Winter 2011 - Village of Flossmoor, Illinois

WINTER news
Preparing for Inclement Weather
Winter brings with it dangerously cold temperatures that can cause
health and safety problems if you are not prepared. Follow these few simple
suggestions to prepare yourself and your home for the season.
At Home
■ Winterize your home by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather
stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows.
■ Insulate pipes that are located on exterior walls. During a period of severe
cold, open cabinet doors below fixtures located on an exterior wall to avoid
freezing. If a pipe should freeze, use a heat gun to thaw it. NEVER use a torch!
■ Keep fire extinguishers on hand and make sure everyone in your house
knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk as people turn to
alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.
■ Learn how to shut off water valves in case a pipe bursts.
■ Remember to check on the well being of elderly or disabled friends and
neighbors.
In Your Car
■ Have your car inspected and fully winterized prior to the winter season.
Pay particular attention to your vehicle’s battery connection, vehicle charging
system, defroster, tires, brakes, wiper blades, and belts.
■ As a general rule of thumb, during the winter months try not to go
below a half tank of fuel. This prevents condensation from building up in your
vehicle’s fuel line and freezing, plus it ensures that you will have enough fuel to
run your vehicle’s heater in the event of any emergency.
■ Keep windows, mirrors, wiper blades, headlights, taillights, and license
plate areas free of snow and ice. This will ensure that you can both
see and be seen.
■ Have a windshield ice scraper/snow brush.
■ Carry in your truck a shovel, sand or kitty litter, booster cables,
and a flashlight. For personal protection: boots, a hat, gloves or mittens,
and a blanket.
Dress for the Weather
■ Wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather
than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven
and water repellent.
■ Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves.
■ Wear a hat.
■ Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
Common Sense is the Best Defense
■ Wear layers of warm, dry clothing including hat and gloves; wet clothing
negates the insulating effect.
■ Cover exposed skin surfaces as protection from frostbite (numbness, redwhite
nose, chin, fingers, forehead, stiff cheeks.)
■ Be aware of hypothermia (body temperature 95 degrees or less): stiff
muscles, puffy face, slowed breathing, poor physical condition, mental
confusion. If these signs are recognized, call 9.1.1 immediately.
■ Drink non-alcoholic beverages such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate,
and soup.
■ Maintain good nutrition and obtain plenty of rest.
■ Be aware of elderly and disabled persons living alone; offer assistance.
F R E E
Health Screening
at The St. James Family Care Center in Homewood
FREE HEALTH SCREENING
for new patients includes:
• Fasting Blood Sugar
• Blood Pressure
• Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Cholesterol
• Waist Girth
$
45
VALUE
Dr. Roy Bardwell & Dr. William Campbell
Family Medicine Specialists
Now welcoming new patients. Call today!
183RD ST.
18636 DIXIE HWY. • HOMEWOOD
MOST MAJOR INSURANCE PLANS ACCEPTED.
N
DIXIE HWY.
187TH ST.
FAMILY CARE CENTER
708-709-9700
EXPIRES 12/31/11
Flossmoor news // WINTER 2011
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