Household Tips

It isn’t terribly often that the CDC endorses a product, but they have basically done that. I have not been a big fan of hand sanitizers… This is making me think twice!

Every three minutes, a child puts a hand in his/her nose or mouth. Considering that some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks that children touch throughout the day, it is easy to see how clean hands are critical to avoiding sickness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps in avoiding getting sick and spreading germs to others. With the common cold accounting for nearly 22 million school days lost annually, according to the CDC, this is a critical time for parents to teach–or remind–the whole family of proper hand hygiene.

“There are plenty of unwashed hands out there. Only one in five of us does the job properly,” says Dr. Charles Gerba, Professor of Environmental Microbiology at the University of Arizona. “Everyone needs to be sure they understand how to wash properly and how and when to use alcohol-based instant hand sanitizers such as PURELL(R).”

Effective hand hygiene practices include washing hands frequently with soap and water and, when soap and water are not available, using an alcohol-based instant hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol. PURELL(R) Instant Hand Sanitizer kills 99.99% of the most common germs that may cause illness.

Everyone, no matter what age, can benefit from a hand hygiene refresher during cold and flu season. It comes down to three basic steps:

1. Tell your children why clean hands are so important. Proper hand hygiene is critical to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.

2. Show your children how to wash hands properly, according to CDC instructions:
— Wet your hands with clean, warm water and apply soap.
— Rub hands together to create lather and scrub all surfaces (including between fingers and under nails).
— Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds (about the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday).
— Rinse hands under running water.
— Always dry hands thoroughly.

3. Help your children keep clean anywhere they are. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based instant hand sanitizers such as PURELL(R) effectively kill 99.99% of germs that may cause illness. There is no evidence that germs become resistant to alcohol — the main ingredient in PURELL(R) — or to other antibiotics as a result of using alcohol-based instant hand sanitizers. Show children how to use hand sanitizers properly:

— Apply alcohol-based hand sanitizer to the palm of one hand.
— Rub hands together — so that product covers all surfaces of hands and fingers — until hands are dry.

Then: remind, remind, remind. Encourage your children to wash their hands frequently throughout the day, particularly before eating, and after using the bathroom and playing outside. Check with your school to see if you can send your older children in with a travel-size container of PURELL(R) to carry in their backpack, for quick and easy hand cleansing when soap and water are not readily available.

Here’s something I don’t usually think about…. With all the extra folks wandering around your house during the holidays, your home is sure to become a haven for germs. The Maids Home Services has some tips for keeping those pesky germs at bay and keeping your home safe from viruses during the holidays.

– Wash your hands regularly in warm, soapy water. Place antibacterial hand sanitizer in plain view for guests to use. Make an effort not to touch your mouth, nose or eyes without first washing your hands.
– Spray disinfecting spray on a cloth and wipe all hard surfaces — doorknobs, appliance handles, keyboards, remote controls, light switches, phones, facial tissue box covers, tables, chairs and counters. Viruses can live for up to 48 hours on hard surfaces.
– Keep germs at bay in the bathroom by stashing disinfecting wipes near the toilet and sink for easy, quick clean up whenever needed.
– Hosting overnight guests? Wash items like towels and bedding in hot water with soap. Be sure not to share these items until they are thoroughly cleaned.
– To keep children safe, an effective way to clean and sanitize toys is to put them through a dishwasher cycle. Make sure items are dishwasher safe and are placed securely on the racks away from the heat source. Turn off “heat dry” and run the wash cycle as usual.

Another tip for keeping germs at bay? Encourage kids to soap up by keeping “fun” soaps at their level. Whether you buy cute-shaped soap dispensers or bar soap with embedded Santas, giving kids something they’ll like to wash with will certainly improve your chances of getting them to suds up! For a fun soap product for kids that I loved, check out Squid Soap by the folks at Airborne!

This is an odd one… But, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Health has issued a public advisory on handling pet food safely. According to them, 21 cases of salmonella in Pennsylvania have been linked to pet food handling!

Here’s what bothers me: Shouldn’t the food I buy for Fido and Fifi (or at my house Pooka and Izzy) be salmonella-free to begin with? I don’t want to feed my pets that stuff!

Nonetheless, here is the list of safety tips. It makes my friend Judy look very smart — she cooks for her pets every day!

Buying Tips

– Purchase products (canned or bagged) with no visible signs of damage to the packaging, such as dents, tears, discolorations, etc.

Preparation Tips

– Preferably, people should feed their pet in areas other than the kitchen.
– Begin with clean hands. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with hot water and soap before and after handling pet food and treats.
– Wash pet food bowls, dishes and scooping utensils with soap and hot water after each use. The bowl or utensils used for pet food should not be washed in the kitchen sink. In households where there is no alternative, the sink area should be adequately sanitized after these items have been cleaned and removed.
– Do not use the pet’s feeding bowl as a scooping utensil — use a clean, dedicated scoop, spoon or cup instead.
– Dispose of old or spoiled pet food products in a safe manner (example: in a securely tied plastic bag in a covered trash receptacle.)

Storage Tips

– Pet food should not be handled or stored in areas where food for humans is prepared. If this does happen, it increases the potential for cross-contamination from the pet food to foods being served to people.
– Promptly refrigerate or discard unused, leftover wet pet food (cans, pouches, etc.). Refrigerating foods quickly prevents the growth of most harmful bacteria. Refrigerators should be set at 40 degrees F. The accuracy of the setting should be checked occasionally with a refrigerator thermometer.
– Dry pet food and pet treats should be stored in a cool, dry place under 80 degrees F.
– If possible, store dry pet food in its original bag inside a clean, dedicated plastic container with a lid, keeping the top of the bag folded closed.
– Keep pets away from food storage and preparation areas.
– Keep pets away from garbage and household trash.

pet food, dog food, salmonella

And now that we’ve been convinced there’s a problem, Clorox and the CDC offer us a solution!

Help to Expel Germs
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than 52 million cases of the common cold each year among Americans under the age of 17. With illness keeping students out of school for a national average of four days a year, experts advise parents to devise a plan of action for how to deal with their kids’ sick days.

Donna Mazyck, president of the National Association of School Nurses offers the following tips for helping to reduce the spread of germs in the classroom:
— Teach children hand-washing habits; it is one of the most important thing teachers can do to help prevent illness during the school year. Use warm, soapy water and rub hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds (about the same time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.)

— Use disinfecting wipes regularly on commonly touched classroom surfaces to decrease the level of germs that can cause illness.

— Encourage kids to cough and sneeze into their elbows, not their hands (where they’re more likely to spread viruses through touch).

— Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, as these are easy ways to transmit germs after coming into contact with contaminated surfaces.

— If you are uncertain about when to keep a sick child home, it’s important to talk with your school nurse or doctor.

Clorox is providing tips and tools for teachers to help them expel germs from their classroom. For more information on promoting a healthier classroom, teachers can sign up at http://www.cloroxclassrooms.com to download free “Clean Up the Classroom” lesson plans, children’s games and more.

School, Teachers, Germs, Classrooms

I’m sure I’ve mentioned this here before, but just in case I haven’t… By day, I’m a high school teacher. That means that I spend my day with a minimum of 150 students coming through the door of my classroom, spreading germs. We just started back to school this week, and already I feel like I’m coming down with a cold. (And yes, I’m using Airborne!)

So, I found this press release very interesting. I, indeed, do clean student desks with Lysol wipes (to try to disinfect them), but I’m sure I don’t pay attention to everything they suggest.

This is a long article, so I’ll give you half today, and half tomorrow! Come back!

In a recent survey, school nurses say more can be done in America’s classrooms to help prevent the spread of illness, especially at the height of cold and flu season when more than half of school nurses send five or more sick children home each day.

According to the new survey of school nurses from the National Association of School Nurses about germs at school sponsored by The Clorox Company, 76 percent of school nurses treat more than 16 ill students every day.

In addition to ensuring proper hand washing in the classroom, the survey showed:
— An overwhelming 94 percent of nurses surveyed believe classroom cleaning routines for teachers to follow would help combat germs at school
— Nearly two-thirds of respondents believe disinfecting plays an extremely important role in maintaining a healthy classroom.

— 98 percent disinfect their own offices. It’s also important for sick students to stay home.

— More than half of students seen by school nurses came to school ill. Traditionally, school custodial staff members clean areas of the classroom including floors, chalkboards, sinks and bathrooms, but do not disinfect desktops, computer keyboards and mice, and other high-touch areas where germs can harbor. It’s left to teachers and parents to clean these
items.

A fall 2005 study by University of Arizona further shed light on the importance of cleaning in schools. After comparing bacteria presence on office surfaces of professionals in different occupations, the study ranked classrooms as the #1 workplace for germs and named teachers as having the “germiest” job.

Lyson, Airborne, Teachers, School, germs

Fourteen SuperFoods and their possible benefits:

Beans – lower cholesterol, combat heat disease, stabilize blood sugar, reduce obesity, relieve hypertension and lessen the risk of cancer. (Not crazy about beans? Try sneaking them in to soups and chili, or sprinkling them on a salad.)

Blueberries – lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, and help maintain healthy skin to reduce the sags and bags brought on by age. (All berries are excellent and provide different phytonutrients, fiber, and have a very low glycemic index for a fruit.)

Broccoli – boosts the immune system, lowers the incidence of cataracts, supports cardiovascular health, builds bones and fights birth defects. (Also try other members of the broccoli family: cauliflower, cabbage, and brussel sprouts.)

Oats – lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of coronary heart disease & Type II diabetes, high in fiber and protein. (Forget about carbs, we NEED whole grains to prevent heart disease and stroke and to prevent cancer. If you want to cut carbs, cut out sugar, not whole grains or fruits!)

Oranges – support heart health and prevent cancer, stroke, diabetes and a host of chronic ailments. (Calcium fortified o.j. is awesome too, provides many of the same benefits. You pregnant ladies and wanna be pregnant ladies absolutely need this one–it has folic acid to prevent birth defects. Also try grapefruit, mandarins, clementines, other citrus.)

Pumpkin – helps lower the risk of various cancers (lung, colon, bladder, cervical, skin, and breast) and supplies nutrients necessary for healthy, youthful skin. (Try using your banana bread recipe and substituting pumpkin. It is delicious. I also like to make a box up of sugar free vanilla pudding, add 1 cup canned pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice and more splenda if needed–it tastes like creamy pumpkin pie, but way healthier. Also a good source of beta carotene for you are carrots and sweet potatoes.)

Wild Salmon - lowers the risk of heart disease and cancer. (Also take an Omega 3-6-9 supplement. This nutrient is thought to help depression, brain development and memory, help heart disease and prevent cancer. If you can only take one supplement, this is it. Adding in a good multi-vitamin is even better!)

Soy – helps prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer, and osteoporosis, and helps relieve menopausal and menstrual symptoms. (Like corn nuts? Try soy nuts, I swear they taste the same. You don’t have to eat tofu to get soy–sprinkle edemame on your salad, eat a garden burger, or drink a soy smoothie–they taste like ice cream.)

Spinach – decreases the chance of cardiovascular diseases, a host of cancers, age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. (Stop making salads with ice berg lettuce. Seriously, just stop. It has almost no nutrition, and isn’t that why you’re eating salad?! Make a spinach salad, (best) or at least use romaine or spring greens.)

Tea – boosts the immune system, helps prevent cancer and osteoporosis, lowers the risk of stroke, promotes cardiovascular health. (In spite of all the hype, it doesn’t have to be green tea. Green tea is great, but so is regular black tea. I love this one! Love it! Try iced tea on hot days–so refreshing! Also coffee lovers take heart–there are also studies that show that coffee helps prevent diabetes, and has anti-oxidants. Freshly ground is best.)

Tomatoes– lower the likelihood of cancer, raise the skin’s sun protection factor and seem to play a role in preventing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. (Lycopene is also in watermelon and strawberries–yum!)

Turkey – a perfect example of a Twenty-First Century �healthy� protein source, extremely low in fat, and provides multiple nutrients which help build a strong immune system. (Skinless chicken white meat is good too, if you are a meat eater, and fish is so good you should have it 2-3 times a week.)

Walnuts – reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease, diabetes and cancer. (Also on the good list are peanuts, almonds, and most other nuts. Be careful with portions though, 1-2 oz are all you need. That’s about a regular handfull–not much.)

Yogurt – promotes strong bones and a healthy heart, another health promoting protein source, and a great source of calcium. (1% or fat-free dairy has also been shown to make you lose more weight for the same amount of calories)

Do you ever wonder how much water you should be drinking each day?

Over the years studies have published varying recommended amounts.

Water is the main chemical component of your body. It accounts for 50-60% of your total weight. Every system in your body depends on water to stay moist and flush toxins.

When we don’t drink enough water, we are at risk for dehydration which can cause headache, muscle cramps, nausea, fatigue, dry mouth, dizziness, vomiting, and lead to severe problems like an irregular heartbeat, and even death.

Because we lost about 1.5 liters of water each day in urine and close to a liter of water through breathing, sweating and waste products, we have to replace what we lost. Food accounts for about 20 percent of total fluid intake. If you consume about two liters of water each day you will replace what you have lost.

However, some research shows that you should drink two to three liters of water each day to replace what you lose and to cleanse the body.

It seems rather daunting to have to drink so much water in one day, but if you space it out and drink a full glass before and after each meal and a few in between it isn’t so hard to get your recommended daily amount.

I like to carry a refillable, dishwasher-safe, plastic bottle with me and I keep it full so I can swill water at any time of day.

Pretty soon you’ll get used to drinking so much water and it will feel more unnatural to NOT drink water.

We’ve all had that dreaded morning after. I am not referring to the walk of shame, but rather, that pounding, throbbing headache, the churning yucky feeling in your stomach and the unbeatable urge to just go back to sleep in a very dark room for a very long time.

There are some things you can do to feel better sooner:

1. DRINK WATER. Alcohol dehydrates your body. That’s why you pee a lot no matter how much you drink. In fact, I’m such a dork that I get a big glass of water and drink it with a beer or glass of wine to avoid being dehydrated the next day. So, drink up! The water that is.

2. If your stomach feels like it will roll over if you breathe wrong, or if you are already horking, stick with the BRAT diet, bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. If you can eat, try something bland with some protein, fat and carbs, evenly mixed, like scrambled eggs, toast and a banana. Coffee and tea will only further dehydrate you, so try to stick with water, milk or juice.

3. Take an over the counter pain reliever like Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, Motrin or Aspirin.

4. Rest. (This is where you can assume that I am advising you to stay home from work and sleep.)

5. If you think it is time, or your alcohol drinking has gotten to a point of negatively impacting your work or relationships, consider visiting Alcoholics Anonymous, by clicking here.