Winter is almost officially here in the U.S. and that means snow-covered roads

Winter is almost officially here in the U.S. and that means snow-covered roads and icy conditions. Today’s blog post looks at common winter driving mistakes your company’s drivers need to avoid.

Weather.com has a list of 14 mistakes all drivers need to avoid, including:

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• Skipping the routine maintenance. When the temperatures are ready to drop, change your wiper fluid from a 50/50 mixture of wiper fluid and water to all fluid (and carry an extra bottle of fluid in your vehicle). Add Anti-Freeze to Your Radiator and don’t skip your regularly scheduled oil and filter change
• Not testing your vehicle. Checking your battery, headlights and taillights and replacing windshield wiper blades should be part of your winter prep for personal and company vehicles.
• Not keep a winter driving kit in your vehicle. Shovels, blankets, flashlights, emergency snacks – they can be lifesavers.
• Not focusing on your winter driving skills. There’s a good chance your drivers are driving too fast, too Close to Other Cars and may need to brush up on their ice-handling skills.

Big rigs hauling heavy loads require even more winter driving skill. Fueloyal.com offers 15 tips for truckers, including:

• Don’t get complacent or overly confident
• Accelerate and brake more slowly
• Clear your windshield, mirrors and lights
• Always keep your tanks as full as possible
• Never drive tired, especially in bad weather

Prepare Your Workers for Winter Driving

Preparing to Weather Those Winter Storms Safely

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New years eve safety

Drinking: While this goes under the “common sense” rule, it still must be said, DON’T SIT YOUR DRINK DOWN ANYWHERE! A lot of times people are to trusting within their surrounding and tend to put their drink down where anyone can get to it, keep your drink with you. Even if you have to go to the bathroom, either take it with your or give it to a close friend of yours. Whatever you do, don’t leave your drink at a table and then come back to it. While New Year’s Eve is super fun it’s also super dangerous when it comes to someone spiking your drink while it’s unattended. When you are popping champagne bottles, aim the cork away from people. This may sound funny, however; it’s a serious issue, it’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye!

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Driving: Whatever you do this New Year’s Eve, DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE! Even if you’ve had only a couple of drinks, have a designated driver to drive you around. You many think that you’re not that “buzzed up”, however you’re wrong! To avoid problems with accidents and the law, have someone “sober” drive for you. This doesn’t count if your designated driver had drinks along with you; make sure your driver is alcohol free for the night.

Public Events: Being that it’s New Year’s Eve I’m sure you’re going to want to attend all of the parties and New Year’s festivities. When attending these events, beware of your surroundings at all times! This is extremely important since you may be drinking around tons of people you don’t know in a place you’ve probably never been. Never go to these types of places by yourself. This doesn’t just go for women it also goes for men! When at public events make sure you have a communication device such as cell phone or laptop just in case anything negative occurs. Be prepared!

No Fireworks or Guns: This will be enforced to the fullest by law enforcement when it comes to New Year’s Eve festivities. If you are going to engage in fireworks, leave it up to the professionals. If you are caught with fireworks this New Year’s Eve, it may be more than just a fine; it may possibly lead to jail time!

Friends: If you plan on going anywhere for the New Year’s Eve holiday, take friends with you! When going to any type of party or function, don’t go alone! This is really important when it comes to females going out, always stay in groups!

Pet Safety: Nothing frightens pet’s more than sudden loud noises. Extra attention must be given so your pets won’t run away in a panic. Scared, running pets can be hit by cars, cause accidents, and become lost...not to mention, frequently bite people.

Other tips for your New Year’s Celebration include:

• Make sure all fences and gates are secure.
• Make sure your pet has its ID or dog license, come down and microchip NOW, if you already have a microchip make sure it is current.
• Ask your veterinarian for tranquilizers if your animal has shown signs of extreme uneasiness in the past.
• Keep your pets INSIDE, in a comfortable room, with comforting music playing to drowned out scary noises.

What You Need to Walk Your Dog in Winter Weather

Winter weather can make it difficult to get your dog out for walks, particularly if you live in a part of the country where ice, snow and freezing winds are the norm. Regardless of the weather, your dog’s exercise requirement stays constant throughout the year, and a lack of wintertime exercise can have a negative impact on your dog's behavior.

When a dog’s exercise needs aren’t met, he finds other ways to release energy, including hyperactive behavior and chewing. Such bad behavior can continue when spring rolls around and outside play is once again an option; for example, a dog who has been isolated during the winter may begin barking at other canines or people on the street. Lack of exercise is also associated with pudgy pooches and the health risks that go along with excess weight.

Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you need to skip your dog’s walking routine, although shortening the walk can be a wise choice in severe weather. As a Pug parent, shelter volunteer and trainer, I’ve found ways to make wintertime walking bearable, even in the freezing cold of Idaho. Here are some of my favorite tips for walking dogs in the winter.

Walking Equipment for People

By wearing the proper gear, you stay warmer and have better traction, creating a more tolerable winter walk. Dress in layers. Long underwear or layered shirts and leggings can be put underneath normal clothes to keep heat in. Heavy-duty winter coats are a must. Although they’re not the most attractive, insulated overalls are especially helpful for keeping you warm in frigid temperatures.

RED Cross first aid

Before administering care to an ill or injured person, check the scene and the person. Size up the scene and form an initial impression.

Pause and looks at the scene and the person before responding. Answer the following questions:

- Is the scene safe to enter?

- What happened?

- How many people are involved?

- What is my initial impression about the nature of the person’s illness or injury? Does the person have any life-threatening conditions, such as severe, life-threatening bleeding?

- Is anyone else available to help?

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2If the Person is awake and Responsive and there is no severe life-threatening bleeding:

- Obtain consent: Tell the person your name, describes type and level of training, states what you thinks is wrong and what you plans to do, and asks permission to provide care.

- Tell a bystander to get the AED and first aid kit: Point to a bystander and speak out loud.

- Use appropriate PPE: Put on gloves, if available.

- Interview the person: Uses SAMPLE questions to gather more information about signs and symptoms, allergies, medications, pertinent medical history, last food or drink and events leading up to the incident.

- Conduct a head-to-toe check: Check head and neck, shoulders, chest and abdomen, hips, legs and feet, arms and hands for signs of injury.

- Provide care consistent with knowledge and training according to the conditions you find.

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3If the Person Appears Unresponsive:

Shout to get the person’s attention, using the person’s name if it is known. If there is no response, tap the person’s shoulder (if the person is an adult or child) or the bottom of the person’s foot (if the person is an infant) and shout again, while checking for normal breathing. Check for Responsiveness and breathing for no more than 5-10 seconds.

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4If the person is breathing:

- Send someone to call 911 or the designated emergency number and obtain an AED and first aid kit.

- Proceed with gathering information from bystanders using the SAMPLE questions 

- Conduct a head-to-toe check.

- Roll the person onto his or her side into a recovery position if there are no obvious signs of injury.

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5If the person is NOT breathing:

- Send someone to call 911 or the designated emergency number and obtain an AED and first aid kit.

- Ensure that the person is face-up on a firm, flat surface such as the floor or ground.

- Begin CPR (starting with compressions) or use an AED if one is immediately available, if you are trained in giving CPR and using an AED.

- Continue administering CPR until the person exhibits signs of life, such as breathing, an AED becomes available, or EMS or trained medical responders arrive on scene.

Note: End CPR if the scene becomes unsafe or you cannot continue due to exhaustion.

Additional Information

To see the steps to perform first aid and learn how to administer care properly, watch our videos:

• Giving CPR (Adult)
• Giving CPR (Adult/Child)
• Giving CPR (Infant)

You can also sign up for a get First Aid/CPR/AED certified, where you'll learn the latest techniques and earn a two-year certification in first aid from the American Red Cross.

Xmas tree safety

1) When choosing a tree, look for one that is fresh and has green needles that don't fall out. Brownish needles mean the tree is dried out and more prone to catch fire.

2) Water your tree daily to prevent it from drying out.

WATCH: Demonstration shows Christmas tree fire danger

3) Check the manufacturer's labels to ensure you use only lights and decorations that are flame-retardant. Look for a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories, Intertek or the Canadian Standards Association, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

4) Check holiday lights for frayed wires or excessive wear.

5) Don't connect more than three strands of mini-string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.

6) Keep your tree at least 3 feet away from any heat source, such as a fireplace, radiator, candles or lights.

7) Make sure your tree is not blocking an exit. In case there is a fire, you want a way to get out.

8) Always turn off lights on a tree before going to bed or leaving your home.

9) Get rid of a tree when its needles start dropping. It means the tree is drying out.

10) Check that your smoke alarm is working properly.

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10 Tips to Stay Healthy During the Winter Season

1. Drink the optimal amount of water. With the winter season here, it’s more important than ever to consume the right amount of water for your health.
2. Keep stress to a minimum. Studies have linked high stress levels to making a person more susceptible to catching colds and flu. Minimize your stress by working reasonable hours at your job. Aim for at least one night per week to spend with friends and family. If your stress is out of hand and you feel like you need some help, let me know. Frequently, I work with people who have stress or emotional challenges and utilize Bach Flower Remedies to bring their emotional health back into balance.
3. Eat a healthy diet. Maintaining a good healthy diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables and minimal amounts of organic meats is another way to keep your body clean and in good working order. Try eating an extra piece of fruit or veggie every day too!
4. Do your homework to find the best supplement for your health. Even if you eat “perfectly” all the time with loads of fresh fruits and vegetables, you still need to boost your nutrition with a supplement. What supplements you will need will depend significantly on your lifestyle. If you’re not sure whether you need them at all, read this post on why we need supplements. Let me help you choose the best supplement program for your lifestyle. Some supplements I recommend taking during the winter season include:
   • Essential Oils. Essential Oils are a must-have to protect yourself and help your immune system. There are a variety of essential oils that have been found to be highly effective against airborne bacteria. They also can do a lot to strengthen your body, boost your immune system and help you to overcome colds and flu.
   • Standard Process Products: There are several products in the Standard Process / Medi-Herb line that I recommend during this time of year. Your unique health situation determines which one would be appropriate for you. Contact me to discuss which product might be best for you.
5. Exercise regularly. It is important to exercise regularly, even if only for 15 minutes a day! Get out and take a short walk and enjoy the cooler weather.
6. Get the right amount of sleep every night. The average person needs 6-8 hours of sleep per night. If you’re not getting enough sleep, your body is extremely vulnerable to illness. Sleep is very much like fuel that recharges your batteries! You’ve got to do it to keep the machine running.
7. Wash your hands regularly. Keep the bacteria and viruses off your hands and out of your mouth and eyes. Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer close-by for those instances where you can’t get to soap and water.
8. Don’t smoke. Most of you already know this, but it bears repeating because smoking significantly weakens your immune system. If you want to quit and have tried everything else, let me know. I have some nutritional recommendations that can help you quit!
9. Eliminate all forms of sugar. This includes not only the obvious kinds (cake, cookies and sweets, in general), but bread, pasta, rice, yogurt and commercial, store-bought fruit juices. Although all of these things are made with different types of sugars, your body still converts them to sugar, which will compromise your immune system.
10. Despite your best efforts, you still can feel like you’re “coming down with something.” Some things you can do to help your body recover more quickly:
    • Eliminate all dairy products.
    • Eliminate all alcohol.
    • Eliminate all grains (bread, rice, pasta, etc.).
    • Boost your Vitamin C (with bioflavanoids) intake when you initially feel something coming on.
    • Boost your intake of Zinc.
    • Increase water consumption (even more than normal!).
    • Eat less food as this will give your body a much needed rest from digestion and give it a chance to concentrate on fighting off potential invaders.
    • Add herbs like Echinacea, Goldenseal and Grapefruit Seed Extract to your supplemental regime.
    • Get more rest than normal. If you normally get 6 hours of sleep a night, try increasing it to 7 or 8.
    • Increase the recommended supplementation above.

Picking the tree

Picking the tree

• Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

Placing the tree

• Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2" from the base of the trunk.
• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
• Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
• Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.

Lighting the tree

• Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer's instructions for number of light strands to connect. 
• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

After Christmas

• Get rid of the tree after Christmas. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home. Check with your local community to find a recycling program. Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

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As temperatures drop this winter

As temperatures drop this winter, the American Red Cross offers ten steps people can take to stay safe during the cold weather.

1. Layer up! Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing your body heat.

2. Don’t forget your furry friends. Bring pets indoors. If they can’t come inside, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.

3. Remember the three feet rule. If you are using a space heater, place it on a level, hard surface and keep anything flammable at least three feet away – things such as paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs.

4. Requires supervision – Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.

5. Don’t catch fire! If you are using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.

6. Protect your pipes. Run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent your pipes from freezing. Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children. Keep the garage doors closed if there are water lines in the garage.

7. Better safe than sorry. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night. Your heating bill may be a little higher, but you could avoid a more costly repair job if your pipes freeze and burst.

8. The kitchen is for cooking. Never use a stove or oven to heat your home.

9. Use generators outside. Never operate a generator inside the home, including in the basement or garage.

10. Knowledge is power. Don’t hook a generator up to the home’s wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.

For more information on how to stay safe during the cold weather, visit winter storm safety.

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Winter is a time when household fires occur. It is a good time to remember to

Fire Protection

Winter is a time when household fires occur. It is a good time to remember to:

• Buy and install smoke alarms on every floor of your home
• Test smoke alarms monthly
• Practice fire drills with your children
• Install a carbon monoxide detector outside bedrooms
• Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that could burn, and turn them off when leaving the room or sleeping.

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10 Tips to Stay Healthy During the Winter Season

1. Drink the optimal amount of water. With the winter season here, it’s more important than ever to consume the right amount of water for your health.
2. Keep stress to a minimum. Studies have linked high stress levels to making a person more susceptible to catching colds and flu. Minimize your stress by working reasonable hours at your job. Aim for at least one night per week to spend with friends and family. If your stress is out of hand and you feel like you need some help, let me know. Frequently, I work with people who have stress or emotional challenges and utilize Bach Flower Remedies to bring their emotional health back into balance.
3. Eat a healthy diet. Maintaining a good healthy diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables and minimal amounts of organic meats is another way to keep your body clean and in good working order. Try eating an extra piece of fruit or veggie every day too!
4. Do your homework to find the best supplement for your health. Even if you eat “perfectly” all the time with loads of fresh fruits and vegetables, you still need to boost your nutrition with a supplement. What supplements you will need will depend significantly on your lifestyle. If you’re not sure whether you need them at all, read this post on why we need supplements. Let me help you choose the best supplement program for your lifestyle. Some supplements I recommend taking during the winter season include:
   • Essential Oils. Essential Oils are a must-have to protect yourself and help your immune system. There are a variety of essential oils that have been found to be highly effective against airborne bacteria. They also can do a lot to strengthen your body, boost your immune system and help you to overcome colds and flu.
   • Standard Process Products: There are several products in the Standard Process / Medi-Herb line that I recommend during this time of year. Your unique health situation determines which one would be appropriate for you. Contact me to discuss which product might be best for you.
5. Exercise regularly. It is important to exercise regularly, even if only for 15 minutes a day! Get out and take a short walk and enjoy the cooler weather.
6. Get the right amount of sleep every night. The average person needs 6-8 hours of sleep per night. If you’re not getting enough sleep, your body is extremely vulnerable to illness. Sleep is very much like fuel that recharges your batteries! You’ve got to do it to keep the machine running.
7. Wash your hands regularly. Keep the bacteria and viruses off your hands and out of your mouth and eyes. Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer close-by for those instances where you can’t get to soap and water.
8. Don’t smoke. Most of you already know this, but it bears repeating because smoking significantly weakens your immune system. If you want to quit and have tried everything else, let me know. I have some nutritional recommendations that can help you quit!
9. Eliminate all forms of sugar. This includes not only the obvious kinds (cake, cookies and sweets, in general), but bread, pasta, rice, yogurt and commercial, store-bought fruit juices. Although all of these things are made with different types of sugars, your body still converts them to sugar, which will compromise your immune system.
10. Despite your best efforts, you still can feel like you’re “coming down with something.” Some things you can do to help your body recover more quickly:
    • Eliminate all dairy products.
    • Eliminate all alcohol.
    • Eliminate all grains (bread, rice, pasta, etc.).
    • Boost your Vitamin C (with bioflavanoids) intake when you initially feel something coming on.
    • Boost your intake of Zinc.
    • Increase water consumption (even more than normal!).
    • Eat less food as this will give your body a much needed rest from digestion and give it a chance to concentrate on fighting off potential invaders.
    • Add herbs like Echinacea, Goldenseal and Grapefruit Seed Extract to your supplemental regime.
    • Get more rest than normal. If you normally get 6 hours of sleep a night, try increasing it to 7 or 8.
    • Increase the recommended supplementation above.

Studies have shown that there is almost no chance that you will hurt the person

Studies have shown that there is almost no chance that you will hurt the person. While it is rare that a rib will be broken during CPR, doctors are able to repair broken ribs, but they cannot repair death. Is this the same as a heart attack? ... Remember, time is heart muscle.

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There is very little data in this area however you are highly unlikely to do harm. One study has shown that patients who were defibrillated and had immediate CPR for 2 minutes after the shock, regardless of whether a pulse was present or not, were no more likely to have complications. In addition, it is recommended in paediatric resuscitation and common practice in critical care settings for CPR to be given to patients who have a slow heart rate. NO adverse effects have been reported. Based on the available evidence, it appears that the fear of doing harm by giving chest compressions to some who has no signs of life, but has a beating heart, is unfounded.

The guidelines now recommend that full CPR be given to all those requiring resuscitation. What about victims who may not be breathing but have a pulse?

To determine the need for only rescue breathing you would need to be able to check for a pulse. There is reasonable evidence that rescuers are no more likely to be able to correctly determine if a pulse is present than simply tossing a coin. Accordingly Resuscitation councils all around the world removed the pulse check in 2000. Epidemiological data would suggest that the vast majority of victims requiring resuscitation will be in cardiac arrest – thus requiring full CPR. Furthermore only about half of the victims requiring CPR get any resuscitation before an ambulance arrives. Thus it was considered of greater benefit overall that anyone who is not responsive and not breathing normally should be given CPR rather than not receiving any compressions because the rescuer thought the victim had a pulse. This is very much the case as there is no reliable way for the rescuer to detect a pulse. COMPRESSIONS ARE VITAL.

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Tips for driving in the snow:

Tips for driving in the snow:

1. Accelerate and decelerate slowly. ...
2. Drive slowly. ...
3. The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. ...
4. Know your brakes. ...
5. Don't stop if you can avoid it. ...
6. Don't power up hills. ...
7. Don't stop going up a hill. ...
8. Stay home.

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weather (code blue)

Activation of Code Blue

During the winter initiative months, generally starting Dec and ending the end of March, OHS in consultation with DBH will call a Code Blue when winter conditions pose a threat of serious harm or death to homeless individuals without shelter. DBH will consult with the OCC.

A Code Blue will be called when the National Weather Bureau predicts a wind chill temperature of 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below or precipitation with temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. In the event that the weather report lacks clarity or specificity, OHS/DBH will seek clarification from the On-Duty Meteorologist at the National Weather Bureau.

When such weather conditions are expected, OHS and DBH, after receiving the official weather prediction, will concur. DBH will contact the OCC to notify them in advance of the expected Code Blue. OHS will contact Municipal Radio to notify them that a Code Blue has been designated. Municipal Radio will then notify those on the Code Blue Contact List. The OCC will notify outreach staff of building openings for Code Blue and will direct that word be spread to homeless individuals on the street. The first priority will continue to be the use of outreach-designated resources for the homeless, including Somerset and Our Brother’s Place. If necessary, police stations and/or other public buildings may also be made available for homeless persons during Code Blue conditions.

A Code Blue will be deactivated when OHS declares an end to the weather emergency based on information from the National Weather Service that indicates the severe weather conditions no longer exist. OHS will initiate notification process

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