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Stinging Insect Safety

  There seems to be more number of wasps this year. While working outdorrs, inspect the area for visible activity of insects like vasps and bees. Note that these insects will sting/bite only when provoked. Avoid wearing perfumes and colognes. Wear light coloured clothing. Preferrably wear long sleeved shirts and trousers. Tape the pant legs and sleeves securely , but not so tight that it cuts off circulation. Wear long boots. If possible, wear a hat with a net to protect your face from stinging insects. Noise from power tools provoke wasps and bees. Be aware of your surroundings while using these tools. Do not attempt to remove a nest without seeking professional help. Do not leave car windows open and inspect your vehicle before driving as being stung by a bee or wasp can be very dangerous while driving. Some people may go into an anaphlactic shock if bitten by wasps or bees. Watch out for severe symptoms and seek medical help immediately if the reaction to the bite

Preventing Tetanus

  We enjoy a variety of activities in the summer months like gardening and hiking that can also result in some injuries, like minor cuts and scrapes. It is always important to immediately clean the wound and apply an antiseptic. There are a variety of over the counter products like polysporin.Check with a healthcare provide to determine which product is suitable for you.   Even minor cuts and scrapes can result in a serious tetanus infection. Tetanus is caused by a bacteria called Clostridium tetani. This bacteria is usually found in soil, dust and feces. The bacteria enter our body through open wounds. Once inside our body, they produce a toxin that causes severe muscle spasm. Tetanus is also called as “lockjaw” because it causes a spasm in the jaw muscle that makes it hard for the person to swallow or breathe. Remember that this is a life threatening condition.  Check your children for cuts and scrapes and determine if they require a tetanus vaccination. You

Safety Glasses - Gardening

Many of us have been enjoying summer for the past few weeks by doing some gardening. We tend to think of gardening as a hobby that's quite safe and may limit our personal protective equipment to just a pair of gloves. I am writing this blog to emphasize the need for eye protection. A proper pair of safety glasses is required to prevent foreign particles from entering ones eyes. This can happen while we are working with the soil It is not uncommon to get fine particles of dirt in one's eyes. Wearing safety glasses is also a must while using equipment like the weed whacker. Often the blades of a weed whacker turns pieces of mulch or small pebbles into projectile which could get embedded in one's eyes. While cutting flowers like lilac from trees, or while pruning tree branches it is essential to wear safety glasses to prevent twigs from poking eyes accidentally or to prevent foreign objects like pollen from falling into one's eyes.

SAFE SUBSTITUTE FOR ANTIHISTAMINES

Everyone who knows me personally knows that I suffer from seasonal allergies. Come summer, my eyes itch, turn red and trigger severe sneezing. A few years ago, I had discovered that roasted cumin seed tea provided relief as long as I kept drinking the tea throughout the day. This year, I have discovered a better remedy. Cloves are the miracle cure! Chewing just one clove provides instant relief to allergy sufferers. Not only for allergies but, chewing on just one clove also eases any kind of body aches and cramps. Just one clove takes the place of anti-histamines and anti-inflammatory medicines. Please do try this ONLY if you are not allergic to cloves or have other medical conditions which prevent you from taking cloves. If you are in doubt, consult a health care practitioner and remember just one clove is sufficient and overdosing should be avoided. Cloves contain antioxidants which also include eugenol and vitamin C. Cloves contains an active component called eugenol; this comp

UV UMBRELLAS - EFFECTIVE SUNSCREEN AND MUSCLE TONER

Umbrellas are not just for rain. For thousands of years umbrellas have been used to protect one from the harsh rays of the sun. Sunlight is more damaging to the sun than rainwater. UV umbrellas effectively battle against skin cancer. They provide a physical barrier between the UV rays and our skin. Historically, umbrellas were used to protect against Sun. The word umbrella originates from the Latin word “umbra” for shade. Likewise, the French word for umbrella , parasol comes from 2 words “para” to stop and “sol” for sun. Using an umbrella is much effective than using harsh chemical based sunscreens and is also an economical , but effective sun screen option. As a bonus, walking with umbrellas also helps tone the muscles in your arm. Remember to switch hands so that both arms get equal workout while carrying the umbrella. Always remember umbrella etiquette while walking on sidewalks. If you are able to, hold the umbrella high while approaching people so that they can walk und