Author: vivianq

Transition to winter time: Useful tips for safety

We will move to winter time. The daylight period will be shortened and this will impact our journeys and safety. For example, wear a safety vest to enhance your visibility. Here are a few tips…

 

Every year the same period, we back our clocks one hour. For 2016 years, the transition to winter time will take place this Sunday, October 30: at 3 am, it will be 2 hours. An hour of sleep gained this Sunday, we will lose again when switching to DST. The change in winter time is established, as every year, the last weekend of October, about a month after the autumnal equinox, or when the duration of daily sunshine passes under 12 hours.

 

So, that was why and how … But biker language, basically, this means above all that we will see less well at the same time! Here are some tips.

 

Winter time: Think about your lighting.

With the transition to winter time, the natural sunshine duration decreases. You will certainly have to take the road in the morning or go home in the evening and night.

Also, the useful time of the year you must check the quality of lighting. Dipped headlights, drive, taillight, brake light, turn signals, all light devices with reflective material operate it on your motorcycle?

 

Failing to provide him a full wash, consider at least cleaning your headlights flashing and cabochons, to be better seen. If possible, it is also an opportunity to check the azimuth of your headlight, to properly illuminate the road and do not disturb other users.

 

Winter time: Your equipment

If until then, you use a smoke screen for your daily commute, consider replacing the screen for a colorless or, at least, take it with you. There are reflectors, accessories to be better seen as armbands by example or high visibility vests which can be purchased commercially or online. Learn all about the yellow jackets, it’s here. Some brands offer LED equipment specifically designed to be visible at night. An example would be the helmet Shark we tested on Moto-Station. Be especially careful at night, around 17:00, in urban areas. The move to winter time is every year a critical peak accident for two wheelers, mopeds whose lighting is sometimes faulty, poorly equipped cyclists, pedestrians…

Mandatory: reflective safety vest must!

Mandatory in each vehicle

From 1 July 2014, warning vest to be carried in passenger cars, trucks, train and truck tractors and buses and coaches mandatory. Already in many neighboring states motorists must carry a reflective vest. For commercial vehicles in Germany the appropriate regulatory bodies for years before a high visibility vest.

 

Federal Transport Minister Alexander:

“Better visibility improves safety. Safety vests can save lives. In addition to the first aid kit and warning triangle now includes the safety vest for prescribed equipment, of vehicles. To be recognized in time in dangerous situations, it is strongly recommended to carry the entrained safety vest. This is especially true when a breakdown or accident in the dark or in poor visibility. ”

 

Here are some hints to new regulation:

Why is the safety vest important?

Whether you place the warning triangle after a breakdown, change a tire or run for: there is a danger of being overlooked by other road users anytime, day or night. Who wears a safety vest, falling to – and is seen much earlier than without the gaudy garment. To detect motorists pedestrians without vest only about 80 meters away. Support a safety vest can be seen in the dim light hand already from a distance of about 150 meters.

 

For whom the high visibility vests compulsory?

So far was the requirement to carry a safety vest for drivers of commercial vehicles. The new regulation applies to all cars, trucks and buses registered in Germany.

 

How many vests I need to carry?

In Germany, although only a high visibility vest per vehicle is required. Nevertheless advises “Slow Down”, to have a vest for every passenger in the baggage – so can leave the car clearly visible in an emergency all passengers.

 

When should I wear a safety vest?

Important: Tighten the safety vest before getting out of the car! Where I store the safety vest? In order for the safety vest is always accessible in an emergency, stow it best under the driver’s seat, in the shelves of the door or in the glove compartment – but definitely not in the trunk. Also, do not mount the safety vest over a seat: The sun’s rays can be the signal color fade with time.

 

What should I consider when purchasing the vest?

The waistcoat in red, yellow or orange must conform to DIN EN 471 or EN ISO 20471: 2013 standard and comply with be provided with reflective stripes. The west audited there are, inter alia for technical testing and inspection services, in the offices of the Automobile Club, in an auto parts store and petrol stations. With prices starting around five Euros, the cost of life-saving emergency acquisition is manageable. Buyer pays attention to the quality. So are vests with additional “Suspenders Strip” more readily noticeable.

Warning vests for private vehicles

In Germany the warning reflective vest is not mandatory equipment for private vehicles. However, the TÜV always recommends wearing this protective clothing in case of breakdown – not just in the dark season. The reflective material is seen from a distance of 150 meters. People without a warning vest are only recognized by drivers when they are only 80 meters away.

 

To ensure that the vest is quickly accessible in an emergency, it should be stored in the interior, preferably in the glove compartment, under the seat or in the side pockets. When the safety vests are open in the interior, they can age faster due to the sun’s rays. The luggage compartment is less suitable for accommodating the vest. On the one hand you have to run around without protection around the car to get to the vest, on the other hand it could be hidden there by luggage.

 

Approved in Germany are vests in red, orange and yellow, which comply with the norm 71 DIN EN. For children, there are also other colors with the marking DIN EN 1150. The reflective waistcoats are available from approx. Not only two Euros for example at the ADAC, but also at many petrol stations or in accessories workshops.

Safety vest – So children are seen even in darkness and bad weather

The cold season begins and it brings mainly cloudy and poor visibility with it. Children are on the road to the most vulnerable road users. They are particularly vulnerable if they are not sufficiently “visible” to other road users.

 

To be seen better in rain, fog or twilight, children should wear bright, high-contrast clothing. The trade offers – pretty handy – even jackets with reflective tape on. For jackets or west without incorporated reflectors reflective designs can subsequently ironed for little money. Also good choices are reflective bands that can be worn around wrists and ankles, and if necessary can be applied quickly and find any jacket pocket.

 

For children who are traveling by bicycle, there are even bicycle helmets that shine. Should not be forgotten, the control of lights and reflectors on the wheel, which are used frequently in the dark season. Because: Especially with the battery after a long summer, where the lights were not needed, suddenly empty.

 

The school knapsacks have also reflective areas. If these are with stickers, they do not serve the traffic safety. The classic mounted on jacket or bag, are often lost. This has also Ulrike, principal of elementary school found: “tear off quickly.”

 

Therefore, there is for the first year of school for several years now bright yellow west from ADAC hooded. They are not only quite loud and clearly visible on a few meters distance from other road users; they also have reflective strips and look pretty from. The following is the I-males. “The vests are cool”, the students have found. Class teacher Cornelia has distributed the fluorescent jackets a few days ago in its class. Almost all of the 20 children are wearing the reflective vest every day. The traffic safety training at the elementary school they become real little traffic detectives. And so it should ultimately be in the best case.

Police checks whether safety vest is available in the car

Motorists were asked whether you have a high visibility vests are in the car. “Since July 1, 2014, the requirement of being accompanied of safety vests in cars. Whoever violates them must reckon with a warning fee of 15 Euros,” said Police Chief Superintendent.

 

The transport controls under the motto “See and be seen”. The road safety consultant police spoke the driver specifically to their behavior. The officials held numerous briefings to sensitize motorists. In emergencies, the West should be taken when leaving the vehicle. Nevertheless, it is recommended that passengers present ways to use safety barriers and unnecessarily linger on the road long.

 

The police ended the controls with a gratifying conclusion: Nearly 90 percent of drivers led at least a reflective vest in their vehicle.

 

Chief advises. “Do not store their safety vests hand inside the vehicle – for example in a door pocket, under the seat or in the glove compartment Often lay the West hidden in the trunk and would not have been fast in an emergency, even if only at least one vest on board. Needs, the driver should also think about his passenger. ”

 

And another tip for last: caution in international voyages. There often are much stricter rules and penalties – for example, the wearing of warning safety clothing of all occupants.

Locating device and safety vest for dog

His dog always and everywhere will find and protect him from attacks of wild animals – that was the desire of Bjorn. For several years now, the dog handler finding equipment and safety vest for dogs.

 

Bjorn had always looking for his dogs after the hunt. Only two years ago drew, where he also has his hunting ground.

Previously ran the trained electrician up to 200 kilometers to its former place of residence in Essen. “We had to see that we, the dogs will find quickly,” says Cohen.

Out of necessity, the navigation device for dogs originated. The equipment purchased Cohen; the software has the 47-year-old self-improvement developed.

 

Locating in real time

All dog owners need to regain their four-legged, the locating device and a mobile phone. “The Navi is secured in the collar. With one app you can be on the phone to display the last location of the dog, “says Cohen. But that’s not all: In real-time holders can watch the distance that puts her dog – and so easy to find him. The range is unlimited, he could locate dogs in Finland or Austria, says Cohen.

 

As in a hunting accident one of his dogs died because a boar had hit him on the carotid artery, Cohen were the old armor no longer safe enough and he developed his own.

“Our reflective vests are firmly connected from stab-resistant material and with the neck protection.” So could prevent boar fall on the dog’s neck.

 

Handwork

 

They are manufactured to order west, they are made to measure and even sewn. About ten to 15 pieces finished Cohen and his staff every day during the hunting season from September to January. “In the other months it is quieter.” The entire West is adjustable and especially easy with about 200 to 300 grams.

 

Thus, the dogs are to see when it is dark, all jackets are sewn in reflective tape. One hundred percent protection against injuries admits it but even at its West does not, says Cohen. “The vital organs but are protected by our vest.”

Reflective Light and versatile protection

Especially on long stretches of road cyclists is often exposed to a wide range of different weather conditions.

 

Here the new “Insulated Brevet” comes

From Rapha into play: Thanks to its “Alpha” filling on front and back, it makes for pleasant warmth. Since it is Alpha is a continuous, loosely knitted layer, the thermal insulation is breathable, and prevents overheating even at high intensity before.

 

The “Insulated Brevet” is equipped with a two-way zipper, the back pockets can be achieved quickly and easily. Reflective accessory details provide enhanced visibility in the dark.

 

Thanks to elastic sides the vest can

Simply be pulled even at full back pockets. The front zipper is highlighted, and keeps out the wind. A water-repellent coating offers additional protection in case of sudden rain.

 

Since Alpha hydrophobic, or is water-repellent, it sucks itself also not full, when things get wet, and also convinces through fast drying times. And if the driver no longer needs the safety vest, he can with the help of an elastic band, which is hidden in the collar, Curled compact.

 

Alpha was developed as an active insulation; the adaptive respiratory activity makes it unnecessary, while type clothing layers additionally on or takes off.

Therefore, the material is ideal for cycling. By water vapor can move freely through the material, the air exchange will promote the overall and extremely shortens the drying time. The result is an increased comfort through thermal regulation.

 

“Because it is a continuous layer of fluffy, knitted fibers, fibers cannot ‘moving’ the result is excellent stability and dimensional stability -. Even under heavy use and repeated washings,” explains Karen Whittier, as product manager for thermal protection responsible.

 

Warm even when wet and dries much faster than before on the market existing thermal insulation reflective materials. Very light and compressible, it provides warmth without much weight, and is also extremely wind resistant.

 

How does this work? Unlike down and synthetic heat-insulation is at Alpha to a continuous, loose knit, so only one layer.

The advantage: it remains stable, and cannot slip. In addition, fibers cannot solve. Therefore Alpha are processed with much more open, more porous and more breathable fabrics on the inside and outside to “Puffy” -like Styles.

New equips weathercock with safety vest

Chicken Polly of farmer Clemens from Dielingen already caused headlines: The farmer had the animal attracted a high visibility vest. Now also carries the weathercock on the roof glowing neon green.

 

In animal paradise already makes a small chicken with reflective safety vest stir: Polly regularly out of the cage on the busy B51 and brings thereby in danger. For safety reasons, the holders of its laying hen therefore put on a special chicken safety vest, which he had found on the internet. That did not like the rooster on the roof; He also called for a high visibility vest, so farmer.

 

“Thus the rooster is in the mood”

 

“What should I do? Thus the rooster is in the mood and to continue taking care of my chickens, I have also so missed him a vest.” For a few days of carries on the roof now signal colors and is therefore probably the first (weather) Hahn with a reflective vest.

After Gas Car Explosion Fire Departments review their protective clothing

August 15 last year, when in Rohlstorf the gas tank of a crashed car exploded and ten firefighters were injured, showed once again how important good protective reflective clothing for emergency responders. The volunteer fire departments were then in many places already into the years having come and pants checked and replaced.

 

Other fire fighters like Jan, fire chief in bulk, want the trade fair “Inter protection” be used for further information about modern protective clothing to June 13 will be held from 8th in Hannover. The fact that the purchase of expensive protective clothing is something completely different than times just briefly go into a store and buy a pair of jeans, Segeberg firefighters is the example of the bath significantly. “In master’s theses are written. For years we breed already about what is the right protective clothing for us. We must not forget, finally, that such a purchase a large financial expenditure, “says Bad Segeberg fire Chief Mark Zielinski.

 

Not only that range of manufacturers is great – the price. The cheapest protective clothing (jacket and pants), which may be used exclusively for the technical assistance is to have for 500 Euros. On average, however, the municipalities with 1200 Euros per protective pants and associated safety jacket for firefighters are. Up the price segment is open.

 

“Only protective clothing that fits properly can also protect reasonable. Are the sleeves too short, it may cause an injury, “says platoon leader Sven (39), which is also active in the ABC-train the District Fire Brigade Association. Three years took he and his colleagues Fire Department until they had decided on the sand-colored protective clothing from the Austrian manufacturer.

 

“The color we have chosen because of the better day visibility and because it soot and other contaminants are much more visible,” said Ehmke.

 

Nearly all manufacturers equip their garment made with membranes welded to the outside, rainwater not let in. However, the reflective strips were always a problem. Most companies use this plastic, which is manufactured without appropriate membranes. The downside: Among the reflective strips Condensation collects.

Many other factors play an important role in choosing the manufacturer. One factor is the color. The ABC-train the District Fire Brigade Association had chosen years ago for the color red to be recognizable as ABC train immediately. Only this particular field of use, the signal color is red but not reserved. Currently, the Bad Segeberg firefighters toying also with the red of the ABC-turn in which the vehicles of Bad Segeberg firefighters are painted. Fire chief Mark Zielinski: “Decided we have not yet. But for me firefighters are red. ”

 

Wahlstedt relies on visibility

For train drivers Sven (39) has the sand-colored clothing use Wahlstedter firefighters the advantage that contamination and damage are much more visible than in darker turnout gear. Three years has got the military needed to choose a manufacturer and this color. To protective clothing, it differs only in the outer reflective fabric.

 

Firemen Red for NBC train

Robin (22) carries the red turnout gear the ABC train of Segeberg District Fire Brigade Association. It was purchased several years ago, when almost all fire departments were still equipped with blue protective clothing. Meanwhile, the Volunteer Fire Bad Segeberg has his eye on the jackets and pants in the traditional “Fire Department Red”.

Blue is the color of Rohlstorfer

Fire chief Stephan Kuhn (35) has chosen with his comrades blue turnout gear for firefighters Rohlstorf. The injuries of Rohlstorfer firefighters at the LPG accidents have shown the importance of protective clothing for the task forces. The accident prompted to check their own equipment and renew for many municipalities and fire departments.

Flame retardant reflective clothing

The flame retardant reflective clothing according to EN 469 and HUPF part 1 and 4 serves the firefighters firefighting and protects the wearer from exposure to flames during his work. The construction of the fire protective clothing is a decisive factor for the safety of the wearer. What materials the Outerwear is exactly depends, among other economic factors and the question of the desired degree of protection against flame and resistance to chemicals. The structure of the clothing always consists of min. 3 layers (upper material, intermediate layer and inner lining), but may also consist of other materials.

 

The object of the fabric is to protect the wearer from flames, water and mechanical and chemical influences. The liner is to realize a thermal insulation against a hot environment. With high quality and expensive cladding insulation is installed directly into this position a membrane for breathability, while an air cushion by small dimpled “spacer” -to outer fabric layer departures generated. The lining has finally purpose, remove the sweat from the body. Along with 3-layer structure, there is also the possibility of the same basic principle of a 4 (or more) to achieve ply construction. Here are membranes and the thermal insulation separated. This reduces production costs and the costs considerably, but results in a higher weight, poorer mobility and often worse breathability of safety clothing, since the steam must penetrate more layers of clothing (higher resistance). Owns the more layers, the structure, the more negative this affects on the water absorption behavior of clothing and a longer drying time back.

 

In flame and temperatures just above 800 ° c the polyaramid hardens and discolored yellow / brown. The hardening of the material also is very fragile and crumbles / breaks as a very thin layer of ice at the slightest mechanical stress. High-quality protective clothing recurring thermal stresses or suddenly occurring high temperature has to withstand, so as PBI is prepared. This prevents the need to replace the clothing after each flame application. In addition, the material is retained even after exposure to fire permanently elastic and has a high resistance to acids and alkalis.

 

In protective clothing is used by HUPF part 1 and 4 of the Viking and Watex companies mainly. Usually this takes the art fiber are used. All garments are antistatic and can also in EX-zones (hazardous areas) are used. In addition to an outer jacket includes a diaper cover and for firefighters, a two-ply head guard and appropriate gloves to equip the personnel employed.

 

For the better visibility both day and night, the clothing is usually equipped with reflective material in yellow / silver / yellow and pure silver. If the complete set worn, eliminates the reflective vest obligation for the firefighter. These reflective stripes are particularly noticeable by their very noticeable yellowing and their reflective property. Simultaneously, the layer structure of the test Jacket is designed differently than the jackets regularly employed.