Industrial Winter Safety: Dos and Don’ts To Take Care of Yourself This Winter

Winter is an enchanting time of the year, one of snuggling up by warm fires and enjoying the glistening of freshly-fallen snow. It is a time of short days and extended nights. It is also a time of seasonal dangers.

Ice, snow and sludge make things trickier, from navigating on foot to driving a car. Some extra care is needed during the coldest months of the year-for both comfort and for safety. 

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Consider the clothing you wear.

Layering clothes is essential during winter, but what kind of clothes are you putting on? Tighter clothing reduces blood flow and constricts movement. Loose-fitting layers offer the wearer greater mobility and comfort.

The sun is still a factor to consider during winter, as you can become sunburned even when the temperature has dropped near the negatives. Hats, sunglasses and gloves will limit your skin’s exposure to the sun, keep you warm and protect some of the most vulnerable parts of the body from the brutal elements.

Learn to identify the signs of hypothermia and frostbite.

These conditions can appear quite suddenly, and do long-lasting damage nearly as quickly. If you can identify the early symptoms of these problems you can get yourself or someone else to a hospital where they can receive timely care.

Symptoms of frostbite:

·         Prickling sensation and/or numbness of the skin

·         Skin that has turned red, white, blue-white or grey-white in color

·         Waxy-looking or hard skin

·         Stiff joints and muscles

·         Blistering once the skin becomes warm again

Frostbite occurs most commonly on the ears, nose, fingers, toes and chin. Because numbness is attributed to simply being cold in cold weather, someone might not notice until extensive damage has taken place.

Symptoms of hypothermia:

·         Shivering, especially shivering that abruptly stops

·         Dizziness

·         Difficulty speaking

·         Difficulty moving in a coordinated way

·         Sleepiness

·         Increased heart rate

·         Confusion

·         Apathy

If you or someone with you is experiencing one or more of any of these symptoms, hypothermia or frostbite could be the cause.

Don’t keep your hands in your pockets.

It might seem like the best thing to do, but keeping your hands in your pockets can make things more dangerous if you slip on a patch of ice or snow. You should have your hands free in order to catch yourself if you do fall.

Warm up before any physical exertion.

Some warm-up stretches before going outside to perform a task (like shoveling) will limber you up and minimize the risk of hurting yourself. The cold makes it easier for our joints and muscles to become stiff, so it’s best to work against that whenever you need to do anything that involves a lot of movement.

Take breaks whenever possible.

We know that you’re busy, and taking breaks isn’t always easy. But it helps to take a few minutes here and there to warm up before going back at your task. If you find parts of your body going numb from the cold, you could actually hurt yourself without realizing it.

Consider protection such as Power Blanket for your heating devices. If you are using any kind of heater to improve the condition of your space, make sure that there is proper ventilation to get toxins like carbon monoxide out of there. For this reason you should also avoid warming up your car in an enclosed garage. Carbon monoxide can cause poisoning and even death.

Clear all pathways for walking and driving.

Just like city plows reduce accidents by clearing the roads of snow, you can reduce your home or worksite by doing the same. A shovel or a snow blower, plus some salt to melt ice and provide traction on your walkways will greatly minimize the risk of falling accidents.

Don’t forget to rehydrate.

You still sweat in the winter. You’re just not as aware of it as you are in the summer, when the temperatures reach sweltering levels. Stay hydrated no matter the time of year to keep your body operating at peak performance.

Mind your footwear.

The shoes or boots that you choose will shape a lot of your winter experience. For optimal safety you want shoes that possess the following qualities:

·         Slip-resistant soles

·         Insulation

·         Proper fitting

·         Rubber treads

Sometimes there is no avoiding the accidents that are brought on by the conditions left by a sudden winter storm. But if you slow down, take the weather and your safety into consideration and act accordingly before you leave the house, you’ll be less likely to experience these accidents. 

Let the Light in with These 7 Stylish Window Options

It has often been said that our eyes are the windows to our soul, and the same concept can be applied to our house windows. In fact, other than doors, windows are the only other element that can be seen from both the interior and exterior of any building. Not only does it provide our interiors with an ample amount of light, it also helps to break the monotony of an otherwise flat and boring wall.

In order to incorporate the best of the best when it comes to our home makeover ideas, it’ll be good to know just what type of windows are available in the market:

Casement Windows

When it comes to family room renovation ideas, casements windows is the way to go. Designed with a hinge on one side, the window is opened by turning a crank and pushing outwards. Because there are no grilles blocking the light from shining in or impeding your sight, it’s one of the best options available for modern and contemporary homes. 

Double-Hung Windows

With two sashes that can slide vertically up and down, this is a popular option for kitchens and bathrooms. You can choose to slide the upper portion of the window downwards or push the bottom part upwards depending on your preference. Since it will always remain within the frame, this is a flat look for both the interior and exterior of your home.

Picture Windows

If you don’t need or want to open your windows, this is one option you can go with. A large pane of glass makes up most of the window itself, with a minimal frame that’s mainly there to ensure that the glass stays up. For homes with beautiful outdoor landscaping or a focus on minimalist design, this is one of the best types of windows to allow in a maximum amount of light and view.

Transom Window

Ever noticed those smaller windows just above doors and windows in certain homes? Well, transom window is the specific name for this addition and it can be installed in a stationary manner or with an option to close and open. Its function is mainly aesthetic as there are a lot of stain glass options in the market, but another reason to install this type of window is to provide your house with even more light.

Slider Windows

No matter your home renovation idea, slider windows (like sliding doors) can easily be incorporated in both modern and traditional homes. For those who prefer to go with the warmth of wooden structures, you can opt for wooden frames instead of the more modern metallic options. A track allows the window to slide smoothly from left to right and you can easily control just how much of the window you want to open.

Awning Windows

This window type is hinged at the top and is opened by pushing upwards and outwards. Instead of opening up completely, the design allows a steady stream of air to flow in and out of the house while minimizing the amount of heat loss. There are many sizes to choose from depending on which area of the house you would like to incorporate it in, so it very much depends on your home renovation ideas.

Bay Windows

Traditionally, bay windows give us the option of a wider interior space since it protrudes out from the exterior of our homes. Although commonly used in large spaces, it can nevertheless be integrated in any part of our home. There’s the option of having it installed at just the centre portion of our walls, but it can also be found as massive floor to ceiling additions.

Although it’s not really a new idea, stationary windows really started to appeal to those preferring a modern home. Because it can’t be open, you can design the window to any shape or size you desire. In fact, instead of having a whole wall of stationary windows, you can always intersperse this type of window with another complimentary option that can be opened.

It’s always best to think of your home remodelling ideas on a flexible basis as this allows us the option of changing or updating our homes without unnecessary hassles. Although there are several options to consider when choosing the right window for your home, you can still stick to the basics of: style idea, budget, ceiling height, climate and temperature, and personal preferences.  

How to Throw a Wedding in Your Own Backyard

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If you have a large backyard and know someone who is thinking about getting married soon, you may be thinking about offering them access to use your yard. After all, this will save most couples a lot of money. Renting access to a building or park for a wedding can be a costly expense, and people who are getting married often want to save as much money as they can on the event. Plus, as the homeowner, you may want to show off your home and all of the hard work you have put into making it look good. You also probably want to be a good friend. But you may be asking yourself, "How do I begin to plan a wedding in my backyard?"

Luckily, it's not as hard to plan a wedding in your backyard as you may think. First of all, you can leave many of the major issues to the pros. For example, you don't need to provide a rain shelter for the bride, groom, and guests if you simply rent one from a company in your area. For example, you can get a high peak tension tent from a company like Zmetra that will protect anyone at the wedding from rain or sun. Similarly, you shouldn't feel like you need to cook all of the food that will be served at the wedding. Instead, have the bride and groom hire a professional caterer who can take care of all of that.

Then, it's time to get your home ready. Clean it thoroughly and enlist your friends and family to help. Add landscaping to your yard to take the place from plain to amazing. Annual plants are easy to install and look great right away. Go to your local garden center and talk to a garden pro. This will take out all of the guesswork in designing your yard for the wedding. When the bride and groom celebrate their wedding in your yard, they will be amazed and impressed by all of the beautiful flowers you've brought.