Winter in Israel: The Dangers of Using a Hot Water Bottle! (Video Included)

You'll know that winter in Israel is a very cold time for us all! There are a variety of ways you can choose to stay warm - including appropriate clothing, gloves, a scarf and maybe even a good quality head covering. When you're outdoors - that's basically what will keep you warm. You'll also need a good quality coat. Make sure to do a look-around before buying in a hurry! There are a variety of good quality jackets and coats around and they can cost a lot. Make sure to try on your clothing and see that you feel comfortable in it. Garments shouldn't feel too tight (you need to breath!) and likewise should not be too lose (they'll be falling off all the time and not seal in the warmth!) Make sure to choose a good store and find a sales person who will listen to you and your needs.

When you get in to your apartment and especially during the cold evenings, you're going to be considering a variety of warming facilities. We'll try to explore options in a later post. Having heard so many people being excited by using a hot water bottle, I really just wanted to share this video with everybody. Yes, a hot water bottle will set you back just ₪15 or so, and takes just a kettle of boiled water to make you feel snug - hot water bottles are dangerous. Everybody needs to educate themselves about the dangers of this innocent looking piece of equipment - before making use of it.

Suggested guidelines for using the bottle (if you feel you simply cannot do without it!) include:

• Never fill it entirely to the top
• Fill it no more than half way - and preferably even less than that (a third decreases the risk of danger.)
• Make sure to squeeze out any additional air that exists between the water and the lid of the bottle. Avoid all air bubbles inside the bottle!
• Never fill it with the water that has just been boiled from the kettle, but waiti until it has cooled down (making you wonder if it will actually keep you warm!)
• Never rest your head upon it
• Never sleep with it hugged on your body

At best, place the bottle in your bed to warm the bed slightly before getting in - and then remove the bottle before sleeping. You may wish to consider purchasing a sheepskin under-sheet for real warmth. It is an amazing source of warmth!

Ideally - in fact, avoid using the bottle for warming purposes. The dangers far outweigh the advantages. The video below clarifies just how dangerous the bottle can be. If you're cold - consider some other options such as using an additional blanket wrapped around you or a good quality heater - which must also be treated with respect. We'll try to look at these options (and their costs) in another post.

Yes - just ₪15 - but with the dangers involved - ask yourself if it's really worth it!

Do forward this post to friends you know who may stand to gain by understanding the dangers of the hot water bottle.

Light-Rail Nightmare - A Tip for Moms with Babies in Strollers

Yesterday there was a light-rail disaster / nightmare (סיוט - "Siyut"). The purpose of this post is not to highlight the disaster, but to concentrate on what we - the public - need to do to take better care of ourselves in being prepared for... anything!

A mom with her 18 month old baby in stroller boarded the light-rail. Only thing is that the mother pushed the stroller with baby inside it onto the light-rail before ascending herself. The driver was "doing his job" (sic) and apparently did not have time to wait for the mother to get on, and closed the doors just a moment after the stroller (with baby inside) was "safely" on-board! Though passengers began shouting at the driver to open the doors and let the mother on, he replied that it was not his concern and that he could not wait any longer - he had a job to do and was doing it by continuing the journey of the light-rail.

One can only imagine the devastation the mother was experiencing at the moment as she wondered what would be with her child. Though the driver refused to give his name, people did photograph him and we can assume those on the rail would report the incident with photographs in hand! 

The seriousness of this story should awaken us all to further possible measures we must take in safeguarding our children and our possessions. Perhaps it would be a good idea for all moms to stitch in to their strollers an identity tag with at least a phone number on it, should her stroller (with baby in it) go missing. Just imagine this for a moment - passengers on the light-rail had no way of tracking down the mom to get the baby back to her again. Remember for a moment, an 18 month old baby does not know his phone number, address or even names of his parents other than Abba and Imma. Advertising in the papers or the like, that the baby had been found may not work either as it is also possible that many people could claim the child as theirs. It would take identifying marks etc. to prove who the real mother is - as the baby would be unable (via ordinary speech) to let others know who it's mother is. I have no doubt that with enough time they would succeed in putting it all together, but the frustration for the mother would be unbearable. 

Moms: Consider either stitching or at least attaching an identifying label with a contact number onto the stroller and a bracelet on baby's arm with contact info, rather like a medic-alert bracelet. It may not necessarily have to include your name, address or any other personal details (which may lead to further problems!) But a contact number will at least offer a minimum aid for others to be able to return the child easily should something like this ever happen.

Remember: Public transport in Israel has its advantages! It does not mean that drivers will not be closing doors on you (often causing injury!) or refusing to let you on, or simply not stopping the bus when they should. Unfortunately it has become the responsibility of the passenger to look out for themselves in all these matters. 

Take care! When boarding a bus or other public transport, watch carefully as you board to see if the door is closing on you. Be at the bus stop a few minutes before to make sure you have the best chance of boarding without missing your bus or being caught in the doors. Be prepared to disembark when the bus stops rather than have to deal with shouting at the driver - and again possibly having the doors closed on you or separating from others you are traveling with.

The bus company and probably light rail company will usually favour the side of the driver in almost every instance! When using a bus ticket that is to be punched, check the driver as he punches it. He will often punch the wrong side (when using combination tickets) or click more than once thinking you have boarded with someone else etc. It is the passengers duty to check all these things and be responsible for himself. Don't leave your ticket in your shirt pocket before doing the laundry! Bus companies have no sympathy and even if the ticket looks only slightly marred, drivers will refuse to accept them! The bus company will not reimburse you or offer another ticket for the now-unusable ticket!

Be prepared for anything - and most of all, take care of your own health and security, and the health and security of your family - and all those around you!

נסיעה טובה - "Nesiah Tova" - Have a Great Journey - as they say!