Bucks Issues “Code Blue” Until March 3rd Due to Forecasted Bitter Cold

After a long winter, many people are now looking ahead to spring break travel. Whether your plans have you headed to the beach or traveling abroad, GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists are available as a resource with pre-travel health consultations and over-the-counter product suggestions.

“The same way you may enlist the expertise of a travel agent when booking your vacation, your local GIANT or MARTIN’S pharmacist also has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to ensuring you have the right vaccinations or health essentials ahead of your trip,” said Nick Koch, director of pharmacy and wellbeing, The GIANT Company. “From pre-health travel consultations to offering recommendations for the best sunscreens and first aid basics, don’t overlook the value that our team of pharmacists can bring to your vacation preparations.”

If your spring break plans have you traveling aboard, GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists can also get you adventure ready with a pre-travel health consultation approximately as soon as travel dates are confirmed and a minimum of one month before you leave. This includes vaccines, prescription referrals, and over-the-counter medications.

Vaccines^* include but are not limited to yellow fever vaccine (available at select locations), typhoid vaccine and cholera vaccine. Prescription referrals include malaria prevention, traveler’s diarrhea prevention and care, motion sickness prevention and altitude sickness prevention. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit https://giantfoodstores.com/pages/pharmacy-services.

GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists advise that any prescription medication should always be packed in one’s carry-on bag, never in checked luggage, and preferably in the original container with the prescription label affixed. Be sure to bring enough for your trip as well as extra should there be any travel delays.

Travelers are also encouraged to pack a small first aid kit for on-the-go use. This should include bandages of various sizes, gauze pads, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, tweezers and a thermometer. Be sure to add over the counter pain relievers, antacids, decongestants, hand sanitizers and antibacterial wipes, too. Additional items may be needed based on one’s destination and weather.

March “comes in as lion” to the Lower Bucks area as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter weather advisory for Tuesday morning forecasting a mixed precipitation event making for possibly slippery road conditions.

The advisory is in effect from 5 a.m. until 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 3.

NWS says total snow accumulations less than one inch and ice accumulations around a light glaze in portions of southeast Pennsylvania and central, northern, and northwest New Jersey.

The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday morning commute, officials say, and motorists should plan on slippery road conditions.  Motorists are reminded to slow down and use caution while traveling.

Snow and ice are still clinging to vehicles despite snowfall ending hours ago.

Middletown Township Police posted a stark reminder of what can happen when motorists don’t follow the law meant to protect motosists, that came a result of snow/ice falling off a truck/vehicle

On Christmas Day in 2005, Christine Lambert was killed by a chunk of ice that blew off the top of a box truck outside of Jim Thorpe in Carbon County.

Middletown Township Police posted a stark reminder of what can happen when motorists don’t follow the law meant to protect motosists.

“Christine’s Law” was enacted in 2022 and now allows officers to write citations for those putting others at risk. The verbiage of the law is pictured below

Middletown authorities noted the relevant language of the statute below in their Meta page post

Credit: Submitted

“Remove all ice and all snow from your vehicle before going on the road or you could face citations.”

“If we are being honest though, it shouldn’t be the citation that motivates you to complete this task. Be a responsible driver in all seasons and if you can help an elderly, disabled, or vertically challenged neighbor, we encourage that too!”