United Alliance Blog

Enjoying a Safe Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday which occurs every year on the last Monday of May.  It is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the US Armed Forces.  It originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War.  Today, we honor all Americans who have died while in the military service.  Many people visit cemeteries and memorials to honor those who have died in military service.  It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season and has become a long weekend increasingly devoted to shopping, family gatherings, fireworks and national media events.

As Memorial Day approaches and you start to plan your holiday weekend, we recommend that safety be a top priority.  Here are some tips to keep your holiday safe and enjoyable.

1. Food Safety

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before handling food and after handling raw poultry or meat. To guard against cross-contamination of bacteria, keep uncooked meats away from other foods.
• Cook foods thoroughly, especially ground beef, poultry, and pork.
• Refrigerate all perishable food within two hours.

2. Fire Safety

• When using a grill, be sure to clean it thoroughly to remove any grease or dust. Check for gas leaks. Use the grill outside, not in a garage, porch, or other enclosed space.
• If you plan to use a fire pit, be sure to put out fire completely before leaving it unattended.
• Do not park your vehicle on grass as the hot exhaust can easily ignite dry vegetation.

3. Water Safety

• Don’t swim alone.
• Wear a life vest while boating.
• Supervise children at all times in and near the water.

4. Sun Safety

• Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Apply it generously throughout the day.
• Wear a hat and sunglasses.
• Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

5. Travel Safety
• Don’t drink and drive or travel with anyone who has been drinking.
• Wear your seatbelt at all times.
• Make sure your vehicle has been serviced before a long road trip.
• Familiarize yourself with your surroundings and know where the nearest emergency room is in case of an emergency.

 
*Source:  www.mass.gov/consumer

Safety Tips on St. Patrick’s Day in Boston!

 

 

 

 

 

 

United Alliance Services would like to wish you a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day! As a Boston based company we are in the Irish sprite 365 days a year. Although we can appreciate all the excitement around the wearing green, enjoying the parades and having wicked fun, these type of event’s often get out of control with endless amounts of spirits, a good bottle of whiskey and a few pints of Guinness and an occasional shot of tequila. And Irish stereotypes aside, that’s as it should be. After all, the levity and good natured exuberance of St. Paddy’s help make it such a popular and care free celebration throughout all of Boston. However, the greater levels alcohol consumption also makes
it a day to be responsible. Check out these five St. Patrick’s Day Safety tips from United Alliance Services to help you successfully navigate the hoopla and Boston festivities on March 17^th:

Five St. Paddy’s Day Safety Tips for Bostonians:

1.   Predetermine a safe way to get home for you and your friends. Whether you’re watching a parade or going to or hosting a party, ensure everyone in your group has a safe means of returning home if you plan to drink. Select a designated driver, arrange for a cab, plot a bus route, or figure out a nearby place you can crash for the night. It’s a good idea to keep route maps of local public transportation, as well as the numbers for taxi companies handy during the day.

2.   Eat. Drinking on an empty stomach is a good way to end your St. Paddy’s day a lot earlier
than planned. Make sure to get some nutrients in you to help absorb that alcohol.

3.   Stay hydrated. Getting enough water will also help keep the party going on longer, and decrease the likelihood you’ll have a March 18th hangover. It’s a Monday, so you’ll probably (hopefully) have important things to do, like work.

4.   If you feel impaired, don’t get behind the wheel. In the eyes of the law, impaired driving is drunk driving, and even if you feel fine, a breathalyzer might not concur. With all the checkpoints on the roads, it’s best to play it extra safe. If you have even the least bit of doubt, don’t drive.

5.   Be extra cautious on the roads. Just because you’re a safe and sober driver doesn’t mean other people are. A disproportionate of traffic accidents on St. Patrick’s Day are caused by people
driving under the influence. Whether you’re driving or just crossing the street on foot, keep your awareness levels high.



St. Patrick’s Day in Boston calls for drinks with friends, tons of green, and a wicked healthy dose of
responsibility. With that formula and the above tips from United Alliance Services, you can make St. Paddy’s a safer night out for you and your mates. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! May the luck of the Irish be with you today and always! Make sure to spread some Irish cheer with those who are near!

 

Top 10 personal safety tips for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday shoppers

Shopping on Black Friday can present some major safety concerns. Taking a few prevention measures can help keep your Black Friday Shopping experience safe for you and your family.

One of the biggest concerns on Black Friday is shoppers can become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. The following tips from the staff at United Alliance Services can help you be more careful, prepared and aware when shopping on Black Friday. Oh by the way, don't forget us on small business Saturday, and we have online safety training marketed down 10% for Cyber Monday.

Here our top 10 personal safety tips for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday shoppers:

1. Don’t buy more items than you can carry. Plan ahead by taking a friend or ask a store employee to help carry your packages to the car.
2. Shop online with companies you know and trust. Check a company’s background if you are not familiar with it. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
3. Save all receipts. Print and save all confirmations from your online purchases. Start a file folder to keep all receipts together and to help you verify credit card or bank statements as they come in.
4. Consider alternate options to pay for your merchandise, such as one-time or multi-use disposable credit cards or money orders, at online stores and auction sites.
5. Wait until asked before taking out your credit card or checkbook. An enterprising thief would love to “shoulder surf” to get your account information.
6. Deter pickpockets. Carry your purse close to your body or your wallet inside a coat or front trouser pocket.
7. Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. Check the back seat and around the car before getting in.
8. Do not leave packages visible in your car windows. Lock them in the trunk or, if possible, take them directly home.
9. Tell a security guard or store employee if you see an unattended bag or package. The same applies if you are using mass transit.
10. If you are shopping with children, make a plan in case you get separated. Select a central meeting place and make sure they know they can ask mall personnel or store security employees if they need help.

Have a safe and joyous Holiday Season, from your friends at United Alliances Services.

Halloween Safety Tips from the Safety Professionals

With tricks and treats fast approaching, United Alliance Services would like to make all of clients, friends and family aware of some Halloween safety tips to keep kids safe. 

For parents and children:
• Children under 12 should trick-or-treat and cross streets with an adult.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Parents should remind children to watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
• Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross. Walk; don’t run, across the street. 

For drivers:
• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day so you can spot children from greater distances.
• Remember that costumes can limit children’s visibility and they may not be able to see your vehicle.
• Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings. 

Costumes and Treats
• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and choose light colored costumes to improve visibility.
• Choose face paint and make-up instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision. Look for non-toxic designations when choosing Halloween makeup.
• Avoid carrying sticks, swords, or other sharp objects.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights in order to see better, as well as to be seen by drivers.
• Liquid in glow sticks is hazardous, so parents should remind children not to chew on or break them.
• Check treats for signs of tampering before children are allowed to eat them. Candy should be thrown away if the wrapper is faded or torn, or if the candy is unwrapped.