Flushing old medications might seem like the best way to keep them out of your child’s reach, but it creates a potential public health hazard by allowing drugs into our wate
r supply.
Similarly, do not pour it down the sink as it may end up in the local water table. And do not throw it in the trash. It may still be within reach of kids and pets.
The safest way to get rid of leftover medications is to take them back to the pharmacy. However, not all pharmacies are required to take back unused medications but you can inquire at your local drugstore or pharmacy for options. Besides prescribed medicines, vitamins and minerals are chemicals, and can also be harmful to the soil and groundwater.
source: Reader’s Digest May2008 issue, pg136
Recent research revealed 75 per cent of contact lens wearers across Asia do not follow proper lens care.
image from familyvisioninstitute.com
An alarming proportion of wearers do not practice simple contact lens care. “It takes less than a minute a day to rub and rinse yet many patients don’t think it is important,” said Dr. Chung Kah Meng, President of the Association of Malaysian Optometrists. Proper cleaning techniques lead to a dramatic reduction of microbes growing on the lenses, vastly lowering the risk of infection. Here are some key tips:
1. Rubbing and rinsing – Safety is enhanced significantly by rubbing and rinsing contact lenses both prior to and following storage.
2. No more than seven days – Lenses that have been stored for more than seven days, regardless of whether peroxide or multi-purpose solutions are used, should be re-disinfect before the next use.
3. No ‘top up’ – Do not add more solution to the solution already in the case.
4. Do not use tap water – Never use tap water to store, clean or rinse your contact lenses as water is a common source of potentially damaging microorganisms that can cause sight threatening infections.
5. The right kit – One of the highest risk occasions is going on vacation – an appropriate ‘travel kit’ should be carried and used.
6. Avoid exposure at pool – Another high risk occasion is exposing lenses to potential contamination from swimming pool or spa water – wear your goggles while swimming.
7. Not in the bathroom – Storing your contact lenses in the bathroom carries a high risk of airborne contamination.
source: reader’s Digest Apr2008 issue, pg142
Some of you may already know this while some do not and others may have forgotten. Just a helpful reminder to all of us . . . . .
Here’s what to do: Take shelter in a car or building. Don’t use electrical equipment, including the telephone, and stay away from windows and metal, such as pipes and radiators. If you’re outside, never take shelter near or under a lone tree, and keep away from open ground and ridges. Shelter, instead, in a cave; in a wood, avoiding taller trees; in a hollow or dry ditch, or under a hedge, avoiding high points. Crouch down, keeping your feet together, or curl up into a ball. Discard metal items, such as golf clubs, spades and bicycles.
source: Reader’s Digest March2008 issue, pg132
I made a post in my blogspot blog that included a video on how to put out a kitchen fire. It was sent to me by a friend through email few months ago and I love to share it with you here but, I don’t have a plugin for video yet, so I will just point you to my other blog. I included the message in the forwarded email for additional info. Anyway, to read the post and watch the video, click here.
UPDATE: Here are the video and the letter:
Dear Friends,
Several years ago, my wife & I did the same mistake of putting out this type of kitchen fire with water and it actually did the same thing. The fire instantaneously reached and almost covered our whole kitchen’s ceiling. Good thing it didn’t last long enough to actually burn through it. We had to repaint the whole ceiling though. Read on & watch attached demo…
Eric
Watch this video and learn what not to use to put out a grease fire.
This is a great video. Everyone should watch it and take heed.
The Charleston Navy base at the Fire Fighting Training school would demonstrate this with a deep fat fryer set on the fire field. An instructor would don a fire suit and using an 8 oz cup at the end of a 10 foot pole toss water onto the grease fire.
The results got the attention of the students.
The water, being heavier than the oil, sinks to the bottom where it instantly becomes superheated.
The explosive force of the steam blows the burning oil up and out.
On the open field, it became a thirty foot high fireball that resembles a nuclear blast. Inside the confines of a kitchen, the fire ball hits the ceiling and fills the entire room.
Also do not throw sugar or flour on a grease fire.
One cup creates the explosive force of two sticks of dynamite.
Meanwhile, I had a very busy weekend. I’ve been helping my son with his school projects that have to be submitted this week. After their exams last Thursday and Friday, this is what we are into right now - loads of ‘paper works’. That is the reason why I haven’t updated my ‘About’ page yet and I thank you for your patience.
Later, guys! 
