THE DARK SIDE OF ST. PATRICK’S DAY
GET YOUR SEASONAL ALLERGIES BEFORE THEY GET YOU!
According to Forbes, people around the world raise a mind-boggling 13 million pints of Guinness every year on St. Patrick’s Day. As you read on Page 1, Kevin loves to join in! But all of this drinking and merrymaking has a dark side: drunk drivers. St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most dangerous days of the year to be on the road. In our office, the number of car crash cases we see spikes on St. Patty’s Day night, just like on New Year’s Eve, Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Halloween. The United States Department of Transportation confirms this isn’t a fluke. In 2016 alone, 60 people died in collisions with drunk drivers over the St. Paddy’s Day holiday period, and odds are good that many more survived but suffered traumatic brain injuries or other catastrophic damage. We’re not telling you this to scare you off celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Quite the opposite! We want you to have a great time on March 17, but we also want you to be safe. Follow the three tips below to minimize your risk. 1. PLAN TO SPEND YOUR WHOLE NIGHT IN ONE PLACE. Skip bar-hopping and spend the entire night at your home or the home of a friend. Going out to multiple places poses a risk for COVID-19, and every time you have to jump in the car to get from bar to bar, you increase the odds of an accident. If you’re celebrating at a friend’s house and plan to drink, see if you can stay over. 2. IF YOU’RE HOSTING A GATHERING, SERVE PLENTY OF FOOD WITH THE BEER AND WHISKEY. Drinking on an empty stomach (or letting your guests do it) is a recipe for disaster, so be sure to have plenty of snacks on hand. Nutrition experts told Thrillist that yogurt, hummus, avocados, spaghetti, and chicken are smart ingredient choices to keep drunkenness at bay and help ward off a hangover. 3. DRIVE DEFENSIVELY IF YOU NEED TO BE ON THE ROAD. Last but not least, if you have to drive on St. Patty’s Day, keep an extra-sharp eye out for sloppy drivers who could put you in danger. If you see someone clearly driving drunk or behaving erratically, move to the farthest lane you can and call 911.
Spring brings with it many wonderful things, like longer days, picturesque scenery, and spring break, but right alongside those good things is something most people suffer from: allergies. While beautiful, the blooming trees and flowers make you want to stay away from the great outdoors for fear of nonstop sneezing or puffy, watery eyes. If you suffer from allergies caused by pollen, grass, or other spring plants, take these steps to breathe a little easier. When outside, avoid walking through areas with weeds, shrubbery, or lots of trees as much as possible. Grass and weeds are notably problematic. The slightest breeze can send particles flying through the air in the blink of an eye. When you walk through grassy areas, pollen will get on you, your clothes, and your hair. It’s best to stick to trails, sidewalks, and other paved areas. If you do find yourself inundated with pollen or other allergens, your next best bet is to establish an at-home decontamination protocol. Take your shoes off at the door and make sure your clothes don’t come in contact with soft surfaces such as carpet, upholstery, or bedding. Take care to wash your “pollinated” clothes as soon as possible and wash your sheets and pillowcases weekly. Next, head for the shower. The sooner you can wash away the allergens, the better. Finally, don’t forget to replace the air filter in your home’s air system in the spring. Consider using an air filter designed to capture allergens. If your allergies are particularly troublesome, invest in a dedicated air filtration system or unit. While you can opt for portable, stand-alone air purifiers, there are larger systems that can be incorporated into your heating and air system that keep your entire home’s air free from most, if not all, common allergens.
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