Christmas Tree and Holiday Light Safety
Source: National Fire Protection Association
Christmas tree fires
In 2007-2011, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 230 home structure fires that began with Christmas trees. Home Christmas tree fires caused an average of six civilian deaths, 22 civilian injuries, and $18.3 million in direct property damage per year.
Although these fires are not common, when they do occur, they are unusually likely to be serious. On average, one of every 40 reported home structure Christmas tree fires resulted in a death compared to an average of one death per 142 total reported home structure fires.
Similar shares of home Christmas tree structure fires were in December (43%) and January (39%). Christmas tree fires are more likely after Christmas than before. For example, none of the ten dates with the largest shares of home Christmas tree structure fires were before Christmas.
Electrical failures or malfunctions were involved in one-third (32%) of the home Christmas tree structure fires. One in six (17%) occurred because some type of heat source was too close to the tree. Decorative lights on line voltage were involved in 12% of these incidents. Sevenpercent of home Christmas tree fires were started by candles.
Twenty percent of home Christmas tree structure fires were intentionally set. Half of the intentional Christmas tree fires occurred in the 20 days after Christmas.
The risk of fire is higher with natural trees than artificial ones. Researchers found that dry natural trees burned easily but trees that had been kept moist are unlikely to catch fire unintentionally.
Fires involving holiday lights or other decorative lighting with line voltage
Holiday lights and other decorative lighting with line voltage were involved in an estimated average of 150 home structure fires per year in this same period. These fires caused an average of nine civilian deaths, 16 civilian injuries, and $8.4 million in direct property damage per year. Two out of five (40%) occurred in December and 12% were in January. Fifteen percent of these fires began with Christmas trees. Electrical failures or malfunctions were factors in nearly two-thirds (64%) of the fires involving holiday or decorative lights.
Falls related to holiday decorating
In a study of fall-related injuries during the holiday season, Stevens and Vajani estimated that an annual average of roughly 5,800 fall injuries related to holiday decorating were treated at hospital emergency rooms between November 1 and January 31 in 2000-2001, 2001-2002, and 2002-2003. Sixty-two percent of those injured were between 20 and 49 years of age, compared to 43% of the population in this age group. With 43% of the injuries resulting from falls from ladders and 13% caused by falls from the roof, it appears that the majority of these falls occurred during outdoor decorating. Falls from furniture, typically inside the structure, accounted for 11% of the injuries. Some falls occurred when people tripped over or slipped on tree skirts or other decorations.
7 ways to make the (dreaded) annual review better for your employees
Originally posted December 12, 2014 by Alan Fox on HR.BLR.com
In the movie Coconuts the hotel employees of a mustachioed Groucho Marx chased him from the lobby and up a flight of stairs.
“We want our money,” they shouted.
“What do you mean?”
“We want our money,” they yelled again.
“I don’t understand. You want whose money?” Groucho shouted back.
“You haven’t paid us. We want to be paid!”
“Oh,” says Groucho, pointing directly at them. “You want my money,” with emphasis on the “my.”
Money is one reason the annual review is dreaded. A second reason is that the employer needs to give the employee “constructive” criticism.
But why should we think of the review as being about the employee? Don’t both the employee and employer want the best possible performance? If you are an employee and don’t perform as well as you can, perhaps you lack the proper tools or training. Maybe you don’t feel appreciated and, as a result, are not as involved as you might be. Tools, training, and the expression of appreciation are the responsibility of the employer, not the employee.
Also, why shouldn’t I want to encourage the best performance possible, and pay fairly for that performance? If all of my 45 or so employees felt unfairly treated and failed to show up Monday morning, my business would instantly disappear. Each of them is excellent at what they do and could easily find a position somewhere else. But how could I reconstruct the outstanding team which we have built together over the past 45 years?
I now regard the (not dreaded) annual review as a review of my own performance, not theirs. I think of my employees as coworkers. We work in the same building, write e-mails to outsiders and to each other, talk on the telephone, and enjoy lunch in the early afternoon. Every one of us is a crew member on the same ship, headed in the same direction. (At Disneyland you would be called a “Cast Member,” which sounds nice but, to me seems more like acting rather than interacting with customers and each other).
The ideal procedure on the annual review is:
- Keep coworkers up to date on how they are doing during the year.Think of yourself as a coach, offering suggestions and encouragement during the game. Offer approval to encourage your empoloyees, and suggest course corrections to help them focus on what needs to be changed. When your flight lands in San Francisco it’s too late to remember that you should have boarded the flight for Chicago.
In the old days I would say to an employee after his or her first day on the job, “I’ve decided to renew your option. You can come back tomorrow.” I cringe at the thought of how I would feel if my new boss of one day said that to me. Recently I hired someone to help with the marketing and promotion of People Tools. At the end of the first week I asked, “Are all of us providing proper information and support so that you can do your best work?” If you have properly helped your coworkers during the year there will be no bad surprises for either of you at the annual review.
- When it’s time for the annual review, make sure to conduct it within a week or two of the anniversary date. It’s not fair to your coworkers to delay information which is important to them and keep them walking on eggshells, waiting for “the knife to drop.”
- Ask each person being reviewed to evaluate him or herself. Ask them to write down their accomplishments of the past year and goals for the coming year. Not only does this help your employees learn the valuable skill of self-assessment, it also shows how much you respect and appreciate their opinions.
- Ask the reviewees what salary they think they deserve. I use their recommendation as a guide. Years ago an employee, who worked with me for almost 25 years, always asked for a 10 or 15 percent raise, which was far too high. But at least I knew what she was thinking. One year my vice president/general manager, asked for a raise which was far too small. I increased her salary by three times the amount she had requested.
- During the review ask how you, or other managers, can better assist employees to perform better. “Replace my 7-year old computer,” was one answer. I was embarrassed. I had allowed a valued member of my accounting staff to struggle for 2 years with entirely outdated equipment.
- Give a bonus. If a member of your team has made an outstanding contribution to the company that saves time and money, increases profits and productivity, or improves the working conditions in the office, consider awarding them a one-time bonus. This way, the annual review can be just as much about rewarding performance as it is about offering constructive suggestions on how to improve.
Why shouldn’t you want to encourage the best performance possible, and pay fairly for that performance? If my goal is to retain my team member for another full year, I sometimes pay part of their increased salary as a bonus at their next anniversary date. We all like something “extra,” and often a $2,000 bonus looks larger than $166.67 a month, before payroll taxes.
- Be prepared at to be flexible, especially when it comes to hours of work (some people prefer to begin their work day at 6:00 am), and time away from the office for personal matters. One of the biggest perks I enjoy myself, as an entrepreneur and business owner, is that I set my own hours. I can take off Thursday afternoon and come in on Saturday morning if I like. So I refuse to be a prison warden for my staff. They work with me to accomplish a mission, not to lose their freedom to visit a doctor when they need to, or watch their daughter’s soccer finals.
When I improve as a manager, my coworkers improve at their positions. That is why I no longer dread reviewing them, because, in reality, we are helping each other.
The Cheapest Days To Fly For Christmas
Source: Business Insider
If you're traveling for Christmas this year, you've probably already started researching flights for you and your family.
This process can leave you feeling a bit like you're on a mining expedition, sifting through mountains of junk in the hopes of finding that rare gem of a deal.
Our number crunchers here at CheapAir have simplified what can be an overwhelming process in order to clearly identify which dates of travel offer the best overall value.
Here's what we've unearthed*:
Cheapest departure days: Thursday December 18th, Wednesday December 24th, Christmas Day
Cheapest return days: Wednesday, December 31st, Tuesday, January 6
Cheapest overall itinerary: Thursday, December 18th to Christmas Day
Cheapest "practical" itinerary: Wednesday, December 24th to Wednesday, December 31st
Average savings flying on the cheapest departure days: $101
Average savings flying on the cheapest return days: $142
(*average savings compared to most expensive travel days)
As you calculate the overall monetary cost of your flight, don't forget to factor in intangibles like convenience and weather when choosing an air itinerary this holiday season.
Sometimes the lowest ticket price is not always the best overall value if you look at things a bit more with the big picture in mind.
Just Say 'No' to Co-Workers' Halloween Candy
Originally posted on October 14, 2014 by Josh Cable on ehstoday.com.
Workplace leftovers might seem like one of the perks of the job. But when co-workers try to pawn off their Halloween candy on the rest of the department, it's more of a trick than a treat.
Those seemingly generous and thoughtful co-workers often are just trying to keep temptation out of their homes.
"Not only does candy play tricks on your waistline, but it also turns productive workers into zombies," says Emily Tuerk, M.D., adult internal medicine physician at the Loyola University Health System and assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.
"A sugar high leads to a few minutes of initial alertness and provides a short burst of energy. But beware of the scary sugar crash. When the sugar high wears off, you'll feel tired, fatigued and hungry."
Tuerk offers a few tips to help you and others on your team avoid being haunted by leftover candy:
- Make a pact with your co-workers to not bring in leftover candy.
- Eat breakfast, so you don't come to work hungry.
- Bring in alternative healthy snacks, such as low-fat yogurt, small low-fat cheese sticks, carrot sticks or cucumber slices. Vegetables are a great healthy snack. You can't overdose on vegetables.
- Be festive without being unhealthy. Blackberries and cantaloupe are a fun way to celebrate with traditional orange and black fare without packing on the holiday pounds. Bring this to the office instead of candy as a creative and candy-free way to participate in the holiday fun.
- If you must bring in candy, put it in an out-of-the-way location. Don't put it in people's faces so they mindlessly eat it. An Eastern Illinois University study found that office workers ate an average of nine Hershey's Kisses per week when the candy was conveniently placed on top of the desk, but only six Kisses when placed in a desk drawer and three Kisses when placed 2 feet from the desk.
And if you decide to surrender to temptation and have a treat, limit yourself to a small, bite-size piece, Tuerk adds. Moderation is key.
Tips to Avoid the Scariest Place Of All
Originally Posted on Oct 23, 2014 by Sandy Smith on www.ehstoday.com.
Each year, 9.2 million babies, children and teens are injured severely enough to need treatment in emergency departments all across America, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Nothing is scarier than a trip to the emergency room,” said Mark Cichon, DO, chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, Loyola University Health System. “In a season devoted to frights, it is our goal to keep everyone safe.”
Here are Dr. Cichon's top tips to avoid going bump in the night and for a healthy, happy Halloween:
Invest in a pumpkin carving kit and avoid knives. “Manipulating a sharp knife in a rigid pumpkin rind without injury is almost impossible for an adult or child,” said Cichon, a professor at Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University. “Proper tools make sure you carve the jack o’ lantern and not yourself or a loved one.”
Supervise anything that is burning, from scented candles to carved pumpkins to firepits. “Fires can happen in a flash and get quickly out of control,” said Cichon. “The colder temperatures invite the warm glow of candles to the excitement of an end-of-season bonfire. Watch out for burning leaf piles.”
Use extra precaution when climbing ladders to hang decorations inside and outside. “Falls from ladders are one of the top reasons adults come to the emergency room and they are largely avoidable,” said Cichon. “Use the right-sized ladder, and one that is safe, and work with a partner to do the job right.”
Make sure Halloween costumes offer visibility and ease of movement. “Masks, hats, wigs, glasses, hoods – costumes often include headgear that can obstruct vision and lead to trips and falls,” Cichon cautioned. “And make sure it is easy to walk in the costume without tripping or catching on things.”
Dress for the weather. “It is easy to get overheated or too cold at this time of year, without the addition of wearing a costume,” Cichon pointed out. “Check skin temperature and watch for signs such as shivering or lethargy. Don’t forget to wear waterproof footgear that has treads for sure footing.”
Make sure your group is visible to motorists. Have one adult in the trick-or-treating group wear a reflective safety vest and give each child a glow stick or flashlight to increase visibility. “You want to be able to see where you are going and also for others to see you, especially around moving vehicles,” said Cichon. Stay in a group and put kids on the buddy system.
Avoid alcohol use when supervising children. “Don’t drink and accompany your kids as they trick-or-treat,” said Cichon. “If you choose, enjoy a beer or cocktail at the end of the night after kids are safely indoors, or better yet, in bed.”
Avoid over-tiring children. “Fatigue can lower resistance, leading to illness and injury,” warned Cichon. Make sure a good night’s sleep starts Halloween day and rest up before the night's activities. Eat healthy meals and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Maintain regular bedtimes.
Inspect treats when you get home. “Make sure candy and goodies are age-appropriate; avoid smaller pieces for younger children that could be a choking hazard,” said Cichon. And, if your child has food allergies such as a peanut allergy, remember to remove that candy from the bag.
Balance candy consumption with healthy foods. “When my four children were younger, my wife and I would hide their candy and allow them each to choose two pieces after dinner to limit over-consumption,” remembered Cichon.
Be aware of the potential for loud and scary noises. “Playful scaring antics by enthusiastic celebrants and even barking dogs can frighten children and cause them to react suddenly,” Cichon warned. “Falling down porch stairs, tripping over curbs and even colliding with others can result in harm.”
Drive vehicles slowly and cautiously on Halloween, especially on sidestreets. “Watch for trick-or-treaters but also be aware of any flying eggs or other debris that could impede vision,” Cichon cautioned.
When You Eat Matters
By Dr. Ann Kulze, M.D.
Evidence is quickly mounting that when you eat and the timing of your meals may be as important as what and how much you eat. In a fascinating new laboratory study, scientists found that lab rats that consumed high fat food over a restricted period of 8 hours a day gained significantly less weight and showed far superior metabolic health relative to an identical group of rats that consumed the same amount of high fat food calories over a 24 hour period of time. According to the study's lead author, it appears "every organ has a clock" and that there are times when they work at optimal capacity and other times when they operate more sluggishly. Like our hunter-gatherer ancestors likely ate, this study suggests that discrete meal times (not random munching) and protracted periods of no food intake over a 24 hour cycle (like from dusk to dawn) are best for metabolic health and weight control. I am currently working hard to eat my dinner before the sun goes down to optimize my metabolic machinery (5).
Even more, a large, first-of-its-kind study in human subjects was just published that supports the critical importance of regular meals, especially BREAKFAST! and refraining from grazing or snacking during the day. The objective of the study was to determine the associations between skipping breakfast, eating frequently, snacking, and the risk of weight gain and type 2 diabetes. Over 51,000 adult males were followed over a 30 year period of time to gather the relevant information for this evaluation. The conclusions of this landmark study were as follows:
- Regular consumption of breakfast was associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes independent of body weight. (Somehow eating breakfast protects metabolic health.)
- Eating 2 or less meals a day was associated with a greater risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
- Eating > 4 times daily or snacking was associated with an increased risk of weight gain and type 2 diabetes. (6)
Bottom line: For optimal weight control and metabolic health - eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner and no more than 1 daily snack.
Fast Food and Cancer..Did You Know?
By Dr. Ann Kulze, M.D.
After completing the most rigorous and comprehensive review of scientific data to date, an expert panel of world-renown cancer experts recommended, "fast foods be consumed sparingly, if at all." They concluded that limiting calorically dense food, especially fast foods and sugary beverages, was one of the most important steps an individual could take to reduce cancer risk. (World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research. Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective. Washington, DC AICR, 2007)
Eating Healthy While Saving Money
Source: https://www.drannwellness.com
By: Dr. Ann Kulze
Buy your starch staples in volume. There is always superior "value in volume," and the starches I recommend are some of the very best nutritional buys of the entire grocery store, going for as little as 10 cents per serving. Choose the biggest bags or containers available for your brown rice, oatmeal, dried beans, quinoa, and barley. I am a big fan of wholesale grocers for purchasing my starch staples in bulk. They always have big containers at an excellent value, and even with the amount of healthy starches my family eats, we rarely run out!
I am always amazed by the number of people who consider avocados "unhealthy" or "fattening" when the delicious reality is that they are true wonder foods. Avocados are filled with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats that lower bad (LDL) cholesterol while boosting good (HDL) cholesterol along with fiber, vitamin E, B vitamins and special cholesterol-lowering plant substances called phytosterois. They can also boast making it into the top 20 most potent antioxidant foods. This unique package of sparking nutritional attributes renders them oh so valuable for heart and brain health - so go guacamole!
I include them in my diet daily. Although I find them divine plain and simple with a little sea salt and lemon, here are 2 recipes you are sure to enjoy.
Sesame Kale Salad with Avocado
Veggie and Quinoa Stuffed Avocados