Archive for the ‘Health’ Category
Friday, May 14th, 2010
No-see-ums, also known as midges, are small biting insects that are barely detectable to the human eye. Although the bite of a no-see-um is usually harmless, it does hurt and may itch intensely. To effectively deal with this tiny nuisance, follow these tips.
- Determine the time of day when midges are a problem. This will usually be in the morning and evening hours. Try to confine outdoor activities to the hours when no-see-ums are absent. During the morning and evening, keep all windows closed and avoid opening the door, if possible. (more…)
Tags: Insect, Outdoors
Posted in DIY, Garden, Health, Home | No Comments »
Monday, January 18th, 2010
What’s the difference? A water softener filters out dissolved minerals, especially calcium and magnesium, while a water filter removes particulate matter and some pathogens. Water contaminants tend to be specific to certain areas; for more information, check out the Drinking Water Inspectorate’s database of regional water quality reports.
Hard Water
If you find that your water combines with soap to form a scummy grey film instead of suds, or if your water tends to leave “rings” in the tub, you may have “hard water” full of minerals. (more…)
Tags: Drinking water, Hard water, Water filter, Water softening
Posted in Appliances, Health, Scalewatcher, WATER | No Comments »
Monday, November 9th, 2009
Small children are curious and quick. Even the best-supervised toddler may escape temporarily from time to time. While constant monitoring is the primary way to ensure your child’s safety, there are other measures that may be taken to reduce danger. Increase water safety around your home, inside and out.
Bathtub Safety
Always supervise small children as they bathe, even if an older sibling is also in the bathtub. Collect necessary bath items before putting the child into the tub so that everything needed is within easy reach. If a bathing seat is used to help a baby remain upright, never leave the little one unattended, not even for a few seconds. Although rare, drowning deaths do occur during bathing seat use.
Outdoor Water Features
Many gardens contain a water feature such as a pond or fountain. While these small pools or fountains are enjoyable, they are also an attractive danger for small children. Consider emptying the feature of water and converting it into a sandpit while the children are young. If this is not possible, cover the feature securely or completely enclose the area with childproof fencing. (more…)
Tags: bath, Bathtub, Child, Health, Pond, WATER, water safety
Posted in Health, Home, WATER | No Comments »
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
Dust mites are microscopic bugs that eat dead skin cells shed by humans and pets. Although dust mites don’t bite, their waste products can cause allergies and asthma. Congregating in the soft surfaces of a home, such as carpets, bedding and upholstery, dust mites are particularly fond of warm, humid environments.
Ridding your home of dust mites is essential to the respiratory health of your family. Especially in homes where asthma or allergies are already an issue, effectively dealing with dust mites on a regular basis can make a huge difference in the health and comfort of family members. Follow these steps for a dust mite-free home.
To eradicate dust mites, start with bedding. Wash all bedding for humans and pets in hot water. Encase mattresses and pillows in dust mite-proof covers. Replace non-washable items, such as throw pillows or stuffed animals. If a non-washable item must be kept, tumble it in the dryer for several minutes on high heat. (more…)
Tags: Cleaning Tips, Health, House dust mite, WATER
Posted in Cleaning Tips, Health, Home | 1 Comment »
Thursday, October 1st, 2009
- Image via Wikipedia
Households with hard water deal with a number of inconveniences, such as limescale build-up and stains. Even washing one’s hair can be problematic. Many people with hard water complain of dry, brittle hair.
The calcium and magnesium minerals contained in hard water affect soap’s ability to build a good lather. Therefore, building a rich lather takes major amounts of shampoo. Each hair shaft consists of overlapping slates, called scales, which are similar to a roof’s shingles. On a healthy shaft of hair, the scales remain smoothed down. (more…)
Tags: Beauty, Hair, Hair care, Hair conditioner, Health, Shampoo, Shopping, WATER
Posted in Health, Home, Kitchen, WATER | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
- Image via Wikipedia
From the time of its earliest recorded use in 10th century BC China, tea has been a favoured beverage of the masses. This popular commodity, derive from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, reached Europe by the 16th century.
From as far back as 200 BC, when the Han Dynasty of China touted the medicinal benefits of tea, its numerous advantages have received much attention. Many studies have shown that tea is helpful to both the immune system and brain functioning. (more…)
Tags: Amino acid, Beverages, Health, Heart disease, Tea
Posted in Health, Home | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
According to the Drinking Water Inspectorate, approximately 60% of UK households have hard water. Filled with calcium and magnesium, it stains basins, leaves limescale in kettles and discolours laundry. With hard water flowing through pipes and out of the tap, it is important to understand the health effects of hard water.
The National Research Council (NRC) states that drinking hard water does not pose health risks. Although hard water is generally safe for drinking, the NRC recommends more studies to uncover the correlation between other health issues and hard water. (more…)
Tags: Conditions and Diseases, Drinking water, Drinking Water Inspectorate, Eczema, Hospital, UK
Posted in Health, Home, WATER | 1 Comment »
