Neon Orange is the New Black

Ignore the overall quality of the photos (or in this case, lack of quality) and pay attention to the neon orange safety vest.

If you were out and about on Saturday last (walking to the grocery store, for instance) you know how foggy and rainy it was and how limited the visibility, whether you were driving or walking.

Or how dark it is now in the morning when you’re making your way to the bus stop or in the evening when you’re out walking the dog.  (Thank you very much daylight savings time.)

So …. go out and buy yourself (and someone you love) a neon orange safety vest.

I picked up my vest at Walmart of all places, for $ 10.97.  (That’s my vest in the photos.) But I am sure you can find something similar on-line.

This particular vest is a light-weight mesh.  It’s basically three pieces velcroed together, at the shoulders and under the arms.  It folds up small enough to fit into my backpack so it goes everywhere with me.

Now I will be the first to admit that a neon orange vest is not the most stylish piece of outerwear.  But we have all watched the news reports and heard the statistics about the number of pedestrians, especially seniors, being hit by automobiles.  In fact, I’m sure every one of us has a “near miss” story to tell. 

And more than likely, you were in the middle of a crosswalk at the time.

So you need to do everything you can to keep yourself safe.

First.  No distractions.  Put your iPhone away.

Second, get yourself a neon orange safety vest and wear it.

Wear it whenever you’re out walking at night or in inclement weather or whenever you think it might be a good idea to make sure you’re visible.  (What if you’re stopped at the side of the road with car trouble?  Or shovelling out the driveway and you’re worried about being seen by the snow plow?)

I’m not going to lie to you.  Wearing a neon orange safety vest out in public – you’re going to get some odd looks and maybe the odd comment.  But I’ll bet you retirement dollars to Tim’s donuts that at least one person is going think a safety vest is a good idea and ask where got yours.

A neon orange safety vest pulled over a bulky winter jacket is not exactly going to look chic and debonair.  But really, wouldn’t it be better to be safe than stylish!

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(Do not store your vest away when winter is over.  Be safe all year ‘round – keep your vest in your knapsack so it’s close at hand in case you need it.  (Mine is tucked into the front pocket of my knapsack!)  Maybe buy a second vest and store it in the trunk of the car.)