Tag Archives: texting

Safety Tips on How to Avoid Being a Distracted Pedestrian

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There has been a great deal of attention paid to the dangers associated with distracted driving.  We have seen the public service announcements warning drivers not to text or talk on their phones while behind the wheel, but what about the dangers of being a distracted pedestrian?

There has been a recent and dramatic increase in the number of pedestrians struck by automobiles and killed in recent years. While some of this can be attributed to distracted drivers, those not paying attention to their surroundings while crossing the street has also been reported to play a role in many incidents. One study conducted by researchers at Ohio State University concluded that the number of pedestrians (or “petextrians” as they are commonly referred to) injured while on their cellphones has doubled over the last decade.

Studies suggest that distracted walkers take longer to cross the street and are more likely to ignore traffic lights or neglect to look both ways while crossing. These problems are particularly prevalent among teens, but it’s important to note that all age groups are vulnerable to these dangers.

Safety experts agree that the most important advice for pedestrians is to never use a cell phone or other electronic device while walking. Here are some other tips to stay safe and avoid injury while crossing the streets:

  • Look left, right and left again before crossing the street; looking left a second time is necessary because a car can cover a lot of distance in a short amount of time
  • Make eye contact with drivers of oncoming vehicles to make sure they see you
  • Be aware of drivers even when you’re in a crosswalk; vehicles have blind spots
  • Don’t wear headphones while walking
  • If your view is blocked, move to a place where you can see oncoming traffic
  • Never rely on a car to stop
  • Only cross at designated crosswalks
  • Wear bright and/or reflective clothing
  • Walk in groups

Walking is one of the best things we can do to stay healthy, but only if we put safety first. Jamaica Hospital’s Trauma Division wants to warn our community that the risk for injury and death escalates when a pedestrian is not focused on his or her environment and our staff wants to spread the word on how pedestrians can avoid senseless injuries and death.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

The Impact of Too Much Texting in Front of Your Children

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Most are aware of the dangers of texting while driving, but what about the impact of texting while with your children? Is there such a thing as being a distracted parent?

GettyImages_83065955Smart phones and tablets have become a part of our daily existence. We check emails, text, and play games on our devices with greater frequency than ever before. We continue these activities even when we are with our kids. According to experts the effects these behaviors have on them is greater than we realize.

In a recent study by researchers at the Boston Medical Center, 55 parents were secretly observed while out to eat with their children. The observers found that 40 of those caregivers used their phones or other digital devices during the meal and appeared to be more engaged in the device than with their children.

Most of the children of the distracted parents either entertained themselves or acted out in some way to compete for their parent’s attention. Instead of redirecting their attention to the child after they acted out, most of the distracted parents responded harshly to the child for their misbehavior.

Some predict that this type of action can lead to long term problems for both parents and children. Children are learning that their parents are absent even when they are in the same room as them and are beginning to feel as if they are less important than a device to their parents. This behavior can also set a bad example for children as it creates a false understanding of how to act in public. This can become problematic when they repeat the same actions in school or during other social settings.

To address this issue, experts suggest setting boundaries and designating certain “off limit” time for parents to use digital devices, such as during meals and at story or bedtime. Also, avoid multi-tasking. If you absolutely need to answer an email, tell your child you need to take a break – it’s better than dividing your attention. Lastly, try to realistically determine how important it is to immediately respond to a text or email – you will probably find that most can wait.

Remember, your children aren’t young forever. Make the best use of your time with them and avoid spending unnecessary time on your phone. By not sending that next text message, you will be sending an even stronger message to your children.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.