By David Daggett on 12/29/2008 8:54 AM

True Meaning

      What gives your life true meaning? I don’t pretend to be able to answer that for you, but perhaps can help you explore the issue a bit further for yourself.

Mom, Dad, Siblings at

     We have previously discussed Anchors in life, and I would suggest that if your anchors are intact then you are on track for finding true meaning.

ASU Classroom Dedication

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By David Daggett on 12/22/2008 6:54 AM

Holiday Season Safety Tips

      From our Lewis & Daggett family to yours, we send wishes for a happy and safe holiday season. Please remember to keep safe this holiday season so you are left with happy memories. Please consider the following safety tips.

     We reviewed a number of safety tips for Thanksgiving, and you can review those tips here.

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By David Daggett on 11/24/2008 7:54 AM

Giving Thanks Safely

     Our Lewis & Daggett family wishes you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. We also hope you and your family are safe, so we will share with you a few safety tips we have researched for the holiday.

     Home fires are the number one most frequent calls to fire departments, and cooking fires are the most frequent reason. Thanksgiving is the day with the highest number of home fires with three times more fires than on normal days. The leading cause of fire is unattended food on the stove or in the oven. Stay in the kitchen while cooking food. Pot holders and towels should be kept away from the stove. For more tips see www.firesafety.gov

      Food safety can easily slip with large meals and lots of leftovers. Be careful to thoroughly wash hands and counters after touching raw turkey, and other meats. Be sure to keep hot food hot, and cold food cold until the leftovers are safely put away.

Take care when carving the turkey. We don’t take out the family carving knives very many times during the year, so we usually are not in good practice using them. Please be careful carving the turkey and ham, and keep those knives out of reach of youngsters.

      Choking hazards are increased during big holiday meals. The very young and the very old are particularly susceptible to choking. Eat slowly and enjoy the meal. Only encourage talking after food is swallowed. Remind children to take small bites and not to talk with food in their mouths.

     Take care of your pets too. They may like a little turkey, but please be sure the little pieces are free of bones. Turkey bones splinter causing a severe threat of choking and other damage.

     Lastly, Thanksgiving is the kick off for the holiday season. Drinking and driving seems to go way up making our roads more dangerous. Please join our L & D team and encourage safe sober driving as well as being defensive and courteous on the road.

     Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

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By David Daggett on 10/27/2008 6:54 AM

Rules for Goblins and Ghouls

~Halloween Safety Tips~

     We hope you and your family have a happy and safe Halloween. While you are watching out for witches, ghosts, and goblins please remember a few safety tips so that you and your family has a safe and fun Halloween.

• Your children should be closely supervised by adults.
• Older children should go out in groups, never alone.
• Use flashlights and reflective clothing to make certain you are visible to cars.
• Always walk facing traffic (on the left side of the road). Take care when crossing streets.
• Walk - do not run on dark streets and driveways.
• Limit visits to homes of neighbors you know.
• Limit visits to homes that have their front porches lit with a welcoming light. Politely choose one piece of candy when you are offered a selection.
• Remember to kindly thank those who offer treats.
• Wear makeup instead of masks if you need to decorate your face.
• Be sure your costumes are comfortable and easy to walk in.
• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Refrain from eating candy while out trick or treating.
• Once home, adults should help younger children to sort candy and be sure all wrappers are in tact. Older children should do this too.
• Be extra careful of flowing costumes near open flames such as jack-o-lanterns.

     Have a goblin good time!

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By David Daggett on 10/13/2008 6:53 AM

Home Fire Safety

      October is fire safety month. The kids wanted to visit the local fire station to learn more. We were in for a treat. The local captain and crew took us and another family on a full tour and gave us important tips for fire safety at home.

      The firefighters were very encouraging to all of the children, gave them a full tour of the firehouse and trucks, and invited the children to come back anytime. They were very impressive and professional.

      The tour naturally included instruction on fire safety. The firefighters asked us, "What is the first thing to do in case of a fire or emergency." They were surprised and pleased when all of the children immediately, and in unison, yelled "Call 9-1-1!"

     We asked the firefighters about the most important tips for fire safety at home. The firefighters emphasized that it is important for families to discuss and plan their fire safety strategies. Interestingly their top two things for families to remember is to always have two routes to exit the house, and to have a place to meet once out of the house. The meeting place should be as simple as at the big oak tree, or the mail box.

       Family fire safety tips include:

• Having smoke alarms on every floor and outside all sleeping areas,
• Practice home fire escape plans and routes,
• Safely store and dispose of all smoking materials,
• Take extra care with all hazardous materials including paints, gasoline, and any other flammable materials,
• Practice safe operation of heaters and fire places,
• And make sure home wiring is safe and updated.

      Home fire safety is important to review with your family. Please take time to learn and practice these basic safety principles. Involve your children and you may be surprised how much they enjoy helping. Lastly, stop by and get to know your local firefighters. They are very impressive and very welcoming, and help us all be more safety conscious.

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By David Daggett on 9/22/2008 6:56 AM

Two Wheel Safety

      Motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, mopeds, and all seem to be becoming more popular. The number of registered motorcycles alone has gone up seventy-five percent in the last ten years according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

      Experts expect all forms of cycles to continue to increase in popularity due many factors including the high price of gas. Accordingly, all motorists need to be mindful of cyclists on the road, and cyclists need to exercise good safety habits.

      Nationally, North Carolina ranks eighth in motorcycle deaths, and the number doubled over just the past five years. Traffic deaths declined nationally last year reaching the lowest rate in ten years, however North Carolina had the largest increase of any state, up 121 over the prior year. In fact, most states have seen an overall decrease in traffic fatalities in recent years - North carolina is one of a few that has experienced an increase.

       We previously discussed bicycle safety in See and be Seen. Interestingly, the same rules and principles apply to bicycles, motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters. Most importantly, when you are on the road you are a vehicle under the law just like any other vehicle. This means obeying traffic lights and signs, staying on the proper side of the road, not cruising past lines of motorists stopped in traffic, and all other rules of the road.

      We are likely to continue to see an increase of two wheelers on our roads. We need to work together to increase the safety on our roads to decrease injuries and deaths. It is up to all of us to practice safety daily, respect each other, and make North Carolina roads safer for everyone.

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By David Daggett on 6/23/2008 6:49 AM

See and Be Seen

     Bicycling seems to be growing in popularity. It is a great form of recreation, fitness exercise and, with higher fuel prices, even transportation. This week we will focus on bicycles and bicycle safety.

     The increasing number of bicycle riders makes this a good time to review some safety tips - for drivers and riders. Motorists need to know that cyclists have the same rights on the road as they do. Likewise, cyclists have the same obligation to follow the traffic laws as motorists.

     First, please wear a helmet whenever riding a bicycle. It is now the law in North Carolina that helmets are required for riders under 16 years old. Look for a safety label that the helmet is approved by ANSI or the Snell foundation. This safety certification is also required under the law.

     More than half a million people are injured each year in bicycle mishaps and thousands are killed. Children 15 and younger account for one-third of the deaths and two thirds of the injuries. Three-fourths of all deaths are due to head injuries.

     Cyclists have an obligation to make sure they can be seen. Selection of cycling attire can affect the distances that cyclists, or pedestrians, are visible. Amazingly that range can be from a low of around 200 feet to a high of over 2000 feet just by selection of clothing.

     Most cyclists try hard to be considerate to motorists and follow the rules of the road. Experienced cyclists know that obeying the rules and looking out for their own safety also earns more respect from drivers.

     Likewise, most motorists really do try to look out for bike riders. However, both drivers and cyclists need to be aware that they are sharing the road in order to look out for each other. Lastly, a friendly wave goes a long way toward keeping our roads safe.

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By David Daggett on 6/16/2008 6:45 AM

THE HEAT IS ON

     Wow! This past week we got suddenly hit with a large dose of mid-summer heat. Perhaps that means it is a good time for us to review some summer safety tips.

     Believe it or not, there are more illnesses, injuries, and deaths due to the heat of summer than to lightning, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or earthquakes. Accordingly, the effect of heat on us and our families should not be taken lightly. There are several heat safety recommendations and tips to help us through the heat such as we have had recently:

   1. Drink Water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.

   2. Dress For The Heat. Wear lightweight, light colored clothing. Light colors will reflect some of the heat’s energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats, or even use an umbrella. To make a fashion statement, call it a parasol.

   3. Eat Small Meals, and Eat More Often. Avoid foods high in protein, which increase your metabolic heat. Increasing metabolic heat is like putting fuel on your internal fire, and also increases water loss.

   4. Slow Down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is close to dawn.

   5. Stay Indoors When Possible. When heat is excessive, avoid staying outside for long periods of time.

   6. Take Regular Breaks. When engaged in physical activity on warm days, take time out to find a cool place. If you recognize if you, or someone else, is showing the signs of heat related illness, stop activity and find a cool place.

   7. Don’t Get Too Much Sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation much more difficult. Further, too much sun drastically increases the risk for skin cancer. Be particularly careful with the tender skin of young children.

     Remember to have fun! But, please be safe and stay cool during our hot weather.

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By David Daggett on 5/26/2008 5:08 AM

Welcome to Summer

     Memorial Day weekend is the traditional send off for summer fun. Our Lewis & Daggett family kicked it off with a firm cookout on Friday. Part of the fun was that the attorneys and management served the rest of the staff as a reward and treat.

Jennifer Glosson and Nayeli Ramirez at L & D Cookout

      As summer begins, it is probably a good time to consider some basics safety tips in order to make summer the best it can be for you and your family. As schools winds down and many of us have family activities begin, we encourage you to keep safety in mind.

     Travel safety is a good place to start - we don’t want vacations ruined by a ca r accident. Make sure your vehicle is in good condition, tires properly inflated, and all maintenance up to date. Take frequent rest breaks when driving, and follow all safety laws and directions. Pay particular attention around construction and work zones.

     Lawn mower injuries can be very serious, and many of those injured are young children. Every year some of the most serious injuries are to young children who were riding as passengers on riding mowers. Please do not allow young children to ride these powerful machines. Use extreme caution to always your keep fingers and toes away from moving blades. Lastly, always pick up toys, objects and debris before mowing to avoid injuries to yourself or others from flying objects.

     When riding bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, and scooters always wear helmets and proper protective gear. Children should stay away from traffic and preferably ride on sidewalks or designated paths. Most of all, set a good example for children by always wearing a helmet yourself.

     Sun and heat safety are many times overlooked. Remember to use sunscreen and cover skin as much as possible. Covering up and limiting exposure is particularly important for very young children. Remember when swimming to reapply sun screen and take frequent breaks from the heat. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids and take breaks often in hot weather and during physical activities.

     Let’s get this summer off to a safe, fun start for all of us.

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By David Daggett on 12/24/2007 6:42 AM

Safe, Happy Holidays!

     Holidays can be the happiest of times with family and friends. Please join with us in using our best efforts to keep your holidays safe and happy.

     Over the years we have seen holidays turned into instant tragedy by causes that should have been prevented. Perhaps one of the worst and most frequent tragedies are those caused by drunk drivers. We know – for years we’ve been helping the victims of drunk drivers.

     Other areas of safety concerns fall into categories of fire safety, food safety, child safety, and driving safety. Each of these areas can produce increased risks over the holidays.

     Fire safety includes taking appropriate precautions with Christmas trees and Christmas lights. Christmas decorations can also present hazards we usually don’t have around the house. Lastly, don’t forget fireplace safety as your family gathers around the living room fireplace.

     Certainly the holidays are a time for good food and fellowship. Be sure to be particularly careful with fully cooking meats and poultry. There are also lots of leftovers around the holidays that need to be properly and promptly wrapped and refrigerated.

     We all enjoy children around the holidays, and perhaps the holidays are the most special time of the year for our little ones. Use care in buying and selecting toys for small children, including watching for small parts and choking hazards. Also, children tend to be very curious of all of the additional decorations and holiday items in our houses. So, we need to keep a watchful eye and help them to have a safe, happy holiday too.

     Lastly, as mentioned above, safety on the roads and while driving is perhaps the most frequent danger we face. Above all, please don’t drink and drive. Call a cab or use a designated driver if you need to make your trip home a safe one for you, and for everyone on the road.

     Please join us in preventing accidents at this special time of year. From our Lewis & Daggett family to yours, happy holidays!

 

 

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