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Page? Avoid Unnecessary Trips to Doctor Clinton employees hear a lot today about taking care of themselves and cutting down on unnecessary doctor visits. While it is im portant to get prompt medical care when it is needed, this information provides common sense approaches to some frequent health problems. The Common Cold Your nose runs, muscles ache and you cough and sneeze! Sometimes there is a mild fever. The common cold is a viral infec tion and can include stuffy ears, sore throat and hoarseness. Most physicians feel that colds account for more unnecessary visits to the doctor than any other group of problems. Aspirin is the best available medicine for the fever and aches associated with colds and flu. Two five grain tablets every four hours is standard treatment. If you cannot tolerate aspirin, any of the non-aspirin products on Fire Safety Important This Time of Year Christmas trees, lighted candles, arrange ments of evergree sprigs — traditional de corative touches which spread the holiday atmosphere throughout the home — can also spread the horror of fire unless great care is taken. This is the warning from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) which urges everyone to keep fire safety high on the list of important things to remember this time of year. Follow these suggestions from NFPA when planning Christmas trees, lighting, de corations, wrappings and gifts: TREE—Select a firm, fresh one, and put it at once in a cool place with its base in water. Before setting it up, cut about an inch off the base to help the tree absorb water, then place the tree in a sturdy stand containing water. Be sure water level stays above the cut — check it daily. Take it down as soon as possible after Christmas — the more it dries out, the more of a hazard it becomes. LIGHTING—Never use lighted candles on a tree or near any evergreen decorations. Check sets of electric lights closely for worn insulation, broken plugs, loose bulb sock ets, and use only sets with Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) or Canadian Standards Association (CSA) label. Use extension cords sparingly. DECORATIONS—Use materials which are non-combustible, such as glass, or which are flame-retardant. Keep natural evergreens and polystyrene foam decora tions away from candles, fireplaces, or oth- Bob Hope, “It matters to me — Made in USA.” er open flames. WRAPPINGS—Pick them up while open ing gifts and put into covered trash contain ers. Never burn wrappings, cartons, etc., in the fireplace. GIFTS—To meet safety standards, elec tric toys should carry UL or CSA label. Make Your Home and Family Safe Do you use only the proper size fuses — not more than 15 amps for lighting circuits? Are there a sufficient number of electrical outlets for all appliances to avoid “octopus” wiring and prevent overload circuits? Are ex tension cords used properly — not under rugs or hooked over nails? Do you have a strict family rule against smoking in bed? Are matches and lighters kept out of the reach of small children? Does everyone know that ashtrays should never be emptied into waste baskets? Do you dispose of rubbish daily in metal containers outside your home? Do you prac tice good housekeeping in storage areas, such as attics, closets, basements and gar ages, by keeping them free of combustibles — old clothing, furniture, newspapers and magazines? Before your family’s luck runs out, take the necessary action to make both your home and your family fire safe. Don’t gamble with your family’s safety and well-being. Protect both your family and your home from fire by knowing and following all fire safety rules. the market can be used in equivalent doses. Drink extra water and juices. The body requires more fluids when you have a fever. Extra fluids also help keep mucous more liquid and helps prevent complications such as bronchitis and ear infections. Fever Normal temperature varies from person to person and changes frequently during the day. Generally your temperature is lowest when you first wake up. Movement, eating, excitement and activity can all elevate body temperature. Vigorous exercise can raise the body temperature to 103°F. Elevated tem perature becomes a fever when it is 100°F or above. Remember that an elevated tempera ture is not necessarily a sign of illness and does not indicate the seriousness of the underlying problem. Muscle Aches and Pains We have all experienced achy muscles and joints from time to time. Although bothersome, it is usually not serious. Aches and pains can be from tension, viral infec tions, overexertion, accidents and some times for no obvious reason. Rest and exer cise are important in treatment. Warm baths, massages and gentle stretching exer cises should be used frequently. Regular exercise to restore muscle tone is a must. Walking, biking and swimming are especial ly good. Two five grain aspirin tablets every four hours may help. If there is swelling, redness or heat in the joint or pain in motion of the joint, the problem may be arthritis. The same treatment listed above will usually resolve the problem. If arthritis type prob lems persist for more than several weeks, consult a doctor. Employees having questions about any type of health problem should contact their plant nurse. To: All Employees A few weeks ago, Clinton Mills, along with leading textile manufacturers throughout the country, participated in a company sponsored program for the Textile and Apparel Trade En forcement Act of 1985. The key element of that program was the request that each active and retired employee send a handwritten message to President Ronald Reagan urging him to support this much needed legislation. Employees, their family, friends, as well as numerous other groups, responded in an effec tive and timely manner that is so typical of the positive attitudes that exist among our em ployees. A total of 13,227 letters and cards were mailed to the President from Clinton Mills em ployees. As we anxiously await President Reagan's ac tion on this legislation, each of you can be as sured that we have done our part to convince the Reagan Administration something needs to be done now to protect our industry from imports. Again, let me say “Thank You” for a job well George H. Cornelson President