Winter Weather Safety

Winter weather can be unpredictable. It’s important to make sure you are prepared for any type of weather that can impact road conditions such as snow, sleet, or ice. Whether you are a seasoned driver or brand new to the road check out some of the tips below to stay safe this season! 

Before you leave: 

• Make sure all lights on your vehicle are functional 

• Inspect tires and make sure they are at appropriate air levels  

• Check windshield wipers and replace worn out blades 

• Consider a winter specific wiper 

• Make sure you have enough of all fluids 

• Coolant, oil, gas, windshield wiper fluid, etc. 

• Keep your gas tank close to full whenever possible or keep your car fully charged 

• Familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s safety technologies for wintery conditions 

• Plan your route and check road conditions and forecast  

• Consider if you can stay home if either are in bad shape 

• Consider leaving earlier or later based on conditions   

• Let someone know your plans and your expected arrival time 

• Make sure your phone is fully charged 

Improvements to consider: 

• Check your tires 

• Tire pressure can be affected by low temperatures 

• Check the treads to ensure proper depth 

• Look for any wear and tear  

• Check the date on the tires 

• Some manufacturers recommend replacing tires every six years 

• Consider upgrading to snow tires  

• Thick rubber floor mats 

• Make sure mats fully fit your vehicle and do not interfere with any operation of the accelerator or brake pedal.  

• Have a mechanic check your battery 

• Gasoline and diesel vehicles may take more battery power to start 

• Electric and hybrid vehicles may have driving range reduced 

Parents with young children: 

• Ensure all car seats are installed properly 

• Heavy coats can interfere with proper fit of the seat’s straps 

• Opt for thin warm layers like fleece 

• After buckling child in properly, put a blanket or coat around your child for extra warmth 

Stock Up: 

Carry items in your vehicle that you may need in case of emergency  

• Snow shovel 

• Broom 

• Ice scraper 

• Sand or kitty litter 

• In case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow 

• Jumper cables  

• Flashlights 

• Warning devices 

• Flares, emergency markers, high vis vest, etc. 

• First aid kit 

• Blankets or extra coats 

• Cell phone charger 

• Snacks and water 

• Any necessary medicine  

What to do in an Emergency: 

• Call 911 and let them know about any injuries and where you are 

• Be aware of your surroundings 

• Stay with your vehicle and don’t overexert yourself 

• Make sure your car is visible  

• Put bright markers out 

• Turn on flashers or interior dome lights 

• Be mindful of carbon monoxide poisoning 

• Make sure your exhaust pipe is free of snow and only run your car sporadically  

For more information, please visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips  

If you would like to know more about what items to keep in your vehicle during the winter months, check out our video! https://youtu.be/svJwGvRwEhU

Eating Tips for Healthy Holidays

The beginning of the holiday season is upon us! Whether you start decorating for Christmas on November 1st or wait until after Thanksgiving, there are plenty of gatherings and fun things to look forward to.

Many parties during this season focus on food, and that can be difficult to navigate if you are trying to stick to a diet or just don’t want to overindulge. Consider what your health goals are for this holiday season, and check out the tips below for some healthy, mindful ways to look at food this season! 

• Don’t arrive hungry or skip meals 

• Skipping meals or showing up to an event hungry and lead to overeating while at the gathering. Whether you are trying to watch your calorie intake or simply not overeat, it can be a good idea to have a filling snack before you arrive. Fruit, string cheese, yogurt or a small handful of nuts can help you stick to your goals 

• Bring your own dish 

• Sometimes, we eat things because that is all that is available. If you want to stick to a routine, try bringing a nutritious dish such as a fruit or vegetable tray. This way, you will know you have something you like, and you can make it festive by arranging it like a holiday design or incorporating seasonal fruits and veggies. 

• Choose your drinks wisely 

• Some festive drinks and alcoholic beverages have a lot of empty calories in them and can lead to overconsumption.  

• Visit the people not the food 

• Try socializing away from the buffet table or appetizers as hanging around the table can lead to mindless eating. 

• Eat until you are satisfied and not stuffed 

• This can be a difficult one when there are so many delicious dishes to choose from! Eat slowly and check in with yourself while you’re eating. If you are getting full and feel like you missed out on a dish, see if you can take some home for later or for the next day! 

• Be choosy and pick your splurges 

• Sometimes our eyes are much bigger than our stomachs. Start with a small plate or small portions and see how you feel before getting more. If you need to limit yourself try selecting dishes or food that you can only get around this time of year and skip the things you get to have all the time.  

• Don’t feel guilty 

• If you feel like you overindulged on the delicious food don’t beat yourself up! Just try your best the next time as the holidays are all about family and togetherness not the food or the calories.  

Don’t give up on your fitness and health goals because the holidays have arrived. Make a plan before you arrive at events, and everything will be just fine! The takeaway here is to eat what you love to eat in moderation, get some exercise into your day, and eat mindfully.  

If you are looking to continue your healthy eating goals or if you don’t know where to start check out the Health Department’s Dietitian! Consultations are free but need an appointment. Call 636-797-3737 or visit our website for more information! If you would like more information on healthy holiday eating, check out these sites: 

• https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/10-healthy-holiday-tips 

• https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/healthy-eating-through-the-holidays-2018112015386 

• https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2016/11/healthy-holiday-foods-fun

Health Literacy Month

October is Health Literacy Month. So, this month, we want to educate the Jefferson County community on the importance of health literacy.

Health literacy is defined in two ways, according to the Institute for Healthcare Advancement:

1.      Personal health literacy is how well a person can find, understand, and use information and services to make decisions about their own health and the health of others.

2. Organizational health literacy is how well organizations equitably help all people find, understand, and use information and services to make decisions about their own health and others.

            Health literacy, in a nutshell, means making sure the community has access to the resources they need to help them be happier and healthier.

            We, as an organization, are working on organizational health literacy. One of the first steps is this blog post!

            There is an all-encompassing resource directory Jefferson County residents can use. This directory is called ASPEN, and it can be found by typing or copying and pasting the following into your browser: bh.AspenNetworkInc.Org/Public/Resource-Directory

      ASPEN is a resource directory that directs users to finding healthcare providers. This tool can be used in many ways. You can input your insurance coverage, as well as your home address. This will help you find providers that are in network with your insurance and also close to home. But, ASPEN doesn't just show you doctors. They also show therapists, food pantries, public transportation options, and more. So, if you are a person in need or know a person in need, check out ASPEN, and hopefully this tool can lead you in the correct direction.

           Another tool someone in Jefferson County may want to look into is the protective factors resource list. This list can be found on our website by typing or copying and pasting JeffCoHealth.org/Protective-Factors into your browser. This will take you to a list of resources, sorted into categories. Pick which category you need resources from, and click that button to be led to the list of resources. Each button will give you a list of new resources. So, look it up and explore the pages! You never know when you or a loved one will need a resource from this list.

           We hope this post was helpful, and that it helps lead you in the right direction; toward health literacy!

Emergency Preparedness: Quick Tips

September is National Preparedness Month. With this in mind, we wanted to remind you how to be fully prepared in an emergency.

1. Have a basic emergency kit/go-bag

The first step in being prepared for an emergency is to have a basic emergency kit/go-bag prepared and easy to grab. In this kit, you will want to include:

• Flashlight

• battery-operated radio

• extra batteries

• food

• water

• medications

• important documents such as medical records, copies of birth certificates, and social security cards.

Think of you and your family and what you all need to survive. If it is a survival necessity, put extras of it in your emergency kit.

If you are a caregiver to disabled children or adults, you should consider prepping a specialized go-bag of life-saving items. Whatever is necessary to keep them alive in an emergency should be included. Make sure you have at least three days’ worth of it in your go-bag.

If you have pets, make sure you prepare for what you will do with them in an emergency, as well. Make sure you have a stock of food and water for them just like you do for your human family members. Also pack leashes, collars, vet records, and anything else you may see as a necessity to keep your pet safe during an emergency.

2. Create an evacuation plan

Another important aspect of emergency preparedness is creating a detailed evacuation plan in case of a fire or weather emergency. Plan out who grabs the emergency kit, who grabs the baby, who takes the pets, where to meet outside of the home, etc. Make sure everyone is accounted for and prepared for their role. We suggest going over your emergency plan with your family once a year to make sure everyone is on the same page.

One thing to consider in an emergency is knowing where your utility shut-offs are, including electric and water. For example, if you have a pipe burst, you want to be able to shut off the water to prevent flooding in your home.

In general, it is best to stay prepared for an emergency at all times, just in case. It is always best to be on the safe side. So, make your go-bag, inform your family of the plans, and stay informed to keep you and your family safe!