Since September 11th, the American public is more concerned about personal safety than at any time in the last 50 years. Now the former Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers a comprehensive, but easy-to-use resource with quick safety checklists to guide you through living in America and traveling outside its borders. From threats of terrorism to home safety; from safety for seniors to safety for babies, children, and college kids - learn how to prepare yourself for all contingencies. Includes the new Homeland Security Guidelines, as well as instructions for developing a Family Disaster Plan, practicing and maintaining it and what to include in your Disaster Supply Kit.

Nancy Harvey Steorts was Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission during the Reagan administration. Since then, she has become an international expert on safety, a television commentator and media spokesperson, and gives workshops and seminars on safety issues to Fortune 500 corporations and national organizations. She is the author of "Safety & You" (Syracuse, 1999).

"You're busy enough this Christmas worrying with what to get the kids and who to visit for how long. So here are a few tips to stave off safety concerns during the holidays. They are from the book ‘Safe Living in a Dangerous World’ by Nancy Harvey Steorts, a former chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission."   -- Leigh Woosley, The Tulsa (OK) World, December 2005

"Her most recent book, 'Safe Living in a Dangerous World: An Expert Answers Your Every Question from Homeland Security to Home Safety,' provides readers with up-to-date answers on a wide variety of safety-oriented questions spanning topics from terrorism to recreation. A comprehensive guide, Safe Living contains more than 200 pages that provide literally hundreds of informative tips, instructions and guidelines, as well as numerous checklists, on subjects as wide ranging as baby furniture and first aid to fire hazard and traveling abroad.’"
Vending Times, August 2004

"Keeping safe and out of harm's way may be at the bottom of a new college student's checklist - but it shouldn't be. Here's some basic advice from Nancy Harvey Steorts, former chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and author of ‘Safe Living in a Dangerous World’ (Capital Books, $14.95)."
Debbe Geiger, Newsday, August 19, 2003

"Halloween needn't be any more frightening than a plastic vampire mask. With common sense in play, trick-or-treating can be safe and smooth. Most everyone knows to supervise youngsters and check their candy before they dig in. Nancy Harvey Steorts, former chairwoman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and author of ‘Safe Living in a Dangerous World,’ has some tips that are more than no-brainers:
Choose costumes that are flame resistant, bright enough for motorists to see and short enough that the wearers won't trip.
Make sure children carry a flashlight and a cell phone (or change for a pay phone).
Approach only lit houses of people you know."
Press-Enterprise (Riverside, CA), October 28, 2003

"This book provides comprehensive treatment of safety issues ranging from Homeland Security guidelines to the presentation of injury in the home, at work, school, play or during travel. It is pragmatic and has many doses of insight and common sense to protect you and your loved ones. Use it as a reference book after you read it cover to cover for safety’s sake."
--Dr. Ron Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Parkland Hospital, Dallas

"In Safe Living in a Dangerous World, Nancy Harvey Steorts brings her
unique understanding of personal safety to post-September 11th America.
Just as the terrorist threat has changed the world in which we live, she
shows us how to change with it to live safely."
-- Bill Novelli, Executive Director, AARP
"A timely, comprehensive guide for preventing accidental injury and death"
--Stephen Brobeck, Executive Director, Consumer Federation of America

"Nancy Harvey Steorts has written another very comprehensive, easy-to-read, and practical book on everyday safety. Reflecting the reality of our changing environment, she has also provided important and useful information about personal security. Following the advice provided in this book will significantly reduce the human pain and suffering caused by the ever present safety and security risks that exist in our daily
lives."
--Paul V. Tebo, PhD, Corporate Vice President, Safety, Health & Environment
DuPont
"Business and Professional Women/USA is committed to preparing workingwomen for readiness in all matters that affect their individual and families' security and the security of our work environments. I would urge our members to read Nancy Harvey Steorts book as we exert our individual and collective responsibilities to being safe ‘in a dangerous world.’"
--Jane E. Smith, CEO, Business and Professional Women/USA

"Nancy Harvey Steorts has provided a safe path through our increasingly dangerous world. Her book is required reading for all who are concerned about the safety of their families, their businesses and their organizations."
--Sheryl J. Swed, President, UNIFEM/USA

Introduction: Preparing for a Disaster, Are You Ready?

PART I: HOMELAND SECURITY

Chapter 1 - America’s Response to New Challenges
Homeland Security Advisory System, A New Threat to Safety: Bioterrorism, Our Role

Chapter 2 - What You Can Do
Your Home, Neighborhood, and Community, Your Work, Evacuation of High-Rise Building, Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit, Create a Family Disaster Plan

PART II: PERSONAL SECURITY

Chapter 3 - Home Safety: How Safe Is Your Home?
Checklist: Room-by-Room Home Safety

Chapter 4 - Fire and Electrical Safety
Safeguarding Against Fires, Smoke Detectors, Fire Extinguishers, Escaping from a Fire, Checklist: Fire Safety General Tips, Electrical Safety, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), Electrical Safety Checklist

Chapter 5 - Carbon Monoxide, Air Quality, and Poison
When Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Risk Is Greatest, Checking Your Home, How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, Purchasing a Carbon Monoxide Detector, Indoor Air Quality, Contaminants, Indoor Air Quality Checklist: Room-by-Room, Indoor Air Quality Checklist: By Contaminant, Poisons, Types, Recognizing the Symptoms of Poisoning, How to Treat a Poisoning Victim, Preventing Poisonings, Poison Lookout Checklist: Room-by-Room

Chapter 6 - Food Safety: How Safe is Your Food?
Food Safety Checklist, Cooking and Defrosting

Chapter 7 - Holiday Safety: Preparing for the Holidays
Independence Day, Fireworks Safety Checklist, Halloween, Halloween Safety Tips, Thanksgiving, Ten Tips for Safe Food Preparation, Christmas, Buying a Gift of Safety, Christmas and Holiday Season Safety Tips

Chapter 8 - Mail Safety
Signs of Suspicious Mail, What to Do if You Suspect a Piece of Mail, What to Do if You Receive an Anthrax Threat, Symptoms and Effects of Anthrax

Chapter 9 - Child Safety: Guidelines for Preventing Incidents
Baby Safety, Baby Furniture and Equipment, Baby-Proofing Your House, Child Safety, Child Safety Checklist, Toy Safety, Playground Safety, Clothing Safety

Chapter 10 - Senior Safety: Safety Concerns for Seniors
Safety for the Older Consumer Checklist, Burns and Fires, Grab Bars, Medications, Rugs and Mats, Water Temperatures

Chapter 11 - Outdoor Safety: Being Safe While Having Fun Outdoors
Your Backyard, Swimming Pools, Bicycle Safety, Education and Training Programs, Sports and Recreational Safety, Common Minor Sports Injuries

PART III: THE COMMUNITY

Chapter 12 -School Safety: Improving Your Child’s Safety at School
Preventing School Violence, School Fire Safety, School Bus Safety, Backpacks, Latchkey Children

Chapter 13 - College Safety: Tips for the College Student
Dorm Fire Safety, Student Travel, Meningitis, Eating Disorders, Alcohol Abuse, Date Rape and Sexual Assault

PART IV: THE EXTERNAL WORLD

Chapter 14 - Travel Safety: How Safe Are You as a Traveler?
Airline Safety, Hotel Safety, Room Safety

Chapter 15 - Weather Safety: How to Survive Mother Nature
Thunderstorms, Lightning, Hail, Floods, Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Earthquakes

Chapter 16 - Medical Emergencies and Safety: How to Respond
First Aid, Mouth-to-Mouth Resuscitation, Abrasions and Injuries, Burns, Blisters and Scalds, Choking, Drowning, Electric Shock, Heat-Related Illnesses, Cold-Related Illnesses, Strangulation, Suffocation, Calling 911, Patient Safety

Conclusion

Resources