Winter, and all that comes with it

It’s that time of year again – the leaves are fast falling from the trees and the temperature is steadily dropping. Within a few short weeks, some of us will be seeing the first snowfall of the year. And snow is a mixed bag; while first snow means snowboarding, skiing, and other delightful Hokkaido adventures, it also means freezing temperatures, sickness, slipping, sliding and assorted accidents.

Get some tips on how to best handle the coming winter after the break.

First order of business: the flu. As I’m sure you know, H1N1 is picking up strength as the temperature drops. Many of you have experienced school closures due to local outbreaks, and all of you have experienced the push for extra hygiene: in addition to washing hands and gargling, schools and businesses are pushing for the use of disinfectants and surgical masks.

The good news is, the vaccine is available next month for those who want it. The bad news? The vaccine will probably cost you some yen, and more pressingly, there might not be enough to vaccinate everyone. If you are interested in getting the vaccine, I suggest asking people at your school or in town about local eligibility and availability.

Unfortunately, H1N1 is not the only disease around, so in addition to vaccines, hygiene and eating well, please consider the following piece of advice: STAY WARM! When you see how much electric and kerosene bills add to your monthly expenditures, you may be tempted to go the cheapskate’s route and suffer through the cold in the winter. Keep in mind, staying warm is important for more than just your health – cold temperatures cause other problems as well.

For example, cold causes plumbing problems. If you don’t want to receive a 5man plumbing bill and take trips to the public bath for the entirety of January (like I did last year), heat your house. If your kerosene heater doesn’t cut it, look into other options; there is an array of winter heating available, including electric heaters, kotatsu (heated tables), heated carpets, and heated blankets. You just might feel happier too!

Finally, take precautions to deal with the slipping and sliding. Make sure you have some shoes with good grip. If you drive a car, have the tires changed in the next week or so. Put on those winter windshield wipers and have the oil changed, if necessary. Keep a warm blanket and other emergency supplies in the trunk. Like a boy scout, be prepared!

And with that, cheers to a beautiful winter, accident free and full of fun adventures!

Vicki