Four Quick Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills

• Shut air vents in unused rooms. Shut the blinds and close the curtains. Don’t waste money cooling or warming rooms that aren’t being used.
• Turn off all the lights and electronics in a room when they are not in use. It is estimated that the average family can save up to $50 a month just by turning off the lights when they leave a room.
• Unplug electronic devices that aren’t in daily use. Even when you aren’t actively using them, many devices are using electricity that you end up paying for.
• Use a programmable thermostat to raise (in summer) or lower (in winter) the temperature 7-8 degrees when everyone is not at home during the day. Program the thermostat to bump the temperature up or down 4 degrees when everyone is asleep. 

911 or 988? Who are you gonna call?

These two easy-to-remember emergency numbers can also be easy-to-confuse. Here’s the difference.

911 calls anywhere in North America reach a local dispatcher at a Public Safety Answering Point, who can send first responders to the caller’s location. Often the dispatcher will stay on the line with the caller, providing support until EMS, fire department, or police arrive. 911 calls should only be made for emergencies, such as reporting a fire or crime in progress, or requesting an ambulance.

Most of the funding for 911 services is from state and local coffers. This might be general tax revenue funds or surcharge fees on phone bills (landline and wireless). Some federal grants have been offered for specific 911 projects. Some rural areas do not have 911 services available.

Next Generation 911 (NG911) is an upgrade to existing 911 services. This program will allow transmission of data, photos, and videos to 911. Transitioning to Next Generation 911 creates additionalexpenses.

988 is the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are having a suicidal crisis, mental health issue, or emotional distress, call 988. You will be connected with mental health professionals who can provide appropriate support. This service is available 24/7, and you can access it by phone, text, or online chat.

The 988 Lifeline is primarily funded by the SubstanceAbuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency within the US Department of Health and Human Services. Some funding is provided by state telecom fees.

SAMHSA used to provide specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth through the 988 Lifeline. This service has been discontinued, but LGBTQ+ youth can still receive services at 988.

When a caller to 988 is in imminent danger, these calls are connected to 911 so the caller can receive emergency services. Less than 2% of 988 calls are referred. Studies of the effectiveness of 988 services show that 98% of calls are resolved at first contact. Most callers to 988 feel less overwhelmed, depressed, or suicidal when their 988 call has ended. They feel more hopeful after speaking with a 988 counselor.

Someone will always be there to answer. 

TIP - How to Safely Store Household Batteries

Too many people buy multipacks of household batteries, insert a few into devices, and throw the rest into a junk drawer to use later on.

This is not a safe practice! Batteries have been known to short-circuit or leak if they touch something metal, like coins, flatwear, keys or paperclips. Or if they touch each other.

Also, storing batteries near a heat source can accelerate the chemical reactions inside them that create the electricity, causing a reduced lifespan and increasing the risk of a leak or fire.

Store left-over batteries in their original container if possible. Never stash them where they might touch other metal objects or each other.

Tips for Staying Happy and Mentally Healthy This Winter

It gets dark really early in winter (in the northern hemisphere). It can get uncomfortably cold. Driving or even walking outside can be treacherous. And then there are colds, flu, and other winter maladies. Plus, the seasonal holidays can provide extra stress.

How can you stay mentally healthy and enjoy the season? Here are some tips.

• Keep consistent bedtime and wake-up times. If possible, try to avoid irregular sleep duration, which can lead to atherosclerosis, when fatty deposits build up in arteries and can cause stroke or heart attack. Seven to nine hours of sleep should be enough. Too much sleep is as unhealthy as too little; it can cause depression, headache, heart disease, or type 2 diabetes.
• Get sun when you wake up. Exposure to sunlight in the morning combats seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It also keeps your body clock aligned with your natural circadian rhythm. Sunlight raises the level of serotonin in your body. That’s a “feel good” chemical! 

• Stay positively connected to others. Humans are social animals. Activities shared with a friend are more motivating and, therefore, more likely to be repeated than solo activities. Even virtual socialization helps.
• Take an “adult recess.” Do something fun with a friend or try an activity you used to like as a child. Playfulness is a great strategy for coping with stress. Playing releases endorphins, more “feel good” chemicals, and that increases your life satisfaction.
• Volunteering is another way to connect with others. The many benefits of helping others include more confidence, less stress, and a stronger sense of purpose. Whether you mentor a teen virtually, cook lasagna for someone in need, or make regular phone calls to someone who is isolated, helping others ends up helping yourself. Check out the volunteer opportunities, on-site or virtual, on Idealist.
• Check with your healthcare provider about vitamin D and magnesium supplements. Since sunlight is a major source of vitamin D, you may need additional in wintertime. Magnesium helps regulate vitamin D levels. A blood test can determine if you need a supplement.
• Reach out for help if you need it. If winter is interfering with your daily life, it’s wise to talk to a healthcare professional who may recommend medication, mental health therapy, or supplements. Knowing when to get help is not a weakness, it’s a strength.