Thursday, March 05, 2009

Health Tips for March 5

Health Tip: Use Household Chemicals Safely

Common chemicals stored throughout the home could pose health risks if not stored properly and used correctly.

The Cleveland Clinic offers these safety suggestions when working with household chemicals:

  • When using all-purpose cleaners in the kitchen or bathroom, always wear gloves, and open a window or turn on a fan to minimize inhalation of fumes.
  • Be careful to avoid letting bleach touch your skin or splash in your eyes. Also, avoid breathing in the fumes.
  • Never mix bleach with any other cleaner, especially anything that contains ammonia.
  • When using an oven-cleaning product, fully protect yourself with goggles, gloves and long sleeves. Look for cleaners without lye, and make sure the area is well-ventilated.
  • Antibacterial cleaning products can burn the skin, so make sure you wear gloves.

Health Tip: Enjoy Sledding Safely

Sledding is a fun way to enjoy the winter weather. But it can be dangerous if done recklessly and without precautions.

The U.S. National Safety Council offers these safety tips for sledders of any age:

  • Stay away from steep and dangerous slopes that end on the road. Look for more level hills.
  • Make sure the hills are clear before you sled down them -- check for holes and anything else that may obstruct the sledder's path -- including trees, fences, telephone poles or rocks.
  • Stay away from hills near lakes, streams or ponds. Even if these bodies of water look frozen, they may not be frozen all the way through.
  • Never sled near streets or traffic.
  • Never sled down a hill head-first.
  • Sledders should wear gloves and boots to protect against frostbite and injury.

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