You can spot signs of sickness through eyes, lips and skin and When someone says ‘you don’t look so good,’ you might want to head to the doctor, according to new research. Detecting illness is essential to survival from an evolutionary perspective, but it was previously unclear if and how humans could identify signs of it just by looking at one another.

With a particularly bad flu season upon us, symptoms like a runny nose or a persistent cough seem like good potential indicators of who to avoid if we want to dodge the bug.

But researchers in Sweden, the US and Germany collectively found that we are able to tell the difference between a sick person and a healthy one just by looking at their faces.

The annual flu epidemic has already reached widespread status and claimed the lives of a number of people, including at least 12 children. Reports have been swirling around that the flu shot may not be as effective against this year’s strain, leaving many looking for alternative preventative methods.

The new study, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, shows that we might just be able to keep ourselves safe from sickness by searching for physical signs in peoples’ eyes, skin and lips.Researchers from Stockholm University and New York University injected half of their 22 subjects with a placebo and the other half with a drug that causes brief but notable inflammation and signs of sickness.

Two hours later – just as those given the real injection were starting to get puffy – the researchers snapped photographs of all of the study participants.

The study used two different groups of 60 observers to assess the 16 pictures after eliminating six images from the original batch for being too inconsistent.

Observers with no medical or related training were able to correctly guess that 13 out of 16 of the people whose photos they saw were sick. Looking back at the side-by-side pictures of sick and healthy people, the researchers identified eight factors that make a person look sick, though, surprisingly, the features most drastically affected by the injection were not the ones that observers most closely associated with looking sick. Of those eight, three signs stood out as making people look sick.

For the full article click here.

Winter is officially here! As a reminder, please pay special attention any possibility of frozen pipes in your facilities. Especially: Any construction that has been done in the last year or penetrations that did not affect pipes last year, could freeze this winter. Those areas should be walked with a thermometer and checked. Pay attention to “curtain” or outside walls where work was done.
Sprinkler work that is open to outside air penetrations:

• Loading docks
• Outside air plenum rooms
• Roof mechanical rooms
• Stairwells on outside walls
• Fire stairs that exit directly to the street
• Please make sure all heat trace that is supposed to be working is in fact pulling amps
• Cooling tower lines
• Hose tank lines
• All OA dampers should be air tight when closed
• Some buildings may have to shut outside hose spigots (this could apply to your home as well)

Remember, if a sprinkler system is in danger of freezing, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO isolate a drain a portion of it (CHECK LOCAL CODES AND YOUR LOCAL FIRE HOUSE), BUT YOU MUST NOTIFY CENTRAL STATION AND FDNY DISPATCH.
For more details on the winter storm click here.

The bitter cold is not just an inconvenience, in many cases it can lead to property damage due to frozen pipes. Here’s how to prevent that.
By Kara Seymour, Patch National Staff | Dec 28, 2017 11:16 am ET | Updated Dec 28, 2017 5:31 pm ET
The bitter Arctic blast that has enveloped New Jersey will linger into 2018. The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook across the Philadelphia region for “nearly continuous subfreezing temperatures” through next week.

The bitter cold is not just an inconvenience. In many cases it can lead to property damage due to frozen pipes. But there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of frozen pipes at your home.

Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor water faucets, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Also, pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.

A 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can leak up to 250 gallons of water a day, causing flooding, serious structural damage, and the immediate potential for mold. To prevent the formation of ice in pipes due to freezing temperatures and to prevent the pipes from bursting, experts recommend that you:

• Always place piping in heated areas of a building.
• Properly insulate attics, exterior walls and other areas lacking adequate heating.
• Repair broken windows, ill-fitting doors and other conditions that allow heat loss.
• Keep exterior doors closed, even if not in the immediate vicinity of piping.
• Maintain heat in buildings at all times. No area with piping should be allowed to fall below 40°F.

Here are some additional tips:

Prevention

There are three common causes of frozen pipes:

1. Quick drops in temperature
2. Poor insulation
3. Thermostats set too low

Luckily, there are a number of preventative steps you can take to keep your pipes from freezing:

• Check the insulation of pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic. Exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing.
• Heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Be sure to use products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., and only for the use intended (exterior or interior).
• Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.
• Use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.
• A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
• Keep your thermostat set at the same temperature during both day and night. You might be in the habit of turning down the heat when you’re asleep, but further drops in the temperature – more common overnight – could catch you off guard and freeze your pipes.
• Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
• Keep any garage doors closed if there are water pipes or supply lines in the garage. If attached to home, consider opening the door to the garage to allow home heat to enter the garage. DO NOT use kerosene or other fuel fed heating devices in the garage to heat it.

If Your Pipes Do Freeze…

• If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.
• If your house or basement is flooding, turn off the water valve and immediately call 911.
• Do not touch or use electrical appliances in areas of standing water due to electrocution concerns.
• Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame because it could cause a fire hazard. Every year, many building fires are caused by people trying to thaw frozen pipes. All open flames in homes present a serious fire danger, as well as a severe risk of exposure to lethal carbon monoxide.
• You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe. DO NOT use a blow torch or any other open flame to try and thaw out potentially frozen pipes.
• Again, if your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on and call 911. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it. Likely places for the water turn-off valve include internal pipes running against exterior walls or where water service enters a home through the foundation.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat set to a temperature no lower than 55ºF.

Meet Gerard McGarrity
Gerard is a retired United States Navy veteran and a former member of the Navy Maritime Expeditionary Warfare Group which dealt with Anti‐terrorism force protection. His extensive training in the field of security is what makes Gerard a vital part of Guardian’s security solution!

Who Needs a Security Guard?

Our job isn’t to appraise what you produce, how you produce it, or whom you sell to. We believe every business is entitled to function safely and without threat of damages or loss. At our core, we are intensely interested in keeping you and your business secure. A few of our typical clients include:

• Hotels
• Retail Stores
• 24-hour businesses
• Hospitals
• Office Buildings
• Residential Communities
• Airports

Virtually any place of business can benefit from our security protection and we can tailor that to the proper safety that your business needs. Full customization of security guard schedules, presentation (plainclothes or uniform?), and equipment means that this security feature caters to the image you have cultivated for your business, and makes this a necessity for the safety of your assets.

What Can Security Guards Do?

We understand that each of our client’s needs are unique. That is why our security guards are trained to provide a variety of services. Some of the things we offer include:

MONITORING

You may want to establish a security guard service that does more than patrol. You may need someone to review surveillance or even walk employees or customers to their vehicles after hours. A security guard can help defend a number of aspects of your business that doesn’t involve simply walking around the perimeter (although, that can certainly be an option as well!). It boils down to asking yourself what are your security needs? We have years of experience in creating the ideal protection package by asking the questions no one else thinks to ask. We find the weak links in your armor and, instead of attempting to hide them, actually find ways to fix them.

PREVENTION

Hiring a security company as part of your overall safety plan will go a long way in preventing criminals from targeting you. Unfortunately, businesses are a target for vandalism and theft. A secure presence will certainly discourage criminal activity and help your business keep a safe reputation. Guardian recognizes the line between creating a crime-free zone (like a prison cell) and a place wherein crime is significantly deterred all the while business is still encouraged. Your business is not a jail cell, it shouldn’t feel or behave like one. There should be a balance between safety and claustrophobia. Our experience in protecting businesses means we know where that line is for your business.

MANAGING CRIME

The security guards from Guardian are top of the line. We train our professionals to handle crimes that range from theft, violence, vandalism—and everything in between. We want our clients to feel confident when they call on our services; they get the most competent people in the industry. We understand that quality service means constantly evolving with the changes that occur in society. That is why our personnel is required to continue training and implement those new security techniques in their positions. Our constant and consistent training does not stop at physical reactions to physical crimes. Our personnel are trained in everything from reading surveillance and interpreting body language and micro expressions to categorizing anonymous threats and responding to the newest trends of criminal activity in the age of the Internet. Just as you and your business change and evolve with time, so too do our security guards — by remaining adaptable at all times.

PEACE OF MIND

It has been proven that the presence of a security guard actually offers people a sense of safety. People simply feel better when they know that a trained professional is keeping an eye out. As a business owner, it lets you know that someone else also has your best interest in mind. When you succeed, we know that we have succeeded as well. It’s a win-win from both sides of the spectrum.

Our concierge services go far beyond those offered by more traditional concierge companies. Our reputation for going that extra mile, combined with our years of experience mean our clients can relax, knowing even the tiniest details are being taken care of.

We have worked hard to ensure that we have the very best concierge services. Every one of our highly trained employees receives comprehensive training in aiding and meeting all the needs of your staff and your residents alike.
Training involves all aspects of front desk duties, such as: properly greeting tenant and guests in a cheerful welcoming manner, assisting with all reasonable requests, becoming an integral part of the property, answering questions, serving as a general presence and visible deterrent to infractions; detecting suspicious activities reporting all incidents, accidents or medical emergencies to the building property manager.
In addition, our concierge team wear distinctive uniforms bearing our logo and name, varying from venue to venue but always looking highly presentable, clean and visible for people who may be looking for them. The next time you find yourself in need of the finest concierge services, contact Guardian. We are one of the top concierge companies for a reason.
Request a quote! Click here.

Meet Joe Large!

A Guardian employee since 2010, Joe brings 25+ years of expertise in Real Estate Development, Management, Facility Management, Building System Administration and Practical Mechanical Engineering.
During his tenure with Guardian, Joe has continuously honed his facility services skills, by turning his focus from an end user perspective to that of a service provider. Joe is an industry thought leader and has earned his reputation for delivering on his promises. Isn’t it time to get Joe into your facility to help you optimize your processes and say hello? https://lnkd.in/ddNjKcc

About Guardian Engineering

Guardian offers a variety of building maintenance and repair services to provide you with trained and experienced personnel to implement services and achieve cost savings. Guardian’s senior management holds over 100+ years’ experience in the design, operations and maintenance of various types of facilities, inclusive of transportation hubs, data centers, corporate headquarters and public buildings.

Our approach includes developing a tailored plan that addresses the specific needs of your facilities, which assures the achievement of your objectives and generates immediate and cumulative cost savings.

We’ve gained a reputation as a premier service provider in the industry, and have developed a solid reputation for creating innovative building management and energy performance solutions. This includes retrofits and replacements of older, less efficient systems with newer, high efficiency systems.

Additionally, our on site management and engineering staff have the experience to operate and maintain all types of mechanical systems, including Package units, Chiller/Boiler Plants and Absorbers.

Meet Charles LoBosco! Charles joined Guardian in 2013 and provides senior level leadership in developing cost effective security service programs throughout Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. Charles, an industry veteran with +29 years’ experience has a wealth of knowledge, leadership and expertise.

In addition to providing senior level leadership, Charles oversees Guardian’s Security Services division, inclusive of pricing, staffing, financial analysis and labor relations. Isn’t it time to get Charles into your facility to help you optimize your processes?

Who Needs a Security Guard?

Our job isn’t to appraise what you produce, how you produce it, or whom you sell to. We believe every business is entitled to function safely and without threat of damages or loss. At our core, we are intensely interested in keeping you and your business secure. A few of our typical clients include:

• Hotels
• Retail Stores
• 24-hour businesses
• Hospitals
• Office Buildings
• Residential Communities
• Airports

Virtually any place of business can benefit from our security protection and we can tailor that to the proper safety that your business needs. Full customization of security guard schedules, presentation (plainclothes or uniform?), and equipment means that this security feature caters to the image you have cultivated for your business, and makes this a necessity for the safety of your assets.

What Can Security Guards Do?

We understand that each of our client’s needs are unique. That is why our security guards are trained to provide a variety of services. Some of the things we offer include:

MONITORING

You may want to establish a security guard service that does more than patrol. You may need someone to review surveillance or even walk employees or customers to their vehicles after hours. A security guard can help defend a number of aspects of your business that doesn’t involve simply walking around the perimeter (although, that can certainly be an option as well!). It boils down to asking yourself what are your security needs? We have years of experience in creating the ideal protection package by asking the questions no one else thinks to ask. We find the weak links in your armor and, instead of attempting to hide them, actually find ways to fix them.

PREVENTION

Hiring a security company as part of your overall safety plan will go a long way in preventing criminals from targeting you. Unfortunately, businesses are a target for vandalism and theft. A secure presence will certainly discourage criminal activity and help your business keep a safe reputation. Guardian recognizes the line between creating a crime-free zone (like a prison cell) and a place wherein crime is significantly deterred all the while business is still encouraged. Your business is not a jail cell, it shouldn’t feel or behave like one. There should be a balance between safety and claustrophobia. Our experience in protecting businesses means we know where that line is for your business.

MANAGING CRIME

The security guards from Guardian are top of the line. We train our professionals to handle crimes that range from theft, violence, vandalism—and everything in between. We want our clients to feel confident when they call on our services; they get the most competent people in the industry. We understand that quality service means constantly evolving with the changes that occur in society. That is why our personnel is required to continue training and implement those new security techniques in their positions. Our constant and consistent training does not stop at physical reactions to physical crimes. Our personnel are trained in everything from reading surveillance and interpreting body language and micro expressions to categorizing anonymous threats and responding to the newest trends of criminal activity in the age of the Internet. Just as you and your business change and evolve with time, so too do our security guards — by remaining adaptable at all times.

PEACE OF MIND

It has been proven that the presence of a security guard actually offers people a sense of safety. People simply feel better when they know that a trained professional is keeping an eye out. As a business owner, it lets you know that someone else also has your best interest in mind. When you succeed, we know that we have succeeded as well. It’s a win-win from both sides of the spectrum.

Investments in “green” or environment-friendly buildings could reach a cumulative amount of $3.4 trillion by 2025, a study by the International Finance Corp. (IFC) showed.

In a statement, the IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, said that figure would be attained “if countries adopt better building codes and standards, and create targeted financial incentives such as green-building certification and mandatory benchmarking of energy use.”

Other important reforms should encourage new utility business models, including green mortgages and energy-service companies, it added.