Health & Safety Seattle WA
The health and safety of your family is undoubtedly one of your top priorities. In this section you'll find articles on how to prevent fires, how to keep food safe during an emergency and much more.
Newest Topics
Dry Cleaning Seattle WA
Dry-cleaning chemicals are often intolerable to chemically sensitive people and to some allergic and asthmatic people. Actually, the term dry-cleaning is a bit of a misnomer. The process is called dry only because water isn’t used. Instead, a liquid petroleum-based solvent is the primary cleaning solution. (Sometimes special soaps and detergents are used along with the solvent.)
Getting Rid of Fleas Seattle WA
If you own a pet, especially a cat or dog that is allowed both indoors and out, fleas can become a problem in your home—particularly in hot seasons, or year-round warm climates. When you spot what’s been termed “salt and pepper” around your pet’s bedding, it’s likely that a flea infestation is already in full swing. You see, the “salt” grains are white flea eggs and the “pepper” particles are bits of dried blood.
Lead Safety Seattle WA
High levels of lead can cause convulsions, coma, or death. Exposure to low levels of lead can harm a child’s brain, nervous system, blood cells, and kidneys, which in turn can cause learning disabilities, slow development, hearing impairment, and hyperactivity. Since most children do not display any symptoms, the only way to know for sure if they have elevated lead levels in the blood is to have them tested.
Radon Testing Seattle WA
Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that is produced by naturally decaying uranium and radium. Uranium - and radium - is naturally found in soil and rock throughout the world. It is typically concentrated in areas with lots of granite, shale, phosphate, and pitchblende. As radon decays, it forms radioactive by-products, which can be inhaled and cause damage to lung tissue.
Natural Essential Oils Seattle WA
Scents are often defined as aromatic compounds obtained from plants and other substances. Generally, their unifying characteristic is their capacity to be readily noticed, to linger, and to spread. Scents in concentrated forms (such as essential oils), as well as perfumes, magnify these traits.
All Topics
Bed Bugs Seattle WA
Detection, prevention and least toxic control of bed bugs. Bed bugs have recently re-emerged as a common unwanted insect and troublesome infestation problem. Though there is no definitive consensus on what sparked this resurgence, increased international travel and resistance to pesticide treatments are thought to be contributors.
Childhood Asthma Treatments Seattle WA
This scientific report shows that, fortunately, many of the interventions to reduce asthma triggers in home environments are relatively simple. People in modern societies spend the vast majority of their time—approximately 90%—in indoor environments, including homes, workplaces, schools, and public spaces such as restaurants and malls. Roughly 66% of that indoor time is spent in homes...
Disaster Preparedness Seattle WA
Is your family and home prepared for a disaster? In this article, you will learn preparedness strategies that are common to all disasters.
Dry Cleaning Seattle WA
Dry-cleaning chemicals are often intolerable to chemically sensitive people and to some allergic and asthmatic people. Actually, the term dry-cleaning is a bit of a misnomer. The process is called dry only because water isn’t used. Instead, a liquid petroleum-based solvent is the primary cleaning solution. (Sometimes special soaps and detergents are used along with the solvent.)
Dust Mite Removal Seattle WA
You will likely not be sleeping alone tonight. There are many substances in household dust which can cause allergies in humans, including animal dander, insect parts (especially from cockroaches), mold spores and pollen. The most common allergenic components of house dust, however, are from house dust mites.
Essential Oils Seattle WA
These natural plant extracts have many applications, but use with caution. Essential oils are aromatic liquids extracted from flowers, grasses, fruits, leaves, roots, and trees. There are hundreds of essential oils, and they are used for everything from insect repellents to aromatherapy and fragrance.
Food Poisoning Treatment Seattle WA
Recognize and prevent food poisoning. A sick feeling washes over you: nausea, stomach cramps, headache and fever. Vomiting and diarrhea may soon follow.
Food Safety During Emergencies Seattle WA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has provided recommendations to help minimize the potential for foodborne illnesses due to power outages and other problems associated with severe weather events.
Formaldehyde Seattle WA
How to reduce your exposure to this common chemical. Formaldehyde is an important chemical used widely by industry to manufacture building materials and numerous household products. It is also a by-product of combustion and certain other natural processes.
Getting Rid of Fleas Seattle WA
If you own a pet, especially a cat or dog that is allowed both indoors and out, fleas can become a problem in your home—particularly in hot seasons, or year-round warm climates. When you spot what’s been termed “salt and pepper” around your pet’s bedding, it’s likely that a flea infestation is already in full swing. You see, the “salt” grains are white flea eggs and the “pepper” particles are bits of dried blood.
Home Workshop Design Seattle WA
Ideally, a home workshop should be located in its own separate structure. Another good choice would be in a portion of an insulated, detached garage where the temperature — and perhaps the humidity — can be regulated. Yet, in reality, most home workshops are going to be located in basements, utility rooms and attached garages.
Kitchen Fire Extinguisher Seattle WA
U-M Trauma Burn Center reveals how to prevent cooking fires and burn injuries. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires. Cooking fires also are the leading cause of fire-related injuries in the home.
Lead Safety Seattle WA
High levels of lead can cause convulsions, coma, or death. Exposure to low levels of lead can harm a child’s brain, nervous system, blood cells, and kidneys, which in turn can cause learning disabilities, slow development, hearing impairment, and hyperactivity. Since most children do not display any symptoms, the only way to know for sure if they have elevated lead levels in the blood is to have them tested.
Natural Essential Oils Seattle WA
Scents are often defined as aromatic compounds obtained from plants and other substances. Generally, their unifying characteristic is their capacity to be readily noticed, to linger, and to spread. Scents in concentrated forms (such as essential oils), as well as perfumes, magnify these traits.
Nonstick Cookware Safety Seattle WA
While these coatings allow considerable ease in cleaning and reduce the need for oil in cooking, they have potentially serious drawbacks. It’s difficult to avoid nonstick cookware these days, but it may not be the best choice for a healthy home. While these coatings allow considerable ease in cleaning and reduce the need for oil in cooking, they have potentially serious drawbacks.
Nontoxic Pest Control Seattle WA
Ants, rodents, termites ... Keep what's bugging you outside where it belongs. For anyone who has spent the winter months shivering and dreaming of balmier days ahead, spring’s arrival is good news.
Pesticide-Free Food Seattle WA
Our children may be exposed to pesticides from residues found in their food. Here are ways you can reduce the risk of pesticide residues in your child’s diet.
Phthalates Seattle WA
Phthalates, or phthalate esters, are esters of phthalic acid and are mainly used as plasticizers, which is primarily used to soften polyvinyl chloride. Phthalates are being phased out of many products over health concerns.
Radon Testing Seattle WA
Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that is produced by naturally decaying uranium and radium. Uranium - and radium - is naturally found in soil and rock throughout the world. It is typically concentrated in areas with lots of granite, shale, phosphate, and pitchblende. As radon decays, it forms radioactive by-products, which can be inhaled and cause damage to lung tissue.
Reducing Risks of Hospital Infection Seattle WA
Most of us will have to go into the hospital some day. Here are specific steps you can follow to protect yourself from deadly hospital infections.
Sunscreen Safety Seattle WA
People using sunscreens may overestimate the protective capacities of these products. Sunscreens have the ability to help protect your skin from cancer-causing rays from the sun. However, you may not know that skin that has been repeatedly treated with sunscreen solutions apparently produces lower quantities of vitamin D―an essential vitamin needed by the human body.
