According to a survey by Consumer Reports, 75% of Americans put cotton swabs in their ears, risking perforated eardrums and nearly 40% eat raw cookie dough, risking salmonella. The survey also found 61% don’t have a rubber mat in the shower, 58% don’t wear a helmet when bicycling and 27% don’t wear sunscreen. Then there’s the study done in Finland that found middle-aged adults who drink 3 to 5 cups of coffee daily are 66% less likely to get dementia – which could mean they’re 66% more likely to remember to do what’s good for them.
Of the 71 million pet owners in the U.S., approximately 20% do what’s bad for their pets. They smoke. Secondhand smoke increases pets’ risk of lung and other cancers, as well as causing allergies, respiratory problems and eye and skin diseases. Based on a study of 3,293 pet owners, 28% said they’d try to quit smoking to protect their pets and 11% said they’d consider quitting. Among nonsmoking pet owners who live with smokers, 16% said they’d ask that person to quit and 24% said they’d tell that person to smoke outside. For pet owners smoking should be a pet peeve.
Ringtones are more than mobile phone call alerts – they’re personality-driven, fashion statements for phone owners. According to a 2008 study by Ipsos MediaCT, ringtones are the most common mobile music content downloaded. About one-third of mobile phone users download ringtones and about 40% of those users change ringtones frequently. Although customizing a phone with different ringtones for different callers can be expensive - $0.99 to $2.99 each – analysts at Screen Digest predict mobile music sales will double from $1.6 billion in 2008 to $3.2 billion in 2012 – sales that will be music to the providers’ ears.
When it comes to using hands-free devices for mobile phones, a study done at the University of Utah found that the devices are just as dangerous as handheld cell phones when driving. Driving using a headset distracts the brain and delays reaction time. Drivers are more likely to swerve between lanes, slow down and miss important signs. “When you’re on a call, even if both hands are on the wheel, you head is in the call”. In January 2009, as a result of that conclusion, the National Safety Council urged legislators in all 50 states to prohibit cell phone use when driving – this being a call for safety.
Comments