Honor Those Who Served This Memorial Day and Every Day of the Year

What is Memorial Day?

Observed during the last Monday in May, Memorial Day is the day our country comes together to commemorate our brave service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for the extraordinary freedom our nation has enjoyed for generations. Introduced as Decoration Day in May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, to lay flowers on (or decorate) the graves of fallen service members, Memorial Day became a federal holiday with the congressional passage of the National Holiday Act of 1971.

Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day

Honor Memorial Day and the memory of our family members, loved ones, friends, neighbors, and everyone who has served our country with a few thoughtful ways we’ve gathered to commemorate this special holiday.

Wear a Memorial Day Pin, Button, or Red Poppy Flower

Proudly wearing a symbol of our country’s military, including a button or pin of the American flag, is a vibrant, eye-catching way to show everyone your patriotic spirit. Choosing to wear a red poppy is a time honored Memorial Day tradition that began during the time of World War I after a poem written by physician and Lt. Col. John McCrae, In Flanders Fields, that describes the fields of brightly colored red poppies he observed while treating the wounded on battlefields during the war. These brightly colored flowers are now known as a national symbol of military sacrifice throughout many countries around the world.

Volunteer Your Time to Veterans, Widows, and Others Affected by Our Fight for Freedom

Perhaps you live near a VA hospital or clinic, an assisted living center, or even in the same neighborhood that a veteran calls home. Spend part of your Memorial Day weekend – and other days throughout the year – bringing joy and the camaraderie of a friendly conversation to veterans, their widows, children, or other loved ones by stopping by for a visit. Whether you bring along a sweet treat, a little token of gratitude, or simply offer your time, they’re sure to feel cared for, remembered, and appreciated.

Honor Our Patriots with a Memorial Plaque

From park benches to tree lined walkways, gardens, bike trails, or even city centers, a professionally engraved brass plaque is a simple, timeless way to memorialize those who selflessly served our country. Go classic by engraving names and dates, or get a bit creative and include a special quote or favorite saying of the person who’s memory you re honoring, even a favorite hobby or an engraved image. Anything that will show others something special about your loved one is a wonderful way to honor his or her memory and military service.

Fly the American Flag Proudly and Properly on Memorial Day

To properly display the American flag on Memorial Day, swiftly raise the flag to the top of the flag pole, and then solemnly lower it to half-staff until noon. This is done to honor and remember our fallen service men and women who gave their lives serving our country. At noon, raise the flag back to the top to symbolize that we continue the fight for liberty, freedom, and justice for our fellow Americans.

Our Original Star Spangled Banner Still Flying Proudly

If you’ve ever been to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., then you’ve had the awe-inspiring experience of viewing the original Star Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired Frances Scott Key to pen our national anthem. Raised over Fort McHenry on September 14, 1814, to show America’s victory over the British in the Battle of Baltimore, this flag is among the Smithsonian’s most treasured artifacts. After years of painstaking preservation efforts, America’s original Star Spangled Banner is proudly displayed in a permanent exhibition gallery where millions of people continue to enjoy her incredible splendor!

Promote Conservation and Reduce Energy Costs with Our Ecofriendly Tips and Tools

UPDATED: January 2, 2020

National Cut Your Energy Costs Day 2020 is just around the corner, celebrated annually on January 10. With the start of the new year, and Earth Day not far behind, this is the perfect time to evaluate ways to trim your energy bill and care for the planet in the process.

 

The start of a new year is the perfect time for organizations around the world to join the green movement and adopt ecofriendly habits that will go a long way toward protecting our planet, while helping trim costs in the process. Here, we share our favorite ways to help your company ‘go green’ and inspire employees and guests alike to focus on conservation, making every day Earth Day!

 

Use Electricity Wisely

While turning off the lights may seem obvious, conservation reminders are especially helpful in the office where light switches often are overlooked. Consider installing motion activated light sensors, they’re a great way to keep the lights out until a room is in use. Additionally, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and LED bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last nearly three times as long.  And LED bulbs are nontoxic and recyclable.

Let the sunshine in! Take advantage of natural light by keeping those shades up and the lights turned down. Since 25 percent of the electricity we use illuminates offices across the country, natural light is an ecofriendly and budget conscious choice.

Reduce | Reuse | Recycle

Make recycling easy by placing the proper recycle bins throughout your buildings. While most people are happy to recycle, they’re not always sure where to properly place their recyclables. Clearly labeling recycle bins will make recycling easy for everyone. Recycle signs and decals often include paper, plastic, glass, aluminum, compost, landfill, and even ink cartridges.

Promote Ecofriendly Transportation

Encourage employees to park their vehicles at home and give public transportation a try. ‘Transportation Tuesdays’ are a terrific opportunity for taking a bus, train, subway, ride share, or even a bicycle to work. Set up a bike rack and offer incentives for taking ecofriendly modes of transportation to and from the office. Offering a catered lunch or raffling off a floating holiday to participants are fun ways to show your appreciation!

Go (Almost!) Paperless

Reducing the amount of waste that goes into our landfills – and reducing our carbon footprint – will go a long way toward protecting the earth’s valuable, yet limited, resources. With the digital age and the benefits of cloud storage, going paperless or significantly reducing our paper usage has never been easier. When paper is a must, selecting paper made from recycled materials is a wise choice.

Create an Ecofriendly Kitchen and Break Space

Reducing or eliminating single use paper and plastic in your lunchroom is ecofriendly and good for your budget. Investing in reusable plates, drinking cups, and silverware will keep tons of unnecessary waste out of landfills each year. If your breakroom doesn’t allow for easy dish washing, purchasing biodegradable plates and cups will lessen your environmental impact.

Practice Green Procurement

Sourcing and purchasing ecofriendly office products is the perfect way to move your office toward sustainably produced goods that are made with protecting our planet at the forefront. Recycled paper products, refillable ink cartridges, ecofriendly pens and highlighters, non-toxic cleaning products, and compostable trash bags are just a few terrific options. If budget is a concern, choose just one or two items to swap each month and your transition will be complete in no time.

Even the smallest changes we make together will create a valuable impact on caring for our precious resources and the planet we share. Here’s to a happy, energy-focused Earth Day every day of the year!

Get Creative with Vinyl Banners

Vinyl banners are an exceptional marketing tool – they’re affordable, eye-catching, portable, and reusable. And best of all, they’re completely custom and are ideal for promoting everything from farmers markets to political campaigns to the newest business to join your community, and everything in between. Let your creativity be your guide!

Vinyl Banners Are an Ideal Advertising Tool

Whether you’re promoting a one-time event or focusing on long-term marketing strategies, vinyl banners are an ideal medium for marketing your business (or event!) to the masses. Made of high quality vinyl, banners are cost-effective, lightweight, durable, easily portable, and reusable.  Available in a variety of sizes, personalized text and custom designs, vinyl banners are a tried and true marketing tool that works.

We’ve compiled a list of our favorite innovative uses for vinyl banners that will get your creative juices flowing:

Bands, Stages, and Backdrops

Whether you’re promoting your up-and-coming indie band or you’re headed out on tour, vinyl banners are a terrific option for easily portable, eye-catching custom signs for outdoor venues, stages, and even as custom backdrops for wherever you’re playing your next gig.

Artists and Arts Festivals

The perfect ‘canvas’ for promoting artists and local arts festivals, vinyl banners are the perfect artistic avenue for drawing attention to arts, crafts, and other one-of-a-kind handmade goods made by talented artisans from near and far.

Farmer’s Markets

Custom Coming Soon BannerAccording to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there are more than 8,000 farmer’s markets across the US offering a variety of organically grown produce, select meats, fresh seafood, artisan cheeses, local honey, and more. A brightly colored backdrop to showcase your local farmer’s market, a design-your-own vinyl banner is a vibrant venue for advertising the best your community has to offer!

Small Businesses

Whether you’re a brand new corner café or coffee shop or a local hardware store that’s been in the community for generations, vinyl banners are a professional, polished way to advertise to everyone passing by, inviting them to stop in and see what’s new!

Sporting Teams and Local Sponsors

From colleges to high schools and even grade schools, sports teams are everywhere! Whether you’re supporting your local football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, or other school sports team, custom vinyl banners are a popular and effective way to secure sponsorships while economically advertising local goods, services, and small businesses. A win-win for everyone!

Local Running Events

What better way to promote your local running event – from 5k’s to marathons and everything in between – than with custom banners? Flying high above the crowds, banners will easily show runners where to find registration, pick up running packets, and, most importantly, cross those start and finish lines with ease!

Political Campaigns

Name recognition is the name of the game! Political campaigns work tirelessly to make their candidates known and this grassroots method of promoting a nominee to the masses is an economical way to get the word out. Designing eye-catching, reusable political banners will rally voters to the booths every Election Day.

Holiday Events

Bring on the holiday cheer! Give your storefront a merry makeover or promote your local holiday celebrations with a richly colored, festively designed vinyl banner or two. Whether you’re promoting seasonal sales or your community’s annual winter wonderland extravaganza, your ho-ho-holidays are sure to be filled with merriment.

 

Whether you’re designing a banner for your local festival, a community extravaganza, or your small business to use all year long, Customsigns.com makes it easy and fun to create vibrantly colored, high quality banners that are made to last. Start from scratch or choose one of our templates. With our custom design tool, your perfect banners are just a few clicks away. Our Customer Focus Team is here to answer any questions you may have. Simply email us or call (877) 251-9444.

California’s Proposition 65: What You Need to Know

What Is Proposition 65?

The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, often referred to as Proposition 65, was adopted by the State of California in response to increasing public concerns about human exposure to toxic chemicals. This legislation requires California to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Updated annually, this list has grown to include more than 800 chemicals.

Proposition 65 mandates that all manufacturers and businesses that make or sell products in California warn consumers about significant levels of harmful chemicals found in the products they purchase, in homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment. Equipped with this information, Californians are equipped to make well informed, educated decisions about lessening, or eliminating, toxic chemical exposure.

What Chemicals Are Included on the Proposition 65 List?

Updated annually, Proposition 65 includes a comprehensive list of naturally occurring or synthetic chemicals that are found to be carcinogens or are known to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Are Proposition 65 Products Safe?

While a Proposition 65 warning highlights specific chemicals that expose consumers to cancer causing or reproductive toxins that exceed defined threshold levels, it is not a regulatory decision that determines whether a product is safe or unsafe for use or consumption. This decision is left solely for the consumer to weigh the risks and rewards of exposure to a given chemical.

What Are Proposition 65 Safe Harbor Levels?

Proposition 65 safe harbor levels are chemical exposure thresholds whereas a business does not need to provide a warning or discharge prohibition because exposure falls below specific levels. For chemicals, safe harbor levels must pose “no significant risk levels” as related to causing cancer. For those chemicals known to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm, safe harbor levels must measure at or below “maximum allowable dose levels”.  If no safe harbor level exists for a chemical, a Proposition 65 warning is required.

Is Proposition 65 Effective in Reducing Chemical Exposure?

Proposition 65 has been successful in providing useful exposure information to Californians that may not have been otherwise controlled through state or federal laws. Proposition 65 also has raised public awareness of the negative effects from exposure to specific chemicals. Manufacturers have taken note and have removed many of the listed chemicals from their products. In addition, California has experienced a considerable reduction of chemical air emissions since Proposition 65 became law.

Proposition 65 and Customsigns.com

At Customsigns.com, we are committed to researching the products we purchase from our manufacturers and vendors in order to eliminate, or lessen, exposure to the chemicals listed by Proposition 65. All products being shipped to California that contain these chemicals include a warning displayed during checkout.

For additional information about Proposition 65, please visit California’s Proposition 65 website.

Design Trade Show Banners That Work for You

Whether you’re attending a trade show, convention, expo, or conference, you want your business to stand out among the often hundreds of other participants filling the expo hall, all competing for the attention of conference guests. One effective way of marketing to the masses and grabbing the attention of passersby is with well-designed trade show banners that will help you stand out among a crowded sea of exhibits.

Key Tips for Designing Effective Banners

No matter what you’re advertising, keeping a few basics in mind will help you design a banner that represents your message well.

Less is more. Expos are typically information overload, so presenting your materials in the simplest format that attendees can view with just a passing glance will help your company to be more easily remembered.

Choose a simple, clean-lined font in a size easily seen from a distance. Place your company’s name at the top of your banner so that guests can immediately see who you are. An engaging headline also can give someone pause to take the time to learn a bit more about your company.

Vibrant graphics with high-resolution imagery present a professional, polished look.

Always include your company’s logo. An obvious choice, including your logo will reinforce brand awareness and is easily recognizable from a distance.

Feature only a few key products or services. Especially for those who are not familiar with your company, these highlights may inspire interest, conversation, and perhaps a new customer.

Share your contact information! Often, attendees quickly snap pictures of banners as they pass by if they’re unable to stop and chat. Providing key contact information including company website, phone number, email, or social media information will make it easy and convenient for them to reach you in a variety of ways.

Banner Types and Specifications

X-FRAME MINI POP-UP BANNER STANDS are ideal for tabletops, desktops, and counters at trade shows, as lobby displays, at local fundraisers, community events, conventions, or any mobile marketing exhibit.

  • Collapsible for easy portability
  • Measures approximately 1 ½’ x 1’
  • Easily interchangeable vinyl banner
  • Freestanding lightweight aluminum tripod frame
  • Flexible arms keep banner from becoming wrinkled or wavy
  • Includes grommets in each corner for fast, simple assembly

X-FRAME FULL SIZE BANNERS are an eye-catching, economical way to instantly advertise just about anywhere. Choosing vibrant, colorful images and a thoughtful design will help you stand out from the competition.

  • Collapsible for easy portability
  • Measures approximately 6’ x 2 ½’
  • Easily interchangeable vinyl banner
  • Freestanding lightweight aluminum tripod frame
  • Flexible arms keep banner from becoming wrinkled or wavy
  • Includes grommets in each corner for fast, simple assembly

RETRACTABLE FULL SIZE BANNERS are an ideal option for securely storing your banner in a retractable base for easy set up and take down.   Designed with extra stability in mind, these banners are built to stand the test of time.

  • Measures approximately 7’ x 3’
  • Retractable for easy portability and quick set up
  • Support bars keep banner from becoming wrinkled or wavy
  • Freestanding retractable banner with fold out feet for stability

RETRACTABLE DELUXE FULL SIZE BANNERS are perfect for professionally displaying your company’s logo, products or services, contact information, or whatever you want to communicate to others.

  • Measures approximately 7’ x 3’
  • Retractable for easy portability and quick set up
  • Support bars keep banner from becoming wrinkled or wavy
  • Freestanding retractable banner with wide, weighted base for exceptional stability

At Customsigns.com, we’ve got a variety of economically priced display banners that will add value to your exhibits for many years to come. Made from the highest quality workmanship, our banners are custom made for you. Not sure which banners are best for your needs? Our Customer Focus Team is here to help you every step of the way.

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Those Plastic Yard Signs

Recycle Plastic Yard Signs

Table of Contents
Recycle Yard Signs
Perils of Plastic
Where to Recycle
Ideas for Reuse

Whether yours is a red state or a blue state, help turn your state green by responsibly recycling the thousands of corrugated plastic election signs that sprout up everywhere each campaign season. No matter who wins at the polls, we all win by recycling!

The Perils of Plastic

Tons of plastic and metal crowd our landfills each year, where they remain for thousands of years before breaking down. Additionally, landfills are limited to specific sizes, so once they’re full, new landfills must be created.

theconversation.com

Because they are entirely recyclable, those corrugated yard signs most commonly seen covering yards and street corners during election season are one less thing we can send to landfills by using a bit of ingenuity.

Recycle Those Yard Signs

Many local curbside recycling programs do not accept campaign yard signs or their metal stakes and frames; fortunately, they are completely recyclable elsewhere. Specially designated recycling drop off centers are designed to wash, shred, and melt these plastic boards (or convert  them to plastic pellets), which are transformed into useful items including trash cans, beach chairs, toys, or other things made of heavy plastic. The metal stakes and frames can be taken to locations that accept metal, including local businesses that often pay for scrap metal to be used in future projects.

Creative Ways to Transform Election Signs

Repurposing those post-election season yard signs is an inexpensive, useful way to keep them from loading up landfills while enjoying a bit of creative fun during the process. These are some of our favorite ideas:

  • Keep those yard sale signs off utility poles and market your message to the masses. Spray paint the signs and stencil away. Include your address, the day and time of your sale, and even a few of the items bargain hunters may find!
  • Get creative! Spray paint those yard signs for celebrating lots of wonderful events, including baby’s arrival, birthday parties, graduations, open houses, lemonade stands, and more.

Lemonade Stand Yard Sign

  • Wintertime fun! Larger corrugated yard signs are perfect for sledding down snow covered hills and are lightweight and easy to carry back up the hillside for even the smallest sledding snow bunnies.
  • Season’s greetings! The metal stakes, also known as H-stakes, used to hold yard signs, are perfect for anchoring holiday yard décor and keeping your favorite decorations from being blown over (or away!) by those blustery winter winds.
  • Mark those milestones! Prime your yard sign with bonding primer, grab some chalkboard paint, and create your own custom chalkboard. Perfect for marking first days of school or practicing those math facts or handwriting skills over and over again.
  • H-stakes also make sturdy props for supporting your growing vegetable, plant, and flower gardens.

Vegetable Garden

  • Corrugated yard signs make terrific yard helpers as makeshift dustpans for sweeping up leaves and other debris.
  • Corrugated yard signs are lightweight, sturdy, and easy to cut. Measure the bottoms of your reusable shopping bags and add your custom inserts for a bit of extra (and waterproof!) stability. The boards slide into your folded bags for easy storage.
  • Yard signs make ideal surfaces (or ‘drop cloths’) for spray painting smaller projects – by protecting patios, driveways, and yards from misting paint.
  • Design your own vinyl decal to cover your corrugated signs, an economical way to transform your yard signs and share a brand new message!

Whether you have a few yard signs or enough to spread throughout the whole neighborhood, transforming them into new signs or garden helpers is a terrific way to reduce, reuse, and recycle! Let your imagination lead the way!

Get 20% Off Your Order with Code CSIGN20, Vote Arrow Sign

No Smoking, No Vaping Laws Expand Across US

There is no shortage of controversy surrounding no smoking and no vaping rules and regulations that have swept the country in recent years. As the negative health risks from smoking, vaping, and exposure to secondhand smoke continue to become more widely understood, the debate is more contentious than ever. Since California became the first to enact a statewide smoking ban in 1995, smoking and, more recently, vaping bans, have become increasingly common. The surge in smoke-free establishments began with bars and restaurants and has expanded to include hospitals, college campuses, public parks and sidewalks, workplaces, and even public housing units, among others.

Is Smoking in the Workplace Banned Nationwide?

While there are federal laws in place to protect people from secondhand smoke on federal property and on airplanes, smoking in other areas, including the workplace, is regulated by state and/or local laws. Smoking may be banned in the workplace entirely or restricted to designated smoking areas.

Do Employers Have to Provide Designated Smoking Areas?

An employer is not legally required to provide a smoking area for its employees; however, if it chooses to do so, it must also provide a smoke-free environment throughout the rest of the work space. Additionally, smoking and nonsmoking areas must be clearly designated with proper signage.

Do Workplace Safety Laws Prohibit Smoking in the Workplace?

While the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) does not regulate smoking, it is responsible for prioritizing workplace safety. Industries that handle explosive materials are required by OSHA to clearly post signs alerting everyone in a given area where smoking is strictly prohibited since doing so could cause fire, explosion, serious injury, or death.

Can My Employer Charge Me Higher Insurance Premiums if I Smoke?

Yes, an employer is legally allowed to charge an employee higher healthcare premiums for being a smoker. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the statute responsible for preventing discrimination from many health conditions, allows employers and insurers to charge higher premiums to smokers and reduced premiums for those who do not smoke.

Can I Smoke in Public Areas?

As demand increases for cleaner air in public spaces, smoking bans have been passed for many public areas across the country, including sidewalks, bus stops, parks and other recreational areas, county fairs and farmers’ markets, and outdoor patios, just to name a few. The American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation provides comprehensive lists and maps of smoke-free areas across the US.

Is Vaping Included in No Smoking Laws?

Since the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has mandated that all electronic, or e-cigarettes, be regulated as tobacco products, there has been a steady increase in laws across the country banning vaping wherever traditional smoking is prohibited.

Can Public Housing, Apartment Buildings, and Other Rental Properties Prohibit Smoking?

In 2006, the Surgeon General’s Office announced that simply separating smokers and non-smokers in public places was not enough to mitigate the effects of secondhand smoke exposure. Specifically, “cleaning the air and ventilating buildings cannot eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke. The only way to do [this] is by banning indoor smoking altogether.”   In November, 2016, then HUD Secretary Julian Castro announced that all public housing developments in the US will be required to provide a smoke-free living environment for all residents. This includes all indoor and outdoor areas of each property and smoking will be prohibited within 25 feet of the building or office. This ban officially went into effect on July 31, 2018.

A private rental property landlord can define no smoking rules in and around a rental property by clearly outlining the conditions in the lease agreement. Rules may include no smoking anywhere on the property or include designated smoking areas, such as a yard or pool area. Because smokers are not defined as a protected class under state or federal laws, a landlord is permitted to deny renting to someone who smokes.

https://www.customsigns.com/design/design-your-own-custom-plastic-no-smoking-signhttps://www.customsigns.com/no-smoking-stencil-multiple-sizesAt Customsigns.com, our line of no smoking and no vaping signs are ideal for posting throughout buildings or on properties to clearly inform employees and guests that smoking of any kind is prohibited. Our collection also includes a variety of no smoking stencils and design-your-own no smoking signs  and vinyl decals. Our Customer Focus Team is here to help you decide which no smoking signs will best meet your needs. 

For more information on no smoking laws and proper signage:

Please, No Smoking – Common Smoking Bans

Caution, Warning and Danger Signs Explained

High Voltage Sign

Safety Sign Meanings

Table of Contents
Safety Headers
Safety Symbols
Sign Legends
Types of Safety Signs
Caution Signs
Warning Signs
Danger Signs
Notice Signs
Instructional Signs
Alert Symbols

Workplace safety signage is required by law. All organizations, from international companies to small businesses, are legally responsible for knowing the risks, effectively communicating these risks with all employees, and complying with all safety regulations, specific to their industries, as set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is responsible for setting the standards and guidelines for proper workplace safety signage that is enforced by OSHA. There are three key standards that specify the design and content of safety signs.

It is also important to understand what social distancing signs mean to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Caution, Warning, & Danger Signs

Here are the brief meanings of these types of signs:

These signs all serve to remind everyone to take proper safety precautions to prevent injury or death in the appropriate degrees.

Safety Headers or Signal Words

A SAFETY HEADER or signal word, including danger, warning, caution, notice, or specific safety instructions, is determined by the degree of the potential hazard.

Safety Symbols

SAFETY SYMBOLS or pictograms effectively communicate across language barriers, providing visual alerts about hazards, precautions, or other necessary information.

Sign Legends

SIGN LEGENDS must accurately communicate the hazard the sign is warning of.


Men At Work Caution Sign Mounted on a Red Brick Wall, Get 20% Off Your Order with Code CSIGN20

Types of Safety Signs

There are a variety of workplace safety signs and they each signify different hazard levels. With this comes a variety of questions. What does a Caution sign mean? What is a Warning sign? What do Danger signs indicate? Below are brief descriptions of the different types of workplace safety signs and what they stand for.

Caution Signs


Watch for Forklifts Caution Sign
These signs warn of potential physical injuries caused by slips or falls, harmful substances, or other unsafe practices. All caution signs must have a bright yellow background and yellow letters against a black panel.

What Does Yellow Caution Tape Mean for OSHA?

Much like how Caution signs identify potentially dangerous areas, caution tape also marks areas to be wary of. It may be used to label areas that may be entered but only with caution, areas that are no longer safe to enter, or sensitive areas such as crime scenes.

Warning Signs


X-Ray Radiation Warning Sign

‘WARNING’ text must be printed in black letters on an orange background. These signs may also include a bright blue graphic depicting a safety precaution that should be taken in a specific area.

Danger Signs


High Voltage Danger Sign

These signs should only be posted in areas where there is potentially deadly harm from dangerous equipment or other environmental hazards, such as radiation, high voltage, or hazardous fumes, among others. Danger signs must be red, black, and white, and include ‘DANGER’ printed in white lettering on a red, oval shaped background. OSHA requires that all employees be made aware that danger signs indicate immediate danger and extreme caution must be used in the area at all times.

Is Danger or Warning More Severe?

It can be easy to lose track of the differences between Warning and Danger. What it boils down to is this; Warning signs indicate areas where severe injury or death MAY happen, whereas Danger signs indicate a zone where injury or death is VERY LIKELY to occur unless proper precautions are taken.

Notice Signs


Keep Area Clean Notice Sign

NOTICE SIGNS signify lower risk areas and can also promote safety in the workplace or other public areas.

These signs generally display rules such as ‘please wash hands’ or ‘keep this area clean’. Notice signs also are used for distinguishing areas designated as ‘employees only’ and other low risk designations. Notice signs are blue and white.

Safety Instruction Signs

SAFETY INSTRUCTION SIGNS are used to relay general instructions and suggestions as they relate to safety measures. Safety instruction signs must include a green panel with white letters and a white background. All letters printed on the white background must be black.

Safety Alert Symbol

Safety Alert SymbolsThe universal SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL is a yellow triangle, outlined in black, containing an exclamation point. This symbol is only used on caution, warning, and danger signs, labels, or tags.

CustomSigns.com is your resource for ready made or design your own workplace safety signs. Our Customer Focus Team is here to answer your questions and help you determine proper signage needs for your organization.

For more information about workplace safety, please see our related blog posts:
The Importance of Understanding OSHA and Displaying Proper Signage for Workplace Safety
The Importance of OSHA Signs for Construction Sites
OSHA’s National Youth Safety Initiative

Signage Requirements for Newly Enacted Men’s Room Changing Station Legislation

In today’s ever evolving, modern world, we are all about equality. This has become especially evident over the past few years as men have increasingly expressed frustration with the lack of accessible baby changing facilities available to them. Additionally, society is becoming more aware of the challenges, like the lack of proper changing accommodations, for single fathers and gay couples raising children.

The Challenge of Being Dad

According to the Pew Research Center, fathers are significantly more involved in their child’s care than they were 50 years ago. Dads should never be faced with the conundrum of changing a baby on the men’s room floor or other unsanitary places, and fathers everywhere are taking note and spreading the word.

Donte Palmer, a high school teacher and father of three from Jacksonville, Florida, started the #squatforchange campaign after visiting a local steakhouse that did not offer baby changing stations in its men’s room.  When his one year old son needed a diaper change, he gathered the baby and his 12 year old son and headed for the restroom. Then, in what Palmer calls his “perfect man squat”, with his older son at the ready to hand over wipes and diaper as needed, he got down to business.

Donte Palmer’s “perfect man squat”, illustrating the challenges he faces while changing his son in a public men’s room.

What is the Bathrooms Accessible in Every Situation Act?

On October 7, 2016, with bipartisan support from Congress, President Barack Obama signed into law the Bathrooms in Every Situation Act (BABIES Act). This new law requires that both men’s and women’s restrooms located in publicly accessible federal buildings (for example, courthouses and US post offices) offer suitable changing facilities for infants and young toddlers. Specifically, the new law requires changing facilities to be “physically safe, sanitary, and appropriate.”

What Restrooms Are Exempt From the BABIES Act?

The Bathrooms in Every Situation Act excludes the following public spaces from compliance with the new law:

  • Any restroom that displays clear, concise signage indicating where changing facilities are located on the same floor of the building
  • Any restroom that would require new construction to comply with the law and the cost of construction is unfeasible

Do Individual States Require Changing Tables in Men’s Restrooms?

New York is the first state to adopt a law that requires fathers and other male caregivers to have a clean, safe place to care for a young child’s sanitary needs. The law, which went into effect on New Year’s Day 2019, includes restaurants, stores, movie theaters, and state facilities such as public parks, offices, and all Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) offices.

New regulations require changing facilities to be easily accessible to both females and males on all publicly accessible floors of every building. In addition, all buildings must conspicuously post restroom signs illustrating the location of the closest changing table facilities.

Now that both federal and New York State laws have been enacted requiring proper changing table facilities in both women’s and men’s rooms alike, expect other states across the country to adopt similar legislation, making changing time safer and happier for babies and caregivers everywhere.

With these new changing station regulations, it is essential to keep in mind public areas where ADA compliant signs are required by law. At Customsigns.com, we have the signs your public building needs for clearly identifying restrooms with changing table facilities and restroom signs that are ADA complaint. These signs include:

For more information on ADA requirements and restroom signs for public spaces, follow the links here:

How to Design ADA Compliant Signs

ADA Signage All Buildings Must Have

Where Should ADA Signs be Posted? 

Make Your Message Pop! Bumper Sticker Do’s and Don’ts

Whether you’re marketing to the masses or sharing your passion for a cause, bumper stickers are vibrant, colorful, economical, and a reflection of you! Here we share our best bumper sticker basics, sure to inspire and share your message wherever your travels take you.

 

Can I copyright a bumper sticker?

While a copyright is used to protect literary or artistic works, trademarks are designed for slogans, logos, and other short phrases (also referred to as intellectual property). When a bumper sticker is trademarked, this prevents anyone else from using its contents without written permission from the trademark owner.

Trademarks are awarded by the United States Patent and Trademark Office via an application process. The phrase, logo, or slogan (single words are not considered creative works) must be unique, not general in nature, and not similar to any other registered trademark.

Do bumper stickers damage vehicles?

Bumper stickers are made to last! Through car washes, sun, snow, sleet, rain, or rough terrain, bumper stickers have a resilient adhesive made to stand the test of time. However, when your honor student is off to college or that political candidate has long since retired, removing bumper stickers can be quite a challenge. And removing bumper stickers incorrectly can damage a vehicle’s paint.

How do I remove a bumper sticker?

Take your time! Gathering your supplies, understanding the do’s and don’ts, and a bit of patience will have you on your way to removing that once-loved bumper sticker in no time.

Goo Gone® is a safe, easy to use formula for removing bumper stickers. Either regular Goo Gone® or Goo Gone Automotive Goo and Sticker Removal® will do the trick. Simply apply liberally to the bumper sticker and a bit beyond its border, wait a few minutes, and remove. After the sticker has peeled off, wash the area with warm, soapy water.

For an environmentally friendly alternative, white vinegar is ideal. Generously apply vinegar to the bumper sticker, let soak, and carefully remove by using a plastic putty knife, credit card, or other dull edge. Wipe the area clean with warm, soapy water.

Never use a razor blade, nail polish remover, or other sharp items or harsh products to remove bumper stickers. These sharp objects and chemicals can damage your vehicle’s paint.

One creative way to protect your vehicle from bumper sticker adhesive (and make removal a snap!) is to fasten your sticker to a bumper magnet, then simply apply. No fuss, no muss.

What are bumper stickers made of?

Most bumper stickers are made of durable vinyl, backed with a strong adhesive, and easily affix to clean, dry surfaces.

What sizes are bumper stickers made?

A standard bumper sticker measures 3 x 12 inches. At Customsigns.com, our vinyl bumper stickers come in a variety of sizes and our easy to use Design Wizard is perfect for creating your own custom decals. The perfect portable billboard for marketing your brand or sharing your passion for a cause, our high quality vinyl sticker material is made stand out and to last for years to come.

How much do bumper stickers cost?

Our economically priced vinyl bumper stickers start at $2.95, quantity discounts are available. You can get each sticker for as low as $1.47 when you purchase more than 151 stickers.

Bumper sticker inspiration

Need a little inspiration to get those creative juices flowing? Here are just a few ideas to get you started!

  • Baby on board
  • Student parking permits
  • Favorite sports teams
  • Scouting
  • Election campaigns
  • Proud parents/grandparents
  • Proud pet parents
  • Runners and other sports
  • Small businesses
  • Local restaurants
  • Favorite quotes
  • Road safety