Winter Driving Safety: Other Considerations

Stock your vehicle.

Carry items in your vehicle to handle common winter driving tasks, such as cleaning off your windshield, as well as any supplies you might need in an emergency. Keep the following on hand:

• Snow shovel, broom, and ice scraper;
• Abrasive material such as sand or kitty litter, in case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow;
• Jumper cables, flashlight, and warning devices such as flares and markers;
• Blankets for protection from the cold;
• And a cell phone with charger, water, food, and any necessary medicine (for longer trips or when driving in lightly populated areas).

 

Learn what to do in a winter emergency.

If you are stopped or stalled in wintry weather, follow these safety rules:

• Stay with your car and don’t overexert yourself
• Put bright markers on the antenna or windows and keep the interior dome light turned on;
• To avoid asphyxiation from carbon monoxide poisoning, don’t run your car for long periods of time with the windows up or in an enclosed space. If you must run your vehicle, clear the exhaust pipe of any snow and run it only sporadically — just long enough to stay warm.

 

Protect yourself and your loved ones.

• Remember to always wear your seat belt. Ensure that everyone in your vehicle is buckled up as well.
• Do not text or engage in any other activities that may distract you while driving.
• While thick outerwear will keep your children warm, it can also interfere with the proper harness fit of your child in their car seat. Place blankets around your child after the harness is snug and secure.
• Never leave your child unattended in or around your vehicle.

The above is an excerpt from the article, “Checklist and Tips for Safe Winter Driving.” For more information, please visit www.safercar.gov.

AICR: Foods That Fight Cancer

No single food or food component can protect you against cancer by itself. But strong evidence does show that a diet filled with a variety of plant foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans helps lower risk for many cancers.

FOODS CAN FIGHT CANCER BOTH DIRECTLY …

In laboratory studies, many individual minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals demonstrate anti-cancer effects. Yet evidence suggests it is the synergy of compounds working together in the overall diet that offers the strongest cancer protection.

FOODS THAT FIGHT CANCER

Recently Updated Apples Blueberries Broccoli & Cruciferous Vegetables Cherries Coffee Cranberries Flaxseed Grapefruit Legumes (Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils) Soy Squash (Winter) Tea Walnuts Whole Grains

Current Berries Dark Green Leafy Vegetables Garlic Grapes and Grape Juice Tomatoes

… AND INDIRECTLY

According to AICR/WCRF’s second expert report and its updates, carrying excess body fat increases the risk of ten cancers. Vegetables and fruits are low in calories, which help us get to and stay a healthy weight. Whole grains and beans are rich in fiber and moderate in calories, which also help in weight management efforts.

That is why AICR recommends filling at least 2/3 of your plate with vegetables, fruit, whole grains and beans.

Research on foods that fight cancer – and that may also aid cancer survival – is ongoing and active.

Read more at: http://www.aicr.org/foods-that-fight-cancer/

Driving in Winter: Know Your Car and Your Route

Know your car.

Every vehicle handles differently; this is particularly true when driving on wet, icy, or snowy roads. Take time now to learn how to best handle your vehicle under winter weather driving conditions.

• For electric vehicles, several things can be done to minimize the drain on the batteries. If the vehicle has a thermal heating pack for the batteries, make sure your vehicle is plugged in whenever it is not in use. If the vehicle has a pre-heat function to warm the car interior, set it to warm the passenger compartment before you unplug it in the morning.
• Practice cold weather driving when your area gets snow — but not on a main road. Until you’ve sharpened your winter weather driving skills and know how your vehicle handles in snowy conditions, it’s best to practice in an empty parking lot in full daylight.
• Drive slowly. It’s harder to control or stop your vehicle on a slick or snow-covered surface. On the road, increase your following distance enough so that you’ll have plenty of time to stop for vehicles ahead of you.
• A word of caution about braking: Know what kind of brakes your vehicle has and how to use them properly. In general, if you have antilock brakes, apply firm, continuous pressure. If you don’t have antilock brakes, pump the brakes gently.
• Stay calm and ease your foot off the gas while carefully steering in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go if you find yourself in a skid. Stay off the pedals (gas and brake) until you are able to maintain control of your vehicle. This procedure, known as “steering into the skid,” will bring the back end of your car in line with the front.
• When renting a car you should become familiar with the vehicle before driving it off the lot. For instance, you should know the location of the hazard lights in case of emergency. Take a minute to review the owner’s manual in the rental car so that you are prepared.

Plan your travel and route.

Keep yourself and others safe by planning ahead before you venture out into bad weather.

• Check the weather, road conditions, and traffic; plan to leave early if necessary.
• Don’t rush! Allow plenty of time to get to your destination safely.
• Familiarize yourself with directions and maps before you go, even if you use a GPS system, and let others know your route and anticipated arrival time.
• Keep your gas tank close to full, even with an electric vehicle. If you get stuck in a traffic jam or in snow, you might need more fuel to get home or keep warm. Note: To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning when stuck in snow, be sure to keep your vehicle’s exhaust pipe clear of snow and ice, run your vehicle only in the open with the windows partially down, and run it only long enough to keep warm.
• Wait until road and weather conditions improve before venturing out in your vehicle. If road conditions are hazardous, avoid driving if possible.

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The above is an excerpt from the article, “Checklist and Tips for Safe Winter Driving.” For more information, please visit www.safercar.gov.

Cancer Prevention: Make Healthy Choices

Cigarette Smoking
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, and cigarette smoking causes almost all cases. Compared to nonsmokers, men who smoke are about 23 times more likely to develop lung cancer and women who smoke are about 13 times more likely. Smoking causes about 90% of lung cancer deaths in men and almost 80% in women. Smoking also causes cancer of the voicebox (larynx), mouth and throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, cervix, and stomach, and causes acute myeloid leukemia.

Visit smokefree.gov to learn how you can quit smoking.

Secondhand Smoke
Adults who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or at work increase their risk of developing lung cancer by 20% to 30%. Concentrations of many cancer-causing and toxic chemicals are higher in secondhand smoke than in the smoke inhaled by smokers.

Protecting Your Skin
Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer in the United States. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and tanning beds appears to be the most important environmental factor involved with developing skin cancer. To help prevent skin cancer while still having fun outdoors, protect yourself by seeking shade, applying sunscreen, and wearing sun-protective clothing, a hat, and sunglasses. For more information, visit What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk of Skin Cancer?

 Top of PageLimiting Alcohol Intake
Cancer and Alcohol Infographic
Drinking alcohol raises the risk of some cancers. Drinking any kind of alcohol can contribute to cancers of the mouth and throat, larynx (voice box), esophagus, colon and rectum, liver, and breast (in women). The less alcohol you drink, the lower the risk of cancer.
Studies around the world have shown that drinking alcohol regularly increases the risk of getting mouth, voice box, and throat cancers.

A large number of studies provide strong evidence that drinking alcohol is a risk factor for primary liver cancer, and more than 100 studies have found an increased risk of breast cancer with increasing alcohol intake. The link between alcohol consumption and colorectal (colon) cancer has been reported in more than 50 studies.

Keeping a Healthy Weight
Research has shown that being overweight or obese substantially raises a person’s risk of getting endometrial (uterine), breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. Overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29, and obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher.4 Learn how to choose a healthy diet at Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight, and read about exercise at Physical Activity for a Healthy Weight.

Getting Tested for Hepatitis C
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, which is most often caused by a virus. In the United States, the most common type of viral hepatitis is Hepatitis C.Over time, chronic Hepatitis C can lead to serious liver problems including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. CDC recommends that anyone who was born between 1945 and 1965 get tested for Hepatitis C.

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The above is an excerpt adapted from the article, “Healthy Choices.” For more information, please visit www.cdc.gov.

Winter Tire Safety

Inspect your tires.

If you plan to use snow tires, have them installed before the snow storms hit. Check out http://www.safercar.gov for tire ratings before buying new ones. For existing tires, check to ensure they are properly inflated (as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer), the tread is sufficient with no uneven wear, and that the rubber is in good overall condition. Note that tire rubber starts to degrade after several years, and older tires need to be replaced even if they have not seen much wear.

Regardless of season, you should inspect your tires at least once a month and always before setting out on a long road trip. It only takes about five minutes. If you find yourself driving under less-than-optimal road conditions this winter, you’ll be glad you took the time.

Check tire pressure and make sure each tire is filled to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure, which is listed in your owner’s manual and on a placard located on the driver’s side doorjamb (called the “B-pillar”). If a vehicle does not have a B-pillar, then the placard is placed on the rear edge of the driver’s door. Tire pressure drops as the temperature drops. Properly inflated tires ensure optimum tire performance and optimum vehicle driving range.

• Keep a tire pressure gauge in your vehicle at all times and check pressure when tires are “cold” — meaning they haven’t been driven on for at least three hours.
• Look closely at your tread and replace tires that have uneven wear or insufficient tread. Tread should be at least 1/16 of an inch or greater on all tires.

Check the age of your tires.

The structural integrity of tires can degrade over time and when that occurs tires are more prone to failure. The effects of aging may not be visibly detectable.

• Check the age of your tires including your spare tire. Look for the tire identification number on the sidewall of the tire, which begins with the letters “DOT.” The last four digits represent the week and year the tire was manufactured.
• Check the owner’s manual for specific recommendations for when to replace a tire. Some vehicle manufacturers recommend that tires be replaced every six years regardless of use.

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The above is an excerpt from the article, “Checklist and Tips for Safe Winter Driving.” For more information, please visit www.safercar.gov.

February is National Cancer Prevention Month

AICR’s three Guidelines for Cancer Prevention can help you focus on what’s most important.

1. Choose mostly plant foods, limit red meat and avoid processed meat.
2. Be physically active every day in any way for 30 minutes or more.
3. Aim to be a healthy weight throughout life.

Notice anything about them? Like, for example, how closely the advice for cutting cancer risk resembles advice for preventing other chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes – not to mention for getting in shape?

It’s true: these simple steps offer many different health benefits, and National Cancer Prevention Month is as good a time as any to start putting them into action.

Let’s look at them one at a time:

Choose mostly plant foods, limit red meat and avoid processed meat.

You already know that limiting high-calorie treats is a good idea. But did you know that if you make an effort to prepare meals focused around vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, you’ll help fortify your body against cancer?

That’s what AICR’s groundbreaking expert report concluded. The report also found a convincing scientific link between red and processed meats and colon cancer, so it’s a good idea to limit red meat to 18 ounces of lean cuts per week and avoid processed meats like ham, hot dogs, sausage and bacon.

Be physically active every day in any way for 30 minutes or more.

Remember: Every day – in any way. That means you don’t need a gym membership – you just need to get your heart pumping.

Being physically active for at total of least 30 minutes a day — whether you’re walking, vacuuming, dancing or scuba diving – will lower your risk for colon cancer and possibly several other cancers as well.

You might need to get more than 30 minutes a day in order to prevent weight gain – which is very important — but you don’t have to do it all at once. Try breaking your activity into several 15- or 20- minutes sessions to fit your schedule.

Aim to be a healthy weight throughout life.

And what about that goal so many of us seek right after the holidays, a healthy weight?

It’s the third key element that will help protect against chronic disease. In fact, carrying excess weight has been linked to six different types of cancer.

The good news is that once you start following the first two guidelines about diet and physical activity, you’ll find it easier to accomplish this one.

So this month especially, keep these three guidelines in mind and remember: It’s never too early and never too late to start making choices that improve your chances for good health (and good looks!) for 2016 and beyond.

The above is an excerpt adapted from the article, “February is National Cancer Prevention Month.” For more information, please visit preventcancer.aicr.org/.

Winter Driving – Wipers, Defrosters, and Mats

Check your windshield wipers and defrosters.

Safe winter driving depends on achieving and maintaining the best visibility possible.

• Make sure your windshield wipers work and replace worn blades.
• Consider installing heavy-duty winter wipers if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow and ice.
• Check to see that your window defrosters (front and rear) work properly.

Verify floor mat installation to prevent pedal interference.

Incorrect or improperly installed floor mats in your vehicle may interfere with the operation of the accelerator or brake pedal, increasing the risk of a crash. Remember these tips when installing new floor mats to ensure safe operation of your vehicle:

• Remove old mats before the installation of new mats.
• Never stack mats, as that may increase the potential for pedal interference.
• Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mat installation and use the available retention clips to secure the mat in the proper position. This will prevent the mat from sliding forward.
• Check that the mats are the correct size and fit for the vehicle and do not interfere with the full operation of the foot controls (accelerator, brake and clutch pedals). Whenever the interior of the vehicle is cleaned or the mats have been removed for any reason, verify that the driver mat has been reinstalled correctly.

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The above is an excerpt from the article, “Checklist and Tips for Safe Winter Driving.” For more information, please visit www.safercar.gov.

What Is Cancer and How Can It Be Prevented?

What Is Cancer?

Cancer is a term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. Cancer is not just one disease, but many diseases. There are more than 100 kinds of cancer. For more information, visit the National Cancer Institute’s What Is Cancer?

How Can Cancer Be Prevented?

The number of new cancer cases can be reduced and many cancer deaths can be prevented. Research shows that screening for cervical and colorectal cancers as recommended helps prevent these diseases by finding precancerous lesions so they can be treated before they become cancerous. Screening for cervical, colorectal, and breast cancers also helps find these diseases at an early stage, when treatment works best. CDC offers free or low-cost mammograms and Pap tests nationwide, and free or low-cost colorectal cancer screening in six states.

Vaccines (shots) also help lower cancer risk. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps prevent most cervical cancers and several other kinds of cancer, and the hepatitis B vaccine can help lower liver cancer risk.

A person’s cancer risk can be reduced with healthy choices like avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol use, protecting your skin from the sun and avoiding indoor tanning, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, keeping a healthy weight, and being physically active.

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The above is an excerpt adapted from the article, “How to Prevent Cancer or Find It Early.” For more information, please visit www.cdc.gov.

Safe Winter Driving Starts Under The Hood

Check your battery.

When the temperature drops, so does battery power. For gasoline-powered engines, be aware that it takes more battery power to start your vehicle in cold weather than in warm. For electric and hybrid vehicles, the driving range is reduced and the battery systems work better after they warm up. Make sure your battery is up to the challenges of winter by:

• Having your mechanic check your battery for sufficient voltage;
• Having the charging system and belts inspected;
• Replacing the battery or making system repairs, including simple things like tightening the battery cable connections;
• Making sure to keep fresh gasoline in an electric vehicle, to support the gasoline system.

Check your cooling system.

When coolant freezes it expands. This expansion can potentially damage your vehicle’s engine block. Don’t let this happen to your vehicle this winter. You should:

• Make sure you have enough coolant in your vehicle and that it’s designed to withstand the winter temperatures you might experience in your area.
• See your vehicle owner’s manual for specific recommendations on coolant. A 50/50 mix of coolant to water is sufficient for most regions of the country.
• Thoroughly check the cooling system for leaks or have your mechanic do it for you.
• Check to see if your system has been flushed (draining the system and replacing the coolant). If it hasn’t been flushed for several years, have it done now. Over time, the rust inhibitors in antifreeze break down and become ineffective. Coolant also needs to be refreshed periodically to remove dirt and rust particles that can clog the cooling system and cause it to fail.

Fill your windshield washer reservoir.

You can go through a lot of windshield wiper fluid fairly quickly in a single snowstorm, so be prepared for whatever Mother Nature might send your way.

• Completely fill your vehicle’s reservoir before the first snow hits.
• Use high-quality, “no-freeze” fluid.
• Buy extra to keep on hand in your vehicle.

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The above is an excerpt from the article, “Checklist and Tips for Safe Winter Driving.” For more information, please visit www.safercar.gov.

 

Quotes from African American Entrepreneurs

1. Where there is no struggle, there is no strength. – Oprah Winfrey
2. I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them. – Madam C.J. Walker, Hair-Care Business
3. If you’re a competitive person, that stays with you. You don’t stop. You always look over your shoulder. – Magic Johnson, Magic Johnson Enterprises
4. All business is personal…Make your friends before you need them. – Robert Johnson, RLJ Holdings
5. When you have a large amount of the workforce being laid off, some of them have no other choice but to go out there and invent something. -Daymond John, Founder of FUBU
6. There is no royal flower-strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it for if I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard. – Madam C.J. Walker, Hair-Care Business
7. I don’t believe in fear – I live my life without regrets. – Sean Combs, Bad Boy Records
8. Excellence is the best deterrent to racism or sexism. – Oprah Winfrey, HARPO
9. ‘The harder you work, the luckier you get’’ – Mike Adenuga, Globacom
   

10. Successful people have a bigger fear of failure than people who’ve never done anything because if you haven’t been successful, then you don’t know how it feels to lose it all. – Jay-Z, Musician

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    The above is an excerpt adapted from the article, “30 Inspirational Quotes From Black American Leaders.” For more information, please visit hear.ceoblognation.com.