Christmas fire safety: Electrical holiday decorations, candles, Christmas tree dangers

The last thing anyone wants to think of during the holiday season is a home fire. But unfortunately, fires break out more frequently at Christmas for holiday-related reasons. That prompted MS News Now to print "12 Days of Christmas fire safety tips" from the Mississippi Fire Marshall on Dec. 14. Here's a Christmas countdown to fire safety.  Christmas fire safety: Electrical holiday decorations, candles, Christmas tree | Examiner.com

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

Child Spring Safety Checklist for Bikes, Skateboards, Rollerblades, Skates, Scooters

Spring is in the air and that means kids are riding off-road wheeled toys and vehicles. Roller skates, bicycles, inline skates, skateboards, and scooters are accidents waiting to happen. As a mom of four, this I know all too well. You can't bubble-wrap kids, but you can use common sense when dealing with bike safety. Here are proactive, safety recommendations for wheeled toys. Bike helmets: Children should wear a crash helmet when riding a bike, skateboard, inline skates, go-carts and scooters, especially motorized scooters. Replace helmets as children grow, if helmet is damaged or after any accident. Here is a video clip to help you choose and size bike helmets. This video explain bike helmet safety.  Spring Safety Checklist for Bikes, Skateboards, Skates and Scooters

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

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

Safe Winter Driving Tips for Traveling in Snow and Ice

Driving Your Vehicle in Snow, Ice and Winter Weather
This year marks my 30th year of driving a Michigan winter. And many of those wintery, icy roads were driven in a less than ideal vehicle, especially in the college years. Driving on snowy, icy roads or in blowing snow takes certain skills.
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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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