Whether you rank as an expert or novice, be sure you know the proper rules for snowmobiling safety.

Obey posted speed limits and road/trail signs. Always drive within your ability and the capabilities of your snowmobile. Reduce your speed when necessitated by weather conditions and visibility, and always beware of fences, guide wires and other objects that are more difficult to spot at night or when visibility is reduced by snowy conditions or wind-blown snow.

Carry GPS-tracked satellite or smartphones so that you can be located if you get lost, injured or stuck in a remote area. Always let someone know of your planned ride route for the day, including your destination(s), your planned route(s), an accurate description of your snowmobile (make, model
and color) and your expected time to return back to your starting point.

Never snowmobile alone. Always have one or more other riders.

Always be prepared for the unexpected. Make sure that you have water, food, shovels, blankets and extra dry socks, gloves and stocking cap each time you ride.

Wear the appropriate clothing. Dressing for snowmobling is one of the most important things to know.

Exercise caution at any trail, road and railroad crossings that you encounter during your ride.

Never ride impaired. Alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, narcotic prescription drugs and even over-the-counter medications can slow your reaction time and affect your ability to make good decisions on your snowmobile. In many jurisdictions, being convicted of impaired riding on a snowmobile carries the same substantial penalties as the impaired driving of a motor vehicle on the roadways, and you will lose your driving privileges for all types of vehicles (including motor vehicles, commercial vehicles and motorcycles) and could face probation or even prison.

Use the appropriate, accepted hand signals when driving with others before stopping, slowing down or turning.

Exercise caution on blind corners and hill crests, and always remain on the right-hand side of the trail whenever possible.

Never ride on private property without permission of the landowner to avoid possible trespassing charges.

Carry a snowmobile/winter survival kit that includes: full first-aid kit; area trail map and compass for your locale; lighter (or matches) in a waterproof container; knife; flashlight; whistle; high-energy food, such as nuts or granola bars; a mechanical kit that includes a spare spark plug and drive belt; tow rope; extra ignition key; screwdriver, wrenches and hammer; plus your snowmobile’s owner manual.

Check the weather before heading out. With today’s technology, it is much easier to know the weather forecast before you ride, even in remote locations.

Wear a helmet. You should always wear a helmet that meets the SNELL/D.O.T standards approved for motorcycle helmets. Everyone who rides on a sled or similar device being towed by a snowmobile should also wear an approved helmet.

Snowmobiling is one of the most fun and exhilarating things to do in the winter weather. However,  following the proper guidelines is key. If you do so, you will have a great time, want to do it again and want to bring a new group of friends to share a great day in the seat.

— Craig Kelley is an attorney with Inserra & Kelley in Omaha, Nebraska.

If you grouped all of these factors together and (most likely) mix in a bit of genetics, you will inevitably discover one common denominator: lifestyle. The old adage, “You are what you eat,” could not be truer today. 

Here’s a breakdown of some of the most fattening — yet easily accessible — foods we regularly consume.

Ice Cream – It’s not good for you. It’s high in fat, sugar and calories, not to mention the artificial flavors and preservatives. One cup has approximately 350 calories and 20 grams of mostly saturated fat — and that’s just vanilla!

Fried Foods – Fried foods come in so many different varieties: chicken, French fries, chips, doughnuts, etc. Additionally, many fast foods are fried, and with today’s on-the-go lifestyle, this is the easy, quick way out. But if you want to try to stay healthy, this is not the way to go. There are too many saturated fats and calories in fried foods, not to mention the potential for chemically altered trans fatty acids and other items that may be in that fat fryer.

Soda – A Coke here. A Pepsi there. A Sprite here. A Dr. Pepper there. Not good. Why? It’s simple: sugar. Sodas are loaded with sugar; not to mention the extra calories. This doesn’t even include fructose corn syrup, which is horrible with a capital “H.” The worst thing about these drinks is the fact that we not only drink these high sugary drinks, but we also eat our meals with them (fried meals, in the case of fast food), which is a double whammy. Don’t be confused by non-carbonated fruit drinks, either. They pack a lot of sugar, too. If you drink a lot of sodas, sweet tea and fruit drinks, try drinking only water for a month and see what it does for your weight.

White Bread – Seems healthy, right? After all, it’s made of grains, isn’t it? Wrong! There is very little
nutritional value in white bread. It’s added carbohydrates. The body treats white bread as it does sugar.
Whole grain breads can be good for you, but most people don’t go that route, especially children. In addition, we eat pretzels, cereals and pizza — all made from this same white flour. Choose whole wheat or rye next time.

Pastas and Rice – Once again, these starches are filled with carbs. Pastas and rice add excess fat. Add a white alfredo sauce or gravy and you are really in for it. If you are going to eat pasta or rice, at least choose the colored kind – whole wheat or brown. Cutting down on these foods may not only help you reduce weight, but they will make you feel better, and when you feel better, you feel like getting out and
exercising more. It all works together.

— Jon Lewis is an attorney with Lewis, Feldman & Lehane, LLC in Birmingham, Alabama.

First and foremost, don’t go into the transaction unrepresented. Because the buyer’s agent is paid by the listing agent’s company (and this commission is established by the seller when the property is listed), having a buyer’s agent truly costs a smart purchaser absolutely nothing.

If a seller is represented by an agent and you are not, then you negotiate the entire transaction with a handicap. Though a good agent will not be dishonest or mislead you as a customer, his/her duty is to the “client.” Any agent who tells you that he/she can properly represent his/her seller/client and do his/her best for you as the customer at the same time is not giving you the complete story. Have your own agent represent you in the transaction.

Travel with someone you trust. View properties during daylight hours and if you don’t know the agent or person you are meeting then drive in your own vehicle and don’t go it alone. When meeting an agent for the first time, he/she will request a copy of your driver’s license for his/her office file. Protect
yourself as well. It’s a little like dating — be cautious.

When you visit properties, look before you leap or even step. Especially in today’s market of foreclosures and short sales, properties may be in poor condition. I’ve seen holes in floors and broken
glass in kitchens. Be careful. Make a list of features that are most important to you — i.e., deal breakers.

This list may range from the number of bedrooms or bathrooms, to a particular school district, or even
the orientation of the kitchen for sun exposure. Don’t let emotion move you to buy a house that isn’t the one you are seeking. Patience pays off.

Be cautious of the listing that doesn’t allow for inspection. When the housing market bubble was at its peak just a few years ago, buyers were caught in situations where escalation clauses and competing contracts had them scrambling for ways to “win” the deal. Contracts written with no contingencies place the buyer in a very precarious position.

Today, many foreclosures are listed with the caveat that there can be no home inspection contingencies. If there are other contingencies that will take time to run, then you may be able to
perform an inspection for information purposes only and then withdraw from the sale before other contingencies, such as delivery of homeowner documents or financing, are met. Don’t try this without an experienced agent at your side and unless you are certain that a new roof or a big plumbing job won’t change your mind about the value of your transaction. Don’t move forward without an inspection.

Beware of a home that tickles your nose (or your agent’s nose). Mold is a serious matter; a damp-smelling basement, a green line or watermark around a baseboard, new carpet and paint only in the basement of an otherwise, not renovated home are clues that something may be amiss. A reliable
agent and a home inspection are good insurance against a wet house.

Septic systems can be efficient and work for centuries. They can also be overburdened by additions and limit construction options. When buying a home with a septic system, be sure that “perk” certificates are in order. If you think you may want to add additional bedrooms or bathrooms, then be sure the land can support the extra “perk” that will be required.

If you are buying an older home, you probably know to have the inspector check for asbestos and lead paint. However, many buyers are not aware of the possible dangers of polybutylene piping. These pipes, used largely in construction during the ’80s and ’90s, are known for flaking and becoming brittle.

Micro-fractures may occur and the basic structural integrity of the system may be harmed. If this failure occurs, then flooding and water damage to a home can be huge. Once again, a good home inspection is most important to a safe transaction.

Be sure the home title is clear. Pay for a title search and buy title insurance — no if, ands or buts. Be aware of any mechanics’ liens (money owed to contractors, if registered against the property, convey with title). Don’t be stuck with someone else’s debt or a home that doesn’t clearly belong to the party selling it to you. Depending on the state the property is in, this means using a reputable title company
and closing attorney.

The most important safety rule in buying a home is to be thorough and patient in your search and to rely on an honest and experienced agent, one who represents you first and foremost.

— Melissa Landau is with Abrams Landau Ltd. in Herndon, Virginia. She is also a licensed agent with Keller Williams Realty.

A few simple steps could go a long way in preventing harm. Here are some suggestions.

Drowning
Situation: A 4-year-old girl drowns when her mother briefly left her unattended in the bathtub.

Solution: Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence. Children can drown in only a few inches of water; never leave a young child alone in the bath — even for a minute. Bath seats and rings are meant to be bathing aids and will not prevent drowning if the infant is left unattended. Young children can also fall headfirst into the toilet and drown. Never leave water in the bathtub and consider installing
toilet seat locks to keep small children from opening the lid.

Burns
Situation: A 2-year-old boy climbs out of a bathroom sink with his right foot under running water. The child suffered burns to both feet. The apartment building in which the family lived provided scald guards for the water heaters, but the guard had been removed from their unit. The maximum water temperature obtained from their faucets was determined to be greater than 150°F. It was later determined that the child climbed on the nearby toilet seat and turned on the water.

Solution: Children are hospitalized daily from burns by hot water. If severe enough, a child can be scarred or disfigured for life. To prevent such burns, set your water heater temperature to 120°F. For
added safety, install a faucet with safety stops that restrict how far the handle can be turned toward hot. Always check the bath water temperature before you put your child in the bath.

Falls
Situation: A 6-year-old boy was trying to get out of the tub when he slipped and fell. His head hit the ceramic tile soap dish that hung off the tile wall, breaking it on impact. It caused a 2-inch gash on his forehead; it was cut to the bone.

Solution: Most bathroom injuries come from slips and falls. To avoid injuries:

+ Keep the floor dry and clean. Use a slip resistant and quick-dry rug or carpet on the bathroom floor.

+ Apply non-skid pads on the bottom of the tub or use a rubber bath mat.

+ Slide a cushioned spout guard over the faucet.

+ Install bathtub safety rails or handles to safely get in and out of tub.

+ Use a sturdy stepstool with non-slip rubber feet to help little ones reach the sink.

+ Only use bath seats and rings if a child can sit upright unassisted, but never leave a young child alone in a tub.

Poisoning
Situation: The mother of a 1-year-old — who was blow-drying her hair — notices him holding a bottle of spilled pills. Did he swallow any? She rushes him to the emergency room where — after having his stomach pumped — it is determined that he did not swallow any pills.

Solution: To safeguard against poisoning, keep all chemicals out or reach of children and locked in a medicine cabinet or stored in a cabinet with child-resistant safety cap. Some items may seem harmless, but do contain dangerous chemicals if ingested. It is important to remember that child-resistant doesn’t always mean child proof. Even child-proof lids can be opened by a determined child, so it’s best to eliminate their presence all together. Never discard these items in a trash can that is accessible by a
young child.

Electrical Shock
Situation: A 6-year-old girl is found with a hair dryer in a water-filled bath tub. The child was in the tub with her 2-year-old sister when their mother briefly left the room. When the mother discovered the toddler out of the bathroom, she went to check on her other daughter and found her unresponsive in the bathtub with the hair dryer. It is unknown how the hair dryer got in the tub.

Solution: Fatal accidents like this can be avoided by keeping all electrical devices — hairdryers, curling irons and razors away from a full bathtub or running water and, in general, out of the reach of children. Hot curling irons are also responsible for many childhood burns and cords left lying around can cause accidental strangulation. Throwing water on electrical outlets or appliances can also be dangerous. Electrical items should be safely stored in a locked cabinet or out of a child’s reach. Electrical outlets should be covered to prevent children from putting any objects into the outlet. Ground-fault circuit interrupters can provide additional safety in the event that an appliance falls in water.

The best precaution is to never plug in an electrical appliance near water. Most importantly, children — especially those under 8 — should not be allowed to use electrical appliances without adult supervision.
It is difficult to watch small children for every minute of every day; but, there are too many dangers in the bathroom to take chances.

Thus, the simplest way to avoid serious injuries or death is to make bathrooms inaccessible to small children unless those children are accompanied by an adult.

Install a door lock or latch that is high enough so your child cannot reach it; make sure you use the lock or latch and keep the door closed at all times.

— Mark Bello is the owner and founder of Lawsuit Financial Corp. in Southfield, Michigan.

Layering
Rule #1 – Layer. Layers provide warmth and create a shell that will protect you from the outside elements. Thankfully, with the invention of breathable synthetic and polyester fiber material, we now have the ability to create lighter garments that will wick moisture away from your skin and
add to your inner warm layer.

In choosing the proper layering, experts suggest base layer, insulation and protective layers.

Base Layer – Should consist of light, moisture wicking materials, such as Thinsulate, silk and Thermax, kept close to your body. Do not use cotton material.

Insulation Layer – Should be made up of a thicker substance such as wool or fleece.

Protective Layer – Provides tightly woven fabric that is somewhat waterproof and windproof to create a warming pocket around your body, keeping you snug in the harsh, inclement weather.

Don’t Forget Your Extremities
Make sure to utilize head-covering gear, as 60 percent of your body heat can escape that way. Mittens or gloves, scarves, warm socks and the right shoes will finish off good winter protection. Also, accessories, such as sunglasses, may help prevent eye damage from UV sun rays.

What Not to Do
Good intentions may get the best of you if you’re not careful. Heed these tips:

Don’t wear clothes that are too tight. They can be restrictive and prevent the wicking from working properly.
Don’t wear jeans. They can soak up water and lead to bigger problems.
Don’t wear too many socks. In the end, they will provide less protection and potentially cut off circulation.
Don’t buy winter boots that are too big. They will provide no protection and could let in water or snow.

Thinking ahead can make all the difference during the winter season. Dressing properly will go a long way toward making winter a sometimes fun — and hopefully warm — time.

— Mike Bryant is an attorney with Bradshaw & Bryant in Minneapolis.

The flu is more dangerous for some groups of people: adults over age 65, children under age 2 and people of any age who have chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, congestive heart failure or lung disease. Anyone who contracts the flu is in for at least five days of misery, so we all want to avoid it. 

Here are some reminders to help you and your family stay flu free for the season.

Get vaccinated. The flu is caused by one of many forms of the influenza virus. Every year, scientists
figure out the three forms most likely to cause illness and produce a vaccine for those three forms. Even
if you are exposed to a different form, it is likely that the vaccine will either prevent or lessen your illness. Because the vaccine is made from dead virus, it cannot cause the flu.

Hate needles? No problem. There is a mist version for healthy people between ages 2 and 49 who are not pregnant. If you are 18 to 64, you can take a version that is given just under the skin with a very small needle. There are very few side effects of the vaccination, but if you have health problems, allergies or are pregnant, be sure to discuss them with your health care provider.

Encourage your family, friends and co-workers to contain any coughs or sneezes in a tissue disposing of it immediately; and be a good example. If a tissue is not available, then cough or sneeze into your sleeve near the elbow to be as far as possible away from hands. Coughs and sneezes are the main way the flu is spread.

Wash your hands as often as possible with soap and water. Develop the habit of not touching
your mouth, nose or eyes with your hands.

Try to avoid people who are sick, especially if they are coughing and sneezing.

If you get the flu, you can get antiviral medication from your doctor that may shorten or lessen your
symptoms.

If you have a fever, stay home until you have been fever free for 24 hours. Do not stop breast feeding if you get the flu.

— Kurt Arbuckle is an attorney with Kurt Arbuckle, PC in Houston, Texas.

However, most drivers do not know that tires have an expiration date. Just because a tire looks brand-new does not mean it is safe to use. Tires have an expiration date and should not be used if it has been six years or longer since the tire was manufactured.

Other tire failure factors include:
» Age of the tire: Tires deteriorate with age; older tires have a much higher risk of failure than newer tires with similar wear and tread depth.
» Use of the tire: Tire deterioration is accelerated when the tire is stored and not used on a regular basis.
» Temperature: Tire deterioration is accelerated by heat. Tires used primarily in warmer climates (such as the Southwest) have a higher risk of failure than tires used in cooler climates. Tire companies have known for decades about the dangers of older tires, yet numerous human factor studies show
that the general public is unaware of this critical danger.

A 1977 Business Week article warned that “a long park in a garage can be as hard on tires as thousands of miles of highway travel.” A 1981 paper, The Effect of Tire Aging On Force And Moment Properties Of Radial Tires, found that it was “well known [in the tire industry] that over extended periods of time the physical properties of rubber undergo significant changes.

There are extensive discussions in the [industry] literature of how rubber properties such as modules elongation, loss factors, etc. are affected by ozone, temperature, oxidation, humidity and other environmental factors.”

Despite this knowledge, tire manufacturers still fail to provide readily accessible information about the age of tires. Tire manufacturers must provide the date on which the tire was manufactured, but not the expiration date after which the tire should not be used.

To make matters worse, the “born on” date is provided using a cryptic code that most consumers — and even most tire installers — are unable to accurately read. What’s more, until recently, these dates were placed on the inside wall of the tire making the manufacture date very difficult to find.

Tires are the only part of your car connecting you to the road. Even the most expensive and agile sports car cannot outmaneuver a blowout. Make sure you take adequate precautions to keep you and your loved ones safe by checking the condition of your tires regularly.

How to Determine the Age of Your Tires

» Each tire has a required Department of Transportation (DOT) number imprinted on at least one of its
sidewalls. That number begins with the letters “DOT” and may contain up to 12 additional numbers and
letters. The first and last digits are the most important.

» The first two letters or numbers identify the manufacturer of the tires.

» Prior to the year 2000, the last three digits of the DOT number represented the week (two digits) and
year (one digit) of production. So if the last three digits were 408, the tire was produced in the 40th week of the eighth year of the decade.

There was no universal identifier that confirmed which decade in which the tire was manufactured (however, tires produced in the 1990s may have a small triangle following the Tire Identification Number).

» Tires produced after January 1, 2000 have a four-digit date code at the end of the DOT number. The
first two digits represent the week of production and the last two digits represent the last two digits of the year of production. So, 5107 indicates that the tire was produced in the 51st week of the year 2007.

— Brett A. Emison is an attorney with Langdon & Emison in Lexington, Missouri.

For decades, there have been independent voices that periodically raised concerns about providing fluoride in drinking water (water “fluoridation”). Water fluoridation began in the 1940s and 1950s, as this was thought to help prevent cavities.

Fluoridation spread over the years to much of the United States. It was promoted by dental groups and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which claimed that extensive research had
showed fluoridation to be safe.

Then in 2006, the National Research Council issued an exhaustive report on fluoride that documented huge gaps in fundamental research on fluoridation that had never been thoroughly investigated.

Shortly after, the CDC quietly changed its statements about use of fluoridated water, specifically for mixing baby milk formula. The CDC’s actions raised questions about the agency’s motivations, especially when it was learned that the CDC had allowed its Oral Health Division to make determinations about the whole body safety of fluoridation.

In 2008, the National Kidney Foundation changed its stance on fluoridation and its name was removed from the American Dental Association’s list of fluoridation endorsers. News also began to surface that minority populations were disproportionately harmed by fluorides, particularly by “dental fluorosis,” a
permanent and costly-to-repair staining of teeth indicative of overexposure to fluorides as a child. In 2010, the National Center for Health Statistics stated that 41 percent of adolescents ages 12-15 now
have some form of fluorosis.

While the CDC and the Kidney Foundation chose to quietly modify their positions on fluoridation, a growing number of cities, such as Quebec, are now starting to publicly question and reject fluoridation.

According to CDC statistics, millions of teens and adults now have dental fluorosis. What’s more, the National Research Council now says that kidney patients, diabetics, babies and seniors are “susceptible subpopulations” that are especially vulnerable to harm from fluorides. In addition, this also affects
those with bone or joint harm and those with certain thyroid disorders.

Moving forward, families should consult medical professionals and consider whether to limit children’s and their own exposure to fluoride.

For more information, please visit www.SpotsOnMyTeeth.com and www.fluoridealert.org.

— Daniel G. Stockin, Christopher T. Nidel and Christopher T. Nace are attorneys with Paulson & Nace in Washington, D.C.

Furnaces
Furnaces are relatively safe and common, which is why it is easy for homeowners to forget to maintain them.

Here’s a brief checklist for maintaining your furnace or heating device:

• Inspection and cleaning service is recommended yearly for most furnaces, and can help catch deadly carbon monoxide leaks.
• Check the filter biannually, more often if you live in a colder climate.
• Keep anything flammable away from the vent pipe — at least 6 inches of space is a good gauge.

Space Heaters
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 6,000 people need hospital emergency room care each year for burn injuries associated with contacting hot surfaces of space heaters. Here’s what you can do:

• Never leave a space heater on when you are not in the room.
• Make sure your heater has been tested by UL (Underwriters Laboratories), an independent safety certification organization. Products that are UL tested will have a safety sticker visible on the
• packaging.
• Check for a “kill” switch that automatically turns off the heater if it tips or falls.
• Keep space heaters 3 feet away from anything flammable, including wallpaper, clothing, bedding, curtains — even pets.

Fireplaces
Fireplaces are particularly dangerous for small children and the elderly. Here are a few basic safety reminders:

• Get smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This seems pretty basic, but it’s easy to let it slip through the cracks. Remember to replace the batteries annually.
• Where is your fire extinguisher? If you can’t answer that off the top of your head, you might be in trouble. Make sure there’s one relatively close to your fireplace.
• Keep flammable materials 3 feet away from the fireplace. A spark from a burning log can set fabric in pillows, curtains, or rugs on fire very quickly. The glass doors on gas fireplaces can get extremely hot.
• Keep your kids and pets away from the fireplace. The best way to do this is using a physical barrier,  such as a gate, to keep children at a distance.
• Douse the fire before you go to bed or leave the house. For gas/electric fireplaces, make sure they’ve have been turned off.
• Install a switch lock on your gas or electric fireplace.

— Tom D’Amore is an attorney with D’Amore Law Group, PC in Lake Oswego, Oregon.

Available in English or Spanish, the cards will be distributed as part of the free information packets given to new parents upon leaving the hospital.

Safety tips on the card include the memory device, BE SAFE:

Back seat – Put something in the back seat of your vehicle that requires you to open the back door every time you park — cellphone, employee badge, handbag, etc.

Every child should be correctly restrained in the back seat.

Stuffed animal – Keep a stuffed animal in your child’s car seat. Place it on the front passenger seat as a reminder when your baby is in the back seat.

Ask your babysitter or child-care provider to call you if your child hasn’t arrived on time.

Focus on driving – Avoid cellphone calls and texting while driving.

Every time you park make it a routine to open the back door of your car to check that no one has been left behind.

For more information, visit KidsAndCars.org.