SOS Blog

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Incident Command System Vests & How They Can Help Your Team

If you are an incident safety officer, you understand how important it is to be prepared at any time for whatever disaster may occur. You’ve completed numerous drills with your team as well as continually monitor the workplace and other areas for potential hazardous conditions. An integral part of this preparation is having the right safety vests to ensure you and your team can easily be seen in an emergency situation. A perfect solution for any officer is the Incident Command System (ICS) vests from SOS Products.

The ICS vests have a number of unique features that make them a great option for disaster situations. First, the vest comes in a variety of colors allowing you to organize your team by color based on their required job. For instance, red vests could be for those who are assigned to give medical attention and blue vests for those responsible for employee check-in at safe areas.

Additionally, the vests are one-size fits all and come with high intensity 1” reflexite yellow stripes, which allow staff to clearly be seen by those in need. Lastly, the vest has clear plastic pockets on the front and back of the vest where you can place identifiable job title inserts or company logos.

The ICS plays an important role during emergency response situations as ICS officials are often first to the scene of a disaster. You don’t want to have to worry about any equipment including your safety vests during this time. These ICS vests are durable and specially designed with your team in mind. They’ll help you get your job done no matter what the emergency is.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Safety Tips for Traveling Abroad

Traveling abroad can be fun and exciting, but it’s important to be prepared for emergencies while traveling as well. Moreover, being in a strange territory can exacerbate any issues that develop. Fortunately, there are certain precautions that you can take to ensure that your international journey is safe and enjoyable.

Carry a Safety Device

Thieves and other troublemakers often prey on vulnerable tourists. In an unfamiliar city, you might become lost and suddenly being followed by a suspicious character. In many cases, drawing attention to a potential attack is the safest option to avoid trouble. An item as simple as a public safety whistle can attract attention to your situation. A sharp blast on a whistle can be unnerving to many thieves, and the noise is likely to catch the attention of helpful individuals in your immediate area. Additionally, a whistle is easy to carry and won’t be affected by the weather.

Stay Clean

When you travel abroad, you will encounter a wide variety of unfamiliar eating habits and social customs. There is nothing unclean about most international practices, but your lack of familiarity with foreign customs can lead to unsavory messes and troublesome germs. A small container of antiseptic hand cleaner can handle most bacteria, so you can eat and mingle without worrying about coming down with an unwanted illness. A small bottle is convenient and discreet, allowing you to carry the hand cleaner in your purse or pocket.

Stay Hydrated

While on your trip, stay hydrated with fresh, clean water. If the water source is questionnable, use a water filter to filter the water before consumption. Filters like the Sawyer Mini Water Filter with Pouch is perfect for traveling. This filter fits in the palm of your hand, weighs 2 ounces, and filters up to 100,000 gallons.

Carry First Aid Supplies

Stopping at a corner convenience store for bandages is not always an easy task in some countries. You should always carry a small first aid kit that contains bandages, antiseptic wipes, and antibiotic ointment. These supplies will treat most small injuries and can heal small bumps and bruises without interrupting your plans. Also, moleskin is easy to pack and can help protect areas of the feet that are vulnerable to blistering.

Protect Your Valuables

Few things can ruin an international trip faster than a damaged passport or ruined camera. A waterproof utility pouch is a great tool for protecting your belongings and keeping your valuables in one place.

Hide Your Money

International tourists tend to carry large amounts of money, and many thieves will watch for careless tourists who visibly handle that money. Money belts and other products can be worn under your clothes. You can carry a few bills in your wallet but can keep most of your money safely hidden with money belts. Make sure to separate out your cash as well, that way if something does happen you, it is not all one place.

Enjoy Your Trip

Your safety concerns should never overwhelm your travel plans, but taking precautions can reduce the likelihood that your trip will be spoiled by a bad experience. The tips and products listed above can promote a safe travel experience. Happy traveling!