The pandemic, the world has experienced, for most of 2020, has been, perhaps, the most, horrific, public health crisis, in recent memory! If, only, public leaders focused on inspiring others, consistently, to do the right things, to reduce the risks, etc, instead of focusing on populism, and their perceived, personal/ political agenda, and/ or, self – interests, and, proceeded, proactively, rather than procrastinating, denying, etc, we would probably. have experienced, far fewer infections and deaths! Unfortunately, while this is, merely, common sense, as we often, discover, that is perhaps the rarest (least common), way, for politicians, etc, to behave and proceed! With that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, 5, relatively – simple, basic behaviors/ actions, which everyone should follow, and consider their personal, social responsibility.

1. Wear a mask: Instead of refusing to set an example, for others to follow, President Donald Trump, has, mostly, refused to wear a mask, and, thus, his core supporters, follow his lead! Public health experts, and scientists, tell us, if everyone wore a mask, the chance of spread of this virus, would be, significantly reduced! If, even, two – thirds of the population, consistently cooperated, especially, when Social Distancing, is not possible, these horrible numbers, would be far lower! Doesn’t it make sense, to do so, if it protects the health, and well – being, of the public, at – large? It should be considered, a logical, relatively simple, key step. If we enforce laws, for public safety, why shouldn’t this behavior, be treated, likewise?

2. Social Distancing: We have been told, the spread of the virus, would be significantly reduced, if we used, Social Distancing. The traditional suggestion is, to keep it, at least six feet apart, but, several recent studies, indicate, under certain conditions, it remains, in the air, for a far greater distance, and longer – period, than we previously believed!

3. Social responsibility: Behaving, in a way, which benefits public health, and well – being, and is the right thing, to do, as well as being, common sense, should be considered, by everyone, as their personal, social responsibility!

4. Wash/ sanitize hands: It has always made health – related, sense, to wash one’s hands, often, but, the experts, tell us, it is wise, to thoroughly, wash, and sanitize one’s hands, on a regular basis. Any time, we touch something, common sense should tell us, to wash our hands, thoroughly, and use, hand – sanitizer!

5. Be cautious – Err, on the side of caution: Err, on the side of caution, when it comes to taking care of your, and the public’s, overall health, and well – being! While, the President, seems, not to care, about, the details, and effectively planning, our public health experts, around the world, recommend, carefully, reviewing, analyzing, and considering, as many details, as possible!

Wake up, America, and demand pubic leaders proceed with greater, common sense, and each of us, need to do, likewise. Isn’t some temporary discomfort, better than the undesirable, potential ramifications, etc?

Itchy flaky scalp getting you down? If you’ll give me a couple of minutes of your time I’ll show you how a simple and little known herbal remedy can get rid of your itchy flaky scalp once and for all.

An itchy flaky scalp can be caused by any number of things but often has to do with lifestyle, nutrition, infection or even an allergic reaction to the products you normally put on your hair. You see, most off-the-shelf products these days are so loaded with chemicals that in some cases they actually do more harm than good. Many anti-dandruff shampoos contain strong chemicals like Sodium Laureth Sulphate (the same ingredient used in engine degreasers), Propylene Glycol (found in antifreeze), and Silicone which is often found in leading brand conditioners and is used to add an artificial shine to your hair.

Apple Cider Vinegar is an excellent little home remedy that has been used for many, many years to get rid of an itchy flaky scalp and dandruff.

Try the following recipe:

Wash hair with a mild, pH-balanced shampoo. There’s no need to use a dandruff shampoo because the apple cider vinegar will gradually disperse and get rid of the dandruff and itchy flaky scalp problem.

Mix together the apple cider vinegar with some warm water (2 parts vinegar to one part water). By adding a few drops of essential oils such as lavender or rosemary you will help to cleanse the scalp further and add a little fragrance to your hair. (Always remember to patch test oils in case of allergies, and always consult your doctor if you are pregnant).

Pour the mixture directly on to clean hair or alternatively put it in a bottle and spray onto your scalp. Massage it in and let the mixture dry on your hair. There’s no need to rinse it out (unless the smell bothers you).

In case of more stubborn dandruff and itchy flaky scalp you can try a stronger mixture of vinegar to water, such as a one-to-one ratio. You could even try using the vinegar undiluted and applying it directly to the scalp. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then wash the cider out with a mild, pH-balanced shampoo.

You’ll get the best results if you use raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to treat your dandruff. If you don’t happen to have any apple cider vinegar, lemon juice can also be used instead.

Essential oils can be used to soothe the itching. Mixing together Lavender, German Chamomile and Eucalyptus Oils with water (4 parts water to 1 part oil), and applying locally to affected areas will help to relieve your itchy flaky scalp.

**Bonus Itchy Flaky Scalp Remedy**

Ok, I’m feeling kind today, so here’s an extra little home remedy for you.:)

Fenugreek seeds are excellent for getting rid of dandruff:

• Take 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds and soak overnight in water
• In the morning grind the soft seeds into a fine paste
• Apply this paste all over scalp and leave for half an hour
• Rinse off thoroughly with soap nut solution
• A teaspoon of lime juice on the last rinse will work wonders

Bottles. We home brewers collect them, store them, wash them, and fill them. It takes time and space. Eventually we want a faster way to enjoy the beer we brew. Ultimately we want it on tap for not only saving space but to have that “Brew Pub” beer at home. Here is an easy low cost way to enjoy your own brewed beer at home straight from the tap without spending your hard earned money on a commercially made Kegerator.

When I went from single batch 5 gallon extract kits to an all-grain setup brewing 10 gallons at a time, I too got tired of the bottles and wanted to keg. I came up with an alternate way to refrigerate the kegs and tap the beer without converting an old refrigerator with a tap on the door. I went for a lower profile unit that would also look good in my living room.

I bought a small upright freezer on sale making sure I would have enough room inside to fit three 5 gallon carney (soda) kegs. I also purchased a separate temperature control unit that would run the freezer as a refrigerator. More on that later.

I needed a way to mount the tap(s) without going through the side of freezer. I also knew that I would need additional top space on the inside for the keg fittings and hoses. The lid as it was did not allow enough room, so I thought of raising it with a frame to make the unit taller. Now I was set to go.

I built a wooden frame out of 1″X4″ wood, securing the corners with L-brackets on the inside. Holes were drilled for two taps in the front and the gas line in the rear. The lid was removed and the frame placed on top securing it with window insulation between the frame and the cooler. The insulation “adhered” the frame to the freezer. The lid was placed on top. The additional height of the frame now raised the lid higher.

The lid has two brackets for mounting it to the freezer. Each bracket has two holes, a top and bottom to accommodate mounting screws. The top hole of each bracket was over the frame with the bottom holes aligning with the top holes in the freezer. The bottom holes in the freezer were now unused. The lid was secured by replacing the screws through the bracket holes. Each bracket had a mounting screw into the frame and into the freezer. The lid was secure and closed on the frame evenly.

I have a three way port to split the CO2 line into three. One for each keg. Also I have one CO2 line and a tap dedicated for a commercial 1/6 keg. I now have the option of tapping my own brew or a bought microbrew.

An external temperature control unit was attached to the side of the freezer and plugged into an outlet. The freezer plugged into the control unit. A thermocouple wire was placed through the rear hole on the frame with the CO2 gas line and hung freely in the freezer in order to monitor only the inside air temperature. A desired temperature of 60 degrees was set on the controller. In addition, I mounted a drip tray to the front with double back foam tape. My living room was now graced with a wonderful addition that truly served a purpose.

Use baking soda and vinegar for washing clothes; Use one-half cup of Eco friendly Borax detergent and one-half cup of baking soda. (Since all washing machines are different, you might need to adjust these measurements slightly.) For the best results, begin by using lukewarm water for the soaking cycle, before washing the white clothes in hot water. TIP: At the end of the rinsing cycle I add one-third cup of white vinegar. This will perfectly sanitize your clothes and make them sparkling clean.

Use bicarbonate of soda and Vinegar for unclog a drain; To clean your drain, or unclog your sink:

1. Combine 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and one-half cup of white vinegar.

2. Pour the mixture into the drain and let it stand for at least one-half hour.

3. Rinse with hot water, then add one-quarter cup of hydrogen peroxide into the drain and again let it stand.

4. Repeat as necessary, and when satisfied with the results, rinse a final time with hot soapy water.

Use baking soda for odor free refrigerator; Place an open box of b. soda in the refrigerator to remove unwanted odors.

Use it for cleaning pots and pans; Has something burned while cooking in your pot or pan? Add a little bicarbonate of soda to plain water in the soiled pot or pan and boil together. It will then be to rinse out the burnt remnants.

Use sodium bicarbonate to relieve upset stomach; When you have a stomach ache, baking soda eases the digestive process. To one cup of water add one-half teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda. This will balance the acidity in your stomach, and relieve the discomfort.

Use baking soda as a cooking additive;some foods can benefit by being prepared with a little baking soda added. Try adding some to your tomato pasta sauce and notice that you will probably not suffer from severe heartburn later. Also, by adding baking a little baking soda while cooking meats or beans will help them cook more quickly.

Use baking soda for personal hygiene and beauty;

1. It is perfectly suited clean hands, and will make them soft and clean. First, wet your hands, sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda on them, then rub hands together thoroughly before rinsing.

2. Whiten your finger- or toenails. To one pint of water add three tablespoon of product. Place your hands or feet in a basin and soak in this mixture for approximately one-quarter to one-half hour.

3. It can be used as a deodorant. Sprinkle a little in your shoes, before putting them on, or add some to your shoes overnight. Simply wipe clean and add more when needed.

4. It can Sanitize Combs, Brushes, Scissors, Sponges and More Protecting yourself from fungi with baking soda. Place items in one quart of water mixed with 8 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda and let them soak overnight in the mix, rinse them thoroughly in the morning.

5. You can use it to treat insect bites by making a paste of it with water. It can reduce the pain and puffiness.

6. For a safe and healthy way to rinse fruits and vegetables mix one quart of water together with two tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda.

7. For softening bath water to help protect from skin damage add one cup of sodium bicarbonate to your bath.

8. To get your teeth white and clean first make a paste using baking soda and lemon juice and then brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes. Repeat this every week for bright, white teeth.

9. To remove dandruff, before washing your hair massage a handful of baking soda into your hair. After five minutes, rinse off and wash your hair as usual.

10. Wipe your windshield with it to repel rain.

11. Improve the smell of sponge by soaking them in baking soda and water.

12. Suck it in with your vacuum cleaner to remove the odor.

13. Freshen the air by mixing sodium bicarbonate with your favorite perfumed bath salts. Put the mixture in small sachet bags.

14. Restore stiff brushes by boiling them in a solution of 1/2 gallon of water, 1/4 cup of vinegar, and a cup of baking soda.

15. Put it under sinks and along basement windows to repel cockroaches and ants.

16. Scatter baking soda around flowerbeds to prevent rabbits from eating your veggies.

17. Sweeten your tomatoes by sprinkling baking soda on the soil around your tomato plants.

18. Sprinkle it onto your cat’s litter box to absorb the bad odor.

19. Sprinkle it on your pet’s comb or brush their fur and skin,to take away the smell.

20. Remove the fishy smell from your fillets by soaking the raw fish in a baking soda -1 teaspoon in quart of water- for an hour inside the fridge.

21. Add a cup to the toilet along with a cup vinegar, leave it for an hour, and then flush. It will clean the toilet and absorb the odor.

22. Combine it with water to make a paste for polishing stainless steel and chrome.

23. Remove scratches and crayon marks from vinyl floors and walls.

24. Clean garbage cans with it.

25. Use it to wash diapers.

Getting custom printed t-shirts can be a perplexing task if you’ve never done it before. There are so many competing t-shirt printing companies, all offering different prices, quality of products, and levels of service. It can be really difficult to know where to start. In this article we take a look at the various methods of t-shirt printing, to help you decide what would work best for your requirements. In the end of the article I reveal my top money-saving tip for ordering printed shirts.

Methods of T-Shirt Printing…

1. Screen Printing

You may well have heard of screen printing, as it’s one of the most popular methods of print. It involves the use of stencils and ink, and is a cost effective method if you’re looking to get a large quantity of t-shirts printed. This is because of the initial setup costs being relatively high, as the stencils need to be created. One disadvantage of screen printed t-shirts is that the ink can fade/wash off over time, whereas other methods don’t have that flaw.

2. Embroidery

Embroidery can look great on staff uniforms, and if done right can give a classy look to any custom printed garment. Again the setup costs can be quite high as there is a lot of initial work involved, but once the preparation is done it’s cost effective for producing larger runs of garments. On the other hand, embroidered logos and text can begin to wear out after a few washes, and it’s also an expensive way of getting your design onto a shirt.

3. Heat Sublimation (Vinyl) T-Shirt Printing

This is a more modern method of printing designs or text onto a t-shirt. A vinyl print is applied to the garment by heat press (like a large iron). It’s best suited to smaller runs (for example 100 garments or less) as the setup costs are low (some t-shirt printers don’t even charge a setup fee at all for vinyl printing). The print will never come off, crack or fade in the wash because it’s a type of plastic. A disadvantage is that you are restricted to using block colours, but this is easily worked around and fantastic looking results can be achieved.

How To Save Money On T-Shirt Printing

It’s important to have a clear idea on exactly what you want printed on your garments, and what quantity of shirts you need, before approaching a t-shirt printing company for a price quote. My best tip for saving money on printed shirts is to avoid the “design your own t-shirt online” website option, and instead email or call a t-shirt printer instead. This way you avoid paying extra for the “privilege” of designing your shirt yourself, plus you get the advantage of having an experienced t-shirt designer do the work for you based on your specifications, usually at no extra cost!

Acne on our bodies forms just like acne on our face. Your pores get clogged because the dead skin cells and oil mix together and clog your pores – which then contribute to acne. Anywhere you have a hair follicle and sebaceous glands is a prime candidate for acne to appear. While body acne is harder to control for many reasons, it is still possible with some easy steps. In addition, the clothing we wear keeps the oil trapped on our bodies which does not help the issue.

So, we must first cleanse properly. Good hygiene can help combat acne although it does not necessarily mean you have bad hygiene if you have acne issues. Cleanse daily – wash your face twice a day and your body once a day. Don’t overdo it. However, if you sweat excessively such as from playing sports or from chronic stress, you may find the need to remove this excess sweat, dirt and oil that is not laying atop your skin. Wash your skin with a gentle cleanser that your skin likes.

Then, you must exfoliate on a regular basis. Your body does go through a natural exfoliation process and it takes about 30 days for this process to happen. However, this is dependent on a couple things: our age and also our skin type. The older we get, the longer it takes for our skin to exfoliate on its own. And, depending on skin type, we can have further issues. For example, if you have oily skin, this oil will mix with the dead skin causing them to “stick”. Once the cells become sticky, they can’t be removed easily and this clogs our pores and contributes to our body acne. So, exfoliating manually is essential!

Food has not been scientifically proven to contribute to acne but if you notice that you tend to break out after eating certain foods, you may want to limit those foods. Dairy seems to be an issue for me. If I eat too much of it, I tend to break out. Is it a coincidence, maybe. But, I just try to limit my dairy intake and my skin seems to respond well. In addition to not eating foods that may cause issues, it is important to eat foods that can help our issues. Eat foods high in antioxidants like fruits and vegetables.

Hydration is also key. If we don’t hydrate our bodies with water, we can’t clean it out. If you don’t normally drink enough water, try adding another glass or two each day until it is more habitual. Take slow, easy steps until it is more natural for you.

Finally, not only will cleansing and exfoliating help your body acne, you may also want to try a topical Benzoyl Peroxide cream. BP is very effective (and inexpensive, I may add) in treating body acne. Many people that suffer from bacne find that if they cleanse, exfoliate and use a benzoyl peroxide topical cream that this is enough to combat their issues. The trick is to be consistent with your skin care regimen and not to overdo it. Be patient and you will soon notice a difference. Good luck!

Investigations have shown that so many people are not aware that they can enjoy a variety of staple foods like: rice, boiled yam, fried plantain and beans, potatoes etc with these colorful vegetables, they think that these ingredients are only for salad and fried rice.

For those who have health issues such as diabetes, hypertension e.t.c., which prevents them from eating fried foods, tomato stews, and soups that contain much seasonings, this is a very wonderful, tasty and healthy alternative for you to enjoy your staples. It is very rich in vitamins and nutrients. I am going to teach you how to prepare and use it to your advantage.

Ingredients

To cater for a family of five, you need the following:

· Chicken or fish or meat (as preferred)

· Vegetable Oil or any other oil you may prefer (2 cooking spoons)

· 5 Spring Onions

· 8 Fresh Plum Tomatoes (Jos Tomatoes)

· 8 medium Carrots

· Cabbage (1 small bulb)

· Potatoes – optional (3 medium-sized)

· 1 Red Bell Pepper (optional)

· 1 Green Bell Pepper

· Green Peas (fresh)

· Salt – to taste

· Seasoning – optional (2 cubes e.g. Magi)

Before You Start

1. Wash and cut the plum tomatoes, carrots, cabbage and bell pepper. Do not forget to scrape off the body of the carrots before cutting and set them aside.

2. Peel the Irish potatoes (this is optional because you can make your soup without thickening it), wash and cut into small pieces. Blend into a thick paste and set aside. This will serve as thickener for the Vegetable Sauce.

Direction for cooking

– Wash and cut your chicken, or fish or meat into pieces, put them in a pot, add chopped onions, stock cubes and curry powder. Add also a litre of water and cook for about 10 minutes.

– When done, add a little measure of the oil that you prefer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes.

– Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.

– Now, add the potato purée, carrot, chopped bell peppers and cabbage. Stir, cover and allow to cook for 5 minutes on high heat. Add salt to taste and the sauce is ready for serving.

You can increase or decrease the thickness of the vegetable sauce by increasing or decreasing the amount of potato puree added. This will be according to your taste and choice, but the important thing is that you have an alternative to what you do not want.

I know you will enjoy it.

For me, RV cleaning is something that ranks right up there with dentist visits, and clothes shopping with Hilga. As with most full time RV’s, they tend to be on the larger side, so when it comes time for RV cleaning, it is more than just a one day job if washing and waxing is involved. But if the right products and tools are used, it can be a much simpler task!

The biggest issue with cleaning an RV is its twelve and a half foot height. Washing the roof and sides is fairly easy. There are many brush attachments, with extendable handles, that allow a hose to be hooked to them so cleaning the sides can be accomplished fairly quickly. Standing on the ground you can easily reach the top half of the RV. Oh, and don’t use dish detergent to clean your RV. It will strip any wax you may have left on it. Be sure to use products designed to wash your RV. Thetford has a line designed specifically for your RV. When it comes to the black steaks, you need the right product! It’s also important to know whether you are cleaning gel coat or clear coat.

Okay, so that takes care of the washing part of the project. Now, how are you going to reach every surface in order to be able to wax it. If you are going to use an orbital buffer, you are really going to need a sturdy ladder that will allow you to exert pressure without pushing yourself away from your work surface.

There is only one ladder I know of that allows enough adjustability to make this part of the project so much easier, and cut the time for completing the waxing job in half. That is a Little Giant Ladder. If you own an RV, this is something that you have to have if you are serious about being able to reach every area you need to for maintenance. And that includes waxing the RV!

With one ladder you can have a sturdy A-frame ladder, a ninety degree ladder to allow getting right against the RV, an extension ladder to rest against your rear RV ladder for more safety, and even a scaffold setup, all from just one ladder! I have owned one for two years. I learned about if from a fellow RVer. It is small and portable yet it becomes a twenty two foot extension ladder if I need it. What a time saver!

So, if you dread the time it takes for RV cleaning, consider having the right tools and products for the job. If you do, you can cut the time it takes considerably. You might even enjoy the project a little more. With the right tools your clean and shiny RV will be the standard against which all others will be measured. I recommend specific products at yourfulltimervliving.com/rv-cleaning for all aspects of the RV cleaning job. Happy cleaning!

If you are a new car owner, you may not be familiar with auto detailing. In this article, we are going to talk about the importance and benefits of car detailing. Unlike a car wash, this type of service can extend the life span and quality of your vehicle. These services are not limited to only the exterior or interior of your car. Without further ado, let’s check out some of the benefits of car detailing.

Removal of Contaminants

Even after you have washed your car and removed dirt, there are still some contaminants left on the paint. Some of these elements include sap and tar, which may stick to the clear layer of the paint. They can cause significant damage to the paint. Usually, professionals use a clay bar for the removal of these contaminants.

Based on the type of substance, they can also use other types of solvents. For instance, if there is a mineral residue on your car paint, they may use a low pH solution in order to remove it.

Scratches and Swirls

Scratches and swirls can also damage the paint of your car. These are a result of improper use of express car washes and buffers. As a car owner, they can be quite frustrating for you. If you go for proper detailing, you can get rid of these scratches and swirls.

Professionals can use paint polish and orbital polisher in order to fix the problem areas. As a result, your vehicle will re-attain that glossy look. It will look like new once again.

Protect the Paint

After cleaning and polishing your car, make sure to apply a clear coat for extra protection. Typically, the best solution is to go for a carnauba-based wax. The great thing about this solution is that it can last up to 3 months.

As an alternative, you can purchase a paint sealant. It comes with a lifespan of up to 12 months. And it can cover up most types of imperfections in your car. If you are looking for the best choice, we suggest that you go for a nano-ceramic polymer coating. It can create a thick sacrificial layer on your car and provide protection for up to 2 years.

Extend the Life of your Vehicle Interior

Once you have taken all the necessary steps in order to protect the exterior of your car, we suggest that you pay attention to the interior. So, you need to remove the embedded pet hair and water stains from the fabric of your seats. If you have leather upholstery, we suggest that you clean it properly.

You can also use different types of products in order to remove stains from the carpets. For example, you can invest in enzyme cleaners and quality degreasers. If you go for proper car detailing, you can enjoy a lot of benefits. For example, your vehicle will look appealing and have added protection from the elements. Plus, it can improve the reselling value of your vehicle.

If you want to maintain the quality and performance of your car, we suggest that you hire the services of the best car detailing service. A clean vehicle offers a better ride. You can also try out a mobile car detailing service. They use special tools and chemicals in order to make sure that your car is properly cleaned.

Saves Money

Since car detailing can extend the life of your vehicle by protecting it from the elements, it can save you a lot of money down the road. For example, you don’t have to get your car repainted. This can help you save thousands of dollars. Plus, car detailing can preserve the value of your vehicle for a longer period of time. So, we suggest that you hire the services of the best service.

Long story short, this was a brief description of some of the most common benefits of auto detailing. If you have never tried these services, now is the right time to do so. All you need to do is hire the services of a reliable service provider and you will be good to go.

“Nonna, can I please wash the dishes?” pleaded Ally, my eight-year-old granddaughter. Ally is like most kids, she loves to help in the kitchen. Although she’s eager to wash dishes , I’ll guarantee, that in four or five years the sight of dirty dishes won’t be so exciting. Today, helping to wash dishes is fun, as she’s learning how things work. She’s learning to appreciate whole foods and what makes a nutritious meal by helping in the kitchen.

Involving kids with meal preparation gives them an opportunity to have multi-sensory experiences with various foods. This is especially valuable when introducing new food items or when changing the family’s diet from processed foods to whole foods. In fact, multi-sensory learning is foundational when transforming a picky eater to a healthy eater.

So how do you avoid common kitchen hazards, especially for children? As valuable as tactile experiences are for appreciation of nutritious foods, when children are helping you in the kitchen, it takes only one unguarded moment for an accident to occur. Injuries and potential food poisoning are less likely if you adhere to the following sage advice.

1. Always wash hands with soap and water before handling food.

This applies to everyone working in the kitchen. Germs can spread easily if hands aren’t properly cleaned. Wash hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds. Rubbing the hands together under water is as important as the soap is for cleanliness. With kids, make a game of it. Sing the alphabet song while washing hands. Make it educational by counting off the twenty seconds with your child while washing her hands. When your youngster can count to twenty by herself; count backwards from twenty to one.

2. Use a sturdy step stool for your child to comfortably reach the counter.

Children love to help and their involvement in the kitchen is vital for food appreciation. Purchase a sturdy step stool to prevent falls and injuries.

3. Never allow children to eat uncooked eggs.

Kids love to lick the batter off the spoon when making cookies. But salmonella from uncooked eggs is a real concern. Explain that it’s better to taste the cookie after it’s baked, so you won’t get sick.

4. Caution kids about the hazard of a hot stove and oven.

Always be alert when a small child is around hot surfaces. So many accidents are preventable. Burns from scalding water and hot ovens are two of them. Keep cords to cooking appliances out of harms way. Always keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen. To extinguish small fires, throw baking soda over flames. If grease in a pan begins to flame, cover the pan to cut off the oxygen supply. Turn off the heat.

5. Point pot and pan handles toward the back or center of the stove.

This is such an easy habit to start. This simple step prevents lively children (and adults) from coming in contact with a handle sticking out from the stove and spilling its scalding contents. Even though my kids are grown, I still point handles to the back or center of the stove. Just so I won’t accidentally burn myself!

6. Keep kitchen work surfaces clean.

Many times the “flu” that goes through your family is actually food poisoning. You can negate this by thoroughly washing kitchen surfaces. Use surface cleaners with bleach to disinfect countertops and other work areas. Or add a half teaspoon of bleach to a spray bottle filled with water and spray on countertops to disinfect. Keep purses and other items off prep surfaces as they carry bacteria. Make sure you also disinfect kitchen faucet handles when you scour the sink.

7. Avoid cross contamination of foods.

Never put cooked meat on a plate which once held the uncooked meat. Wash knives and cutting boards between use on meat, dairy, and produce.

8. Wash dish towels and replace sponges often.

Purchase seven dish towels. That way you’ll have a clean towel for each day of the week. A sponge is perfect breading grounds for bacteria. Squeeze dry after use and allow to air dry. Replace sponges once a week. During the week, disinfect your sponge by rinsing it, squeeze dry, then nuke it for two minutes in your microwave.

9. Always wash fruit and vegetables.

Wash vegetables and fruit before placing them in the refrigerator. That way they’ve been pre-cleaned making meal prep easier. The kids can grab a healthful snack without worry of harmful bacteria lurking on the surface. Also, Bacteria on food rapidly multiplies, when left at a temperature between 45 F and 140 F. Avoid this danger zone as much as possible by quickly refrigerating cooked foods. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers immediately after dinner to prevent bacteria from forming in the food.

10. Take precaution with knives.

Obviously, sharp objects are a hazard for small children. Keep all knives out of reach of children. Toddlers and preschoolers love to spread softened butter, cream cheese, and nut butters. Small hands can safely use plasticware, the kind purchased for picnics and barbecues.