Unlike last year, the 2013/2014 Winter Season has been brutal. Extreme cold, record wind chills and snow and ice even down south has been unprecedented. And long range forecasts indicate that Punxsutawney Phil will stay in his ground hog’s lair for another six weeks!

Walk Safely – Walk Like a Penguin!No matter how well snow, ice and water are removed from parking lots, roadways, sidewalks and other surfaces, pedestrians may still encounter some slippery surfaces when walking outdoors in the winter. Here’s how you avoid a fall and a potentially serious injury:

n In cold temperatures, approach with caution and assume that all wet, dark areas on pavements are slippery and icy.

n When walking on very slippery surfaces, point your feet out slightly like a penguin! This will increase your center of gravity. Bend slightly and walkflat-footedwithyour center of gravity over your feet as much as possible. Extend your arms out from your sides to help balance you.

n Use special care when entering and exiting vehicles; use the vehicle for support. Sit in your vehiclefirst;thenbringyourlegs inside. This will help prevent you from slipping and falling out of your vehicle.

n Walk in designated walkways as much as possible. Taking short cuts over snow piles and other frozen areas can be hazardous. Look ahead when you walk; asnoworice-coveredsidewalk or driveway, especially if on a hill, may require walking along its grassy edge for traction or worst case, if a sidewalk or road is covered in ice, walk in the snow – evenice-coveredsnowwillgive you some traction.

n Never walk in streets that are icyandsnow-covered.Youcould be struck by a skidding vehicle. If you have to walk in a roadway, walkagainstthetrafficsoyoucan see what’s coming and stay as close to the curb as possible.

“Slips and falls are the most frequent type of injuries in the Winter and stem from people not walking properly on slick surfaces.”

(cont. from cover story )

n Wearbright,reflectiveclothing even during the day so you stand out against the snow.

n During snowy and icy weather, avoid boots or shoes with smooth soles and heels. Instead, wear shoes or boots that provide traction on snow andice;bootsmadeofnon-slip rubber or neoprene with grooved soles are best.

n Keep your hands out of your pockets. Hands in your pockets while walking decreases your center of gravity and balance. Youcanhelpbreakyourfall with your hands free if you do start to slip.

n Watch where you are stepping and…GOS-L-O-W-L-Y!! Takeshortstepsorshufflefor stability.

n Wear a heavy, bulky coat that will cushion you if you should fall and gloves so you don’t scrape your hands on hard snow, ice and pavement.

n If you feel yourself falling try to avoid landing on your knees, wrists, or spine. Try to fallonafleshypartofyourbody, such as your side. Try to relax yourmusclesifyoufall.You’ll injure yourself less if you are relaxed.

Dress kids in multiple layers to play outside, including extra layersfor legs, feet and hands.

Keeping Kids SafeHere are some tips to keep kids safe:

n Winter is a great time for kids but it offers some new and serious dangers for them as they play in the snow.

n Always make sure they wear hats and gloves when playing outdoors in cold weather; the biggest proportions of body heat are lost through the head and hands.

n Limit the amount of time spent playingoutdoorstosafeinter- vals, and bring children inside periodically to warm up. n Remove all wet clothing immediately and change to dry clothes if going back outdoors.

n Do not permit children to play outdoors in poor weather such as snowstorms, extreme cold or high winds.

n Do not dress children in winter wearwithdrawstrings-they can cut off circulation and make frostbite a greater threat, and loose drawstrings may present a strangulation hazard.

n Teach children to avoid playing near snowplow areas.

n Do not permit children to dig snow tunnels or forts that may collapse and bury them.

n Avoidsnowballfightsthatcan lead to injuries from dangerous projectiles.

A Word About Space HeatersDue to the rising costs on heating oil and natural gas, many residents in the winter months rely on space heaters to help heat their bedrooms and other living spaces. Unfortunately, spaceheatersposeasignificantfiresafetyhazardifnotproperly supervised and used. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 25,000 residential fireseveryyeararecausedbyspaceheaters,causingmorethan 300 deaths. An estimated 6,000 persons receive hospital emergency care for burns associated with space heaters.

If you must use a space heater, follow these recommendations:

Purchase only space heaters that are tested and approved by an independent testing lab like Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL).

Space heaters should be fully enclosed by design and have no external surfaces that reach temperatures capable of igniting,suchasanoil-filledradiantheater.

Space heaters should be accessible – never store anything within 3 feet of the unit. The leading cause of space heater firesisthekeepingofcombustiblematerials(paper,cloth- ing, towels, bedding, curtains, furniture, etc.) too close to the heater.

Make sure the unit has thermostatic controls, an automatic shut-off feature and a “tip over” shut off switch that will turn the unit off if it falls over

Always plug a space heater DIRECTLY into an outlet – never use an extension cord or strip plug!

Run the power cord so that no one steps on or trips over it

NEVER leave a space heater running with a pet or child unattended in the room

NEVER use a space heater to dry clothing or other apparel

Turn off the heater when you leave the room – unplug it when you leave for the day

n Dress kids in brightly colored outer clothing that is easily seen from a distance.

n Teach children never to touch or lickexposedmetal(fences,flag poles, etc.) in winter. n Do not allow children to eat snow. It may contain pollutants, dirt,fecalmatterorothercon- taminants, and the cold snow can chill a young child’s body to dangerous levels.

n Regularlyde-iceorsandside walks, driveways, patios and other areas where children may play.

Keep roofs, gutters and awnings free from snow and icicle build up that could collapse and injure a child. Similarly, do not permit children to pull icicles from the roof.

Winter Driving SafetyWinter snow and ice pose special problems for even the most experienced driver. When you’re prepared for winter driving emergencies, you’ll be able to say “let it snow, let it snow, let it snow” – and mean it!

n Winterize your Car. When the weather turns frosty, prepare your car for the season –get a complete tune-up. Ask your mechanictotestbrakes,thebattery,andtheexhaustsystem.Checkfluidlevels,addanti-freeze,and switchtowinter-weightoil.Installsnowtiresondrivewheels,andbesuretocarryemergencytoolsin yourtrunk-sand,salt,shovel,chains,snow-scraper/brush,boostercables,blanketsandaflashlight. Checkyourtireinflationandwindshieldcleaningfluidsfrequently.

n Prepare in the event you are stranded. The recent snow and ice storm in Atlanta led to incredible images of commuters stuck in gridlock for 20+ hoursandmanypeoplehavingtoabandontheircarsonthehighway.Ifthereisanywinterweather warningandyouhavetodrive,makesureyouputsomenon-perishablefoodinyourvehicle(likenutrition bars) along with bottled water. In addition, gas up the DAY BEFORE any anticipated warnings so you don’trunoutofgasifyougetstuckintraffic.SomeAtlantagasstationsranoutofgasthedayofthestorm.

n Keep your gas tank at least half-full at all times. Thishelpsreducemoistureproblemswithyourfuelsystem,preventstheproblemofhavingnogasina stormandhelpsaddmoreweighttoyourvehicleforbettertraction.

n What To Do If You Skid. Theprimaryproblemfacedbywinterdriversisskiddingonslickoricyroadways.Ifyourcarshouldskid, do not brake. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and turn your car in the direction that you want the

There’s nothing more beautiful than a fresh blanket of new-fallen snow…unless of course, you’re driving in it.

front wheels to go. Use gentle, steady motions when turning the steering wheel. Turning too much or toofastmaycauseyourvehicletofliporspinoutofcontrol.Ifyourvehicleisequippedwithanti-lock brakes,donotpumpthebrakes.Applysteadyevenpressure.

n Never engage your vehicle’s cruise control during poor weather. This will delay your response in an emergency and distract you from focusing on the conditions at hand.

n What to Do If You’re Stuck. Anequallycommonproblemisgettingstuckinthesnow–yourwheelsspinbutyourcarwon’tmove. Thisiswhenemergencyequipmentismostimportant.Don’tcontinuetospinyourwheels;you’llonlywind upinadeeperrutorWORSE!Instead,poursand,salt,orgravelaroundthewheelstogivethemsomething tograbontoandimprovetraction.Youcanalsoshovelsnowawayfromthewheelsandoutfromunderthe car to clear a pathway.

n Drive slowly, gently test your brakes frequently and never tailgate. Makesurethatwindshields(frontandrear)areclearandthatwipersanddefrostersareingoodworking condition.Uselowgearswhentravelingonslicksurfaces(especiallyhills)togiveaddedtraction.Listento weatherforecasts,andifweatherandvisibilityarehazardous,stayhome!

n Never use a cell phone when driving on ice and snow. Focusondriving!

n When bad weather strikes, drive like a teenager! Rememberwhenyoufirstlearnedtodriveandwhatyourdriverinstructortriedtodrillintoyou?Getback tothebasicsofdrivingsafety!Keepbothhandsonthewheel;allowforplentyofspacecushioningbetween youandothervehicles;checkmirrorsfrequently;lookaheadtoanticipatehazards,keepbuckledupand driveBELOWthespeedlimitduringbadweather.

n Watch out for “black ice!” Whileashinyroadsurfaceindicatesanobviouslywetoricyroad,aroadcoveredwithblackicewilllook alittledifferent.Keepaneyeoutforpavementthatisslightlydarkerandalittledullerlookingthantherest of the road surface-- this may indicate that black ice is present.

n And never, never attempt to drive your vehicle until you clear it of snow and ice; thisincludesALLwindows.Trytoalsoclearsnowoffofyourvehicle’s,hood,roofandtrunksoitdoesn’t flyoffontoothervehiclesbehindyou.

For more Information about Winter Safety click on the links below:

n www.cdc.gov n www.roadandtravel.com n www.kidsource.com n www.homesafetycouncil.org

n www.weather.com