive or ride with anyone who has been drinking.

2. Wear your seatbelt at all times.

3. Do a quick maintenance or service check on your vehicle before getting on the road. 

4. Make sure your car has enough gas for your trip to avoid being stranded on the side of the road or having to do frequent stops in unfamiliar areas.

5. Familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Know where local law enforcement and emergency rooms are located.

6. Thoroughly secure your home before leaving for vacation. Tell a neighbor that you'll be leaving and ask if he/she would be willing to pick up your mail for you while you're away. Mail left in your mailbox can provide criminals with an opportunity to steal your personal information. Also, ask if he/she would be willing to contact you if anything looks out of the ordinary. 

7. Print out route directions or carry a navigation system with you to avoid having to stop and ask strangers for directions.

8. Carry pepper spray with you at all times. Bear Protector is another great option if you will be camping or spending time outdoors.

Follow these safety tips to maximize your weekend with your friends and family. And try to squeeze in a moment of silence to pay respect to our heroes. 

The Dangers of Listening to Ear Buds

IPODS, MP3 Players, and Beats by Dre are must haves for music lovers. Whether you are in the gym, in the car, in your kitchen, or on the bus, you can always count on loud bursting sounds of your favorite tunes to bring enjoyment and entertainment. However, while listening to your ear buds can be a perfectly innocent hobby, there are some safety dangers that many of us don’t ever think about, at least not until it is too late.
 
Listening to music in both ears presents some life threatening risks as our ability to hear what's going on around us is reduced. We can't hear voices, people walking near us, or cars, buses, or trains approaching. And unfortunately, this was the case for a 37-year-old man who was killed by a train in Joppa, Md. 
 
The train sounded its horn as it approached, but the man who was walking on the tracks did not hear it because he was wearing headphones. He reportedly turned around at the last minute, but he did not have enough time to get away.
 
This man probably never anticipated that his life would end by simply listening to his music. This is why it is very important that we take precautionary measures when we are jamming to our favorite tunes. A few are listed below. 
 
1.     When taking public transportation or walking outside, do not wear your        
        ear buds. If you must wear them, wear only one at a low volume. 

2.     Do not wear ear buds while driving.

3.     Do not wear loud ear buds while walking in busy or secluded areas.

While ear buds and music are great, it is important that we acknowledge the underappreciated risks they bring when wearing them.