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Staying inside is no guarantee of safety. Take these steps to keep your home safe and warm during the winter months.

Winterize your home.
Install weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows.
Insulate water lines that run along exterior walls.
Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks.
Check your heating systems.
Have your heating system serviced professionally to make sure that it is clean, working properly, and ventilated to the outside.
Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys.
If you do not have a working smoke detector, install one. Test batteries monthly and replace them twice a year.
Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available.
Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) emergencies.
Install a CO detector to alert you of the presence of the deadly, odorless, colorless gas. Check batteries when you change your clocks in the fall and spring.
Learn symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
Don’t Forget to Prepare Your Car
Get your car ready for cold weather use before winter arrives.

Service the radiator and maintain antifreeze level.
Check tire tread or, if necessary, replace tires with all-weather or snow tires.
Keep gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
Use a wintertime formula in your windshield washer.
Prepare a winter emergency kit to keep in your car in case you become stranded. The kit should include:
cell phone, portable charger, and extra batteries;
blankets;
food and water;
booster cables, flares, tire pump, and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction);
compass and maps;
flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries;
first-aid kit; and
plastic bags (for sanitation).
Be prepared for weather-related emergencies, including power outages.

Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration and water stored in clean containers.
Ensure that your cell phone is fully charged.
When planning travel, be aware of current and forecast weather conditions.
Keep an up-to-date emergency kit, including:
Battery-operated devices, such as a flashlight, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, and lamps;
extra batteries;
first-aid kit and extra medicine;
baby items; and
cat litter or sand for icy walkways.
Protect your family from carbon monoxide.
Keep grills, camp stoves, and generators out of the house, basement and garage.
Locate generators at least 20 feet from the house.
Leave your home immediately if the CO detector sounds.
Take These Precautions Outdoors
Outdoor activities can expose you to several safety hazards, but you can take these steps to prepare for them:

Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: wear a tightly woven, preferably wind-resistant coat or jacket; inner layers of light, warm clothing; mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof boots.
Sprinkle cat litter or sand on icy patches.
Learn safety precautions to follow when outdoors.
Work slowly when doing outside chores.
Take a buddy and an emergency kit when you are participating in outdoor recreation.
Carry a cell phone.
Do This When You Plan to Travel
When planning travel, be aware of current and forecast weather conditions.

Avoid traveling when the weather service has issued advisories.
If you must travel, inform a friend or relative of your proposed route and expected time of arrival.
Follow these safety rules if you become stranded in your car.
Make your car visible to rescuers. Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna, raise the hood of the car (if it is not snowing), and turn on the inside overhead lights (when your engine is running).
Move anything you need from the trunk into the passenger area. Stay with your car unless safety is no more than 100 yards away.
Keep your body warm. Wrap your entire body, including your head, in extra clothing, blankets, or newspapers. Huddle with other people if you can.
Stay awake and stay moving. You will be less vulnerable to cold-related health problems. As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to improve circulation and stay warmer.
Run the motor (and heater) for about 10 minutes per hour, opening one window slightly to let in air. Make sure that snow is not blocking the exhaust pipe—this will reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Above all, be ready to check on family and neighbors who are especially at risk from cold weather hazards: young children, older adults, and the chronically ill. If you have pets, bring them inside. If you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate, warm shelter and unfrozen water to drink.

Conclusion
No one can stop the onset of winter. However, if you follow these suggestions, you will be ready for it when it comes.

Be sure to visit CDC’s Winter Weather webpage for more winter weather safety tips.

Red River ER supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on us, or any one of our concierge-level, medical facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Coffee in moderation can be a part of a perfectly healthy diet. However, many find themselves depending on that morning cup of coffee a little too much thanks to the delicious flavor and, most importantly, that caffeine boost.

However, caffeine is a drug. In fact, research shows that caffeine (usually in the form of coffee) is the United States’ most commonly used drug.

If you find yourself getting headaches without that morning (and sometimes afternoon) cup, there’s a good chance you’re actually addicted to coffee, which can lead to anxiety, withdrawal symptoms, teeth yellowing, nutritional problems, and more.

Not great, is it? That’s why we’ve compiled this list of healthy alternatives to coffee in the morning, and in general. Let’s get started.

Tea

Before you quit caffeine cold turkey, you might want to consider weaning off of it instead. This can reduce the withdrawal symptoms you’ll feel and boost your chances at success.

As you wean yourself off caffeine, try switching to various types of tea. Caffeinated tea usually has a lower amount of caffeine compared to coffee, which will give you a little kick you need without going overboard.

If you want to go all-in with your health, we highly recommend mushroom tea. Mushroom and adaptogenic tea (aka tea packed with amazingly healthy compounds called adaptogens) provide amazing nutrients, antioxidants, and benefits without relying on caffeine. You’ll feel focused, energetic, and healthy without caffeine.

Matcha green tea is another healthy option. Matcha is packed with antioxidants and has been linked to lowered cholesterol, better digestion, relaxation, reduced stress, and more.

Kombucha

The tea section leads perfectly into “kombucha” because, well, kombucha is a type of tea-based drink, too!

Specifically, kombucha is a drink made from fermented tea, yeast, and sugar. This creates a drink loaded with natural probiotics to promote digestion. Because it’s made with either black or green tea, it does contain some caffeine, but nowhere near the amount of caffeine found in coffee.

Kombucha made from green tea is especially healthy thanks to all of the benefits of green tea that we mentioned in the matcha section. Evidence also shows that kombucha can kill harmful bacteria, is filled with powerful immune-boosting antioxidants, and can even reduce your risk of heart disease.

Coconut Water

Ready to make the jump into a caffeine-less existence? Try replacing that morning cup of coffee with coconut water.

Coconut water is the liquid found inside young green coconuts. This drink is packed with nutrients, antioxidants, electrolytes, and minerals that many people don’t get enough of in their everyday diet.

Perhaps the most beneficial properties of coconut water are the electrolytes, which promotes hydration and proper cellular balance. This can help you during workouts, after exercise, and is extremely helpful for those cutting back on sugar. It’s also packed with essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium.

Celery Juice

Celery juice is definitely one of the trendiest options on this list with it being virtually non-existent until the last couple of years. However, it recently exploded in popularity thanks to the various benefits people experience with it.

One of the most lauded benefits of celery juice is how it can aid in digestion. Celery juice can help balance the acid in your stomach, which makes digestion easier and more efficient. Celery juice also has been linked to:

Lower cholesterol
Lower blood pressure
Improved liver function
Increased antioxidants and immunity
Lower inflammation
Celery juice is also chock full of vitamins and nutrients like vitamin B6, folate, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin K. These can help you feel healthier and boost your energy as well, which makes it the perfect replacement for coffee in the morning.

Golden Milk

Let’s end with a little bit of an odd-ball, shall we? Golden milk sounds a bit strange, but it’s actually one of the most delicious and nutritious options on this list.

Golden milk is a concoction of turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, and ginger in warm milk or milk substitutes. Many also add vanilla, honey, or agave to make it a bit sweeter.

Turmeric is the star of the show with this beverage option, providing you with powerful compounds called “circumins” that are powerful antioxidant and antiinflammatories. The black pepper helps your body absorb the circumin from the turmeric, and the honey and vanilla are there to provide a little bit of sweetness to start your day.

This beverage is a lot like a latte, so you’ll still get the feeling of a warm and delicious beverage like you would with a cup of coffee. It’s a lot like chai tea as well, also mimicking another beloved caffeinated beverage without the unhealthy effects.