SLN October

Page 8 October Edition Seven Lakes News
Were you aware that the Community of Seven Lakes has a
volunteer group to assist those that might need a little extra help?
At Neighbors Helping Neighbors we provide temporary assistance with
those small tasks that might have become diffi cult to deal with on a dayto-day
basis. We’re here to help with shopping, pickups at the library or
post offi ce, a bit of company, and other tasks.
Our goal is to provide a bit of local support to help members of our
community deal with some of those tasks that may have become diffi cult.
If you have a particular need, please contact Sally Walsh at 673-3719 or
(973) 809-9077. We look forward to hearing from you!
Chris Mimms. George, Joyce, Charlie Flinchum and Reed Flinchum.
George knew his wife Joyce loved both flowers and their garden. So, he
bought her a beautiful bridge for the garden. Some of the volunteers
assembled the bridge and stained and varnished it for them.
We have received several calls
and e-mails recently with regard to
possible problems with residents
walking on our private roads in Seven
Lakes. Several drivers have had
“near misses” with pedestrians
walking in the middle of the road,
on the phone, texting and not
aware of their surroundings and
the possible dangers of walking on
the roads.
Walking is a healthy activity, but
you need to know the rules of
thumb of pedestrian safety. This is
especially true if you are walking in
the Seven Lakes area where there
aren’t sidewalks or paths separate
from the road. To stay safe walking,
experts and safety offi cials propose
that we follow these rules of the road
to stay safe while walking.
1. Walk Facing Oncoming Traffi c,
Against the Traffi c Flow
Why is it safer to walk on the same
side of the road as oncoming traffi c,
if it is coming from in front of you,
you have both your eyes and your
ears to help you know to move off
to the side (or even jump into the
ditch).
2. Cross Safely
Mom was right: look both ways before
crossing any street.
3. Walk Single File When Not Separated
from the Road
Unless you are on a sidewalk separated
from the road or you are in
a wide bike/pedestrian lane, you
should walk in single fi le. This is especially
important on a road with lots
curves and where traffi c has only a
split second chance of seeing you
before hitting you.
While it can be enjoyable to walk
down the road two to three abreast
chatting merrily, drivers don’t expect
it and you may lose your best walking
buddies.
4. Stay Aware of Bikes and Runners
Share the road and path with bikes
and runners. Listen for them, and
move to walk single fi le, allowing
them to pass safely.
5. Be Visible
Wear bright colors when walking
in daytime. When walking at night,
wear light-colored clothing and
refl ective clothing or a refl ective vest
to be visible. Drivers are often not
expecting walkers to be out after
dark, and you need to give them
every chance to see you. Be just
as cautious at dawn or twilight, as
drivers still have limited visibility or
may even have the setting or rising
sun directly in their eyes.
6. Be Predictable
Make a practice of staying on one
side of the path while walking rather
than weaving randomly from side to
side.
7. Keep the Volume Down
Don’t drown out your environment
when listening to your earbuds or
headphones. Keep the volume at a
level where you can still hear bike
bells and warnings from other walkers
and runners.
8. Hang Up and Eyes Up
Chatting, texting, or playing games
like Pokemon Go on a mobile device
while you walk is as dangerous as
doing those things while driving.
Adopt habits that can keep your
phone in your pocket, or at least
stop in a safe place to complete your
phone tasks before moving on.
9. Walk Dogs on Short Leashes
It is terrifying and tragic to witness
dogs running out in to traffi c or getting
into a fatal dog fi ght, whether on
leash or off leash. But there is also
a danger when walking your dog on
a long leash that you will trip other
walkers or bikers. Keep your pet
and yourself safe by learning proper
leash walking.
10. Know When to Stop Walking
Heat sickness, dehydration, heart
attack or stroke can strike walkers
of any age. Learn the symptoms of
medical emergencies and carry a
cell phone to dial 911.