Soothe Your Sore Throat:

A sore throat can be caused by many factors, including allergies, tonsillitis, or the common cold. Follow these tips to help a sore throat:

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen.

Gargle a few times daily with one teaspoon of salt in a glass of water.

Suck on throat lozenges throughout the day to keep the throat moist.

Eat a popsicle or ice cream for dessert to sooth the throat.

Use a humidifier in the bedroom and in other rooms during the day.

Fight FROSTBITE:

Intense cold can freeze the water in the body's cells (frostbite). In case of frostbite:

Wrap the ares in a soft, loose cloth and seek medical attention right away.

If medical care is not nearby, hold the affected area under warm water, but not scalding, water until normal skin color returns.

Don't rub the area affected by frostbite. This could cause additional damage.

Provide warm liquids, such as tea or hot soup, if the person is alert and aware of his or her surroundings.

Ice Skating Safety:

Ice skating is a fun winter activity, but it can lead to injury. To help protect yourself on the ice, follow these suggestions:

Always skate with a helmet, especially if playing hockey.

Wear protective knee and elbows pads, mouth guards and shin guards if playing hockey.

Never skate on ice that hasn't been approved by local authorities. Only skate on public lakes or rinks that are determined safe for skating.

Learn to protect yourself in case the ice does break. If you fall though ice into the water, stretch your arms out to your sides, kick and try to crawl back onto the ice while shouting for help.

USE ANTIBIOTICS WISELY:

Antibiotics are effective medications, but only against bacteria. They do not work on illnesses such as the flu, the common cold and others caused by viruses. If you ask your doctor for antibiotics to treat colds, and the flu, they won't be effective when you really need them. If your doctor says that you need an antibiotic, its important to take the full prescription, even if you don't feel that you need it. Stopping your medication early can allow your illness to return, and the bacteria that caused it may become resistant to the antibiotic.