Schulze Law

Category: Boston

  • Boston Moving Tips

    Boston Moving Tips

    Moving is always a challenge. Moving in Boston can be even more difficult from everything between a competitive real estate market down to navigating the narrow, busy roads on move in day. But moving on Allston Christmas (September 1st) takes the cake and can seem nearly impossible!

    This year, September 1st and Labor Day fall on the same weekend. Which means as a Bostonian, you might be falling into one or two camps. The people facing the dreaded move, and the people who are relieved that they’re staying put, at least for another year…haha. If you plan on moving on September 1st in Boston, (or any time of the year for that matter), there are some very important things that you should know to help navigate this extremely busy moving day in the city. Most people in the city know Bostonians start planning their September 1st moves almost 5 months in advance due to the incredibly high demand for this popular lease starting date. Which almost seems nuts but totally necessary. So it’s never too soon to get started on your planning process and to make sure you have your bases covered.

    As we creep up on September 1st, by this point, anyone who is planning to move should have signed their new leases, rented their moving trucks, and probably even busted out the bubble wrap. Perhaps you’re one of the roughly 250,000 college students at one of the many local colleges, or one of the 79% of Bostonians whose leases turn over on this dreaded date.

    The Globe reported in 2017, that the combined number of permits for August 31 and September 1 was over 1,200, compared with the average of about 37 on any other day. According to apartment listing website RentHop, August 2017 saw a record 3,257 permits issued. The Globe reports that on Labor Day weekend could see around 2,000 moving trucks hit the road. The zip codes with the highest numbers of permits are located in Brighton, Southie, Back Bay and the West End.

    Since Labor Day weekend is also expected to bring increased traffic to Boston over the next few days, this will make escaping the madness no easier!!!

    If you’re dreading the big day, don’t stress! Here are some tips to help navigate the chaos of moving in Boston. According to YourMoveInc.com, Boston.gov & OlympiaMoving.com, here some of the most important things to remember!

    If possible, move any day except August 31st or September 1st. It might not be remotely possible but it will be cheaper and easier if you are able to move on literally any other day. Both rental truck and moving companies charge a premium for those dates. Traffic will be at a peak. If you have flexibility to move out of your apartment a bit early or push your move in to the first week of September, do it.

    Plan Ahead. Try to contact a mover 6-8 weeks prior to your move date. This will allow for time to schedule an in-home estimate with multiple companies, receive and review quotes, and then schedule the mover of choice. This should also give time for those moving into or from Boston who require parking permits and or elevator reservations.

    Research moving companies. Not all moving companies are created equal. Reach out to multiple companies for estimates and compare prices, but keep in mind that the cheapest option might not be the best. Make sure your movers are licensed and insured.

    Get a parking permit. If you are moving in Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, or Somerville, you need to get a parking permit for your moving truck at the origin and destination. This prevents expensive parking tickets. The permit also reserves your parking space on move day, so you don’t have to waste time circling the block looking for parking. Even worse, without a permit you might end up parking way down the street and lugging your sofa a long distance to your apartment. When you see parking permits, please respect them! Otherwise you risk your vehicle being towed.

    Resources for obtaining parking permits:

    Find Out Your Move In/Out Time. A major oversight for many people moving on September 1st in Boston is finding out what time you need to be out of your current apartment, and what time you’re allowed to move into your new apartment. Talk to your leasing agent/realtor/landlords to find out exactly when you need to be out and when you can move in.  This will allow you to create a full-proof plan and not end up homeless on the curbside with a pile of stuff for 12-24 hours.

    Reserve Storage. If you face the challenge of someone moving who needs to be out of their current apartment a day or 2 before you can move into your new apartment, you’ll need to have a storage plan.  Your options are to either hire a moving company who can store your items for a day or 2, rent a storage locker, or get a rental truck for multiple days and leave your items on it while you wait to move in.  Whatever path you choose will book up very quickly so make your selection early and get this scheduled.

    Pack smart. As tempting as it is to just throw everything into boxes and call it a day, you’ll be mad at yourself when it comes to unpacking. Be sure to organize belongings as you pack and go from room to room. Eliminate anything you know you no longer need and sell or donate to charity. Use small boxes for heavy items and use large boxes for lighter items.

    Properly label boxes. Be sure to clearly label what you have and which room it belongs in so your movers know where to bring each box. Write the details on all sides of the box so this information is always visible.

    The sidewalk is not a garbage can. Do your part to keep Boston clean. Allston Christmas gets its name for all the free “gifts” abandoned by residents on the sidewalk. Sell or donate unwanted items instead, and properly dispose of garbage on trash day ahead of your move. Use the City of Boston’s trash & recycling guide for more information.

    Start early. Get going to beat the extra traffic. Set your alarm early and avoid wasting time in the gridlock.

    Stay hydrated & bring snacks. September 1st is often a hot! Keep your energy up by stocking up on water and snacks. Moving is hard enough, and it’s even more frustrating when you’re hangry.

    NEVER take a truck on Storrow Drive. Or Memorial Drive. Or any of these roads. Boston is infamous for low bridges. If you’re driving a truck, keep an eye out for “cars only” and clearance signs, and obey them. Otherwise, you will get “storrowed.”

    Good luck! You’ll survive your move and things will go even smoother when you follow our tips! Just don’t forget to invite us to the housewarming party!

     

    https://www.boston.gov/moving

    https://www.boston.com/

    https://www.cityofboston.gov/

  • What You Need To Know About The Updated Massachusetts Equal Pay Act

    What You Need To Know About The Updated Massachusetts Equal Pay Act

    All of us have been on a job interview at one time or another during our careers. One of the hot topics in job searching is salary. The subject of salary and the negotiation process is an important one. There are often many questions related to handling the dreaded money conversation. When is a good time to bring it up? Should the candidate wait for the employer to address it or vice versa? Is the salary requirement typically based of off the employee’s past compensation or the competitive range in the market? How much is typically negotiable? And the questions go on…

    Although there might be different salary strategies and effective ways to interview and score the salary you’re looking for, there are laws regarding salary. In fact, there are brand new, updated laws! It’s helpful for both the employee and employer to be aware of these legalities to avoid making mistakes in the process. It’s called The Massachusetts Pay Equity Act and it went into effect on July 1st, 2018. That means all employers, regardless of number of employees, whose employees perform all or the greater part of their work in Massachusetts, are required to comply with the MA Pay Equity Act (MPEA).

    The goal is to provide more clarity as to what constitutes unlawful wage discrimination and add protections to ensure greater fairness and equity in the workplace. The state will give significant responsibility to all Massachusetts employers to ensure equal pay for different genders for comparable work. The law broadens the definition of equal work, extends the statute of limitations, strengthens the penalties, and demands greater transparency in pay practices.

    Background:

    In 1945, Massachusetts became the first state in the country to pass an equal pay law. But even with its attempts, the gender pay gap continued. Also historically, the Massachusetts equal pay statute has not defined “comparable work.”According to Mass.gov, women working full time in Massachusetts earn, on average, about 84.3% of what men earn, and the gap is even larger for women of color. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2016, the average female employee earned 80 cents for every dollar a man received during the same period. In the hopes of tackling and resolving this issue, Massachusetts is updating its pay equity law with new provisions.

    Basic Provisions:

    According to Mass.gov, the updated law requires employers to pay employees the same wage for comparable work. The updated law states that employers may not discriminate on the basis of gender in the payment of wages or pay any person a salary or wage rate less than the rates paid to employees “of a different gender for comparable work.”

    To understand what this means, let’s clarify the meanings of “wages” and “comparable work.”Wages refer to all forms of remuneration for work performance – including commissions, bonuses, profit sharing and vacation time, while comparable work refers to all work that requires substantially similar skill, effort and responsibility, and is performed under similar working conditions (without reference to “character” or “characteristics” of a job).

    More on Comparable Work:

    In the new MEPA, the meaning of “comparable work” is clearly defined in the statute as “work that is substantially similar in that it requires substantially similar skill, effort and responsibility and is performed under similar working conditions.”

    Employers are still prohibited from paying employees of different sexes unequally for comparable work. However, job titles and duties will no longer be a determinant factor. Instead, the comparable work analysis will focus much more broadly on similarity of skill, effort, and responsibility, and working conditions required for positions, even where the job titles and duties of those positions are different. This new, “gray” standard will make it a bit challenging for employers to determine which jobs to “compare” without taking a deeper look into pay-equity analysis.

    More on Wages:

    The law requires that “wages” and “wage rates” be equal.  According to the MEPA, “wages” includes all forms of compensation or benefits received by an employee for work performed. This means not only hourly pay or salary, but also incentive pay such as commissions, bonuses, or profit-sharing; paid time off, vacations, and holidays; expense accounts and allowances; deferred compensation or retirement benefits; and insurance. It includes amounts paid both to an employee directly and to a third party on the employee’s behalf.

    The Six Permissible Salary Factors:

    According to Mass.gov, MEPA permits differences in pay for comparable work only when based upon:

    1. Seniority System – a system that compensates employees based on length of service and rewards seniority with the employer (provided, however, that time spent on leave due to a pregnancy-related condition and protected parental, family and medical leave, shall not reduce seniority).
    2. Merit system – a system that sets pay on employee performance, based on “legitimate, job-related criteria.”
    3. A system which measures earnings by quantity or quality of production, sales, or revenue.
    4. Geographic location – location in which a job is performed. This may be an acceptable reason for differences in wages when “the locations correspond with different costs of living or differences in the relevant labor market.”
    5. Education, training or experience to the extent such factors are reasonably related to the particular job in question.
    6. Travel, if the travel is a regular and necessary condition of the particular job.

    Importantly, MEPA makes clear that employees’ salary histories are not a defense to liability and an intent to discriminate based on gender is not required to establish liability under the law.

    Wage Talk Between Employees:

    An employer can’t prohibit employees from discussing their own wages or their coworkers’ wages, or “from disclosing wage information to any person or entity.”  On the other hand, employers are not required to publish or otherwise disclose employees’ wages.  Employers can also prohibit human resources employees, supervisors, or other employees whose job gives them access to others’ wage information, from disclosing pay information.

    Employers may not seek the salary or wage history of any prospective employee before making an offer of employment that includes compensation, and may not require that a prospective employee’s wage or salary history meet certain criteria.

    Wage/Salary Inquires:

    The statute makes it clear that employers can’t seek the salary history information of a prospective employee, either from the candidate or from a current or former employer. The only exceptions are where prospective employees voluntarily disclose their wage or salary history, or after an offer of employment, including pay, is made.

    Self Evaluations:

    The MEPA provides a “safe harbor” for employers who conduct a good faith self-evaluation of pay practices and demonstrate reasonable progress toward eliminating gender-based wage differences.

    Here’s a “Basic Guide” to conducting self-evaluations:

    • Step 1: Gather relevant information. Collect data relevant to the issue of pay equity.
    • Step 2: Identify comparable jobs. Create job groupings based on the relevant factors: skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions.
    • Step 3: Calculate whether men and women are paid equally.
    • Step 4: Assess whether differences in pay are justified under the law. Consider whether any pay disparities can be explained by one of the six permissible factors allowed by the law.
    • Step 5: Remediate any disparities. Employers should work to fix any pay disparities by setting up a remedial plan “as soon as practicable”.
    • Step 6: Adjust pay practices. The Overview states that employers “should attempt to determine the reason(s) for [the] differentials,” and “take steps to prevent them in the future.”

    Legal Action:

    According to Mass.gov, an employer who violates MEPA is generally liable for twice the amount of the unpaid wages owed to the affected employee(s)—the differential between the employee’s wages and the wages paid to an employee of a different gender performing comparable work—plus reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. However, the law provides a complete defense for any employer that, within the previous three years and before an action is filed against it, has conducted a good faith, reasonable self-evaluation of its pay practices. To be eligible for this affirmative defense, the self-evaluation must be reasonable in detail and scope and the employer must also show reasonable progress towards eliminating any impermissible gender-based wage differentials that its self-evaluation may reveal.

    Employers are not required to conduct self-evaluations and will not be penalized for choosing not to do so.

    Employers may not retaliate against any employee who exercises his or her rights under the law. Employees whose rights under MEPA have been violated have three years from the date of an alleged violation to bring an action in court. A violation occurs when a discriminatory compensation decision is made or other practice is adopted, and each time an employee is subject to or affected, including each time wages are paid.

    With the help of Small Business Trends, check out a list of some of the interview questions you may and may not ask under new Massachusetts Pay Equity Law. If you’re a potential employee, these questions are a red flag. If you’re an employer, don’t go there.

    1.  Don’t Ask: What Are You Earning at Your Current Job?
    2. Don’t Ask: What Was the Breakdown Between Your Base Salary and Commission?
    3. Don’t Ask: Why Do You Feel This Number Is Appropriate?

    As a reminder, the new Massachusetts Pay Equity Law is now in full effect and will be changing the scope of the salary and job interviewing process. Know your rights as an employee and employer. The full Overview is available here. Employers should review it in depth and be sure consult with a lawyer. Please contact Schulze Law today with any questions.

     

    https://smallbiztrends.com/

    https://www.bls.gov/

    https://www.mass.gov/

    https://www.littler.com/

  • How To Prepare for Winter in Boston

    How To Prepare for Winter in Boston

    Winter is in full blast! With frigid temps and snow already covering the ground, we have gotten our first taste of the long winter months ahead. Although the weather outside may be frightful, don’t let the chill get you down. The ever changing seasons in New England each bring their own unique qualities filled with fun and delight. As you enjoy the wintery weather, don’t forget that this time of year also brings its challenges. When you stay ahead of the game and are prepared, you will minimize potential dangers whilst keeping the magic and fun of winter alive. There’s nothing quite like the beauty of a white blanket of shimmering snow. Winter in the Northeast is one of the most breathtaking seasons of the year, and it is also one of the best times to be outdoors. The silver lining to the shorter, colder days of winter is the snow and the sports activities that are typically reserved for this time of year. Winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, sledding and ice-skating provide fun, excitement, fresh air and fantastic exercise. The indoor entertainment brings its own enjoyment filled with cozy blankets, cuddles in front of fireplaces, hot cocoa, and spending time with the ones we love. Even though winter is the coldest season there is lots of warmth to go along with it. Just make sure you keep your home, health, and sanity intact by taking winter preventative measures now.

    The reality is as cold as the sub zero temps. Winter can be a dangerous season and brings multiple hazards to New England. The National Weather Service refers to winter storms as the “Deceptive Killers” because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Instead, people die in traffic accidents on icy roads and of hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold. It is important to be prepared for winter weather before it strikes. For example, winter cold kills more than twice as many Americans as does summer heat, according to a report by the National Center for Health Statistics. According to SafeWinterRoads.org, over 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy or icy pavement annually. The ice and snow creates dangerous conditions as The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 1 million Americans are injured and 17,000 people die, as a result of slip and fall injuries every year. From 1999 to 2011, a total of 16,911 deaths in the United States, an average of 1,301 per year, were associated with exposure to excessive natural cold. In 2015 almost 56,714 individuals were injured while participating in the winter sports of snowmobiling, snowboarding and ice skating and required treatment in emergency rooms, according to the National Safety Council.

    It’s clear that winter storms and cold temperatures can be hazardous. Stay safe and healthy by planning ahead.  Although the harsh winter comes as no surprise, many of us are not ready for its arrival. If you are prepared for the potential dangers of winter, you will be more likely to stay safe when the temp drops and snow falls. When well prepared for winter, you’re free to enjoy normal thrills that accompany the season.

    Let’s check out some of the top safety tips to get prepared for winter season! There are lots of variables to think about and consider when winter safety is involved. Here’s a comprehensive list we put together with help from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Weather Underground.

    Winter Storms Home Preparedness Checklist

    • Before winter approaches, add the following supplies to your emergency kit:
      • Rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways
      • Sand to improve traction
      • Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment
      • Heating fuel, like dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove
      • Clothing and blankets to keep you warm
    • Make a family emergency communications plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency
    • Listen to a radio or local news channels for critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS) and be alert to changing weather conditions
    • Minimize travel, but keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle
    • Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather
    • Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water

    During the Winter Storm

    • Stay indoors during the storm
    • Walk carefully on snowy, icy walkways
    • Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow; overexertion can bring on a heart attack — a major cause of death in the winter
    • Stretch before going outside to shovel
    • Keep dry and change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat (wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly)
    • Watch for signs of frostbite: loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately
    • Watch for signs of hypothermia: uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If symptoms of hypothermia are noticed, get the victim to a warm location, remove wet clothing, warm the center of the body first and give warm, non-alcoholic beverages if the victim is conscious. Get medical help as soon as possible
    • Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive: travel in the day, don’t travel alone, keep others informed of your schedule, stay on main roads and avoid back road shortcuts
    • Let someone know your destination, your route and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route
    • If the pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers of newspapers and wrap pipes in rags. Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold (or where the cold was most likely to penetrate)
    • Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid build-up of toxic fumes
    • Conserve fuel, if necessary, by keeping your residence cooler than normal. Temporarily close off heat to some rooms
    • If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55°F

    Winterize Your Home

    • Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic
    • Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock or equipment
    • Clear rain gutters; repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm
    • Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year
    • Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing; Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing
    • All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside and kept clear
    • Keep fire extinguishers on hand and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them
    • Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts)
    • Insulate your home by installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic from the inside to keep cold air out
    • Hire a contractor to check the structural ability of the roof to sustain unusually heavy weight from the accumulation of snow or water, if drains on flat roofs do not work

    Carbon Monoxide Safety

    • Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors
    • The primary hazards to avoid when using alternate sources for electricity, heating or cooking are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire
    • Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide
    • If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door
    • Call for help from the fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive to assist you

    Winter Driving Preparedness

    Car Maintenance

    Make sure to prepare your vehicle before the winter season begins. The following steps will help you ensure that your vehicle is safe to drive during winter weather:

    1. Check your brakes, transmission and tires
    2. Check that your battery and ignition system is in top condition and that battery terminals are clean
    3. Check radiator coolant and sturdiness of hoses and belts
    4. Check your anti-freeze and thermostat to avoid freezing
    5. Check your windshield wipers and deicing washer fluid
    6. Check your headlights, tail and brake lights, blinkers and emergency flasher
    7. Check your exhaust system, heater and defroster
    8. Check fuel and air filters
    9. Check your oil and power steering fluids
    10. Properly lubricate door locks that may be prone to freezing

    Driving Safety

    • Before beginning your trip, check the current road conditions and weather forecast. For statewide highway information 24 hours a day checkout your state’s Department of Transportation
    • Keep your car’s windows, mirrors and lights clear of snow and ice
    • Buckle up
    • Allow yourself plenty of time to make it to your destination
    • Be aware of sleet and freezing rain
    • Be aware of potentially icy areas
    • Brake early and slowly and avoid slamming on the brakes
    • Keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind other vehicles and trucks that are plowing the road
    • When driving on ice and snow, do not use cruise control and avoid abrupt steering maneuvers
    • When merging into traffic, take it slow — Sudden movements can cause your vehicle to slide
    • Don’t pass a snowplow or spreader unless it is absolutely necessary — treat these as you would emergency response vehicles
    • Keep an emergency winter driving kit in your car
    • Maintain at least a half tank of gas during the winter season. This is good for emergency preparedness and it keeps the fuel line from freezing.
    • Most importantly, drive smart!

    Winter Driving Safety Kit

    Keep a basic winter survival kit in your vehicle: flashlight, batteries, blanket, snacks, water, gloves, boots, first-aid kit. Load your car with winter travel gear : tire chains, ice scraper/snowbrush, jumper cables, road flares.

    Dress Warmly and Stay Dry

    Adults and children should wear:

    • a hat
    • a scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth
    • sleeves that are snug at the wrist
    • mittens (they are warmer than gloves)
    • water-resistant coat and boots
    • several layers of loose-fitting clothing

    Layer-up

    1. Inner Layer: Wear fabrics that will hold more body heat and don’t absorb moisture. Wool, silk, or polypropylene will hold more body heat than cotton.
    2. Insulation Layer: An insulation layer will help you retain heat by trapping air close to your body. Natural fibers, like wool or goose down, or a classic fleece work best.
    3. Outer Layer: The outermost layer helps protect you from wind, rain, and snow. It should be tightly woven, and preferably water and wind resistant, to reduce loss of body heat.

    Additional Tips:

    • Stay dry—wet clothing chills the body rapidly.
    • Excess perspiration will increase heat loss, so remove extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm.
    • Also, avoid getting gasoline or alcohol on your skin while de-icing and fueling your car or using a snow blower. These materials in contact with the skin greatly increase heat loss from the body.
    • Do not ignore shivering. It’s an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors.

    Avoid Frostbite and Hypothermia

    Hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposures to very cold temperatures. When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it’s produced. Lengthy exposures will eventually use up your body’s stored energy, which leads to lower body temperature. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia especially dangerous, because a person may not know it’s happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.

    Frostbite is a bodily injury caused by freezing that causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation.

    Avoid Exertion

    Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, follow your doctor’s advice about shoveling snow or performing other hard work in the cold. Otherwise, if you have to do heavy outdoor chores, dress warmly and work slowly. Remember, your body is already working hard just to stay warm, so don’t overdo it.

    Avoid Ice

    Walking on ice is extremely dangerous. Many cold-weather injuries result from falls on ice-covered sidewalks, steps, driveways, and porches. Keep your steps and walkways as free of ice as possible by using rock salt or another chemical de-icing compound. Sand may also be used on walkways to reduce the risk of slipping.

    Be Safe During Recreation

    • Notify friends and family where you will be before you go hiking, camping, or skiing.
    • Do not leave areas of the skin exposed to the cold.
    • Avoid perspiring or becoming overtired. Be prepared to take emergency shelter.
    • Pack dry clothing, a two-wave radio, waterproof matches and paraffin fire starters with you.
    • Do not use alcohol and other mood altering substances, and avoid caffeinated beverages.
    • Avoid walking on ice or getting wet.
    • Carefully watch for signs of cold-weather health problems.

    What to Do if You Get Stranded

    Staying in your vehicle when stranded is often the safest choice if winter storms create poor visibility or if roadways are ice covered. These steps will increase your safety when stranded:

    • Move anything you need from the trunk into the passenger area.
    • Wrap your entire body, including your head, in extra clothing, blankets, or newspapers.
    • Stay awake. You will be less vulnerable to cold-related health problems.
    • 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.
    • As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to improve your circulation and stay warmer.
    • Do not eat unmelted snow because it will lower your body temperature.
    • Huddle with other people for warmth.

    Long-time New Englanders joke, “if you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes.” Over the next few months, we may be exposed  to severe and dangerous weather. It’s extremely important to remember if we’re not prepared for it, winter can threaten our property, our safety or our life. If you’ve been hurt or injured in wintery weather, contact Schulze Law to day so you can understand your options.

    Don’t forget to enjoy the sparkle of the winter season safely!!!

    CALL NOW: 857-300-5300 Emergency After Hours Number: 800-894-9267 XLAW1 (5291)

    http://www.weather.gov/

    https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/index.htm

    http://www.nsc.org/pages/home.aspx

    https://www.wunderground.com/

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