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[-_-] 5 Essential Tips for Hikers

6/29/2018

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Tips for Hickers
Hiking is a wonderful outdoor activity that promotes both mental and physical health. The exercise, the clean air, and exposure to the beauty of nature are all part of the benefits hikers can appreciate, either during group or solo hikes. While it is a rather straightforward activity, there are many different types of hikes according to the trail, landscape, and geography of a hiking location. And many different things can happen during a hike as well. We’ve put together a list of 5 essential tips for hikers that can be useful for the avid hiker or the beginner!

  1. Choose the right trail. This is mainly something for beginners to keep in mind, but it is still applicable for all hikers. Choosing the right trail isn’t just about what’s easy, medium, or hard; it’s also about what’s going to be the right fit. This encompasses a large range of factors, from how familiar you are with the trail (or lack thereof), to how long and hard you can hike according to your fitness level, considering your stamina and any possible injuries. For example, you may want to hike to a lovely viewpoint, but hiking Mission Peak in Fremont, California is anything but a peaceful scenic hike at six miles with an intense ascent throughout. While we always encourage exploration, it’s smart to be prepared for and aware of the hike you’re going to embark upon.
  2. Wear and pack sun protection. Did you know that experts report sun damage is an issue on cloudy or overcast days? UV rays can still penetrate clouds, and can even cause more damage as they reflect off of a cloud’s edge (https://www.healthcentral.com/article/why-do-you-need-sunscreen-on-a-cloudy-day). So rain or shine, make sure you are wearing a high enough SPF with reinforcements packed to re-apply as needed throughout the hike. Hats and long-sleeved athletic clothes will also help with preventing sun damage.
  3. Wear the right shoes and socks. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s actually quite important, especially depending on the trail you’re hiking. Some light hikes with even trails won’t necessarily require hiking boots, but it would be good to invest in a pair of good hiking boots and socks. Wool or synthetic would be the best, and please avoid cotton!
  4. Pace yourself and stay hydrated. Hiking is a great low-impact form of exercise. But whether you run a mile every day or are just starting to get back into physical activity, it’s important to pace yourself. You know your body, listen to it. Pacing and hydration are two thing that are simple but crucial to your health, so keep both of them in mind as you hike your next trail.
  5. Be prepared with an emergency kit. You never know what might happen while you’re out for a hike, by yourself or with a group. Depending on where you are, you could be exposed to harsh elements, different dangerous animals, and experience unfortunate trips or falls. Here’s a list of things you can pack:
    • Insulation (extra clothing)
    • Illumination (flashlight, headlamp)
    • First-aid supplies (bandages, antibacterial ointment, hand sanitizer, scissors)
    • Nutrition (extra food)
    • Hydration (extra water)
    • Emergency shelter (tent, plastic tube tent, garbage bag)

Some tips might seem like common sense, some may seem like overkill. But it helps to be prepared and it never hurts to be careful. Enjoy your hikes out there, explorers!

Let us know where you like to hike in the comments below!
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[-_-] Excellent Customer Support in 3 Steps

6/27/2018

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​BASU.COM has an obsession with our customers and providing them with
only the best. So how do we approach Customer Support? With excellence, of course, and with 100% satisfaction as the goal in mind. If you’re interested in some measurable steps we follow to reach this goal, keep reading!


  1. Customer support that is available 24/7, 365 days of the year. While we may not always be able to resolve an issue right away 100% of the time, we are available to listen to whatever our customers may be experiencing so that they can be assured of how important their experiences are to us in addition to addressing their issue right away. And it’s important to us that our customers can always reach us whenever they need to, whether it’s through a phone call, over an email, or on a live chat. This policy communicates to the team as well as our customers that we care about customer support at all times.
  2. Just listen. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is imperative to listen. Customers can tell you everything you need to know, but also, it demonstrates compassion and empathy to let the customer finish expressing his/her situation, thoughts, and feelings. To interrupt a customer indicates a lack of care for what he or she is experiencing. Thus, it is always beneficial to listen to everything the customer has to say, because it not only provides the most information, but it also makes the customer feel heard and valued.
  3. Be flexible. Company policies and rules all exist for a reason, especially in a business. But it pays off in the long run to accommodate to your customers’ needs and requests. While a business needs to remain profitable to be successful, it’s definitely great to advocate for the customer and work around certain policies and rules when possible. Work with your manager and supervisor, who hopefully have the same philosophy and goal: it’s about the customer.

So there you have it: three simple steps to providing excellent customer support from the team that always works towards 100% customer satisfaction. While these steps are simple, they’re extremely important and play a crucial part in any business, company, and organization. Assure your customers that they can reach you at their earliest convenience, that you’ll listen, and that you care enough to do something. Even if you can’t always fix the problem 100%, it always helps to check off these three things so that their whole experience is positive and not completely contingent upon the outcome of something that may have been out of your control to begin with.
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[-_-] Invest in Your Safety

6/25/2018

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We consistently talk about the importance of safety. After all, it is a basic need, and it is something that we can take personal ownership of. While we cannot guarantee the prevention of harm in the form of violence, robbery, accidents, etc., there are definite steps we can take to protect ourselves once we acknowledge that our safety is our responsibility. So it is helpful to think of safety as an investment. Most of us are already investing in our safety!


Many of the important things we own come with locks, like our cars and houses, even our smartphones. These act as basic insurance, and the more important the object, the more we tend to insure. We insure with security cameras, high-tech locks, home and cyber security systems, and personal safety tools like the B A S U eAlarm and eAlarm+. We buy insurance for our homes, our cars, and other personal belongings in the unfortunate but possible scenario that something horrible should happen, because it is always better to be safe than sorry.

So as you can see, we make decisions to invest in what is important to us every day. And according to Maslow and his Hierarchy of Needs, safety is an absolute basic need that is essential to the individual. Therefore, any cost that goes in to protecting yourself in the case of an emergency or potentially dangerous situation is actually an investment that could greatly pay off. It is absolutely better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting ourselves and our loved ones from physical, emotional, and financial harm.
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Testing Your eAlarm [-_-]

6/22/2018

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We know that you’re depending on your B A S U eAlarm and eAlarm+ to work in any emergency situation that could occur. An important thing to do that will ensure your eAlarm is in perfect working condition is to test it once a month. The test itself is very simple! However, we do recommend that you or anyone testing the device remember the importance of protecting your ears. We strongly suggest wearing protective gear, like large over-the-ear headphones or ear plugs. This practice is extremely important  because 120dB-130dB can cause significant hearing damage if ears are constantly exposed to this level of sound.

The steps:
  1. Protect your ears! Wear over-the-ear headphones or earplugs.
  2. Pull the pin, re-insert as soon as you hear the alarm.

Once again, owners will want to test their eAlarms once a month. If you’d like to sign up for monthly reminders from us, just fill out your information on this page:
https://www.basu.com/register.html

If you’d like to watch a quick demonstration, click on the video below!

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10 Places to Explore in the US! [-_-]

6/20/2018

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Have you been anxious to explore lately? Need some destinations to check out? Traveling to new countries on different continents is always exciting, but you don’t have to go very far to explore something new! America is full of diversity and culture, offering fantastic places to explore. Exciting cities, wilderness, historical towns, and more adventures can be found all across the United States. Here are 10 places to explore in the US to get you started:

  1. Washington, D.C. This city is America’s capital, but it hosts much more than the White House and other branches of the US government.
  2. New Orleans, Louisiana. A city full of culture, jazz, great food, and fun.
  3. Hawaii. Any of the islands can accommodate for beautiful views, sandy beaches, great food, and adventure.
  4. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Let this amazing feat of nature take your breath away.
  5. New York City, New York. NY, NY, the city that never sleeps. This urban jungle offers so much to do with music, food, culture, and fun.
  6. Los Angeles, California. LA hosts more than Hollywood; it’s also home to a melting pot of cultures coming together to provide residents and visitors with the best foods, crowded places, museums, music, and entertainment.
  7. NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The place to watch a rocket launch and experience an all day space adventure.
  8. Yosemite National Park, California. Home to one of the most beautiful national parks within California.
  9. Asheville, North Carolina. This is a small mountain town that can be a lovely spot to explore.
  10. Park City, Utah. Known for the Sundance Film Festival, it’s also a great place for skiing and snowboarding!

Where would you like to explore in the United States? Where have you been and what was fun? Let us know in the comments below!

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3 Factors That Could Be Affecting Your Productivity [-_-]

6/18/2018

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Lack of view. Whether you’re an employee at a business or a volunteer for an organization you believe in, you need to know that your work matters. That happens when you understand how your work contributes to the bigger picture of what you and your team are trying to accomplish. There are tasks and goals, incentives and objectives, but we need to be able to understand how they all come together to produce a desired outcome. Without this understanding and concept of the bigger picture, it’s only natural to lose steam, have trouble getting motivated, and struggle with putting our best foot forward. So in whatever setting you’re in that requires you to be as productive as can be, take some time to map out how your assigned tasks and projects contribute to the whole. It’s always helpful to do this with your team and supervisors; in fact, it would be motivational for leaders to clearly paint the picture and provide that full view. But if that’s not possible, start by doing it for yourself!

Outdated systems and processes. Sometimes a company just likes things the way they are or they do not see the value in upgrading to the latest technology, and this issue can be detrimental on two fronts: morale and efficiency. Both of these factors will impact productivity in turn. Outdated systems and processes can cause frustration among workers, lowering morale among many. Updating software/hardware may be expensive, but it is an investment that will pay off for both employees and in efficiency. And while the status quo may be attractive to some, it is always helpful to see if there are any new and improved ways to do something, accomplishing more in less time.

Personal work space. Your working environment can greatly influence how productive you are. Distracting sounds or loud coworkers can interrupt and disturb your process. Do you sit close to a supervisor? This might inhibit your productivity due to the stress of working so closely to someone higher-up. Some people work well with music in the background while others find it distracting. And while working from home seems like a great perk and practice from time to time, many people actually find it to be less productive than working in a personal working space. Why? Perhaps it has something to do with the relaxed feel of home, and that mindset is hard to change fully into work-mode. Or it could have something to do with not having coworkers and supervisors to not only hold you accountable but also to encourage you to just get it done. Many people can establish what their optimal work space is, and while the size or placement of an office space may have some limitations, you can still use what you know about the working conditions you need to set up the best possible work space for maximum productivity.

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Creative Ways to Make Your Commute Better [-_-]

6/15/2018

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​Commuting is a necessary evil for many workers in cities across the United States. A recent study by the Robert Half Executive Recruiting Firm reported that the average commute time in San Francisco, CA was 59.20 minutes! That’s the average time it takes for employees to arrive at work in the City, including people who live in San Francisco and those who do not. For many, commuting can be a daunting and stressful daily event. Here are some things to try and see if you can’t make the experience a little better:


  1. Find a new route to work. It may sound like this option could add more stress than take it away, but think about it. It’s a simple way to exercise your brain and make the journey less monotonous and routine. Take the scenic route if you drive or discover new lines and stops with public transportation. Sure, it takes a little extra planning, but you might enjoy mixing it up a little, and who knows, you might discover something new to do: a new coffee shop to try, a new street to explore.
  2. Combat stress. This may sound counterintuitive, but use what many would call a given stressful activity to take some time and relax. It’s as simple as framing it in such a way that you can enjoy the process rather than get stressed out. Once you mentally establish that you do in fact have control because it was your decision to work and commute (this can help reduce anxiety), pick out a few activities that can directly combat the stress of your commute. A couple suggestions: listen to classical music, schedule phone calls with old friends and family members to catch up, listen to podcasts about pleasant things, practice mindfulness, unplug.
  3. Carpool. Gas prices are always rising and people are flocking to already highly-populated areas. This calls for the strategic efficiency of carpool. While it might be uncomfortable sharing such small spaces with strangers first thing in the morning, think of it as a good way to meet people who you have things in common with. You live relatively close to each other and work in the same general area. Check out this article from Mashable with more than 25 resources for carpooling: https://mashable.com/2008/09/30/carpooling/#W9CfGtJvDZq2
  4. Invest in some commuter-friendly shoes. You can look good and professional while wearing shoes that meet your commuting needs. Even if you drive to work, it never hurts to be wearing the right shoes.

The entire experience does not need to be unpleasant. Day in and day out, it is a time set apart that you can choose to fill. Try some new things so that the time spent commuting to and from work can be more enjoyable!

Do you have any tips or suggestions to making the average commute a more pleasant experience? Let us know in the comments!

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The Benefits of Daily Stand-Up [-_-]

6/13/2018

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Have you heard of performing “stand-up” at tech companies? No, not as in stand-up comedy, but as in having a meeting/report of individual priorities for the day. This is NOT: a mandatory list solely for the benefit of the supervisor to be “in the know.” What it IS: a daily check-in that opens up your tasks and challenges to the team. This is extremely helpful because it truly invites other team members to contribute and help you accomplish the tasks on your list. Projects and assignments with barriers or challenges are reported and other team members can help you resolve and finish whatever is on your list. Stand-up operates as a team-building activity that builds rapport and trust in addition to helping individuals effectively finish projects and attack deadlines.

In addition to the team aspect of its benefits, stand-up is extremely helpful to the individual as well. Sitting down and sorting out exactly what you need to accomplish for the day is a proven way to achieve maximum productivity. How? Having a visual list, typed or handwritten, that you think of and process imprints the information in your brain, allowing you to have a clear understanding of your priorities for the day. Once that information is processed, you also have the list to reference throughout the day whenever you are side-tracked by other tasks and projects.
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Bottom line: your objectives are clearly communicated to yourself and to your team, making this process of meeting in person or communicating over the team channel an entirely beneficial practice. ​
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Top 5 Tips to Keeping You Mobile [-_-]

6/11/2018

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mo·bile
adjective
ˈmōbəl,ˈmōˌbīl/
  1. able to move or be moved freely or easily.

Team B A S U [-_-] is passionate about keeping our customers mobile.That’s why our products are engineered with you in mind! Whether you’re commuting through the city or catching a plane to your next adventure, hiking that challenging trail or just walking to your next class at night, we know that you have a lot of things to do throughout your day. Places to go, things to do, people to see. And with all of these tasks or destinations to attend to, a lot can get lost in the dust. Here are some quick helpful tips to think about as you prepare for the next day: adventure, job, journey, or commute.

  1. Safety: Remember that your safety is your responsibility. Be prepared for anything and always be aware of your surroundings. Keeping your eAlarm with you at all times is one way to proactively think about your personal safety.
  2. Stay hydrated: How many times have you heard about the importance of staying hydrated? When you’re constantly on the go, it can be easy to forget about drinking enough water. It’s as simple as having a decently-sized water bottle with you that can fit in your backpack or purse. If it’s with you, you’ll remember to drink it throughout the day. Cut up pieces of cucumber, orange, lemon, or other yummy fruits to keep it fun and refreshing!
  3. Mini safety kit: It is super easy and fast, but pack a small kit for emergencies according to your needs. Band-aids, baby wipes, cotton swabs, hair ties, a protein bar, or anything else you can think of that you might need. Simply take five minutes to consider what could happen and what you could pack to prepare in the case of an emergency.
  4. Rest/Exercise when you can: Listen to your body and give it what it needs. That means if you’re sitting in meeting after meeting or returning phone call after phone call, find moments throughout the day where you can walk and talk, so you can stretch your legs and get your blood flowing. Five minutes here, ten minutes there, stretching in between calls, a little can go a long way. On the other hand, if you’re engaged in daily activities that require you to literally run around, make the time to rest and allow your body to recharge. It’s these intentional decisions that can help make a big difference over the course of a long time in our busy lives, allowing us to stay mobile and active for as long as we can. And don’t forget to take deep breaths whenever you’re overwhelmed. It’s a simple yet effective solution that helps with the fight/flight response, stress, and anxiety.
  5. Stay updated: Research sounds tedious and serious, but more than being necessary, it can actually be quite fun! There are always new programs, apps, and processes being created to help you according to your active/business/educational lifestyle. Whatever you’re doing and wherever you’re going, it always helps to check out articles about new products you can use to make your life more efficient while you’re on the go!
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Our Philosophy: Ultimate Meritocracy [-_-]

6/8/2018

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Dictionary.com provides these three definitions for meritocracy:
  1. an elite group of people whose progress is based on ability and talent rather than on class privilege or wealth.
  2. a system in which such persons are rewarded and advanced.
  3. leadership by able and talented persons
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Ultimate meritocracy is our philosophy here at B A S U, where each team member is not judged and valued by his or her previous accomplishments, but by what he or she is currently contributing. The justification behind this lies in the simple fact that someone can graduate from an excellent university, but he or she was great at being a student and may not be wonderful at fulfilling the needs of the company. On the other hand, someone may have performed poorly in a previous role or company due to life circumstance or even laziness. This person can prove his worth by demonstrating stellar performance now within his current role.

While each member of the team has specific roles and duties, everyone knows how to perform the general tasks required for the company to succeed. This is a wonderful strategy that works within a team because business won’t stop when one person is sick or has an emergency. Ultimate meritocracy enforces teamwork as it allows us to trust and depend on one another to perform what is asked of us but also ensures that anyone can step up to the plate and hit a home run for the sake of the company.

Ultimate meritocracy is liberating because it does not limit the individual to a previous standard. Whether prior performance was poor or stellar, what matters is the current delivery. Thus, the individual is punished or rewarded based on her live contributions and efforts, because that is the true measure of a person’s value to a company. It’s about proving yourself, without the cushion of precedent status or the constraint of poor performance in the past. You come in, you are expected do your best despite the past, and are acknowledged for the quality you contribute. Thus, ultimate meritocracy is just another philosophy that allows for BASU.COM to provide only the best.

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The Modern Rules of Exploration [-_-]

6/6/2018

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​Exploration is a fun and arguably necessary part of life. Discovering new places, cultures, and things to do provides opportunity for adventure that can be enjoyed in places across the world, or maybe even in your own backyard. While you may not be charting completely new territory like Lewis and Clark, it’s still important to keep some rules in mind as you explore in this modern day and age. 
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Rule #1: Know where you are going
Even if you’re backpacking through Europe, have a good foundation of information and resources to rely on as you explore new cities and/or wilderness. Do some research about the cities, cultures, and types of people you’ll be around, and be sure to collect key information in case of emergencies.

Rule #2: Let people know where you are going
This may seem redundant or unnecessary, but it is crucial, especially if you are exploring in less populated areas or out of the country. Again, this is important in case of emergencies!

Rule #3: Plan Ahead
This goes in line with the first rule, but it is important to remember to plan ahead. Bring the appropriate safety kits, enough cash, underwear, socks, etc. Because it never hurts to be over-prepared and planning ahead allows for a smoother experience. Structure what you need and go with the flow where you can, just keep in mind the basics before you jet off to your next destination.

Rule #4: Try something new
Whether you’re setting out to explore and re-discover your city or braving the heights of Machu Picchu, be sure to try something new! It can be as simple as exploring a new corner of the city or trying a new type of food before you set off on your epic quest to hike the Lost City Trek in Colombia, your adventure is enriched when you intentionally seek new experiences. Because exploring is not just about the destination, it’s about the journey getting there!

And last but not least: Have fun!
In this modern era of instant information and speedy transportation, the destinations and possibilities seem limitless! There are so many places to explore and you should! Enjoy yourself the entire way, even when new things feel uncomfortable, because all of these new experiences have the potential to be extremely meaningful. You can meet new people from all over the world, immerse yourself in a new culture, try an abundance of new foods, and see practically all of the sights the world has to offer. Enjoy and have fun as you explore our modern world!

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3 Misconceptions About Quality [-_-]

6/4/2018

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Quality is extremely important to Team B A S U. Excellence is our goal and standard, making excellent quality the desired outcome for each product and interaction, every time. Because quality is so integral to B A S U’s entire framework, we wanted to address 3 misconceptions regarding quality.

1.“Quality is too subjective to define”
While it is true that the definition of quality may vary according to perception, quality is definitely definable, and more than that, it is recognizable. Also, to dismiss the pursuit of great quality simply because it is difficult to objectively define, it is a premature acceptance of failure. Accepting that quality cannot be measured or controlled is the easy way out, something B A S U is not interested in ever practicing. So, with a subjective term like quality, what do we recommend? Make the quality so superb, so outstanding, that it is undeniably excellent.

2. “Quality is the responsibility of one person/group within a company/organization”
Quality should not fall upon one person or one group. The “burden” of quality falls upon everyone, and to place all of the burden on an individual or group allows too much room for error. The most successful approach to providing excellent quality is to have the expectation set high within the foundation of the company or organization. That way everyone is contributing to ensuring the quality, not just those who perform QC and QA (Quality Control and Quality Assurance).

3. “Quality is an expense”
Quality should be thought of as an investment. To produce great quality can only benefit a project, company, and organization. If quality is standardized and incorporated into all processes, both risk and cost are reduced. So while there may be a higher cost upfront, it is absolutely an investment that could lead to savings but definitely leads to the better overall health of a company.


(Source: https://www.mastercontrol.com/gxp-lifeline/four-quality-misconceptions)
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5 Surprising Facts About Safety [-_-]

6/1/2018

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Safety is important to us because we know it’s important to you. 

In fact, it’s a fundamental need on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. 

We’ve compiled some surprising facts and statistics to keep in mind as your commute, work, travel, and go about your daily lives:
  1. If you drive after being awake for 24 hours, your response times are impaired, comparable to someone who is just over the drinking limit.
  2. A recent study found that safety signs which inform you of danger can reduce accident rates in the workplace by up to 80%. 
  3. Cities are not statistically more dangerous. Despite the violence and crime you may hear about in cities, “research also exists suggesting that rural areas bear a disproportionately high level of risk for certain serious injuries such as suicide and motor vehicle injuries” ("Safety in Numbers: Are Major Cities the Safest Places in the United States?", American College of Emergency Physicians).
  4. It’s dangerous to overshare on social media. Depending on your privacy settings, people can find your locations and figure out your daily patterns.
  5. Fire kills more Americans each year than all natural disasters combined.

Remember: Your safety is your responsibility: Make sure you’re always aware of your surroundings and go prepared for any situation. 

(sources:https://www.huffingtonpost.com/pauline-paquin/10-crazy-safety-facts-you_b_9186138.html, https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/07/130724-surprising-facts-cities-safer-rural-areas-injury-deaths/ )
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