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Last Updated: Sep 2nd, 2008 - 19:12:01 |
(ARA) – There’s always at least one on every holiday list – the “hard-to-shop-for” individual. Not all of these gift-challenged people, however, are problematic for the same reason. Some simply have everything. Others are so content they want for nothing.
Then there are the “chilly willies,” the folks who are just too cold all winter long (and sometimes year-round) to spend much time thinking about their holiday wish lists.
The benefits of feeling toasty in the winter are well documented, especially for seniors, athletes and those with joint or muscle pain. Heat reduces pain, decreases stiffness, relaxes muscles, improves circulation for more restful sleep and improves cell function. At work, warmth promotes productivity and ends the distraction of feeling cold.
Whether age, illness or good old-fashioned “thin blood” is behind your loved one’s chronic cold snap, there are plenty of products available to warm the cockles of their hearts – not to mention their frosty toes – this holiday season.
Smarter Space Heaters
Extremities, especially feet and legs, can be particularly vulnerable to cold, which slows blood circulation. Some diseases, like diabetes, leave the sufferer with particularly poor circulation in the legs and feet, which can cause a number of other health problems, including chronic leg ulcers.
While space heaters may solve the problem for many who suffer from chronic cold sensitivity, they come with their own set of problems as well. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that 25,000 fires, more than 300 deaths and 6,000 serious injuries are associated with space heaters every year. Liquid fuel heaters have been known to explode, tip over, pollute indoor air and emit deadly carbon monoxide. Electric heaters can also be dangerous and tend to demand a lot of electricity to operate.
If a space heater is on your list for a chilled loved one, opt for one of the new generation electric heaters, like Cozy Legs – a flat-panel, low wattage heater that emphasizes safety and efficiency as much as comfort. Such heaters are green because they consume less electricity. Because it’s a flat panel, Cozy Legs can be mounted to virtually any vertical surface near your feet and is thermostatically controlled with a high/low switch.
Most space heaters require at least 3 feet of clearance for safety, experts advise. The new Toasty Toes from Indus-Tool actually allows you to prop your feet on it. Thermostatically controlled, the unit has three positions – flat, ergonomic footrest and vertical panel. Weighing less than 5 pounds, it’s also energy efficient, drawing just 90 watts.
Warmer Living through Electrics
Heating pads are a soothing staple for anyone who suffers from pain that is caused or worsened by cold. Look for ones that are UL or ETL rated and offer multiple intensity settings with consistent all-over warmth. Moist heating pads can be particularly helpful for arthritis sufferers. For those who spend a lot of time sitting or standing with their feet on a cold floor, the Cozy Footwarmer is a heating pad they can actually stand on or rest their feet on. The 21-inch by 14-inch rubber mat is thermostatically controlled so it won’t overheat.
Or, if your cold-footed giftee has to be on the go, consider battery-powered warming shoe inserts, like Cozy Feet. The inserts fit into virtually any shoe and can be walked on. Powered by batteries, the warmers won’t lose effectiveness like microwavable or reactive-chemical heating elements.
To learn more about smarter space heaters and warmth-giving electric accessories, visit www.indus-tool.com/ARA.
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