Springtime weekends are perfect for going off road with an ATV, but Consumer Product Safety Commission spokesperson Julie Vallese wants you to keep these safety tips in mind.
Continue reading ATV Safety Tips »

With the increase of food borne illness associated with fruits and vegetables over the past few years—like the bagged spinach E. coli scare—knowing how to properly handle produce is very important. Fresh fruits and vegetables may come in contact with harmful bacteria in soil or water during the growing process, or during storage or preparation.

Protect yourself and your family by following these six steps from The Partnership for Food Safety Education: Continue reading Six Steps To Safer Fruits And Vegetables »

Pets are part of the family. There’s no question about that. They depend on you to take care of them in good times and in bad. That’s why it’s important to prepare emergency plans for your pet, should such a situation arise.

Here are some tips for keeping your pets safe:

• Get a pet rescue window sticker from the ASPCA that alerts rescue workers to the number and types of pets in your home and contact information for their veterinarian.

• Red Cross disaster shelters don’t admit pets for health and safety reasons, so talk to your veterinarian about area kennels, and determine which area hotels and accept pets.

• In addition to an emergency kit for the family, create one for your pets, including, an animal first-aid kit, pet food, water, litter, required medications, disposable pet dishes and litter trays, medical records, leash, blanket, and recent photos, in case you get separated.

• Identify a trusted neighbor or friend to be a temporary caregiver in case an emergency situation arises while you’re at work or away from home. Provide spare keys and show your caregiver the location of your pet emergency kit.

• Make sure your pet’s collar ID tag contains his name, your current phone number, and any medical needs.

Don’t let emergency preparation be a one-time shot. Rotate out food and medicine every two months to avoid spoilage. Remember, if a situation isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for your pets. If a disaster strikes, you want your entire family to be taken care of and together.

For more information, check out the Red Cross web site.

Allergies. Most people suffer from them one way or another—whether it’s hay fever in the spring, mold in the fall, or peanuts all year round. Common allergies can be caused by pet hair, foods, metals, latex, dust, pollen, prescription drugs, and other substances. An allergic reaction is your body’s response to allergens, substances your body identifies as invaders, even if they’re tolerable for most people. Allergies generally cause a mild to moderate reaction like hives, the sniffles, or an upset stomach. Nevertheless, living with an allergy can be more than a minor irritation.

Here are some tips from the National Institutes of Health, The Cleveland Clinic, and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology to help alleviate your allergy symptoms and to help you be more understanding of others’ Continue reading The Rx For Allergy Sufferers »