#keepfsusafe

                           Finals week is almost here at FSU, which means that many students will be finishing up the semester and will be packing up to go home for winter break. Before you leave, be sure to bring your electronics and lock up your dorm or apartment. Here are a few more tips on how to keep your belongings safe while away on break:

Make sure that all locks to windows and doors work properly and are secured before you leave.

Keep blinds and curtains closed and keep the porch light on (if possible) to indicate a presence.

Do not leave any extra keys under the doormat or near the front of the apartment.

Use timing devices to turn on inside lights and TV’s to give the appearance that your home is occupied while you are away from home. Set the timers to go on and off at different hours in different rooms.

Take all your electronics with you. If you can engrave your valuables, then do so. Be sure to record all serial numbers of your valuables and keep those numbers in a safe deposit box.

Ask your parents if their insurance policy includes renter’s insurance. If not, be sure to get it so that your belongings will be covered if anything happens.

It is the final week of Drive Safely Work Month. With the holidays coming up, and Thanksgiving this week, following these tips will keep you safe while traveling.

First and foremost, it is important to strengthen your safety culture when at home. One good habit will lead to another. While most FSU students learned how to drive back in high school, it is never a bad idea to refresh your memory in order to become a model of safety to others, especially if you have siblings currently learning how to drive. It is better to learn safe habits at a young age in order to reduce their chance of being involved in an automobile accident when they reach driving age.

The second topic of this week is to take an online defensive driving course. There is an online class available to all FSU employees. Defensive driving techniques are designed to reduce the possibility of a crash, which could result in personal injury, death and/or financial loss. Let your insurance carrier know when you complete the course; you may be eligible to receive a reduction on your premium.

The final topic, roundabouts, are becoming more popular in Tallahassee. Understanding the proper usage of this type of traffic intersection is emphasized by the Florida Department of Transportation. Click here to find out more about the safe use of roundabouts.

Myth: Wearing a seat belt is a personal decision that doesn’t affect anyone else.

Fact: Not wearing a seat belt can affect your loved one. It can also affect other motorists since wearing a safety belt can help you avoid losing control of your vehicle in a crash.

Drive Safely Work Month encourages you to wear your seat belt when in a vehicle in order to prevent injury or death in the event of a crash. Chances of survival from a crash increase up to 60 percent when individuals wear their seat belts.

During 2012 in the U.S.:

22,912 passenger car and light truck drivers and occupants died in motor vehicle crashes

10,335 were not wearing a seat belt (52%)

Of those, 5,471 were ejected or partially ejected from the vehicle (53%)

A person is 4 times more likely to be fatally injured when thrown from the vehicle

In a crash, your safety belt is your safety net. Be sure to follow the rules to keep yourself and others safe while avoiding receiving a fine, license suspension, or even jail time.

Seat Belt Laws in Florida

You must wear a seat belt while in an operating vehicle if you are:

The driver of the vehicle

A front seat passenger of any age

Under 18 years old

Failure to wear a seat belt may result in a fine of $30 plus any other legal or additional fees

Cell Phone Use on Florida Roads

As of October 1, 2013, it is now illegal to text while driving, regardless of the driver’s age

There are no talking bans on cell phones while driving

Florida Helmet Laws

You must wear a federally-approved helmet while riding a motorcycle unless you are over 21 years old and covered by at least $10,000 in medical insurance for motorcycle related injuries

If you are under 16 years old, you must wear a helmet while riding a moped or driving a bike

In order to make roadways more safe and efficient, some new traffic amenities have been installed by the City of Tallahassee, most of which are located within a quarter of a mile of FSU’s campus.

The newly transformed Gaines Street now has back-in angled parking along the eastbound side of the street. Motorists should yield to those wishing to park in those spots. Motorists should turn on their right signal, pull up just a little before the parking spot they wish to park in and stop, and then back into the spot, while paying attention to the white lines. This amenity was put into place so that when motorists leave their destination, they are not backing into oncoming traffic. Back-in angled parking is also designed to decrease the number of collisions and improve loading and unloading of motor vehicles.

Also in the Gaines Street district, on campus, and throughout Tallahassee, there are roundabouts put in place in order to control the flow of traffic and keep it steady. Motorists should approach the roundabout by yielding to the traffic coming from the left. Watch for pedestrians and be prepared to stop. Motorists in the roundabout have the right of way. Once there is a safe gap in traffic, motorists may enter the roundabout to the right and continue counter-clockwise until they reach their exit. When exiting, use your right turn signal and remember to never stop in the roundabout unless traffic builds up.

Mid-block pedestrian crossing signals are marked crosswalks placed between intersections. These mid-block crosswalks are designed to increase pedestrian safety while allowing traffic to move more efficiently. They are currently being installed on Tennessee Street and can be found throughout FSU’s campus. These signal remains dark until a pedestrian activates the walk indicator. The lights will flash yellow whenever a pedestrian is crossing the street in the crosswalk. Motorists are warned with a solid red signal and must stop and allow the pedestrians to cross. Once the walk time is completed, the signal will go to flashing red. Motorists must come to a complete stop, and if there are no pedestrians in the crosswalk, they may proceed. Remember, pedestrians always have the right of way.

One of Tallahassee’s bike boxes is located on Call Street and Stadium Drive, just before the entrance to FSU’s campus. These green boxes are painted on the road in order to give cyclists the right of way at stoplights. Cyclists approach the bike box from the bike lane. If the light is red, cyclists can enter the bike box and either go to the left side or the right side, depending on which way they would like to turn. When the light turns green, cyclists will be able to go before motorists do. If cyclists wish to go straight, they can remain in the bike lane and proceed, following the crosswalk signals. Motorists should keep the bike box clear for cyclists and should always obey traffic signals and signage.

Every 12 minutes someone dies in a car crash. Every 10 seconds an injury occurs. Every 5 seconds a crash occurs. Most of these incidences occur during work hours. Don't be a victim.

November marks “Drive Safely Work Month,” which is brought on by Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S). Information developed by the “Network of Employers for Traffic Safety” (NETS) will be used throughout this month in order to promote safe driving.

This campaign is designed to inform employees, families, and students about preventing traffic crashes in order to improve the safety and health of members of the community.

Safety culture is defined as “The ways in which safety is managed in the workplace, and often reflects the attitudes, beliefs, perceptions and values that employees share in relation to safety.”

To put it simply, NETS encourages you to invest in your organization’s safety culture by becoming proactive about daily safety measures.  

Minimize risk and costs by protecting the people of your organization who make your organization succeed. Here are some work-related safe driving practices:

Stay Safe

Use a seat belt at all times, either when driving or riding

Do not drive if you are under the influence of alcohol or any drugs

Stay Focused

Avoid distractions (i.e. adjusting the radio or other controls, eating or drinking, and talking/texting on the phone)

If driving for long distances, stop about every two hours for a break to stretch and get refreshed

Avoid Aggressive Driving

Be patient and courteous to other drivers

Fact: America has more drunk drivers than most countries have people.

Last week, there were two DUI checkpoints near FSU's campus. One took place on the 800 Block of Jefferson Street and the other took place on Murphree Street; both were conducted in an effort to identify and remove impaired drivers from the roadways.

With Halloween approaching, don't put other students and the community at a risk. Be sure that if you are of age and you decide to go out, that you designate a driver. Police officers will see you before you see them.

Have fun this Halloween and #KeepFSUSafe by driving sober.

The undefeated Seminoles will play against the undefeated Fighting Irish tomorrow, October 18th at 8:00 p.m. College Game Day will also be making an appearance on FSU’s Langford Green tomorrow morning from 9 a.m. to noon.

For those who will be attending the game tomorrow, here are some tips to make your Game Day experience safe and efficient:

FSU students—Don’t forget your FSUCard and your print-out ticket. Both will be validated when you arrive at the gate.

Students may enter any gate except for Gate A. Lines may be shorter at other gates.

These items are prohibited while in the stadium: umbrellas, outside food, strollers, coolers, and bags larger than 12” in length and 6” in diameter (no backpacks are permitted).

Be prepared for weather changes. The high is expected to be 85’F tomorrow with no chance of rain. Check the weather for any changes.

If you’re of the legal age to drink, please remember to drink responsibly, have a designated driver, and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Be sure to eat frequently.

Wear plenty of sunscreen. It is expected to be sunny all day tomorrow, so be sure to reapply every two hours.

Dress appropriately and wear proper shoes (i.e. closed-toed shoes).

For those who are tailgating: don’t dispose of hot coals in trash cans, don’t cook or have open flames if parked in the garage, and please remember to “Stay Behind the Line” (tailgate behind the orange lines in some booster lots).

Always remember that if you “See Something, Say Something.” To report any issues during the game such as unruly fans, call 645-JERK or text the keyword “FSU FAN” to 35842.

Students are encouraged to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” tomorrow (October 16) at 10:16 a.m. for The Great ShakeOut. No need to worry, there is currently no threat of an earthquake in Tallahassee.

So why is Florida State participating in The Great ShakeOut? Through FSU’s “Keep FSU Safe” campaign, we recognize that earthquakes are a major hazard for most of the United States. We want to #KeepFSUSafe, everywhere, all the time. The simplest way to #KeepFSUSafe is by informing students, who most likely will travel in their years at Florida State and in the future, about hazards that they might not be more aware of (i.e. earthquakes, Ebola, tsunamis, terrorism) since Florida is not prone to such hazards.

Many times students and faculty travel to areas for conferences, sports, research, or vacation, where earthquakes are more prevalent. Also, for those thinking about moving out of state after graduation for either graduate school or career opportunities, learning about earthquake safety can be highly beneficial.

Thousands of FSU students and fans traveled to Pasadena, CA for the National Championship Game that took place at the beginning of the year. Many of those who traveled might have never experienced an earthquake or have never traveled to the heart of earthquake country.

Even though the closest earthquake threat is in Charleston, SC, the indirect impacts of a major earthquake occurring in Charleston could severely impact critical infrastructure, shipping, and supply chains. Response to such a catastrophe would be felt at the pump, on store shelves, and in the pocketbook of Floridians.

Preparedness and safety tips will be administered tomorrow through Keep FSU Safe’s social media platforms (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest), which reach out to thousands of people daily.