Staying Hydrated During the Winter

During the summer, it’s easy to remember to grab a bottle of water and gulp it down when you’re hot and sweating. But what about winter? Do you drink less water when the weather isn't as warm? Most people do.

Mild dehydration can still happen during winter time. Not only that but chapped lips, dry skin, coughing, nosebleeds, mild headaches and acne are all signs that your body needs more fluid.

Just because it’s cool outside doesn't mean that it’s okay to cut down on your water intake. Health experts says that staying hydrated is essential because the body is mostly water and it needs to constantly be replenished. Our bodies use water for many functions such as breathing, sweating and urination. We need water to regulate our body temperatures. It also alleviates every day discomforts, so if you’re feeling yucky in the afternoon, it may mean you need to drink more water.

A mere two percent drop in the body’s water volume can set off dizziness, muscle cramps, fatigue, and make you lose focus.

Here are some tips on how to increase water consumption during the winter:

• Have a bowl of clear soup before each meal. It will not only warm and fill you up but it will also provide nutrition and increase your water content.
• Use water humidifiers during the winter.
• Drink herbal tea.
• Add a sprig of mint or some lemon to your water for a refreshing twist.

Water: The Mood Booster!

Feeling a little down? Mild dehydration is known to cause depression and bad moods because your body can’t rid itself of toxins if it is not properly hydrated. Increasing your water intake can help your body “wash” away toxins that are accumulating inside your body.

“In a study published in the "Journal of Psychophysiology" in 2000, eight healthy, endurance-trained men were kept under- or over-hydrated while exercising on a treadmill for 90 minutes. Researchers then analyzed the mens' memory skills, levels of fatigue and moods and found that dehydration impaired all of these functions. These findings indicate that short-term, relatively mild dehydration can immediately detract from an active person's moods.” – Livestrong.com Blog

Experts say that people experiencing mild dehydration have trouble staying alert and using their memory. They also experience fatigue, tension, and anxiety.

Lack of water to the body may decrease the motivation to work and play. Here are a few tips to stay hydrated and avoid the “Negative Nancy” syndrome:

• Drink a glass or bottled water as soon as you wake up.
• Drink less caffiene.
• If you can't stay away from caffiene and sodas, drink 8oz of water for every caffeinated drink you consume.
• Snack on fruits and veggies, they contain water. 

Common Water Problems

Common Water Problems

Something “off” about your tap water? We’re experts, but some people may not recognize these water problems in their businesses. Here are some “clues” for common water problems and what to do about them.

Your tap water smells like rotten eggs

Total dissolved solids (TDS) like hydrogen sulphide, iron, and other chemicals can lead to that putrid smell coming from your sink or bathtubs.

Solution: A whole-house water purifier can resolve this problem.

Hard water

Water hardness is due to calcium, magnesium, and sometimes iron dissolved in water. These elements can harm piping, dishwashers, and water heaters.

Solution: Water hardness can be removed with a water conditioner/softener or a water treatment device.

Salty or brackish taste

This is caused by high sulfate or chloride content and can be solved by filtering via reverse osmosis.

Acidic water causing leaky pipes

Tap water containing acid will leave blue-green stains on surfaces in your home. This is actually caused by acidity eating away at the copper in your pips. If ignored, this could cause leaks.

Solution: This can be solved by injecting soda ash or caustic soda in your water supply to raise the pH.

Of course you could just contact us and get fresh, clean, filtered water delivered right to your business or job site. 

Why Choose B&B Ice Water?

When making ice water in bulk, for hundreds or thousands of employees, it is imperative that your water is sanitary.

When it comes down to it, the Safety, Cost Savings and Convenience of B&B Ice water far outweighs the “Do it yourself” option. Let’s take a look:

Safety and Cost Savings
It seems as if it would be cheaper just to make your own ice water…right? Wrong.

If you make your own ice water in-house, your business has to pay for the cost of the water, coolers, ice, and labor. Let’s not forget the potential liability unsanitary water and water coolers may cause. For instance, a refinery in Denver made national news when their tap water, the very same water their employees drank daily, became contaminated.

A Country Club in Arizona was forced to pay a 3 Milliondollar settlement to a family whose son died as a result of an unsanitary water cooler.

B&B’s ice water is guaranteed to be safe, sanitary, and pure. We clean and sanitize our coolers based on OSHA and FDA standards. Our water is passed through carbon filters and a UV water purifier to ensure that it is completely safe. Our ice also filtered and purified and is approved by the International packaged Ice Association.  B&B Ice water coolers typically cost about the same or less than most in-house water operations.

Convenience

Our ice water is made daily and is delivered to your business as needed. We even pick up the coolers after you’re done with them.

So, why choose B&B Ice Water? The answer is simple: “Safety, Cost Savings, & Convenience!” 

B&B Bottled Water

B&B Ice is excited to announce its newest product, B&B Bottled Water. Our bottled water comes from a natural spring in Jasper, Tx and is bottled at the source, unlike most American bottled waters. Our water has no flavor, and no blending from various sources. 

One of the key benefits of natural spring water is that it comes from a clean underground source. Spring water is free from contaminates usually found in drinking water. It also contains minerals that are beneficial to human health.

Other benefits of bottled spring water:

• It’s convenient and portable
• Bottled spring water is pure and natural, it does not contain any added chemicals

If you want fresh tasting water that’s safe to drink, our bottled spring water is the way to go. Yes, bottled water is available at most grocery stores, but we offer bulk bottled water delivery service to businesses in the Southeast Texas area.

For more information about bottled water delivery, contact us.

Staying Hydrated: Water vs Soda

It’s a hot day, so you grab a soda to cool down. But wait, is the sugary soft drink really going to help you stay cool?

Soft drinks, unless otherwise indicated, contain caffeine. In the past, experts claimed that caffeine was a diuretic, causing more frequent urination and therefore could cause dehydration. More recent studies have found that in moderate amounts, caffeine has only mild diuretic effects, much like water. However, soda also contains large amounts of sugar and other artificial ingredients that can dehydrate the body. These ingredients drastically raise blood sugar levels and the body must use massive amounts of water to bring them down.

Water makes up more than two thirds of your body weight. As little as a 2% drop in your body’s water supply can trigger symptoms of dehydration: fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, difficulty focusing on tasks, and daytime fatigue.

Water is necessary for your body to function properly. It carries nutrients to cells, flushes out organs, and ensures proper kidney functions. It is your best bet for staying hydrated on a hot day because it’s cheap and contains no calories. 

Check out the Infographic below for more information:

US Drought 2012 Water Conservation Tips

If you haven’t heard about the drought that has hit most of the United States, chances are you’ve been living under a rock. If you are living under a rock, we understand, it’s probably cooler under there anyway.

The major drought has affected over 48 US states, most of them being declared disaster areas. Crops have been hit hard, driving produce prices higher. Many state and local governments are suggesting or even mandating that residents conserve water.

“Under a water conservation ordinance now in effect in Marion County, Ind., which includes Indianapolis, residents can be fined $100 for a first violation and $2,500 per day for a fourth violation if they:

•Sprinkle, water or irrigate grass.

•Wash vehicles, sidewalks or driveways.

•Fill empty swimming pools.

•Install new landscaping.” - USA TODAY

So if you haven’t resorted to living under a rock here are some tips that can help you conserve water during extreme heat:

1. Cut down on your shower time and avoid taking baths.
2. Remember to turn off the water while brushing your teeth or washing your face

3. Use the “energy saver” settings on your appliances that use water.

4. Only wash full loads of clothes.

5. Examine faucets, pipes, and hoses for leaks and replace any leaking fixtures.

6. Buy bottled water and store it.

7. Do not waste water waiting for it to get hot, capture it in a container and use it for watering plants or cooking.

8. Wash dishes by hand instead of using the dishwasher, they use about 14 gallons per load.

9. Don’t over-water your lawn. It only needs to be watered every 5 to 7 days in the summer.

10. Don’t fertilize your lawn during a drought because it burns the grass.

Most importantly, never put water down a drain that can be used for something else!

Ten Tips on how to Stay Cool During the Southeast Texas Summer

In our previous post, we discussed the basics on how to protect ourselves and our loved ones from heat related illness. But what else can we do? Here are 10 quick tips on how to stay cool on those extremely hot days.

1. Wear cotton clothing, it has a tendency to stay cooler than other fabrics.

2. Store sunblock and lotions in the fridge or your ice chest for a “cooler” application.

3. Keep a spray bottle in the fridge or ice chest for a refreshing burst of cool water when you need it.

4. Reschedule your outdoor exercise routine to the early morning or late evening hours. If that’s not possible, try scaling down your exercise routine, walking instead of running, or shave a few minutes off your normal routine.

5. Keep water bottles in the freezer and take them outside with you when you do yard work or gardening, the heat will melt the ice at a perfect rate and you will have a steady supply of cool water to drink.

6. Get a bandana, soak it in cool water and wrap it around your neck or put it under your hat. Cooling your head cools your entire body.

7. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these will promote dehydration.

8. Eat smaller, more frequent meals.

9. Chill your pulse points with by running cool water over your wrists for about a minute every hour. Splashing cool water on your face will also help keep you cool.

10. Go swimming!

Do you have any tips you use to stay cool during the hot South East Texas Summer months?

How to Beat the South East Texas Heat

The South East Texas Summer is upon us and that means long days at the beach or on the river, boating, fishing, camping, and working outside. With these fun activities comes the risk of heat stroke and other heat related illnesses that can easily be avoided with the right preventative measures.

Heat Stroke Prevention:

• Avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the day.
• Take frequent breaks.
• Wear loose fitting, light weight, light colored clothing.
• Apply sunblock and wear a wide brimmed hate.
• Drink plenty of water and avoid soft drinks and alcohol.
• Eat smaller more frequent meals.
• Never leave children, adults, or pets in a closed parked vehicle.

Did you know that heat stroke kills approximately 400 Americans each year? That your body temperature can rise from 98 degrees to 100 degrees in just 3 minutes? Or that a young child’s core body temperature can increase 3 to 5 times faster than an adult causing permanent injury or even death? Seniors, Infants, children and those with medical conditions, especially those with heart disease and high blood pressure are at the highest risk.

If you suspect someone may be at immediate risk of heat stroke:

• Call 911 immediately
• Move out of the heat and into the shade or indoors
• Loosen or remove clothing
• Apply wet cloths to the skin and ice packs to the wrists, ankles, underarms, and neck.

Protecting yourself, your children, your pets and other is extremely important in the Summer. By following the above tips you can keep Summer fun and safe for everyone in your family.

Additional Resources:
Bnbice.com: Safety Seminars
MedicineNet.com: Heat Exhaustion
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Extreme Heat

B&B Ice: OSHA REGULATIONS FOR DRINKING WATER

B&B Ice & Water is committed to providing OSHA standard Ice & Water products. We have high standards which we uphold in accordance with OSHA regulations regarding water and ice procedures. We have listed a few for your reference. For a complete list of OSHA regulations on handling Ice & Water, visit their website.


1926.51(a)
"Potable water."

1926.51(a)(1)
An adequate supply of potable water shall be provided in all places of employment.

1926.51(a)(2)
Portable containers used to dispense drinking water shall be capable of being tightly closed, and equipped with a tap. Water shall not be dipped from containers.

1926.51(a)(3)
Any container used to distribute drinking water shall be clearly marked as to the nature of its contents and not used for any other purpose.

1926.51(a)(4)
The common drinking cup is prohibited.

1926.51(a)(5)
Where single service cups (to be used but once) are supplied, both a sanitary container for the unused cups and a receptacle for disposing of the used cups shall be provided.

1926.51(a)(6)
1926.51(a)(6)
"Potable water" means water which meets the quality standards prescribed in the U.S. Public Health Service Drinking Water Standards, published in 42 CFR part 72, or water which is approved for drinking purposes by the State or local authority having jurisdiction.

So next time think before you drink. To schedule a full presentation on heat related illness, water procedures, or other issues related to ice and water contact B&B Ice & Water. You will be glad you did!

WHY B&B ICE COMPANY ?

With the old year out and the new year in, it will soon be warmer weather again! When you are thinking about Ice and Water, look no further than B&B Ice & Water. We have all your Ice & Water needs. Whether you are a small or large business, we want to take the Ice & Water worry off your hands! Below is some useful information about what B&B Ice & Water has to offer you.

I – SAFETY
A. All our water cans are sanitized inside and out every day by a Jackson 66 inch conveyor washer with 180 degree sanitizing rinse certified by the NSF guaranteed to kill bacteria.
B. Our water is double filtered to insure it is bacteria free using a commercial 24 inch carbon filter for taste and a high intensity ultraviolet water purifier to kill bacteria
C. Our water is tested on a regular basis by us and an outside source
D. All liabilities regarding this job are our responsibilities
E. We have a written safety policy that our employees are required to read and sign prior to employment.

II-QUALITY
A. Our water is bottled water quality
B. Our service is unmatched in the Industry
C. References available

III-PERSONNEL
A. Our service eliminates the need for an onsite water crew
B. Good employees are becoming harder to find with all the competition
C. All of our delivery personnel are trained and ISTC certified

IV-CONVIENENCE
A. With all the planning involved in these major projects, this task is taken off your plate
B. No more calling for repairs when an ice machine breaks down
C. No more running out of ice
D. No more finding drinking water when the onsite service is interrupted

V- COST
A. We can actually save you money
B. No more lost production due to skilled labor having to stop what they are doing and prepare water coolers
C. Easy to accurately identify costs

VI- B&B ICE
A. This is all we do
B. We do it best

So before you try to make your own Ice & Water give us a call, 409-727-5174. We will answer all your questions! Visit us on facebook, twitter and our website. B&B Ice "The Clear Choice!"