PrintKnow safety, no injury. No safety, know injury.
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Archive for category Personal Safety
“Safety first, because you might not get a second chance.”
Tom Patire
Stay calm in an emergency
Feb 17
When the unexpected happens, especially when it involves an emergency with a loved one, most people freak out. Has this ever happened to you? Unfortunately, this is the worst thing you can do. When split second decisions have to be made, you are more focused on your own emotional state, than on what actually needs to be done. Not only that, but you become extremely difficult to communicate with for the people who could potentially help you. You are stammering, and screaming, and getting your facts confused, rather than calmly and effectively communicating the information to 911, for example. When help arrives they need to have their ducks in a row, so they can take appropriate action as quickly as possible.
Perhaps the worst thing you can do in an emergency is to panic in front of the person who is having the emergency. I have seen it happen many times. Once, in a school where I was teaching, saw a girl trip while running, and smash her head into a gymnasium wall. I knew it would not be pretty, after she bounced off the wall and hit the floor. I ran over and picked her up, and the blood started to pour out between her fingers where she was holding her face. Knowing that she would respond to my energy, I calmly and softly told her she would be fine, and that everything was going to be ok. With a lifetime of martial arts behind me, I can usually tell the difference between a superficial wound, and a bad injury. This would be a broken nose at the worst. While not exactly pleasant, it is also not a brain injury.
The girl remained calm, with a few sniffles, as I carried her to the nurses office. On the way there, another teacher ran over in a panic, pulled the girl’s hands away from her face, and shouted, OH MY GOOODDDDDD right in the girl’s face. At this point of course, the girl goes into complete hysteria. I hip checked the other teacher out of the way, and carried the girl the rest of the way to the nurses office, where the nurse was a calm professional.
It turned out the injury was a decent gash on the forehead, and it bled a lot, but the girl was ok in the end. She would have been more ok, if the buttinsky teacher had left well enough alone, and had not further traumatized the child with her reaction. This scene has occurred in similar circumstances in most people’s lives. It is vitally important, that when others need us, we remain cool, calm, and collected, for their sake.
As an incredible example of how to stay calm in an emergency, check out this video of 5-year-old Savannah’s call with 911, when her dad was potentially having a heart attack. It aired on The Bonnie Hunt Show.
Photo: taberandrew
On Thursday, November 5th, Family Martial Arts Academy, 17 N. 4th Ave. Highland Park, NJ, is offering a child anti-abduction training program.
This course is taught in a way that is fun and safe. Through activities that mimic familiar children’s games, the instructors are able to effectively address the subject in a manner that is positive and empowering to kids.
One of the reasons that parents rave about this course is that their children learn real tools to avoid or prevent any attempted abduction. They also love the fact that kids leave this course feeling great about themselves.
Students are taught the most common lures used on unsuspecting children, and exactly what to do if approached by a ‘friendly’ stranger.
The average age of the students who participate is between 7 and 12 years old.
This course is taught by nationally certified child safety authority, Joel Levy, M.Ed., and the dedicated staff of Family Martial Arts Academy. The normal cost is $39, but due to recent events FMAA is granting a special rate of only $10. BONUS: Parents may attend with their children at no extra cost.
Call to register: (732) 296-1677 or go to
http://safekidsnow.eventbrite.com
Time: 1:00-2:30pm
Location: 17 North 4th Ave., Highland Park, NJ 08904
Cost: $10 per child
Halloween Costume Safety
Oct 15
In thinking about Halloween safety, there is a lot more than the boogey man hiding behind a tree. As the owner of a martial arts school, I can tell you that what you wear has a lot to do with your safety, and your ability to move comfortably. Here are a few things to consider when selecting your (child’s) costume this year.
First of all, does it fit? Is your child able to move comfortably in his/her costume? Are the pants hemmed to the right height, or is your child tripping over them? I have seen several children break their teeth on the sidewalk because they tripped over something. Don’t let it be their pants.
Is their mask so big that it is hanging off their face? Be sure that in addition to being able to move comfortably, your child can see easily and clearly through their mask. I am blind in my left eye. As an adult, I still bump into things. Don’t put your child in that predicament. Check their ability to see before they leave the house.
My son loves anything with plastic swords, knives, etc. Pirates, ninja turtles, the galloping gourmet; it’s all the same to him. If your child is going out with a similar object, make sure that it is not too rigid. It should be soft and flexible enough that if he/she should fall and land on it, that it will not cause serious injury (or any injury at all!).
If you are painting your child’s face, please read the label. Face paint should be non-toxic and hypoallergenic. Nothing worse than a plastic pumpkin full of candy, and a face full of itchy rash at the end of an afternoon of trick-or-treating.
Back to costumes, be sure that your child’s costume is flame-retardant. As an adult with three of my own children, I understand how deadly serious this is. Depending on where you live, people may still burn leaves, or have lanterns or candles outside. Don’t put your child unnecessarily at risk of catching fire. I get chills even writing that.
Finally, reflective tape
Related (seasonal) posts:
How to Pet a Dog
Sep 21
You may have noticed that there are a lot of people with dogs walking around town. There are all types of dogs to be seen in Highland Park. Some big, some small, some friendly, some not. Some are good with people, but not with other dogs. Some are good with dogs but not people. Some dogs are good with neither, and some are good with both.
There are also some dog owners that are good at handling their dogs, and there are some who definitely are not. Some allow bad behavior, some correct it. Some have their dogs walking respectfully by their side, and some allow their dogs (even tiny dogs) to drag them down the street. Some even let their dogs poo on people’s lawns and don’t pick it up, but I already wrote that article!
With all these variables, how are you to know who is who in terms of dogs and owners? You may or may not be a fan of dogs to begin with, but there they are walking on your side of the street.
One thing is for certain; there are always people, most often kids, who want to pet somebody’s dog. That being said, it would be helpful to know how best to approach a dog you want to pet. In doing so, it is very important to respect the fact that a dog is not a human, and must be understood on its terms, and not ours.
First of all, ask the owner if it is ok to pet their dog. While this may seem obvious, I can tell you first hand, it is often overlooked. Then listen to what the owner says. If they say no, leave it alone! If they give the ok, then proceed to the next step.
If they give the go ahead to pet their dog, here is the safest way to go about it. Rather than run up to the dog and startle it, approach it slowly. It is best not to approach a dog head on, as that could be perceived as a direct challenge. The safer way to approach a dog is at an angle or from the side. Once you are in its personal space, allow it to come the rest of the way to you and smell you. This is how dogs initially come to know who you are; through their nose.
When it is smelling you, avoid direct eye contact until the dog has finished smelling you. Direct eye contact can also be seen as a challenge. Just be casual and let it do its thing. This is usually just a few seconds.
Now that you have shown the dog that you understand its culture as a dog by letting it approach and smell you, and not giving it the New York City Subway stare down, it both knows and trusts you. Once this type of trust has been established, and the owner has given permission, it is ok to pet the dog. It is recommended that you do so initially with your palm facing out and down, and below the dog’s eye level. An elevated hand could cause the dog to jump, or even be perceived as aggression, depending on the dog’s history.
While explained in great detail here, this whole process takes only a few short moments. However, observing these principles will give you success and confidence in knowing how best to approach a dog that appeals to you or your child.
If you live in Highland Park, there is a good chance you will see me walking down your side of the street, at some point or another with Mickey, my mixed breed shelter rescue dog. If and when you do, you can definitely feel free to practice the steps outlined above on him. Don’t forget to start by asking permission first!
One more note. Do not make the mistake of thinking that some breeds of dogs are ‘good’ or approachable and others are not. The dog’s size or breed isn’t nearly as important as how it is raised and handled by its owners; just like kids.
Photos: FMAA and A Girl And Her Camera
Pick It Up!
Apr 2
This article by Joel Levy was published in the April 2, 2009 issue of The Highland Park Mirror.
This month’s column is intended to ruffle a few feathers. Just a few. And if you are one of the people whose feathers are ruffled, I invite you to come see me in person about it, because I’d sure love to see you.
I would really love to find out who it is that thinks it is OK for my children to have to worry about playing on their own lawn, without having to constantly watch out for dog droppings. If you are the lazy, arrogant SOB who thinks it’s their right to leave their dog’s poop where my children play, you are definitely the person whose feathers I intend to ruffle. Do you also leave your garbage on other people’s property?
Perhaps you would like it if I left the same where you sleep, eat, or work? I sincerely doubt it. So what gives you the right, or the audacity to feel that your dog’s poop is so desired by others that you would just leave it out for all to experience?
I love my dog. People see me walking my dog all over town. And like almost all of you, I carry bags with me, so that when my dog does a ‘number two,’ I can immediately pick it up, and dispose of it appropriately.
Maybe it should be fair that my kids can poop where your dog plays, and leave it there. That might be a just measure. On the other hand, there are some standards that are just part of the rules, as civil human beings living in the same town. They are even written down — you will find many signs around town warning of the fines affiliated with not picking up after your dog. That means you too!
Yes I know you love your dog. Yes, I know your dog is a part of your family. 
My staff and I at Family Martial Arts Academy are all avid dog lovers, owners and trainers. All of our dogs come from rescues. We derive tremendous enjoyment from our dogs, and we also participate in the socially responsible custom of PICKING UP THEIR POOP!
The anti-social implications of leaving bacteria-ridden feces on other people’s property is something for the many qualified mental health care professionals in Highland Park to figure out. I don’t really care why. I just want it to stop!
As a parent, I am calling out to all parents who care about the cleanliness of the spaces in which their children play. As a homeowner, and taxpayer, I am calling out to all people who care about the aesthetic qualities of our charming town. Let’s take a stand against all those who feel it is their right to let their dogs dirty our lawns and sidewalks, and coldly move on, without picking it up.
Since this is a safety column, here is the safety message in it. Poop is unsanitary. It is therefore unsafe for the children of Highland Park to be playing in it. PICK IT UP!!!
This article by Joel Levy was published in the The Highland Park Mirror.
So I’m on the bus ride back from our soccer game up in Paramus. It happens that I am coaching my daughter’s high school soccer team, and we have an away game. We lose the game, but that is another story. The van ride up to the game is pretty uneventful, with the usual chatter of high school girls and the sounds of teenagers singing along to the radio. I am in the front seat next to the driver, writing out plays for the game, and the list of starters and subs for each position.
As we arrive, the driver is asking me how long the game will be and what time I think he needs to be back for us. Something about the way he was asking had me concerned, but I brushed it off as we needed to get into the gym to play our game.
We all pile into the van to go home at the end of the night’s activity, and the van driver is unusually quiet. He doesn’t move until I tell him, “Hey, let’s go”. Right away, I sense he is not the same as when he drove us up to the game. He nearly misses our exit for Rt. 17 South, and swerves wildly to get on it, just a little too much for my comfort.
Next thing I know, he is flying down the parkway south at dangerously high speeds, in the far left lane, cutting over to get around people in the center lanes who are driving closer to the speed limit. At first I tell myself, “He got us here just fine, don’t be paranoid…” Then I notice he is barely able to stay in the lane he is in, causing cars to the right of us to swerve out of his way as he repeatedly cuts partially into their lane.
Now I’m starting to burn. I’m thinking, not only is my kid in this van, but you’ve got a van full of other people’s kids, and you have a responsibility to get them home safely. You just don’t have the right to drive that way with someone else’s kid(s) in the vehicle. Let alone you own kids, or an adult passenger, for that matter. I tell him, “Hey, slow down, we all want to live you know!?” He just chuckles and keeps on driving.
Now I’m thinking, ok, I wonder if I can knock him unconscious and throw him out of the vehicle, and take control of the van without the kids noticing. That’s when I realize I have watched way too many action movies! Meantime, I am texting the head of the school, giving him a play by play of the dangerous behavior of the driver. Finally, when the lanes on the Parkway merge, and traffic slows down almost to a stop, he is barreling straight for the car in front of us at high speed.
There is no doubt in my mind that we are about to have a serious accident. I quickly turn off the radio, and scream at him, “SLOW DOWN!!!” The shock of this causes him to slow down just in time to not smash into the line of cars in front of us, which are now at a stop. Then I unleash a verbal assault on him, about the way he is driving the van. He looks at me, and I look at him back as if to say, “I dare you!” I’m not trying to be macho here, but he has the lives of my team in his hand, and I am definitely a protective poppa bear.
I continue to text the school director, who has someone call the driver. After the call, the driver is going s-u-p-e-r- s-l-o-w on purpose, just to make a point. I don’t care at this point, as long as we get back safely.
All I can think is that if I were not on the van, there is a very good chance they would have had a very bad accident. I ask the girls, if they have ever had this driver before, and I can’t believe what they said. They said, “It’s a good thing you yelled at him when you did, because we were terrified.” They continue to tell me, “You don’t understand, coach, they all drive like that.” I say, “Who all drives like that?” They say, “All the van drivers.”
WHAT?!!! Not if I have something to say about it, and I most definitely do!
Parents, please talk you your kids. Ask them about their day. Ask them about the bus driver. Ask them about everything. Ninety nine percent of the time, you have nothing to worry about. But, believe me; people will behave much more responsibly when they know you are checking up on them.
This article by Joel Levy was published in the February 8, 2009 issue of The Highland Park Mirror.
On the SAFE Side
Most martial arts schools, my own included, teach some form of self defense. Some teach more practical methods than others, but what always struck me as interesting is how rarely the schools teach what to do to avoid needing self-defense in the first place.
Don’t get me wrong. Responsible instructors will always tell their students something along the lines of, “Common sense before self defense.” But few really use a systematic method based on true research and statistics, to teach kids, teens, and adults how to live a safer and more aware lifestyle on a daily basis.
In my own search for answers to these questions years ago, I came across some hard-core bodyguard training. Like many others, I thought bodyguards were just big scary guys that beat people up. And I did meet some that were ‘monsters’ — at least on the outside — but I also met others that were maybe 5’3” and 120 pounds.
I also discovered that a good number of them were women, and for good reason. Imagine a female celebrity such as Beyonce wanting to go into Victoria’s Secret . . . . or even just needing the ladies’ room. She certainly doesn’t want a male bodyguard shadowing her during her more personal moments.
What I learned is that Executive Protection Agents (what true bodyguards are called), far from being punch-drunk goons, are highly intelligent, well-trained, and methodical professionals.
The biggest part of this job is what is called Advance Work: gathering as much advance information about everything from potential threats, to the client’s food preferences, to medical needs or conditions. The better the ‘advance’ is, the better the job goes, and the more potentially bad situations are avoided in the first place.
As a professional and lifelong martial artist, I took it upon myself to study and train with these agents. That included learning advance work, handling a motorcade, receiving lines, third party protection, and many other skills. Fighting skills per se were not as much of a focus.
At our Family Martial Arts Academy, in addition to the regular Martial Arts curriculum, we also teach a variety of self-escape and personal safety courses as well. As I see it, knowing you can take it to a higher level if necessary gives you the confidence to use the lower level skills first. You won’t panic in a situation if you know you can handle it if it goes bad.
At the same time, a calm confidence will help you to think clearly in order to spot potential danger, and use your self-escape tools to avoid it. Without true training in the lower level skills, there is a danger that you go straight to the higher level skills first, which may not be the appropriate response.
Self escape training is fun, and gives people the confidence of knowing what to do in the majority of circumstances that require some action. This is especially true if it is based on honest Bodyguard or Executive Protection skills, tactics, and training, because getting to safety and avoiding trouble is paramount.
You may ask, “What about the small percentage of the time when something more than self-escape is required?” That is where the confidence in your martial arts skills is essential.
Holiday Safety
Dec 18
This article by Joel Levy was published in the December 18, 2007 issue of The Highland Park Mirror.
On the SAFE Side
Expert advice for your personal safety
With the holiday season fully upon us, personal safety is of great importance. Statistically, this time of year hosts a higher crime rate than usual. The reason for this should be obvious: people are carrying a lot of money, and are distracted by the pressures of holiday shopping, while still trying to do everything else that they barely had time for to begin with. Sound familiar?
The bad guys know this too. They are bad, but often not dumb, and crime is what they do for a living. So with self-preservation high on their list of priorities, they do study people. While you are oblivious to the world, in too much of a hurry to notice, you don’t know who notices you. And bad guys, not being dumb guys, typically look for someone who presents an easy target.
We all know this. But how many times do we get completely absorbed in whatever we are doing, forget we are in a public place, and that other people are around? Here is a simple, yet often forgotten, tip to keep in mind; it will help to “victim proof” your behavior.
Make it a habit to pick your eyes up periodically, and in a left to right scanning motion, scan the area where you are standing or walking. This does two things. One, by looking around, you will notice if anything or anyone seems out of place or is behaving suspiciously. By noticing this, you immediately demonstrate to anyone looking for an unsuspecting victim that you are not the person they are looking for. The other thing is that bad guys want to fly below the radar, and do not want to be put in spotlight. Their goals are to do their crime and stay out of jail. When they see you scanning the area it puts a spotlight on their behavior, disrupting their ability to go unnoticed.
You might think that this will only anger a bad guy and make him or her come after you. This is completely not the case. In a public place a person most likely wants your property, and doesn’t want to cause a big commotion (because that puts them in spotlight). If it is you they want, and not your property, they will need to get you in an isolation zone, and that is the subject of another article.
In the meantime, remember your scanning pattern: left to right. Why? Because that is the way you have been reading all your life, and that is the way your brain has learned to processes information. You will pick up and evaluate your surroundings much more quickly and efficiently. (Of course, if you typically read in a different direction, scan in the direction you read.)
So make it a habit to scan your surroundings and make the bad guys know you are watching. Until the next time, be safe!
