The Covid-19 pandemic did not come to an end in 2021. The pandemic was the most worrying social issue this year. Korea has been fighting Covid-19 for two years but is still struggling. The pandemic was not the only issue in the medical community this year. For the first time in the world, Korea enacted legislation to mandate the installation of surveillance cameras in operating rooms. Korea Biomedical Review has compiled the five biggest medical industry stories in 2021. Ed.

On Aug. 31, the National Assembly passed a revision to the Medical Service Act to mandate the installation of surveillance cameras in hospital operating rooms. The revision bill was promulgated on Sept. 24 and will take effect from Sept. 25, 2023, after a two-year grace period.

Calls for protecting patients from medical malpractice grew intensely in December 2014 when a social media post revealed that plastic surgeons were having a birthday party and playing with breast implants in the operating room where an unconscious patient was lying on the bed.

The incident sparked a probe of the health authorities and finally led to the mandatory installation of CCTV cameras in operating rooms in 2021.

Korea is the only country in the world that obligates surveillance cameras in operating rooms.

A bill mandating the installation of CCTV cameras in operating rooms was first proposed by then Rep. Choi Dong-ik of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy in 2015. The bill used to be scrapped due to the medical communitys strong opposition to the bill but finally passed the National Assembly in six years.

According to the revised law, hospitals must install CCTV cameras inside operating rooms.

If a patient or a patients guardian requests CCTV shooting in the operating room, surgeons cannot refuse to do so unless there is a justifiable reason.

Justifiable reasons include cases where the operation is delayed, the patient's life is at risk, emergency surgery is performed to prevent serious physical and mental disorders, and high-risk surgery that requires active measures to save the patients life. In addition, if there is a possibility that the CCTV shooting may impair the training of a trainee physician, the shooting can be refused.

Those who breach the installation and shooting duties will be fined 5 million won ($4,215) or less.

A person who detects, leaks, falsifies, or damages CCTV information will face imprisonment up to five years and a fine of 50 million won ($42,626) at maximum.

Hospitals that lost, leaked, or changed the CCTV footage in the operating room due to insufficient measures to ensure the safety of CCTV cameras will face up to two years of imprisonment and a fine of up to 20 million won.

However, the medical community is already suffering a setback due to the mandatory CCTV installation. Hospitals recruits for 2022 showed that interns avoided choosing surgery for their residency, which was why doctors vehemently opposed cameras in operating rooms.

Application rates for surgery, thoracic surgery, and obstetrics/gynecology fell by about 10 percentage points, respectively. This phenomenon was observed across the nation.

The Catholic Medical Center and the Severance Hospital in Seoul failed to fill vacant positions in surgery, thoracic surgery, and obstetrics/gynecology departments.

The Korean Medical Association, which could not block the parliament approval for CCTVs in operating rooms, formed a task force to pre-emptively respond to future discussions over subordinate statutes.

The KMAs response will decide how strong the ramification of the mandatory CCTV law will be next year.

Subordinate statues are expected to include CCTV installation standards, the scope of recording and the procedure for recording request, detailed reasons for refusal to shoot CCTV due to emergency surgery that can be life-threatening, justifiable reasons for refusal to shoot filming, procedures for viewing and providing recorded video, storage standards and reasons for extension of the storage period.

Thus, there will be a second battle between doctors and the government over setting the subordinate statutes for the mandatory CCTV installation law in 2022.

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[Top 5 Medical News in 2021] Korea, the only country to mandate cameras in operating rooms - Korea Biomedical Review

The worse things get at linebacker for the Bengals, the better they are in the secondary. Attrition in one room, addition in the other. But its hardly a zero-sum game, especially this week when preparing to face a Ravens offense that stresses linebackers more than others.

One of the key pieces to defensive coordinator Lou Anarumos game plan for the Bengals 41-17 triumph at Baltimore in Week 7 was playing a lot of 4-3 base defense, relying on Akeem Davis-Gaithers speed alongside starters Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt to help limit Ravens quarterback Lamar Jacksons ability to run on first down and then letting the defensive line tee off on second and third and long, as its done all year.

But Davis-Gaither was lost for the season due to a foot injury against the Browns. Wilson will miss his third consecutive game due a shoulder injury suffered against the Chargers, while backups Jordan Evans (knee, Week 5) and Joe Bachie (knee, Sunday at Denver) are out for the year.

See the article here:
Bengals depleted defense looks to add to impressive run by stopping impressive runs - The Athletic

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) Clarksvilles downtown dining scene will soon have two new additions, with 105 Social and The Vine, both planning to open on Franklin Street early next year.

Franklin Street has seen a surge of new businesses focused on shopping and socializing. Recent additions like Trazo Meadery, Fanellis Deli and Mickeys Downtown have brought a new level of variety to the area.

The future home of 105 Social on Franklin Street, Dec. 21, 2021 (Casey Williams)

The future home of 105 Social on Franklin Street, Dec. 21, 2021 (Casey Williams)

The future home of 105 Social on Franklin Street, Dec. 21, 2021 (Casey Williams)

As the name suggests, 105 Social will be at 105 Franklin, the former home of Front Page Deli, which has sat empty for years.

Owner Stephen Marsh told Clarksville Now he has worked as a consultant opening restaurants in Nashville, including Tacos & Tequila and Vibe Bar & Lounge, but that 105 Social is his first solo venture.

Im looking for a chillax vibe, good music and good food, Marsh said.

105 Social will open in three phases, the first being the main bar and restaurant space. Phases two and three will include a game room and private lounge on the second floor.

Marsh said he hopes to open in January.

The future home of The Vine on Franklin Street, Dec. 21, 2021 (Casey Williams)

The future home of The Vine on Franklin Street, Dec. 21, 2021 (Casey Williams)

The cellar at The Vine on Franklin, Dec. 21, 2021 (Casey Williams)

The future home of The Vine on Franklin Street, Dec. 21, 2021 (Casey Williams)

The Vine on Franklin be open next year at 128 Franklin.

Owner Emily Trageser said her wine bar will offer small plates with wine pairings from around the world.

Were going to run the gamut from sparkling to dessert. If you want a bottle of bubbly, if you want a white from the Loire Valley, if you want a red from Australia, if chenin blanc from South Africa, said Trageser.

The Vines first floor includes a dining room and bar. Downstairs is a small lounge and wine cellar.

Trageser told Clarksville Now they have more work to do before opening, but they hope to open their doors to the public in January.

More:
Franklin Street dining scene to gain 2 new additions: 105 Social and The Vine | ClarksvilleNow.com - Clarksville Now

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK With weekly updates to keep content fresh, WRAL TechWires Triangle Startup Guide offers a timely resource package for anyone looking to start or grow a business in the Triangle area.

Today, we added a new resource to the Venture Capital and Angel Groups section of the guide, which features numerous local and regional investment funds that Triangle-area startups should know about.

The latest addition to the list is the newly launched Triangle Tweener Fund, a sort of index targeting early-stage startups in the Triangle. The fund launched earlier this month with support from more than 20 local entrepreneurs.

The Triangle Tweener Fund will mainly invest in companies that meet the criteria for the Triangle Tweener List, an annual roundup of the regions most promising tech startups compiled by local serial entrepreneur and investor Scot Wingo.

New investment fund targets Triangle startups with backing from 20+ founders

Every week, we update the guide with new resources for local entrepreneurs for our exclusive Triangle Startup Guide.

If we missed something, please feel free to suggest it for inclusion. You can email me directly or use this contact form.

Heres a review of the additions weve made in recent weeks:

Continued here:
Triangle Startup Guides growing information lineup adds more info to close 2021 - WRAL TechWire

Traditionally, there was a model of retirement planning known as the "three-legged stool." In that model, people would rely on three sources of funding to cover their costs once they retired: a pension, Social Security, and their personal savings. With Social Security's trust funds emptying more quickly than previously projected and pensions largely evaporating, that three-legged stool clearly isn't as stable as it may have once appeared.

Still, if you want to retire, you'll need some way to cover your costs. With that in mind, these five unexpected sources of retirement income just might do the trick to help you cover your costs in your golden years.

Image source: Getty Images

Just because you're reached a certain age doesn't mean you have to stop working for a living. For instance, Warren Buffett is 91 years old and still serves as CEO of a giant company. You might want to leave the rat race and focus instead on a more personally fulfilling although less well-compensated role, but you can still collect some paycheck for your efforts.

Working a bit can help in several ways. The income and any potential benefits are of course nice. It also puts structure in your day and can give you some form of social outlet. There's even some research that suggests some people who keep working might live longer than those that completely call it quits earlier.

In addition, the later you wait to start collecting your Social Security -- up until age 70 -- the higher your monthly benefit check will be. If working just a little bit longer gets you enough cash so that you'll get a larger Social Security benefit, it can help you shore up your ability to cover your costs once you do call it quits.

If you live in a home that you bought to raise a family and assure your children got strong educations, you might be living in a giant source of cash to cover your costs. If you downsize to a smaller house in a lower-taxed community, you can free up money in several ways.

First, downsizing your home will likely reduce your ongoing upkeep and maintenance costs. Second, all else equal, a less expensive house will likely be taxed less than a more expensive one. If you also actively seek out a lower-taxed community, you can even get a bigger benefit. And of course, any equity you free up from downsizing is money you can put to use to cover your future retirement costs.

If downsizing is impractical, could you potentially rent out a bedroom or two in order to bring in some much needed cash flow? In addition to the extra cash, you might get lucky and find tenants that are willing to help out a bit around the house.

Becoming a landlord does involve costs and risks, and you will have to do things like depreciate the part of the property that you're renting. Still, the money can go a long way toward helping you cover your costs once you're no longer drawing a paycheck.

Although the primary purpose of a Health Savings Account is to help you cover your out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, it can also serve as a source of funding for your general expenses in retirement. Once you reach age 65, you can take penalty free withdrawals from your Health Savings Account for any reason.

That makes Health Savings Accounts very similar to Traditional IRAs from a tax perspective for those age 65 and up. There are still a few key differences, though. For one, Health Savings Account withdrawals to pay qualifying medical expenses will still be tax free. For another, there are no required minimum distributions for Health Savings Accounts. And for another, you cannot roll your Health Savings Account into a Roth IRA like you might be able to roll your Traditional IRA balance.

As the old saying often attributed to Benjamin Franklin goes, "a penny saved is a penny earned." Many people find that as they reach retirement, their costs of living -- other than healthcare -- drop. If your house is paid off, your kids are independent, and your costs of working go away, your available cash just might go farther than it did before.

In addition, once you stop earning a paycheck, you'll stop paying the Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes, as those are only levied on salary or contractor style income. Plus, without the time pressures of work, you may have more time to handle tasks that you used to contract out -- like potentially cooking, cleaning, and basic home maintenance. That can also help your money go further.

Lower costs and lower taxes help your money go farther, allowing you to live a comparable lifestyle on less cash. That can feel like a boost in income, even if in reality you're just reaping the benefits of lower costs.

Unless you're one of the few for whom the traditional three-legged stool of retirement planning will still provide a comfortable lifestyle once you stop working, you need a plan that can get you there. Whether you expect to use one or more of these five unexpected sources of retirement income or forge a different path there for yourself, the important thing is to make progress toward your goal.

The sooner you get started, the easier and more likely it will be for you to get to a place where you can cover your costs in your retirement. So get started now, and improve your chances of reaching financial comfort that lasts through your golden years.

Link:
5 Unexpected Sources of Retirement Income - The Motley Fool

Our next issue celebrates the heroes of the automotive world. To celebrate that celebration, Road & Track is hosting a Cars & Coffee event in Malibu. If you're free in February, you should join us.

We'll be bringing some cars from the issue, like the first Shelby Cobra and Elvis Presley's Lincoln Continental Mark IV, but this is a Cars & Coffee. If you can bring your car, we have plenty of room for more. Just pick up a ticket here.

In addition to launching the issue at the event, Editor-In-Chief Mike Guy will be on hand to discuss the issue with an industry icon over coffee. After the meet, R&T will be making a donation to some local heroes, the California Wildlife Center.

It all happens at the Malibu Racquet Club on February 6. The event is limited, so secure your space today on our dedicated experiences website.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

More:
Celebrate Our Automotive Heroes With Us at Our Upcoming California Cars & Coffee - RoadandTrack.com

John Hansen casually tells me this story as he shows me around his new restaurant space at 743 E. Fourth St. And quietly I breathe a sigh of relief, as I often do when someone truly gets it.

Every time I wander through a farmers market and I see a table of tomatoes that look as if theyve been sprayed with speckles of green, I feel the same as Hansen: Just because a tomato can be tricked into growing in December, it doesnt mean it should. It doesnt taste good, so why eat it?

And if youve ever carefully grown tomatoes of your own you understand what Im saying because you realize that mid-summer cherry tomatoes can actually taste like cherries. You look forward to persimmons and sunchokes in the fall, Carra Carra oranges in the winter, morels in the spring, and plump berries that stain your fingers and taste like candy in the summer. Fish, poultry, even coffee has a growing season, and thats what Hansens Chez Baccus restaurant is going to offer because thats what farm-to-table is. Seasonal.

Hansen tells me that the chef wants to go to the farmers markets every morning, but Id rather hed hire a forager.

Not to be confused with a forger who copies things, a forager is a gatherer of foods. In this respect, a forager is a person who Chef Chris Meehan could take to the farmers markets and show exactly the quality to look for, and then that persons only job would be to shop at the farmers markets for high-quality seasonal menu ingredients.

This, people, is farm-to-table. Or I guess more appropriately farmers market-to-table, which is really just splitting hairs, isnt it? The important thing is that Chez Baccus is stepping up the game in Long Beach.

Hansen, a level-three sommelier with decades of experience under his belt, looks up at the arches in the vaulted ceiling of the former garage that was converted into the short-lived restaurant Fourth & Olive (and even shorter-lived PigBurd) and expresses respect for the beauty, telling me that he is going to illuminate the ceiling to add dimension to the dining room. But hes quick to point out, as he admires his vision through the construction, that the focus is on the food.

Hansen, formerly a sommelier of Napa Rose, along with Chef Chris Meehan, and General Manager Anthony Alvarez, are taking a different approach to this space, where form will follow function. Meehans redesign of the exposed kitchen setup will dictate how food flows from the kitchen, which will, in turn, have an effect on how the food comes out, which affects how and where the servers move and how the dining room functions. Every detail is thought out.

Alvarez describes the farm-to-table concept as like Chez Panisse but with global inspiration, serving foods inspired by seasonality, so Meehan can spotlight the ingredients without the constriction of a regional theme. Each dish will be prepared with a world of possibilities in mind, to be professionally paired with old-world wines.

Hansen mused that they had just had lunch and Chef Meehan asked the server whose coffee the restaurant used, and the server had to check. Amazed that this was a question that wasnt easily answered, Hansen explained the team at Chez Baccus is going to be trained to know about everything they serve, right down to the possibility that all servers may be trained and certified as first-level sommeliers, so they can better understand and explain the wine selection and pairings being offered. (Alvarez mentioned to me the possibility of public wine classes as well, although that isnt necessarily set in stone yet.)

In addition to sommelier-paired wine service, the new eatery will be offering weekend tea service, where customers can chat over traditional tea or wine (or cocktails when the place gets its license) with towers of finger sandwiches and light bites. The tea service will be the mid-meal on the weekends between brunch and dinner service.

If youre an early riser looking to grab a cup of locally roasted coffee on the go to get your morning started, well, theyve got that thought out, too. While the door to Chez Baccus is going to be on Fourth Street, a separate entrance on Olive Avenue will be home to the retail caf, Petite Baccus, where, in addition to coffee flowing, they will be offering baked goods and to-go foods, as well as takeout if youre craving farm-to-table fare but dont feel like dining out or cooking.

And how can you have a wine-driven restaurant with a caf without a wine club? You cant. Chez Baccus will also be offering a wine club where members can pick up their wines at Petite Baccus and store the wines in temperature-controlled lockers customers can rent by the month. (Pricing and number of lockers arent available yet, nor are the pricing or details for the wine club.)

While the city is running behind on permitting food venues the group behind Chez Baccus is shooting for a soft opening at the end of February with a grand opening in early spring.

Chez Baccus will be at 743 E. Fourth St.

Read the original:
New farm-to-table restaurant Chez Baccus sprouting this spring on Fourth Street the Hi-lo - Long Beach Post

The whole idea of Posse is that you go into these urban public school systems and theres students there that otherwise would not be found, and the SAT score has become a problem in getting these kids into the best schools, said Ubbens son, who later was chairman of the national Posse Foundation. So he wanted to celebrate the underdog who was flourishing in a tough environment and then give them the opportunity. And the cool thing about Posse is that (students) go with a cohort of 10 to one (university), so if you go by yourself from an African American community to, say, DePauw, you might be very alone, as DePauw is in the middle of nowhere, but if you go with a group of 10 that you train with you can actually change the campus, which is what Posse does.

See the original post here:
Timothy Ubben, investment executive and philanthropist who helped low-income students go to college, dies at 84 - Chicago Tribune

GOTHNER REPORTS -- THE THREAT BECOMES REAL IN THE WINTERTIME. <24 IT'S COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE SILENT KILLER> DES MOIN FESIRE CAPTAIN CHRIS BOLTEN IS TALKING ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE. COLORLESS, ODORLESS AND TASTELESS -- THE C-D-C SS AY AT LEAST 430 PEOPLE DIE OF C- O POISONING EVERY YEAR. LAST SATURDAY -- IT TOOK THE LIVES OF AN ENTIRE FAMILY. 7 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 3 CHILDREN DIED OF ACCIDENTAL CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING AT THEIR HOME IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA. <3 OUR CONDOLENCES GO TO THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WITH SUCH A LOSS AND THENF O COURSE THIS CLOSE TO THE HOLIDAYS. 8> AND IT'S MORE LIKELY TO STRIKE THIS TIMEF OYEAR -- AS PEOPLE FIRE UP GAS APPLIANCES IN THE COLD. <52 YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE FURNACE, THE WATER HEATER, THE STOVE, A FIREPLACE, AND PEOPLE ALSO DON'T THINK IF IT'S ATTACHED GARAGE, A VEHICLE INSIDE THAT GARAGE. 1:00> BOLTEN SAYITS 'S IMPORTANT TO INSTALL CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS. THE MINNESOTA FAMILY HAD A DETECTOR, BUT ITAS W DETACHED FROM THE WALL -- WITH NO BATTERIES. BOLTEN SAYS IDEALLY INSTALL THEM THROUGHT OU THE HOUSE -- BUT AT LEAST PUT THEM WHERE PEOPLE SLEEP. THE C-D-C SAYS PEOPLE WHO ARE SLEEPING OR DRINKING ALCOHOL MAY NOT NOTICE T HE SYMPTOMS BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. <1:38 IT WOULD BE A HEADACHE, DIZZINESS, WEAKNESS, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, CONFUSION, LOSS OF VISION, D,AN AND IN SEVERE CASES, OBVIOUSLY, LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND LEADING INTO DEATH. 1:49> YIFOU NOTICE ANY OF THOSE SYMPTOMS -- LEAV

Firefighters warn families to be cautious of 'the silent killer'

Updated: 9:50 PM CST Dec 23, 2021

Firefighters are warning people about the dangers of carbon monoxide this winter, the time of year when most poisonings from the colorless, odorless and tasteless gas occur.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventon, at least 430 people die of carbon monoxide poisoning, called a "silent killer," each year. More than 50,000 end up going to emergency rooms.On Saturday, a Minnesota family of seven, including three children, became victims.During the winter, people are more likely to use gas appliances and fireplaces, Des Moines Fire Department Capt. Chris Bolten said. "You're looking at the furnace, the water heater, the stove, a fireplace, and people also don't think (about an) attached garage, a vehicle inside that garage," Bolten said.Bolten says it's important to install carbon monoxide detectors.The Minnesota family had one but it was detached from the wall, with no batteries.Bolten says ideally, people would install them throughout the house. But if you're unable to, it's most important to put them where people sleep.According to the CDC, people who are sleeping or drinking alcohol may not notice the symptoms before it's too late."It would be a headache, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, confusion, loss of vision, and, and in severe cases, obviously, loss of consciousness and leading into death," Bolten said. "If you do recognize those symptoms, you should evacuate the premises immediately, notify everybody else inside that structure to get out (and) contact 911."Bolten said it's important to test your detector monthly and to have your heating and cooling systems inspected, as well as your fireplace.

Firefighters are warning people about the dangers of carbon monoxide this winter, the time of year when most poisonings from the colorless, odorless and tasteless gas occur.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventon, at least 430 people die of carbon monoxide poisoning, called a "silent killer," each year. More than 50,000 end up going to emergency rooms.

On Saturday, a Minnesota family of seven, including three children, became victims.

During the winter, people are more likely to use gas appliances and fireplaces, Des Moines Fire Department Capt. Chris Bolten said.

"You're looking at the furnace, the water heater, the stove, a fireplace, and people also don't think (about an) attached garage, a vehicle inside that garage," Bolten said.

Bolten says it's important to install carbon monoxide detectors.

The Minnesota family had one but it was detached from the wall, with no batteries.

Bolten says ideally, people would install them throughout the house. But if you're unable to, it's most important to put them where people sleep.

According to the CDC, people who are sleeping or drinking alcohol may not notice the symptoms before it's too late.

"It would be a headache, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, confusion, loss of vision, and, and in severe cases, obviously, loss of consciousness and leading into death," Bolten said. "If you do recognize those symptoms, you should evacuate the premises immediately, notify everybody else inside that structure to get out (and) contact 911."

Bolten said it's important to test your detector monthly and to have your heating and cooling systems inspected, as well as your fireplace.

Read the original here:
Firefighters warn families to be cautious of 'the silent killer' - KCCI Des Moines

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Officials are advising residents on how to prepare for the weekends anticipated snow and frigid temperatures which led Oregon, Multnomah County and Portland to all declare a weather-related state of emergency.

Oregon Department of Transportation warned drivers to travel with caution, especially those braving mountain passes in the snow and ice.

Anyone going over the mountain passes should go to TripCheck.com and check your route all along the route, said Don Hamilton, a spokesperson with ODOT. More importantly, drive for conditions. Know what youre doing when you hit the road. When you see the conditions, it could be treacherous out there.

Some mountain roads require drivers to have chained tires. ODOT released an instructional video on how to install them.

Crews will be out there doing everything we can, Hamilton said. Were gonna do everything we can, were gonna have all our tools out there salt, plows, sand, everything is gonna be on the roads out there in the days ahead and going through the holiday weekend.

Officials with Oregons Office of Emergency Management told drivers to keep landslides in mind and stay vigilant of failing embankments as snow and ice can trigger debris flows.

Citing an advisory from the National Weather Service, the Portland Bureau of Transportation urged people across the metro area to hunker down andavoid traveling during severe weather. The bureau told Portlanders to prepare for snow and frigid temperatures starting as early as Friday evening for places above 500 feet elevation.

PBOT also cancelled planned vacation time for its essential employees, anticipating that the weather will force the bureau into round-the-clock operations.

OEM officials warned that snow, ice and wind can damage cell towers and knock out communications, so they suggested everyone keep a battery-powered radio to listen for public announcements.

Pet owners should keep their furry ones inside as freezing temperatures approach and remove any de-icing salt from their reach, officials said.

PGE expecting outages

Utilities companies told residents to prepare their homes for outages and water main breaks.

Were looking 4, 7, 10 days out so we can adequately prepare ourselves for what Mother Nature may throw at us, said John Farmer with Portland General Electric.

Farmer said PGE crews have been trimming trees, inspecting and maintaining equipment to make sure theyre ready to respond to potential power outages but theyre also reminding customers to have emergency kits ready to go in case the lights go out.

PGE suggests keeping some items on hand, including a reserve of extra blankets, flashlights, batteries, car chargers for cell phones and non-perishable or ready-to-eat food and water.

Main water break season

The Portland Water Bureau is bracing for what they call main break season.

We have emergency crews that are ready to respond around the clock 24 7, even on Christmas, said Jaymee Cuti with PWB.

The bureau recommends insulating hose bibs and outside faucets, along with disconnecting hoses when not in use. Additionally, those traveling are advised to turn their hot water furnaces down.

On the inside of the house, officials said to open plumbing cabinets and let the warm air in. Once temperatures get frigid, the bureau advises to let the faucets drip to prevent pipes from freezing.

When a pipe freezes, homeowners can use a hairdryer to slowly thaw it out. To prevent the pipe from freezing again, officials suggest running some water.

If a pipe does break, the valve to the main water line should be turned off. The valve can usually be found where the hose gets connected, in the basement by the hot water heater or inside the garage.

From there, residents should turn the hot water heater off and contact a plumber to start the repair process.

Warming shelters

Portland, Multnomah County and Joint Office of Homeless Services will open severe winter weather shelters on Christmas Day at 3 p.m. A list of those shelters, along with updated hours,can be found here.

Anyone in need of a shelter can also call 211 and request free transportation. Pets are also welcome at the warming shelters.

JOHS is helping hand out cold-weather supplies, including sleeping bags, wool blankets, socks and tents. Those who want to volunteer in distributing the supplies can emailJOHSsupplies@multco.usfor more information.

Oregonians can dial *677 to reach the Oregon State Police for non-emergency help. Life-threatening emergencies should always be referred to 911.

Those in need of additional advice from the Portland Water Bureau can call 503.823.7770.

Read more:
Officials: Heres how to prep for the winter weather - KOIN.com