Welcoming Winter 2011

8/3/2019 Welcoming Winter 2011

1/12

WinterSurvival Guide

A S p e c i a l S u p p l e m e n t T o T h e L e b a n o n D e m o c r a t , M t . J u l i e t N e w s a n d H a r t s v i l l e V i d e t t e

N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 1

What youll find inside:Con artists dont take a holiday vacation ...........................................................................................................................3Plan now for safe winter driving ......................................................................................................................................4Av

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.10Safety first when stringing holiday lights ........................................................................................................................11


2/12

2 Winter Prep Guide 2011


3/12

Winter Prep Guide 2011 3

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Con artists dont take a holiday vacationWhile most people are consumed with

shopping for holiday presents, con artistsare hard at work coming up with newways to part individuals from a buck.

Unsuspecting people could lose theirholiday spirit if victimized by a scam.

Every year people save money so thatthey can purchase scores of gifts for theirfamily members and friends. Whilemoney is being charged to credit cards orflying out of wallets at check-out coun-ters, con artists are interested in gettingtheir cut of the proceeds. Many scam-mers prey on the goodwill of people thistime of year, fleecing them of their hard-earned money.

There are a number of scams that are

commonplace throughout the year, butseem to escalate come the holiday sea-son. Many of these fake deals are solicit-ed through mail or e-mail. Here are someto avoid. Spam scams: Check anyones e-mail

inbox and theres bound to be dozensof unsolicited messages in their offer-ing products and services. Whilemany advertisements are from legiti-mate companies (many from storesand businesses a consumer may haveused in the past), others are frombogus outfits looking to prey on theunaware. These scam e-mails maypromise unbeatable deals on all typesof things. If it seems too good to betrue, it probably is. Shoppers canavoid the headaches of losing moneyto scammers by deleting unsolicited e-mails and not falling prey to the dealsthey offer.

Name a star, planet, etc.: Individualslooking for clever gifts for that hard-to-buy-for person may have beentempted to name a star in oneshonor. A number of companies charge

a fee to register a chosen name for astar at particular coordinates. Thetrouble is that only the InternationalAstronomical Union (IAU) namesstars, and the stars are not for sale.Many stars are actually named withnumbers and in abidance to strict reg-

ulations by the IAU. Any organizationthat claims they can name a star is notlegitimate.

Phony charities: All types of charities

spring up around the holidays and dotheir best to collect money for a par-ticular cause. There are many legiti-mate charities around the world, evensome the average person may not beaware of. It is important for con-sumers looking to donate money to acharity to carefully research theorganization before writing anychecks. In the U.S., most charitiesmust file a Form 990, which will indi-cate how much the groups spent onprograms, administration and

fundraising activities. Aperson canrequest a copy of the Form 990,although some charities charge a feefor this. Houses of worship may notbe required to file a Form 990. Bewareof charities offering a Tax ID numberin place of a Form 990. This ID num-ber can be issued to any business anddoes not necessarily indicate a legiti-mate charity.

Online auctions: Thousands of name-less people list items for sale on popu-lar auction Web sites. Individuals takeleaps of faith when bidding on andeventually purchasing items at auc-tion. Selecting sellers with high ratesof positive feedback is a good idea, asis paying with a form of payment thatcan be cancelled should the item notbe shipped out.

Destructive e-mails: Tis the seasonfor merriment, and people are anx-ious to download cute and whimsicalring tones or e-greetings to celebratethe season. What they may not knowis that some of these seemingly harm-less downloads contain potentially

damaging computer viruses. Bad gift cards: A favorite trick of con

artists is to swipe and steal the infor-mation from gift cards on display instores and then periodically check tosee if theyve been activated. Onceactive, the scammers can use the

cards to shop online. Another gift cardscam is to sell bogus cards online thathave no monetary value.

Pickpockets: Not all holiday scams

need to be high-tech. Picking a pock-

et or stealing a purse is still thrivingtoday especially in crowded placeslike a busy mall. Shoppers should beaware of their belongings at all times

while shopping.

BURDINE SUPPLY INC.PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES

6966 LEBANON ROADMT. JULIET, TN (1/4 mile West of 109)

Phone (615)453-9222 Fax (615)453-9272

Owner: Vincent Lenning

615-444-8280LICENSED DEALER

People Who KnowGo To AAMCO1621 W.MAIN ST.

LEBANON, TN

BRAD ISBELL - Owner

Did you know?While many people consider home a

safe haven, allergy sufferers might findtheir homes are actually havens for ahost of harmful allergens. Even thosewho suffer hay fever and other outdoorallergies might find their homes interi-or is actually making their conditionworse. Thats because allergens oftenget trapped inside a home, making itdifficult for allergy sufferers to find shel-ter from their allergies. House dust, forexample, is an airborne mixture that

can contain fine particles of plant mate-rial and soil from outdoors, meaningallergy sufferers wont escape thosepesky plants that cause their allergiesby simply going inside. Those who suf-fer indoor allergies also dont catch abreak come the colder months. Unlikeseasonal allergies, indoor allergies canlast all year long and might even beworse in the winter, when the windowsare closed and people are stuck insidewith the allergens.


4/12


Thanks to global climate change, manyof the weather patterns weve grownaccustomed to in the past are no longerthe norm today. It seems much of the

country experiences shorter than normaldays of moderate spring and fall weather,with seasons simply switching fromscorching sun one moment to chilly tem-peratures and snow the next. That meansits never too early to take a refreshercourse in preparing for safe winter driv-ing.

Winter weather takes all of the usualroad hazards and steps them up a notch.Slippery roadways, congestion, road rage,pedestrian traffic all of these situationsseem magnified when the weather is poorand daylight is waning. Although winterdriving may be frustrating, there are waysto prepare for the season and prevent acci-dents and injuries.

PrepareIts important to check that a vehicle is

in top shape before the cold weather setsin. Pay special attention to the tires. If tiresare bald or their wear is signficant, thatcould prove hazardous on weather-slickedroads. Have tires replaced before the firstsnowfall. The same can be said whenswitching from regular performance tiresto all-weather or snow tires. Be sure tochange all of the tires on the car, even if itis just a front-wheel drive vehicle.

Now is the time to also get a tune-up onthe vehicle. Cold weather can make ithard for a car to perform at its best, andany problems should be eliminated beforethey spiral out of control. Be sure to top offany fluids in the car, especially windshieldwasher fluid you might need to improvevisibility during a storm. Check the func-tion of wiper blades and change them ifthey arent up to snuff. Consult with a

mechanic to find out if it is adviseable toswitch motor oil viscosity during the win-ter to improve flow through the engineand help with cold start turnover.

It also helps to stock up on suppliesshould you get stranded or stuck:

- snow shovel- scraper/brush- tire chains- flashlight (with extra batteries)- abrasive material, like cat litter, sand,

or salt

- jumper cables- flares or reflective triangles- brightly colored cloth to signal for help- empty water-tight container with can-

dles, matches or lighter, bottled water, anda snack- sleeping bags or blankets, ski caps,

and mittens- first-aid supplies

SkiddingHow best to maneuver a car when it

starts to skid depends on how the vehiclehandles. If the rear wheels skid, turn thesteering wheel, and subsequently thefront wheels, in the same direction of theskid. If the front wheels skid, take yourfoot off the gas and shift to neutral. Donttry to steer immediately; the skid mayslow, and traction could return. Then youcan steer in the direction you want to goand put the car back into drive.

Keep in mind that even with expertmaneuvering it can be tricky to recoverfrom a skid on ice. Snow tires are notinfallible and may be ineffective on icyroadways.

Leaving SpaceOne of the best things a person can do

when driving in winter weather is to slowdown and add much more room for react-ing to roadway conditions. Driving slowlyand braking slowly may help to preventskids. Also, should a skid occur, havingmore room between you and anothervehicle helps you to maneuver elsewhereor come to a stop without causing an acci-dent.

When visibility is poor, leaving extraroom means you can react if somethingsuddenly veers into the path of the car oryou missed seeing it through the snowand sleet.

Stranded or StuckShould the car break down or it

becomes stuck in the snow, there aresome things you can do. Be sure to steeror push the car to a safe location, if possi-ble. Put up warning flares or triangles sothat you are visible and leave the four-wayflashers on if the battery is operable.

You can try rocking the car, by puttingit in drive and hitting the gas, then inreverse and pressing on the accelerator to

create a valley in the snow that might freethe car. Use your abrasive material to pro-vide traction. You can also attempt toshovel out the tires.

If the car is inoperable, stay in the vehi-cle out of harms way and call for help ona mobile phone. Leave a window crackedopen if you will be running the engine forperiodic heat. The National Safety Councilsays that you can run the engine for heat

about once every hour, or every half hourin severe cold. Be sure to clean snow fromaround the end of the tail pipe to preventcarbon monoxide buildup. For extra heat,don blankets or a sleeping bag to preventhypothermia.

Driving in winter conditions can beexhausting and hazardous. Being pre-pared for common scenarios decreasesrisk of accidents.

Plan now for safe winter driving

Adverse weather conditions can make driving tricky when the winter season arrives

Its easy for children to get lost in bigcrowds. According to safety expertAlyssa Dver, founder of the Center toPrevent Lost Children, statistics indicate90 percent of families will experiencelosing a child in a public place. Twentypercent have lost a child more than once.This can be traumatizing for children,

with 95 percent remembering the trau-ma of getting lost. Establishing a safetyplan with children on what to do shouldthey get lost might help reduce timespent looking for lost kids. Place your cell phone number in the

childs pocket or in his shoe so kidshave your number with them at all

times. Take a photo of your child before

going out so youll have the mostrecent picture, including what she iswearing. Try to dress your childbrightly so she will stand out in acrowd.

Instruct the child to look for a

Mommy for help. Women are lesslikely to be predators and will oftenhelp a child who is lost.

Dont dress your child in somethingthat has his name on it. Strangers cancall the name and confuse the childinto thinking its safe to go withthem.

Have a safety plan for kids while holiday shopping


5/12


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For Your Vehicle

$3995 Oil Change Brake Inspection Belts and hoses check Filter Check

Tire Rotation Battery test Fluid top-off Multi-point inspection

Retail purchases only. Up to five quarts of Motorcraftoil and Motorcraft oil filter. Taxes,

diesel vehicles and disposal fees extra. Hybrid battery test excluded.See participating dealership for vehicle exclusions and details through 11/30/11.

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Baby, Its

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MAJOR APPLIANCE REPAIR SALES

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Avoid strains and painsfrom snow shoveling

Snow certainly may be beautiful whenit is delicately falling flake-by-flake to theground. But when the snow slowly butsurely starts to pile up, the beauty of awinters landscape can turn into a formi-dable project.

A recent 17-year study published by theAmerican Journal of Emergency Medicinesays that snow shoveling sends on aver-age more than 11,000 adults and childrento the hospital every year. Snow shovelingcan contribute to broken bones, headinjuries, pulled backs, and even heartattacks. Overworking the muscles, falling,and being hit with the shovel were themost common reasons for getting hurt

during a shoveling session.Individuals who have existing heartproblems may actually experience a heartattack if they overtax themselves whileshoveling. Adults over the age of 55 aremore than four times as likely thanyounger people to suffer heart-related sideeffects while shoveling snow.

Many people do not realize just howmuch of a workout snow shoveling canbe. The physical demand of the activitycan be on par with running on a tread-mill, forcing the heart to work overtime.Compounded by cold temperatures, snowshoveling is nothing to take lightly.

Heeding advice to be cautious can be theway to stave off injury or something more

See SHOVELING, page 6

Using an ergonomic shovel can help youavoid back injuries while shoveling snow.


6/12

To the millions of pet owners acrossthe globe, pets are more than just furryfriends around the house. Pets put manypeople in a good mood and can also

make for a valuable addition to familieswith children, instilling a sense ofresponsibility in kids they might other-wise never learn.

But pets are also a very personalchoice. Such a reality makes giving a petas a present during the holiday season adifficult proposition one that requirescareful consideration of the pros andcons before making a final decision.

The Pros Companionship: Pets make fine com-

panions, and many people think giv-ing a pet as a present during the hol-iday season is a great way to put asmile on a lonely friend or relativesface. However, when giving a pet inthe hopes it will provide companion-ship, be sure to find a pet thatsknown for liking attention, such as agolden retriever, and not a pet thatdoesnt require much care or appreci-ate the attention.

The surprise element: Oftentimes,when a family pet dies it takes awhile

before the family is ready to get anew pet. However, if sufficient time

has elapsed, the surprise element of anew pet at the holidays can make itone of the more memorable holidaysever.

The same can be said when giving achild their first pet. For moms and dadswho have decided the kids are ready fortheir first pet, the holidays make a greattime to surprise them with a Fido orMorris of their own. Cost: Particularly in the current econ-

omy, not all families can afford toadopt or buy a new pet. While theymight be able to afford to feed andcare for a pet, the initial costs (someadoptions can cost several hundreddollars) might be well beyond their

budget. For gift givers who can affordthe costs of adoption or the purchaseprice from a breeder, giving a pet canbe a gift the family will greatly appre-ciate.

The Cons Personal choice: Pets dont take long

to become a member of the family.And thats often because pets are adeeply personal choice made by thepet owner and his or her family.Giving a pet as a gift might be a nice

gesture, but many people would pre-fer to pick their own pets.

Timing: Not all families are ready fora pet. Even parents who want to adda pet to their home should consider ifthe timing is right. Are kids ready for

the responsibility of a pet? Is the fam-ily ready to add another member?

Timing should also be a considerationfor those thinking of giving a pet tosomeone they dont live with. It mightbe a nice gesture to give newlywedfriends a pet, but they might also be try-ing to have a baby and might not havethe time to care for a pet. Allergies and additional health con-

siderations: Not everyone can have apet in their home. Many people areallergic to animals. It could prove a

disaster to give a kitten to someonewho is highly allergic to cats.Shoppers who are unsure if a friendor loved one has a pet allergy shouldavoid giving a pet as a present.

In addition to pet allergies, anothermedical concern is some people mightnot be physically capable of caring for apet. Dogs, for instance, need to be takenon daily walks or, at the very least,taken outside to relieve themselves.Whats more, training a puppy is nosmall task. If a friend or family memberdoes not appear capable of caring for a

pet, consider a different gift.


Thank You Wilson County for Voting Us #1 for

Best of the Best Veterinarian Five years in a row!

Winter Pet Care TipsKeep your pets safe and warm this winter with these helpful tips.

Shelter

Dogs and cats that sleep outdoors should have a snug, dry, draft-free place to sleep. The floor of the sheltershould be raised off the ground to keep cold and moisture away from your pet. Ideally, the shelter should be heat-ed, insulated, and have a door to keep the elements out. During extreme weather, pets should stay inside. If yourpet is shivering and refuses to play, the animal is too cold and should come inside.Diet & Water

A high quality food with adequate protein and extra fat is required for animals that spend time in the cold. Yourveterinarian may also recommend a vitamin supplement. Remember that water may freeze outdoors. Providefresh, warm water in a large, deep, plastic bowl throughout the day. Paws If snow and ice clumps form on yourdog's paws, be sure to wipe between each toe with a warm, wet cloth. Deicing salt can cause paws to dry andcrack. Soak or wash your dog's paws in warm water and dry them thoroughly after walks in areas where salt has been used. Exercise When walking smaller and older dogs, protect them with sweaters, and donot stay outside longer than necessary.Antifreeze Danger

Antifreeze is toxic to your pet's kidneys and can have deadly consequences. The ethylene glycol in antifreeze is sweet tasting and appealing to cats and dogs. As little as one-half teaspoon can be toxic to a catand just a quarter cup can kill a medium-size dog. Cats can lick enough off their paws to cause a fatal reaction. Do not leave antifreeze unattended or allow it to spill onto the garage floor or into the street.Consider using nontoxic antifreeze with a bittering agent to discourage pet consumption. If you see your pet drinking any amount of antifreeze, take it to a veterinarian immediately. The sooner treatment is start-

ed, the better for your pet. Car Motors Car motors are of par ticular dan gerto cats who sleep outside. Cats seek the warmth of car motors, an dthey can be severely in jured or killed when caught in the fan beltof a car's engine. Make it a habit to check under the hood for animals and honk your horn before starting your car.Holiday Plants & Decorations

Mistletoe and holly should be kept out of reach of pets. If eaten, poinsettia plants can cause severe gastrointestinal upset. A list of other poisonous plants can be found here. Be careful with ornaments, tinsel,ribbon, and other small holiday decorations that your pet may try to ingest.

Lebanon Animal HospitalMonday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Saturday 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

1613 West Main St Lebanon, TN 444-4422Emergency After Hours

Do pets make the best gifts?

Holiday shoppers should carefully considerthe pros and cons of giving pets as giftsbefore making any decisions this holiday

season.


7/12


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Purchase a York High Efficiency air unit beforeDecember 31, 2011 and receive a $500.00 tax

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serious. Treat shoveling just like any other exer-

cise and warm up first. Stretch yourmuscles, jog in place and get the heartpumping.

Invest in an ergonomic shovel. Theseshovels are typically lighter than tradi-tional steel shovels and have a handleand design that reduces the need tobend a lift.

Move smaller loads of snow at a time.

The average shovelful of snow canweigh 20 pounds or more, so lifting

less should provide some relief. Push the snow as much as you can to

displace it. Should you have to lift it,bend at the knees. Do not twist orthrow the snow over your shoulder oryou risk back injury.

Take a break every few minutes tocatch your breath and have somewater. It is easy to become dehydratedor overheated while shoveling, but notknow it due to the cold.

Wear the proper footwear to avoid fallson ice and snow. Many injuries occurdue to falls on slippery surfaces.

For those who are not physically fitenough to shovel snow, consider

investing in a snow blower or pay tohave the snow removed.

SHOVELINGContinued from page 5

Did you know?January 1 is the first day of the cal-

endar year in both the Julian andGregorian calendars. Across the globe,New Years Day has become a day ofcelebration, particularly when the

clock strikes midnight and the NewYear is officially welcomed. In NewYork City, the famous ball drops inTimes Square at the stroke of midnight,while other celebrations across theglobe also ring in the New Year in a fes-tive way. But January 1 has been hostto numerous notable events throughoutworld history as well. In 1651, Charles

II was crowned the King of Scotland.More than two centuries later, thePresident of the United States,Abraham Lincoln, issued the secondorder of the Emancipation Proclama-

tion on January 1, 1863. Exactly 17years later, construction began on thePanama Canal, while on the first day of1899, individuals witnessed the officialend of Spanish rule in Cuba. In 1999,100 years after the construction of thePanama Canal began, the euro wasintroduced to world financial marketsas an accounting currency.


8/12


Hypothermia is no laughing matter.Information from the National Centerfor Health Statistics and StatisticsCanada state that approximately 800Americans and 140 Canadians die each

year as a result of hypothermia.Although the public may thinkhypothermia can only occur outdoorsduring below-zero temperatures, in fact,the condition may happen when thebody falls below a certain, healthy tem-perature even just in a chilly room.

The elderly and children may be espe-cially at risk due to their sometimescompromised ability to regulate bodytemperature. Newborns are often unableto correctly regulate their bodies untilthey grow older, which is why effort is

often put into bundling children againstthe cold. The elderly also may experi-ence trouble with getting cold whetherthrough bodily changes or medicationsthey are taking for other ailments. Justabout anyone who experiences pro-longed exposure to cold conditions,whether submersion in water or facingchilly outdoor temperatures, can experi-ence hypothermia.

Hypothermia occurs when the bodytemperature passes below the normaltemperature of 98.6 F to a temperature

less than 95 F (35 C). It is a medicalemergency because the body loses heat

faster than it warm itself up. If tempera-ture is low, the body is unable to workcorrectly. The nervous system andorgans like the heart fail to operate nor-mally and, if left untreated, hypother-

mia may result in heart failure or com-promised breathing, and eventuallydeath.

The Mayo Clinic says that hypother-mia is often caused by exposure to verycold temperatures for a prolonged peri-od of time. Immersion in cold water isalso a prime cause. But there are othersituations that may induce hypother-mia.

In certain instances, infants, particu-larly ones born prematurely, may have alow body temperature as an immune

system response to something goneawry in the body, partially because theneonate has an impaired ability to reactto invading organisms. He or she doesnot have adequate antibodies at birth.

Hypothermia also may be the result ofa medical condition, as is the case withsecondary hypothermia. Sometimeshypothermia is induced medically tooffer neurological protection, like aftercardiac arrest.

Accidental hypothermia is when thebody becomes chilled from unanticipat-ed circumstances, like getting stranded

in a storm with inadequate shelter or

clothing.The symptoms of hypothermia are

displayed profoundly through neurolog-ical responses. The cold will slow downthe body and mental processes.Shivering may slow or cease and slurredspeech, confusion, lethargy and even aloss of consciousness may occur. A

slowing or irregular heartbeat also mayoccur. Oftentimes, a person withhypothermia will lie down and fallasleep, after which he or she dies.

Preventing HypothermiaBecause winter weather can be fickle

and conditions change at a momentsnotice, it is always better to be preparedand safe rather than sorry. People should always dress accord-

ingly for the weather, includingwearing warm clothing with an inner

wicking layer that draws sweat andmoisture away from the body.Layering clothing can help one to feelcomfortable.

Before heading out into the cold, fuelup on a high-carbohydrate meal.Carbs turn into heat for the body andcan help keep it warm.

Stay hydrated to help the body func-tion in extreme conditions. If traveling, store blankets, wool

socks, extra clothing, mittens andhats in the car in the event of a break-down.

Seek shelter if the weather turns forthe worse, and especially if it is wetand windy. These two conditions canquickly zap body heat.

Although hypothermia is common, itcan be prevented by playing it smartwith winter weather.

The chilling facts about hypothermia

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9/12


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Winters arrival coincides with thearrival of other things as well. The holidayseason. Snow days from school.Weekends spent skiing and snowboardingwith family and friends.

While each of those things is somethingto look forward to, one thing also synony-mous with winter is never welcomed withopen arms. Cold and flu season impactsnearly every household each winter, forc-ing kids and adults alike to put life onhold as they rest and recover. To manypeople, flu shots are enough to keep themgoing strong through cold and flu season,but not everyone has access to flu shots.Even those who do might still get colds ifthey dont take steps to stay healthy whenthe mercury drops. This winter, people

wanting to avoid the worst of cold and fluseason can take several precautions toreduce their risks of getting a cold or theflu.

Around the HousePeople can take several steps to make

their homes safer and warmer, whichshould help them reduce their risk of coldand flu. Winterizing a home is perhapsthe best thing a homeowner can do tomake a home safer and warmer. Installstorm windows and caulk around doors

and windows to keep warm air in thehome and prevent cold air from coming

in.If winter has yet to arrive, inspect the

heating system. If winter has alreadyarrived, schedule an inspection as soon aspossible. Make sure the system is workingproperly and is clean and ready for thewinter that lies ahead. Ideally, the heatingsystem should be serviced by a profes-sional to ensure the ventilation is workingproperly.

Homeowners with functioning fire-places in their homes should have the fire-

place inspected and cleaned before usingit for the first time.

Addressing AttireWinter weather should never catch

adults or children offguard with regards totheir wardrobe. Once cold weatherarrives, dress appropriately wheneverleaving the home to reduce the risk of coldand flu. Appropriate attire includes wear-ing outdoor clothing, such as wintercoats, scarves, gloves or mittens, and woolski hats. Those who live in areas withheavy snowfall should also wear water-proof boots whenever going outside. Itsalso important to dress in layers through-out the winter. Doing so provides extrainsulation, and layers trap air effectively,ensuring that all that warm air producedby your body wont escape but will stickaround and keep you warm.

Prepare for EmergenciesIf a winter weather emergency arrives,

cold and flu wont shut down and stopworking just because schools close orpower outages occur. In fact, during anemergency the chances are strong thatfamilies will be stuck inside for extendedperiods of time. When locked indoors for

long periods of time, cold and flu virusescan spread easily. Men and women

should prepare for such a scenario by hav-ing an air filter on hand to ensure air qual-ity remains clean and healthy. In addition,stock up on items such as soup or coldand cough medicine to ensure that any-

one who succumbs to cold and flu duringa weather emergency will have remediesat their disposal should they be confinedto the home.

Parents of infant children should keepextra formula and diapers on hand and besure there are extra batteries around thehouse should the power go out. Forinfants on medication, consult the childsphysician before cold and flu season anddevise a plan of caring for a sick childshould a weather emergency occur.

Get Outside and ExerciseStaying indoors all winter might seem

like a great way to avoid cold and flu, butit might actually make adults and childrenmore susceptible. Staying indoors couldbe trapping you indoors with stagnant airwhere cold and flu germs are floatingaround. Stay inside during weather emer-gencies, but be sure to get outside in thefresh air and exercise when the weatherallows. Regularly working out boosts the

bodys immune system, which helps wardoff cold and flu.

Avoid succumbing to cold and flu season

Spending time outdoors and dressing prop-

erly are two ways to reduce risk for coldand flu.


10/12


The winter season is right around thecorner, soon to usher in cold temperatures,snow and ice for many people across thecountry. There are plenty of people whorevel in the idea of frolicking over snow-capped hills or skating on a frozen pond,but many others hope winter passss themby rather quickly.

Much of the focus each winter is onstaying warm and surviving this oftenharsh season at whatever the cost. Butthere are ways to survive winter whilehelping the environment.

Lighting: Thanks to daylight savingstime, many areas of the country experi-ence nightfall around 5 p.m. during thewinter months. That means people aremore likely to turn on artificial lighting to

illuminate homes and surroundings. TheInternational Dark-Sky Association saysthat artificial lights can waste energy andconfuse nocturnal animals. If you mustuse nighttime lighting, select a low-wattage bulb and point it downward.Motion sensor lights save energy and alsowill turn on intermittently, not enough todisturb animals.

Reconsider winter traction techniques.Before you throw down chemical ice meltproducts, think about safer alternatives.Regular table salt will melt ice and may

not be as harmful to the surrounding envi-ronment. Sand can offer improved tractionwhen scattered on walkways and its non-

toxic.Select a real tree.When holiday decorat-

ing, choose a real tree. These trees are har-vested from tree farms that replenish stockas soon as trees are felled. They can berecycled into mulch, and real trees are alsobiodegradable.

Keep houseplants thriving.Houseplantsserve as natural air deodorizers and pro-vide fresh oxygen inside of a home. TheEPA and its Science Advisory Board haveconsistently ranked indoor air pollutionamong the top five environmental risks topublic health. Considering most peoplespend the majority of their time indoorswhen the weather is cold, breathing poorair can result in illness. Houseplants are anall-natural way to filter out offensive air

without relying on powered air purifiers orchemical air fresheners.

Weatherproof the home. Do yourself and the environment a favor by weath-erproofing your home. Add a storm door,check weatherstripping or caulking fordrafts, seal entry points for cable, phoneand water lines with foam insulation, andalso be sure attic and other spaces of thehome are thoroughly insulated. This willkeep from wasting energy on heating,which is harmful to your budget and theenvironment.

Dont warm up the car. Many cars cando a cold-start and get on the road withoutthe need for idling in the driveway. Instead

of wasting gasoline and pouring engineemissions into the air unnecessarily, justget in and drive. If youre sensitive to acold car, try to park it in the garage duringthe winter.

Carpool. Individuals who used to bikeor walk to work when it was nice outside

may be tempted to take the car when itscold. Maximize energy savings by car-pooling with like-minded individuals.

Invite people over.Instead of turning upthe heat when the indoor temperaturedrops, invite friends and family for animpromptu party. Research indicates thateach guest is the equivalent of a 175-wattheater! Not only will you have fun, youllfeel toasty, too.

Surviving the winter in an environmen-tally friendly way really isnt that difficultwhen you employ some simple strategies.

Eco-friendly winter survival tips

This time of year visions of sugarplums may bedancing in ones head, as are cakes, cookies and pies.The average person may gain a few pounds around the

holidays from eating too many rich and sugary foods.But someone with diabetes could be risking theirhealth by overdoing it.

During the holidays people are exposed to morefood, more sweets, more alcohol, and more stress.People with diabetes, who have to watch portion sizesand what they are consuming, may find that the holi-days are even more stressful thanks to diet restrictions.

Many diabetics have reported that the holidays canbe especially challenging because of the abundance oftemptation, be it food or alcohol, coupled with thestress of shopping and socializing.

Diabetics dont have to take chances with their

health come the holidays, nor do they have to miss outon the enjoyment of the season. Here are some sug-gestions for enjoying a safe and sound holiday season. Keep track of carbohydrates. Sugar plays a role in

diabetes, but carbohydrates can really affect blood-sugar levels when digested. Limit carbohydrates asmuch as possible. And remember, just becausesomething is sugar-free doesnt mean it is carb-free.

Plan ahead. Ask the host or hostess what will beserved so that decisions can be made about whatwill be eaten. If there arent many healthy options,consider bringing something from home.

Let someone know youre diabetic. The symptoms

of being intoxicated and low-blood sugar can besimilar, so diabetics should make holiday hostsaware of their condition.

Take a walk. After a meal, individuals should takea walk about an hour later. Thats when bloodsugar tends to be the highest and exercise can helpto lower blood-sugar levels.

Watch alcohol consumption. Its not just food thatcan affect a persons blood-sugar levels, alcoholicbeverages can affect it, too. Diabetics should moni-tor their sugar levels before and after eating anddrinking to ensure they are on track.

Eat before you arrive. Arriving at a party famishedcan cause a person to overdo it something thatcan be detrimental to diabetics. Eat a little snackbefore heading to the party to staunch hungerpangs.

* Move away from the food. After having the meal,steer clear of the food table and simply talk withfriends and family. Make socializing less about eat-ing and more about catching up.

Dont deprive yourself. Enjoy the foods that areeaten in moderation. If eating is overdone a bit, getback on track the next day.

Diabetics can safely celebrate the holidays

Cookies and milk are staples of the holiday season.However, for a diabetic, they may be something that needsto be eaten in moderation.


11/12


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1. Cut back your homes thermostat to the lowest comfortable

temperature. If you can cut back even one degree, it can save you as

much as three percent.

2. Caulk around windows, doors and other openings where heat can

escape through your walls or roof.

3.

4. Open drapes on the sunny side of the house during the day, but close

them at night.

5. Make sure lights and electrical appliances are not left on in rooms

unoccupied.

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Perhaps no holiday tradition is morevisible than decorative lights. Whetheron the house or on the tree in the frontpicture window, holiday lights help cre-ate a festive mood for all.

While aesthetically appealing, holi-day lighting displays can also be quitedangerous. Older lights or poorlyplanned lighting projects can quicklyturn tragic. However, this much belovedholiday tradition does not have to ceaseand desist. Instead, some simple safetyprecautions are all it takes to ensurethis years lighting display is both stun-ning and safe.

- Make sure exterior lights aredesigned for outdoor use. Not all lightscan handle the elements, so those oldChristmas tree lights might not be able

to enjoy a second life as part of ahomes exterior lighting decor.

- Plug lights directly into the electricalsockets rather than relying heavily onextension cords. Employ surge protectorstrips if there are not enough outletsavailable. Before plugging anything in,consult the fuse box to determine howmuch each circuit can safely handle.

- Dont use damaged lighting sets,including those with frayed strings,unstable connections, exposed wires, orbroken or cracked sockets.

- Make sure all external lights aresecurely attached. Wind can do signifi-

cant damage to bulbs, which can lead toadditional safety risks. As a precaution,attach all lights firmly to walls or any-thing else that will not blow away whena stiff wind arrives.

- Inside the home, be extra carefulwhen using an artificial Christmas tree.Electric lights should never be used ona metallic tree.

- Routinely check all cords tempera-tures. If a cord feels too hot, unplug itand find a replacement.

- Dont leave the lights on when noadults are home. If the home is emptyor if just kids are home, make sure thelights are off. Avoid using timers thatautomatically turn the lights on, as itspossible they will turn on when no oneis home. Unplug all cords when going

away for the holidays just to be safe.- Make sure all cords are visible.

Dont bury cords underneath rugs orfloor mats to avoid personal injuries.

- Hanging lights shouldnt be a soloproject. Whether hanging lights insideor outside, never do so alone. A stiffwind might come along and blow theladder away or an unstable laddermight lead to a fall. Accidents happenwhen hanging lights indoors as well, somake sure to have an adult partner onhand to avoid injury.

- Make sure kids cannot reach light-ing displays. Kids often adore holiday lighting displays and their naturalcuriosity is to reach for lights. Avoid potential accidents by keeping lightswell beyond the reach of children.

Safety first when stringing holiday lights


12/12

12 Winter Prep Guide 2 0 1 1

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Welcoming Winter 2011

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