Each quarter there are two employees who are chosen to receive the coveted “Cheetah of the Quarter” award.  These employees will have shown exemplary service throughout the preceding quarter.  We wanted to take just a moment to share with you our “Cheetahs” for the 4th quarter of 2011.

Congrats!!!

Katie Brockway is representing the Benefits Team with her cheetah "Purdy Brown".

Dori Burton is representing the P & C team with her cheetah "Harley".

a.      Below 120/80 (0)

b.      Between 120/80 and 140/90 (+1)

c.      Above 140/90 (+3) d.      Don't know (+1) 

2.     What's your cholesterol?

a.      HDL ("good cholesterol) above 50, LDL ("bad" cholesterol) below 130, triglycerides (fat levels in the blood) less that 150 (0)

b.      Any of the following: HDL below 50, LDL above 130, triglycerides above 150 (+2)

c.      Don't know (+1) 

3.     How often do you eat fried foods?

a.      Once a month (+1)

b.      Several times a month (+2)

c.      Never (0) 

4.     Does anyone in your family have heart disease?

a.      Yes, my mother had problems before age 65, or my father before age 55 (+2)

b.      No (0)

c.      Don't know (+1) 

5.     On a typical weekend night, you:

a.      Have one glass of wine or beer (+1)

b.      Have more than one glass of alcohol (+2)

c.      Skip the alcohol (0) 

6.     How many cigarettes have you smoked this week?

a.      None (0)

b.      Just a few (+3)

c.      Half a pack or more each day (+8) 

7.     How many colors were in your last meal?

a.      1 – for example, chicken and rice (+2)

b.      2 to 4 – some vegetables (+1)

c.      4 or more – for example, a salad and some vegetables (0) 

8.     How do you feel after climbing three flights of stairs?

a.      Fine or even energized (0)

b.      Winded (+1)

c.      Who knows? I never climb stairs (+2)

9.     What's your body mass index (BMI)?

a.      18.5 to 24.9 (0)

b.      25 to 29.9 (+1)

c.      30 or above (+2)(to find out your BMI, visit www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi) 

Results:

0-2: You are on the right track to preventing heart disease. Exercise, eating right, and avoiding cigarettes can help prevent 80 percent of heart disease. 

3-7: One or two harmful habits can increase your chances of developing heart disease. Simply knowing your risk factors is also important to reducing your risk, especially if you need to reduce your cholesterol or blood pressure. 

8 or higher: Get to the doctor! Make the commitment to one healthy behavior change, such as quitting smoking or exercising.

Move to a warm area as soon as possible. While it’s tempting to rub or massage the affected area, it’s best to place the affected area in warm water until the skin is soft and sensation has returned. Next, wrap the area in clean dressings and seek medical help. If it is unlikely that the affected area can be kept thawed, treatment should not be carried out as a second round of freezing can cause more extensive and severe damage.

One of the most dangerous winter driving hazards is skidding, which at high speeds, could result in a nasty crash. To prevent an unnecessary skid, slip or accident, consider the following accident prevention techniques.

·  Slow down ahead of turns and curves, as this will allow you to prepare for potential icy spots.

o    When at a curve, apply power slightly to the gas and steer steadily. Do not change directions abruptly and refrain from braking suddenly.

·  Plan ahead for lane changes.

o    Check your rearview mirror and blind spot, and then signal your direction to alert other motorists.o    When changing lanes, move over in a long, gradual line with minimal steering changes.

·  Look out for ice patches, piles of wet leaves and shady areas. These areas are skidding hazards.

·  Anticipate stops by slowing down gradually, well ahead of intersections. These areas are generally slicker than other parts of the road because of the excess starting and stopping traffic.

·  Drive at reduced speeds.

o    Slow your speed and increase your following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. This will allow for a larger buffer in case you start to lose control.

·  Avoid overpowering in deep snow.

o    Use a light foot on the accelerator (rather than  slamming on the gas to move forward).  

If You Start to Skid…If your car starts to skid, do not panic. Steer in the direction that the vehicle is sliding until you feel the wheels regain traction. Then, slowly straighten your wheels and keep rolling.If you need to brake before your tires regain traction, apply the brake carefully so that you do not lock your wheels.

Look for other ways to save on your energy bill with our Live Well, Work Well series on saving money and energy.

While some anxiously anticipate holiday parties, cookie exchanges and wrapping gifts; others dread the holiday season. In fact, the obligations and stresses that accompany this time of year can take their toll on even the merriest of individuals. 

Holiday-related stress and depression can cause headaches, excessive alcohol consumption, overeating and insomnia. To combat these side effects, it is best to identify the cause of your stress and then take the necessary steps to rectify them. Consider the following suggestions as well:

§         Do not feel as though you MUST meet all family obligations.

§         Ask others for assistance in hosting gatherings, purchasing presents, etc.

§         Make a list of priorities that you must accomplish and put them in chronological order so you do not become too overwhelmed.

§         Do not compare today’s moments with yesterday’s memories.

§         Consider volunteering to help others, especially if you are feeling lonely.

§         Stay active and continue to exercise and eat healthy. Remember to make time for yourself as well.

§         Do not overspend. Keep tabs on your holiday budget and stick to it.

Points to Consider

When preparing for your holiday work party, remember the following:

·   The party is part of your job; its purpose is to bring together co-workers and colleagues for camaraderie and well-deserved recognition. Consider it work, put on your best attitude, and go.

·   The event requires advance preparation. Knowing who will be there and having an idea what to talk about is critical to a successful experience.·   Stay at the party long enough to speak to everyone there. With a large crowd, interact with as many people as possible, especially key people such as your boss. Remain at the event for at least an hour, but leave before the party time has elapsed.

·   Keep your guard up when deciding how to dress. If the party is being held immediately after work, business attire is appropriate. If later in the evening or during the weekend, your choices will vary depending on the event. What you wear should reflect well on you professionally.

·   Check your invitation to see if your partner or children are invited. Only take children if the invitation reads “and family”, and your partner/spouse if the invitation reads “and guest”. Otherwise plan on attending alone.

·   Take cues from others when choosing topics of conversation. Plan ahead with some good open-ended questions, and be a good listener.

·   Always drink in moderation. This is an opportunity to build business relationships and to network within your company.

·   Unless asked to bring something to exchange with co-workers, only bring a gift for your host. Gift baskets with jams, jellies or gourmet food items that can be stored and served later are some good choices.·  

Some basic steps can make your home safe for trick-or-treaters, so you can avoid Halloween disasters altogether:

• Remove all objects around the outside of your house that could cause children to trip or fall.
• Turn your outside light on so children will know they can visit your home.
• Keep candles, jack-o-lanterns, matches and lighters in a place that children cannot reach. Halloween candles with multiple wicks close to one another are hazardous and should not be used. When lit they can produce a single high flame or several large flames close together resulting in intense heat and the danger of igniting nearby materials such as curtains or window sills.
• Keep pets inside and away from trick-or-treaters and lit candles, especially if they are easily frightened or become over-excited in the presence of strangers.
• If using decorative lights indoors or outdoors, use lights certified by a recognized organization such as UL (Underwriters Laboratories). Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires or loose connections. Discard damaged sets. Do not overload extension cords. 

Drive slowly in residential areas and honk your horns on dimly lit streets to alert children who may not be paying close attention to vehicular traffic. And watch out for youngsters crossing against the light, darting out from between parked cars and walking in the street.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months get a flu shot each year. Still, many people refrain because they wrongly believe one or more of the following myths.

Myth: The flu isn’t so bad.Fact: The flu can lead to serious illness, including hospitalization for pneumonia or other complications – even for healthy people. Plus, even without complications, a normal bout of the flu can keep a person out of work or school for several days. 

Myth: The flu vaccine will make you sick.Fact: The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu, although you may get side effects like a sore arm, low fever or achiness. Side effects are mild and short-lived, and definitely better than getting the flu. 

Myth: Healthy people don’t need a vaccine.Fact: Anyone can become sick with the flu and experience serious complications, even people who are active and healthy. Plus, if you get the flu, you may be endangering those around you who are at a higher risk for complications. 

Myth: You can still get the flu after getting the vaccine.Fact: This one is partially true. There are a few reasons you might feel flu-like symptoms even if you’ve gotten the vaccine this year:

·         You may have been exposed to a non-flu virus, such as the common cold.

·         You may have been exposed to the flu after you got vaccinated but before the vaccine took effect. It takes about two weeks after you receive the vaccine for your body to build protection against the flu.

·         You may have been exposed to a flu virus that was very different from the viruses included in this year’s vaccine. The flu vaccine protects against the three influenza viruses that are expected to be most prevalent each season, but there can be other flu viruses circulating as well. 

Myth: It’s too late in the season to get protection from a flu vaccine.Fact: As long as the flu season isn’t over, it’s not too late to get vaccinated. Flu seasons can begin early in fall and last late into the spring, so getting a vaccine can still be beneficial into the spring months. 

Myth: You only need to get vaccinated if family and friends get sick from the flu.Fact: If you wait until people around you get sick, it will probably be too late to protect yourself, because it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to provide full protection. 

Myth: The discomfort of getting a shot isn’t worth it.Fact: Even for someone who hates shots, the very minor pain of a flu shot is nothing compared to the suffering that can be caused by the flu. Plus, many people can get the nasal-spray flu vaccine instead of getting a shot. Talk to your doctor about which is the best choice for you. 

Myth: If you got the vaccine last year, you don’t need to get another one.Fact: Research suggests that your body’s immunity from the flu vaccine declines throughout the year, so you likely don’t have enough immunity left to be protected from getting sick this season. That’s why the CDC recommends a flu vaccine each year. 

Myth: The vaccine isn’t safe.Fact: Flu vaccines have been given for more than 50 years and have a very good safety track record. Flu vaccines are made the same way each year and their safety is closely monitored by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration.