Winter driving poses higher risks for crashes and injuries to the traveling public as the number of crashes typically rises on snowy days. Some  factors that contribute to the rise in the number of crashes is that many drivers fail to adjust to hazardous driving conditions. Snowy, overcast skies can reduce the contrast you can see between your car, the vehicles around you and the passing landscape, so that you feel that you are going slower than your actual speed. Consequently, you may unwisely increase your speed to compensate. One illustration of this phenomenon is provided by a researcher at the University of Minnesota who found that snowplows are more frequently struck from the rear in snowy conditions despite their bright orange color, reflectors and flashing lights. To help avoid accidents and injuries, follow these simple tips:

CLEAR SNOW AWAY FROM YOUR TAILPIPE IF YOU ARE STUCK IN A SNOWBANK. Be sure that exhaust from your tailpipe is not blocked by snow, as fumes may enter your car and cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

IF YOUR VEHICLE BEGINS TO SKID ON ICE OR SNOW, ALWAYS STEER IN THE DIRECTION OF WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE THE FRONT OF YOUR VEHICLE TO GO. Using cruise control can be dangerous when driving in wintery conditions since your wheels will continue to spin when your tires lose traction.

WET SURFACES CAN DOUBLE YOUR STOPPING DISTANCE, WHILE ICE AND SNOW CAN INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES UP TO TEN TIMES OVER DRY CONDITIONS. To compensate for these hazardous driving conditions, keep an eye on the speedometer and focus on traffic and conditions as far ahead as possible.

WINTERIZE YOUR VEHICLE. Check the tread on your tires by placing a quarter into the tread. If you can see George Washington’s head, then you need to replace your tires as the tread has worn below the recommended 4/32 of an inch limit. Keep your tires properly inflated as tires lose about one pound of pressure for every 10 degree drop in temperature. An underinflated tire leaves less rubber in contact with the roadway surface. Cold weather is tough on batteries.  Have your battery, starter and alternator checked to be sure that they are in good working condition. Replace worn windshield wipers, and use a  scraper to remove ice and snow instead of clearing your windows with your wipers.

BE PREPARED IF YOU GET STUCK IN THE SNOW. Carry kitty litter to help you get out of snowbanks. Pack boots, gloves, a snow scraper, a collapsible shovel, a blanket and a flashlight with fresh batteries.

FIND THE BEST “PERSON-TO-VEHICLE” FIT. Check your line of sight to be certain that you can see at least three inches over the top of the steering wheel. Adjust your seated position upward if you are lower. Be sure you are at least 10 inches away from your steering wheel to insure proper deployment of the airbag in the event of a collision. To efficiently operate the brake and gas pedals, you should be able to operate them with the ball of your foot, without excessively stretching of your leg or foot.

Have a Safe and Enjoyable Winter Driving Season!

Before you pop another Nexium, Prilosec, Protonix, Losec, Zegerid, Prevacid or omeprazole, you might want to weigh the risks and benefits of taking such medications, known as proton pump inhibitors. These drugs are widely used to treat excess stomach acid, including ulcers and acid reflux disease. But in a report published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, doctors warn of the possible dangers to patients who use these drugs:

1. Proton pump inhibitors may increase the risk of bone fractures. A study of 130,000 women by researchers at the University of Washington showed a 25% overall increased risk of fractures in women prescribed these medications.

2. Records of 100,000 patients, discharged from hospitals over a five year period, were studied by doctors at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston. They found that patients taking proton pump inhibitors were more than twice as likely, than patients not prescribed the drugs, to develop Clostridium difficile, a hard-to-treat infectious disease which tends to crop up in hospitals. This disease can cause diarrhea and severe complications, such as bowel perforation.

3. Proton pump inhibitors have been linked to increased risk of developing pneumonia. These drugs, which suppress acid in the stomach, might promote different types of bacteria growth in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts: those bacteria may cause pneumonias.

Some physicians believe that proton pump inhibitors are over-prescribed, and for many patients the adverse effects outweigh the benefits. Patients who are treated with these drugs for simple heartburn should understand the dangers of these drugs, try to make well-informed decisions and consult with their physicians.

Each year between Thanksgiving and the New Years holidays, approximately 12,000 individuals are treated in emergency rooms throughout the United States due to holiday decorating-related incidents. Incidents of dried Christmas trees catching fire result in 17 deaths and millions of dollars in property damage each year. On average, 150 people die as a result of candle-related fires in homes, totaling $385 million in property damage. These deaths, injuries and property losses may be avoided if consumers follow these simple steps regarding trees and decorations:

1. If you buy an artificial tree, make sure that it is labeled “Fire Resistant.” If purchasing a live tree, check for signs of freshness; a fresh tree should be green, not dropping needles, needles should be firmly attached to the stem and not easily broken. The trunk of the tree should have sticky resin near the bottom.

2. If you set up your tree inside your home, be sure it is away from sources of heat, such as fireplaces, vents and radiators. Monitor the water levels in the tree stand, replacing the water as needed. Do not place the tree in a doorway or traffic area. Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim your tree, such as tinsel or artificial icicles made of plastic.

3. In homes where children are present, take care to select unbreakable tree ornaments and decorations. Decorations with small parts or those that resemble candy or food may tempt children to swallow, inhale  or eat them.

4. Purchase indoor and outdoor lights that have been tested for safety by a nationally – recognized testing laboratory. Check all tree lights before hanging them on your tree to be sure all bulbs work, and there are no broken sockets, loose connections or frayed wires. Outdoor lights should be certified for outdoor use and should be strung through hooks or insulated staples, not nailed or tacked. Plug outdoor lights into circuits with ground fault interrupters or a protected receptacle to avoid a shock. Extension cords should be rated for the intended use.

5. Never use electric lights on a metallic tree as the tree may become charged with electricity from faulty lights. A person touching the tree could be electrocuted.

6. To avoid fires, turn off all holiday lights when leaving your home or when going to bed.

7. If you decorate with candles, make sure that burning candles are within sight. Never burn candles near a tree or other evergreens. Keep candles on a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface where children and pets cannot knock them over. Extinguish candles when leaving the house or going to bed.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!

Over the last few years, many doctors have been recommending their patients take extra calcium and vitamin D for optimal health. However, a panel of experts at the Institute of Medicine (IOM), an independent, non-profit organization, now say in most cases, calcium and vitamin D supplements are unnecessary. In fact, too much of these supplements may put older women at risk for kidney stones and put some some patients at risk for heart disease, cancer and autoimmune diseases. Vitamin D is being added to more and more foods and beverages, including breakfast cereals, milk and orange juice. However, most people do not get enough vitamin D from their diets, but have enough of it in their blood. Our bodies make the vitamin naturally, after exposure to the sun, and store it for later use. The experts at the IOM assumed minimal sun exposure to reduce the risk of skin cancer to establish the minimum daily requirement of around 400 IUs of vitamin D per day. Adults 71 and older may need up to 800 IUs due to age-related changes in their bodies. The recommended intake for infants varies from 200 to 400 IUs per day, depending on the age of the child. As for calcium, the IOM found that most people are receiving adequate amounts. They recommend, on average, children aged 1-3 need 500 milligrams per day and children 4-8 need 800. Adolescents and men and women over 71 require 1300 milligrams and 1000 milligrams, respectively.

According to a recent study conducted at the University of Washington, a number of scented household products contain chemicals that are, by law, considered toxic or hazardous. These products include laundry and dish detergents, fabric softeners, shampoos, air fresheners, deodorants, disinfectants and sprays. Currently, manufacturers of these products are not obligated to list ingredients on their products. However, legislation to require them to do so is under consideration in the U.S. Senate. A lead researcher in the University of Washington study said that green products’ emissions of toxic chemicals did not differ substantially from other products. Many products scented with citrus and pine tested positive for hazardous chemicals such as ethanol and acetone. To read what’s in the products found in your home or office, and to learn about the potential health effects of these unlabelled  toxins, click here: Household Products.

Halloween is a favorite time of the year for children. As you assist your children in picking out a costume for an evening of trick or treating, keep these safety tips in mind:

1. Look for the words “Flame Resistant” on costumes, masks, beards and wigs. While flame resistant clothing can catch fire, it will be easier to extinguish should the object catch fire.

2. Make certain that your child can be seen in the dark. Use reflective trim on costumes that will glow in the headlights of a vehicle or dress your child in bright, visible colors. Children should carry glow sticks or flashlights, if possible.

3. Costumes should help  children to be more safe, not put them at risk for falling. Clothing should be short enough to prevent tripping and shoes should be sturdy. Tie hats and scarfs securely to prevent them from covering up eyes. Accessories, such as knives and swords, should be made of soft, flexible materials.

4. Use makeup  to apply masks rather than purchase an ill-fitting mask that can make it difficult for a child to see and breath.

5. When trick or treating, advise your child to walk, not run,using side walks, not lawns or streets to move from house to house.

Although the American Academy of Pediatrics says that children are more likely to get hurt from falling,  from problems with their costumes or hurt by a vehicle on Halloween rather than from tainted Halloween candy, it is always a good idea to check your kid’s candy for tampering before they eat it.

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!

During the fall and winter seasons, the use of electric space heaters increases as the temperature decreases. Increases in home heating costs may cause some consumers to explore alternative ways, including space heaters, to heat their homes.

In a recent year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimated  there were at least 25,000 residential fires associated with the use of space heaters, resulting in more than 300 deaths and 6,000 burn injuries. Because space heaters may cause fires due to misuse or manufacturing and design flaws, it is important to follow safety precautions to protect your family while keeping your home warm this winter season.

1. Purchase newer model heaters that have all the safety features, such as a tip-over safety switch which shuts off the unit if it tips over.

2. Buy only those units with the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label.

3. Do not use space heaters as the only source of heat in your home. They are not intended to replace your furnace.

4. Choose a unit that is thermostatically controlled to avoid wasting energy by overheating a room.

5. Do not leave a space heater unattended. Unplug the heater when it is not in use. NEVER leave a space heater on when you go to sleep or place one close to a sleeping person.

6. If you must use an extension cord to plug in your heater, use a grounded heavy duty cord marked with #14 gauge or larger.

7. Place the space heater on a level, hard surface (like ceramic tile), not on a rug or carpeting, and keep at least 3 feet away from flammable surfaces such as draperies or bedding.

8. Keep babies and small children away from space heaters as they may be attracted to the glowing elements and sustain burn injuries to their tender skin.

9. Place smoke alarms with fresh batteries on all levels of your home and in each bedroom.

When used correctly, space heaters can provide an additional source of heating for your home. However, the use of space heaters can result serious injury and death. The U.S. CPSC has recalled numerous electric space and oiled-filled heaters: one was recalled  in July 2010.

In tough economic times, many individuals are struggling to pay their utility bills. If you face the likelihood or possibility that your natural gas may be disconnected, contact your utility company prior to termination of service to ask for help. Many local charities and state agencies can provide assistance.

According to new research unveiled by the National Highway Transportation Safety Association, fewer children died as a result of roadway crashes in 2009 than in previous years. Officials credit the decrease in deaths to increased and more appropriate use of child safety seats. However, motor vehicle crashes remain the primary cause of fatalities in children between the ages of 3 and 14. On average, four children, under age 14,  were killed and nearly 500 were injured every day in 2009. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to have their children’s safety seats inspected at one of the thousands of free safety inspection centers located throughout the country. Click here to find a center near you. NHSTA

Given the millions of dogs in the United States, it is clear that we truly love our our pets. However, dog bites result in thousands of severe and permanent injuries each year, including disfigurement, scarring and even death. According to Michigan law, there are essentially no “free bites.” A dog owner cannot claim that she/he did not know that the dog was dangerous and would bite, except if the dog was provoked by an act, such as striking. Many Michigan municipalities have passed leash laws that require a dog to be leashed, and not allowed to run unrestrained. A personal injury claim can proceed on the basis of negligence, especially if the owner knew that the dog had previously bitten someone else.  As stated earlier, dog bites can result in death, as in the case of a Washington State man who died from a bacterial infection caused by bacterium in the dog’s saliva. The bacterium led to multiple organ failure, tissue necrosis and eventually, the man died a painful death. The family of the deceased man is suing the dog owner for wrongful death. This case highlights the need for dog owners to take full responsibility for their pets by taking precautions to protect others from injury or death. (9/9) Seattle Times

Results of a recent study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that the number of children seeking medical care for concussions incurred while playing competitive sports has more than doubled over a five year period. According to the study, forty-percent of children seen in the emergency room for sports-related concussions were elementary and middle-schoolers between the ages of 8 and 13. Physicians say the brains in younger children are more susceptible to injury, that these injuries may take longer to heal and can cause more damage than concussion in adults or adolescents. The report stress the need for parents, coaches and physicians to create better guidelines for recognizing brain trauma in youngsters, and when and how long to sideline them. More importantly, the report stress the need for solutions and ways to protect children from future long-term brain injuries. (8/29) LA Times

However, adolescent sports-related concussions are also serious and may cause death or severe long-term injuries as the still-developing brains in teenagers make them more susceptible to the debilitating effects of head injuries. Experts say that children and adolescents who have suffered a concussion should always be evaluated by a physician to receive medical clearance prior to resuming play. Common practice is to wait 15 minutes and return to play. Contrary to public perception, only about one in ten individuals who sustain a concussion loses consciousness. Symptoms can appear up to 72 hours after an impact and may include disorientation, problems with memory, nausea and headache. (8/30) LA Times