How to Protect Your Family’s Health-Focus on Green Cleaning, Not Disinfecting

Superbugs. They are hurting us and the health of our families, even our pets. At the same time we unknowingly are contributing to the development of a new generation of resistant infections that are almost impossible to treat. In our effort to protect our loved ones, bacteria is being created that is able to survive every modern antibiotic. Even worse, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the resulting superbugs have spread from sea to shining sea. Unfortunately when these superbugs strike the critically ill, the results can be fatal.
The recent outbreak of Avian Flu in 2008-09 and Swine Flu (H1N1 Pandemic) in 2009-10 caused us to panic. We believed that we were under attack and that all bacteria was bad. The result is a germ phobic population that has been trained (mostly by what we see in the media and from advertisements) that different sizes of excavators the only way to keep our families safe and healthy is to disinfect, disinfect, and disinfect. According to the research, however, we are now finding that because of our excessive disinfecting, mutant bacteria that is capable of resisting the most powerful antibiotics currently available is evolving.
What is scariest to me is that researchers have come to understand that the overuse and improper use of disinfectants may be the cause for generating these superbugs. Disinfectants that are not used in the right context and improperly applied will not kill the bacteria as intended, but rather cause the subsequent generation of the bacteria to be more resistant. While it is important for hospitals to be vigilant in protecting their patients, especially those with weakened immune systems, that is not necessary for your home.
It is important to focus on green cleaning regularly, but not to become paranoid enough to use disinfectants everywhere, for every application.
Disinfectants are not effective cleaners because they are not intended to be. They are formulated to destroy (i.e., kill) bad bacteria and germs. Unfortunately a disinfectant does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces, or even remove the bad bacteria and germs. All disinfectants MUST be registered by the US EPA as a pesticide. In fact, since disinfectants are designed to kill, their cleaning efficacy is generally quite low.
Cleaners, however, contain surfactants (i.e., soap) and are formulated to remove dirt and impurities from surfaces or objects. Even better yet cleaners will also remove most, if not all, of the bacteria (i.e., germs). Although cleaning will not necessarily kill the germs, removing them reduces their numbers and lowers the risk of spreading any infection. As a result the efficacy of cleaners is commonly higher than a disinfectant. Selecting green, ecofriendly cleaning products will further protect your family and pets by reducing the toxins in your home. The green cleaning products that are bio-based enzyme formulations are the best. Enzymes will actually remove the bacteria’s food source leaving a safe, green, and residue free clean surface.
There are a few hot zones in the home such as the toilet, …

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Work Boots Can Provide Comfort and Protect Your Feet

When starting a new job, there are many things to consider. If it is an office job, you may need certain things such as a wardrobe that is appropriate for the company you’ll be working for. If you are starting a job that involves construction or working outdoors or any job that is in a particularly dangerous location, there are some very different things you need to consider.
First and foremost, you need to think about safety. Safety equipment like hardhats and harnesses are usually provided by the company you are working for. One item in particular that is usually not provided is work boots and they are a necessity for this type of job. They may be required on the job or they may be optional depending on the dangers but if your superior does not recommend them, there are many reasons why you should consider investing in a pair anyway. Here are some of those reasons:
1. This type of boot will prevent injury to your feet if you were to trip or have a heavy item fall on your feet. These are common occurrences in construction and industrial jobs.
2. If you are working in an environment that is cold or wet, a good pair of work boots will keep your feet warm and dry.
3. If you will be walking around a lot during your work day, the support provided siemens industries by this type of boot will prevent your feet from getting tired and sore.
4. It is easier to walk around work sites with a good pair of sturdy boots equipment maintenance in laboratory that will protect your feet from stepping on nails and other debris.
Steel toe boots are the best work boots available for many jobs. They protect your feet the best because of the hard toe that prevents anything from getting past the surface of the boot. They come in many styles and colors and can be bought at most department stores and even some outdoor supply stores and hardware stores. The internet is a great place to start your search to find out which types are best for you and you may even decide to buy directly online if you find a pair that you like.
The price depends on where you buy them and what brand you buy but it is possible to get a good, cheap pair. It is very important that you protect yourself while on the job because an injury could mean long-term or permanent pain, loss of hours on the job and loss of wages. Depending on the injury, you could be out of work for a long time or even permanently and that is something you do not want!
Having a pair of these boots also means you have a good, sturdy pair around the house for doing strenuous yard work, garden work, home improvement projects or even for hiking on rough terrain over long distances.…

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Asthma Friendly Classrooms – Non-Toxic Products Protect Health

Asthma has reached epidemic proportions in the United States affecting a reported 1 in 13 school-aged children. These children lead the way in school absenteeism due to a chronic illness, with over 14 million missed school days per year in the US. The near future does not look more promising, with the percentage of children with asthma rising more rapidly in preschool-aged children than in any other age group.
While many factors are to blame for poor indoor air quality and airborne toxins in the classroom, a few simple changes can make a huge difference to the health of a our children. A recent study conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in the U.S. has revealed that cleaning supplies used in schools could be polluting classroom air with more than 450 distinct toxic contaminants, including chemical agents sewer equipment linkedin linked to asthma and cancer. The good news is that Green Seal and EcoLogo have certified green cleaning products, which can emit 80 percent fewer contaminants into the air compared to non-certified cleaning products. Certified green cleaning supplies like Marauder, Glance NA, and Alpha HP resulted in cumulative emissions that were only one-sixth of the total emissions from conventional cleaning products.
Another source of toxicity in the classrooms is the use of traditional whiteboard markers, many of which contain xylene, a chemical that occurs naturally in petroleum and tar. Xylene is classified as a neurotoxin and can be responsible for some neurological effects such as headaches, fatigue, memory loss and lightheadedness. It can also result in laboured breathing, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Even markers designated ‘non-toxic’ are triggering symptoms in people with chemical sensitivities.
There are several xylene-free choices on the market, but AusPen eco-friendly dry-erase markers stand out for their non-toxic properties and for their low environmental impact. The pens are victor welding supply refillable, using ink made of vegetable dyes, and they are recyclable, cutting down on the approximate 500 million non-biodegradable markers thrown out annually by North America teachers.
The long-term low-level exposure to the cocktail of chemicals found in our classrooms is troubling, to say the least, especially since there are so many unknowns about its effect on children with asthma. Testing for human health effects is normally done on single chemicals, leaving us simply to speculate about their combined impact. Armed with certified green cleaning products and non-toxic classroom supplies is one way, happily, to help everyone breathe a little easier.…

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Protect Your Family And Home With A Fire Safety Kit

A fire safety kit is a wise precaution when protecting your home, boat or caravan against potential fire hazards. The provision of excavator definition appropriate fire safety equipment is also a statutory requirement for landlords letting homes for multiple occupancy (HMO’s).
But what should be included to provide adequate protection for your family?
As a minimum a fire safety kit should incorporate the following items: –
Fire Blanket (Red)
This should be at least 1m x 1m in size and of a quality that complies with BS EN 1869:1997 and include a BSI kite mark.
When cooking with fats and oils this blanket can be used to smother any flames and is therefore ideal for small kitchens.
Fire Extinguisher
There are many types of fire extinguisher available however a compact 1Kg ABC Powder Extinguisher is suitable for fires involving burning solids, flammable liquids, gases, heating oils and live electrical equipment.
Most fire extinguishers carry a 5-year warranty however you should ensure it has been serviced before installation in accordance with the requirements of BS 5306.
Wall Signs
An appropriate sign should be placed next to every fire blanket and fire extinguisher to conform with current regulations. These signs inform users as to the type of fires these items can, and most importantly cannot, be used for.
These signs are a good way to highlight the location of fire blankets and fire extinguishers and also make it easier to spot any missing fire safety items.
Battery Operated Smoke Alarm
This should carry a BSI kite mark and incorporate an alarm with a minimum sound output of 85dB(A). These are easy to install and should be tested on a regular basis.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detector
Everyone is familiar with the need for smoke alarms however smoke can usually be seen and smelt. Often referred to as the “silent killer” carbon monoxide is a toxic gas which is colourless and odourless so unlike smoke its difficult to detect. The inclusion of a carbon monoxide detector as part of a fire safety kit is therefore an essential added precaution.
There are many versions available however better units have a 5 to 7 year sensor life and incorporate a long-life sealed battery. custom tig torch holder This type of detector is popular in tenanted properties as the battery cannot be removed or tampered with in any way.
Manufacturers instructions on use and installation for all the above equipment should always be read and adhered to.…

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Protect Your Investments Using a Complete Fire Safety Equipment System

In today’s business environment, you must, as an employer, do what you can to keep the business afloat. Apart from gaining an edge over the competition, cutting down on operational costs, and paying off loans, you must also be responsible for your two important assets: your employees and your investments. With regards to your human assets, you are certainly responsible for their well-being while they are in the place of employment-let’s say a warehouse, a restaurant, or a small shop, among many others. Aside from these, you must also protect your own interests by ensuring that your investments are covered from whatever risks that could destroy them in the future.
In terms of risk, the most common and highly probable risks are fires. According to the UK Fire Monitor, although there was a 6% decrease in the total of building fires for 2007, this still amounted to 32,500 buildings that have either been damaged or completely razed. This is such a high figure considering that there is industrial electrical near me an all-encompassing set of laws (The Order) that should have regulated these. With these figures, fire safety should definitely be on top of any employers’ list. Apart from complying with legal regulations, having a complete fire safety equipment system can help protect your investments and ultimately save your business.
Certainly, no one wants to experience fires of any kind. Thus, it is important for your fire safety equipment system to have reliable frontline defence. This is where the so-called “passive firefighting equipment” come in. These mainly include smoke alarms or smoke detectors that alert occupants fixed bed type milling machine in due time, giving you, your employees, and in some cases even your clients, ample time to go to the nearest fire exit and out to safety. These must be installed throughout the premises and should be regularly checked for dead batteries or working connections from the main line.
Next should be those equipment that prevent a small fire from turning into a large one. Thus, you must have the right set of extinguishers that will promptly put out any kind of fire. The Order states that there should be one 13A rated water extinguisher every 200 square metres of floor area. If your business is prone to specific fire risks, it is a good idea to consult with a fire safety expert to check what kind of extinguishers you would need. To prevent fires from transferring to another section of the building or shop, smoke seals must have been installed properly in order to minimize or contain any breakouts.
Apart from fire extinguishers, fire blankets must also be included in your fire safety equipment system. They can be quite handy and are ideal in the kitchen, for those who are in the restaurant business where small fires can occur. Do remember that identifying the right set of fire safety equipment for your business is anchored on a proper fire risk assessment that should be carried out by authorities …

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