How to Safely Clean Up After Hurricane Flooding

Spring rain and floods can mean a season of sickness. If your home, yard or basement have been deluged know that flood water, from swollen rivers, and overflowing sewers is extremely toxic. Standing water, like that shown in this flooded yard isn't healthy either. It breeds mold, mildew and water-borne illness. Here are safety tips for storm, flood and sewage clean up. Avoid contact with flood water. Flooded river water is full of bacteria already. When flooding causes city drains to back up, it puts raw sewage and biological waste into the water. Since it is impossible to know if sewage has mixed with flood water, it's best to assume it has and act accordingly.   Safe Flood Water Clean Up

How I Protect My Family from BPA, Phthalates, Chemicals in Everyday Products

A report released Tuesday says the man-made chemicals in products we use every day-toys, perfumes, beverage containers and more-are likely responsible for at least some cancers, birth defects and psychiatric problems. How do parents approach the use of chemicals in their homes? Yahoo News asked for some perspectives. Here's one.  First Person: How I Protect My Family from Chemicals in Everyday Products

How to Feed Obese Kids to Help them Lose Weight-- Food switches to improve nutrition

 In 25 years of teaching, I've noticed more kids tending toward obesity. I'm not talking about chubby kids who'll slim down in puberty, but those who are way overweight and getting fatter. What can we as parents do about it? Growing kids have to eat, right? Yes, but we can control what they eat. Obese kids are typically malnourished, not from eating too little but from eating the wrong things. Just in time for the holidays, here's a DIY guide to healthier food switches for kids' favorites. Feeding the obese child: Food switches to improve nutrition 

Bathtub Refinishing Chemical Blamed Methylene Chloride for Deaths

A bathtub refinishing chemical has been linked to three Michigan deaths and 13 deaths in all. Methylene chloride, used to strip paint and as an industrial degreaser, is sold at home improvement stores and online. It's marketed to do-it-yourself enthusiasts for at-home bathroom remodels, says Michigan Radio. Here are details about this product and the deaths attributed to it. Read more at Bathtub Refinishing Chemical Blamed for Three Michigan Deaths

Home Maintenance Tip: Clean Vents to Keep Refrigerator Running Efficiently

Refrigerator Running Poorly? Clean the Vents
A few weeks ago, we began to notice that our refrigerator was not keeping food cold. Several items in our refrigerator spoiled. We noticed water puddling in the bottom of the refrigerator under the drawers. Was our fridge going out?
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How to Use your Bread Machine to Create Special Diet Breads

Use Your Bread Machine to Create Diet-Friendly Breads for Your Special Needs
Remember bread machines? They mix, knead and bake bread; with bread machines, you control what goes into your bread. Diabetes, vegan, kosher, lactose-intolerant, gluten and tree nut allergies, hypertension; bread machines work well for special diets.
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DIY Home Maintenance Tips

Quick Tips for Home Maintenance that Will Save You Money and Make You Safer
Save money, live green, be safe, be healthy and live better with these cleaning, repair, home maintenance and yard care tips. Improve the performance and safety of your appliances and saving money at home.
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How to Care for Your Cats and Pets

Cat Care and Grooming Tips for the Summer Months
Cat care and grooming tips and instructons especially fo summer.
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How to Get a Bat Out of Your House and Keep Him Out

Green Ways to Bat-Proof Your House
Live near a river? Chances are your home will attract bats. Bats outside are the perfect 'green' pesticide. Bats inside: not good. Bats are carriers of rabies. Their guano is toxic, too. Here's how to bat-proof your house.
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