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July is filled with festivities – parades, barbeques, and fireworks galore! With $1.09 billion spent on fireworks in 2015 –$755 million dollars was spent in the consumer firework market (according to the American Pyrotechnics Association).
So what are consumer fireworks?

Consumer fireworks are those that average citizens use. Examples include Sparklers, Bottle Rockets, Firecrackers, Roman Candles, etc. According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, in 2015, the United States consumer fireworks market used 260.7 million pounds. That’s A LOT of fireworks!

Did you know…
Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year? These fires cause an average of three deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and $43 million in direct property damage (National Fire Protection Agency).
In 2015, the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated 11,900 people in the U.S. were treated at hospital emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries? 51% of those injuries were to the extremities and 41% to the head. Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for one-quarter (26%) of the estimated 2015 injuries.

More fires are reported on July 4 than any other day of the year?
What can you do to stay safe?

It is important to practice safety measures when using fireworks. Here are some recommended safety tips from the National Council for Firework Safety:

Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
Know your fireworks; read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
A responsible adult should supervise all firework activities.
Never give fireworks to children.
Alcohol and fireworks do not mix - save your alcohol for after the show.
Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
Light one firework at a time and quickly move away from it.
Use fireworks outdoors in a clear area - away from buildings and vehicles.
Never relight a “dud” firework - wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
Always have a bucket of water and a readily-available water hose nearby.
Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
Do not shoot fireworks into METAL or GLASS containers.
Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and placing them in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.
Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department.

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Getting Smart About Bicycle Safety

5/2/2022

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Summertime in the state of Michigan is the best time of the year to get out and ride your bike! Rather it be for commuting to work, staying in shape, sightseeing or joyriding, nearly 66.5 million cyclists and bike riders hit the road in the United States in 2016 (according to statista.com).

While biking can be one of the most enjoyable recreational activities of summer it is important to take precautions when you ride. According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHSA), 840 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2016. Even if you are a veteran cyclist, it’s always good to review the fundamentals. In order to ensure cyclists, bike riders, and automobile drivers have a safe and happy summer here are 5 tips for bicycle safety this summer!

Know the rules! Bicycles on the roadway must follow the same rules as motorized vehicles. Go with traffic, obey all street signs and signals – just like a car!
Plan, plan, plan! Much like driving, planning ahead will help you choose routes with less traffic. Also, keep in mind your safest path might just be a bike path – keeping you away from motorists all together
Be prepared! Make sure your bike and helmet fit! Wear clothing that won’t get caught in the chain. The most common bicycle accident is falls!
Be a defensive rider! Assume people don’t see you, wear bright colored clothing, ride during the day, and watch for hazards like car doors opening, potholes, and train tracks.
Predictability is key! Ride where you are expected to be seen and give motorists a sense of what you intend to do!

For more information on how to find a helmet that fits and other bicycle safety topics – check out the resources below!

National Highway Safety Association - https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicycle-safety
National Safety Council - https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/summer/bicycles
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute - https://www.helmets.org

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Reasons to Run from a Career in Instructional Design

10/4/2021

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As a 50-something HR and training professional, who’s worked as an instructional systems designer for the past 20 years, I love giving career advice. Actually, I love giving all sorts of advice to people. I mean, I’ve been around the block a time or two and pretty much have life figured out. Right. Whatever. So, allow me to share what life has taught me about the role of instructional systems design. You ready? Wait for it…here it comes…instructional design may not be for you! Can you believe it?! What kind of article is this? Who spends 20 years of their life in a career and then openly writes to tell people that they may want to avoid it? What kind of kooky logic is that? I’m not sure, but I do know that you’re going to want to steer clear of the ISD field if you don’t want to…

Learn new things. If someone told me 20 years ago that, as an instructional designer, I’d learn about topics that I hadn’t even heard of, I wouldn’t have believed it. The breadth of knowledge that instructional designers are exposed to is immense. Tell me this: what do electrical power grids, information security, leadership qualities, combustion safety, driveline systems, career path planning have in common? Nothing, right? Wrong! They’re some of the content areas I’ve learned about and created training for over the years.
Meet great people. Instructional designers work with customers to understand their organizational needs and subject matter experts (SMEs) to gather course content. It’s a most diverse population that instructional designers are introduced to, which makes sense if you consider the multitude of content areas a designer works in. You’ll have numerous opportunities to enter into worlds that you never knew existed or never dreamed you’d ever learn about. Case in point: my project that involved onboard computers used inside semi-trucks. Or another project about green engineering…or distribution warehouse management…get the picture? All of these projects allowed me to meet and work with people I ordinarily wouldn’t have met.
Appear smart. Instructional designers need strong communication skills, which means, they need to be able to speak intelligently and effectively. Effective communication is essential when working with customers and SMEs. Can you imagine your project deliverable if you didn’t fully understand the customer’s needs or ask the proper questions of your SME? Instructional design is about creating training solutions that have a positive impact in the lives of an organization’s employees. Years of developing participant manuals and instructor guides have strengthened my writing –and editing – skills. All of which enhances the ability to communicate overall. Not to mention breadth of knowledge. You’ll find that you’re able to talk a little about a lot of things.
Make a positive impact on others. Training solutions for employees are intended to improve job performance. I can’t think of a more value-added activity than creating training that helps a person be a better version of themselves. You’re not only helping individuals narrow or eliminate performance gaps, you’re also contributing to the greater good of the organization. Better performing employees will positively impact organizational performance overall.
Enjoy life. A career in instructional design is a good choice. You can make a better-than-average living and do it in a comfortable environment. While location does affect salary, according to CareerBuilder.com, the salary range for an instructional designer is approximately $44,000 to $83,000 annually. Another consideration is that ISD work can be performed on a contract basis – meaning you can easily go into business for yourself. Who wouldn’t enjoy more flexibility and freedom than what a typical job has to offer?

So there you have it - reasons to avoid the field of ISD. Or not. If nothing else, I’ve given you some food for thought. Tongue-in-cheek aside, the next time you’re contemplating a career choice or a job change, consider the world of instructional design. You may be surprised at how rewarding and personally fulfilling it is.

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