Everyday hazards

S.A. Mansoor, On e-mail
We are surrounded by hazards, that we are not aware of. We risk our ear-drums and even our limbs, as we go along with our daily lives, unaware of these dangers around us. One is the hazard from continuous high level noises; and the other is the unforgiving shiny floor, which can damage our bones and limbs! These unsafe environments, we take for granted without realising the potential danger to our health. Loudspeakers blaring away, at all times of day and night for long periods can lead to ear pains and damage to our ear-drums. If only loudspeakers were banned; or their manufacturing factories had non-stop strikes-- what a blessing it would have been! I am not aware if there is any law about loudspeakers being a public nuisance or the maximum length of time it can be used. If it is not there, I would earnestly request our parliamentarians to have it passed, as soon as possible; if not anything then as a public health measure. Now, however, it seems that it is our fundamental right to disturb the rest and sleep of our peaceful, law abiding citizens, without let or hindrance! The next menace in noise making is the motorcycle without silencer, a peculiar hobby of the young people. They compete with one another, as to who can make the maximum noise; against which even the loudest animal roar appears to be a whisper! Fortunately for us the time span of this noise pollution is luckily small. The louder the roar, the faster goes the motorcycle; and the noise disappears rapidly. A really saving grace of this obnoxious noise cruelty to everyone. Luckily we do not have to endure it for long, though often we suffer it repeatedly at intervals. Another public nuisance is the air-horn fitted in many trucks and buses; which is unbearable to normal ears. Such a passing vehicle, with its air-horn going at full blast, can deprive you of sense and judgment even to the extent of paralysing you for a few moments, both physically and mentally! You can lose track of what you were doing, and the vile noise can bring your body and mind to a state of disorientation for a while; so menacing is the sound let loose. Next is the silent killer which is the polished floor. In fashionable houses, the more the floor shines; the greater the risk of physical accident. The more high class floor wax and polish is used, the more is the risk of bodily injury by slipping on the floor and falling down anywhere. The more the floor shines, the more it is an injury prone zone; like a minefield; where you can slip and tumble down resulting in severe bruises or broken bones. The more the shine, the more the likelihood to fall. A bad bruise can be the least of the misery. You may slip and fall on a polished and waxed floor, and end up in the hospital followed by a life in a wheel chair; if you are unlucky. For going to such houses; never wear a pair of leather soled shoes. Safety lies in wearing a pair of rough non-skid rubber soled shoes or sandals which have little chance of slipping; even on a highly polished floor. Also do not walk softly or on toes; as the chance of slipping, then increases rapidly. Best is to put your full foot across one at a time step by step solidly and squarely on the floor; more like a bull in a china shop. For such splendid houses the owners should consider putting a cautionary notice like "Beware of Dogs" but instead saying "Beware of Waxed and Polished Floor" so that visitors and guests are forewarned and prepared before hand for this common hazard in a house.