We’ve all experienced a time when we’re trying to enter or exit a place, and someone is either trying to get out or in. You find yourself looking up at the sign to make sure you’re in the right spot. Not everyone reads these safety signs. That’s why it’s important to read on your own instead of following a crowd. Some people engage in unsafe or hazardous activities, knowingly and unknowingly. Following these select few can lead you and themselves right to harm. Safety signs you may really want to pay attention to are exit signs, entrance signs and do not enter signs.
Exit Signs
Being observant of your surroundings not only means acknowledging who or what is in your environment. These days you also need an escape plan. Exit signs are a breath of fresh air when you need to get out of somewhere quickly. Take note of where they are. Even if you don’t feel like you’ll remember, this information may come back to you in a time of need. Another thing to note is exits are not made to be blocked. If you’re one of the shoppers that tend to stand outside of the store checking items or receipts, please be courteous and stand off to the side. Do not block the exit. That can be a safety hazard.
Entrance Signs
If you’ve ever gone to the store and had someone walking out of the clearly defined entrance and you’re walking in, then you know how important it is to read this sign. Entrance signs help the flow of traffic. Generally, all the people that follow the entrance sign are headed in the same direction. You don’t want to find yourself standing outside of a door that doesn’t open. Usually locked or blocked doors will have an arrow that points to where the entrance is. It’s not a joke. That is exactly how the company expects the traffic to flow into the inside. Other signs that might let traffic know what’s going on is the fancy open and closed digital signs. If you’re interested, search for things like Digital Signage Displays.
No Entry Signs
These signs are there to prevent hazards. In stores, they may be a path for the forklift or areas where only employees are permitted. You don’t know what is waiting for you behind doors or the lane that the sign is blocking. Usually, one-way traffic is permitted through or in work areas it might be an area for large equipment or vehicles might be moving around. A person walking or driving in no-entry areas could face serious injuries. Follow the directions on these signs and find another way to get where you’re going.
All signage is important to read, but especially signs that can save your life. Pay attention to your environment. Use the signs that were installed to help you navigate your way through an office, building or warehouse. Use those same safety precautions when you’re driving so you don’t risk getting into a head-on collision with anyone. Signs that you want to pay the most attention to are the exit, entrance, and do not enter signs.
