Now there is another means to reduce your risk. The American Heart Association s new, free, web-based prevention program offers guidance on how to change behaviors that increase heart disease risk. AHA will respond with a risk-reduction plan tailored for you which incorporates information on your lifestyle, personal preferences, and specific risk factors such as high blood pressure, poor diet, smoking, and physical inactivity. Give it a try you ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. For those of you in warm winter area, it s time to gloat a bit, because the time of year has arrived for those of us who must brave the added problems which are brought about by winter.
Cold weather means taking more time to dress properly.
Double socks, insulated clothing under our gear, gloves and spare gloves. It also means keeping yourself in good shape. The added stress from the cold and difficulty in walking through snow multiply to the exposure to heart attacks. And, of course, our equipment needs to be readied for the cold. Drain those pumps, make sure the hydrant has drained after use, and keep some water trickling through the hose to prevent freezing.