Every day, police officers respond to reports of all sorts of events and nonevents, most of which never make the news. Here is a sampling of lesser-known — but no less noteworthy — incidents from police log books (a.k.a. blotters) in our suburbs.

‘CRISIS AVERTED’

A situation that could have ended tragically unfolded last Sunday, the day of the New England Patriots’ season opener, when a Patriots fan in a wheelchair got stuck on some train tracks in Holbrook. Unable to move his wheelchair off the tracks, the Pats fan found himself in a rather precarious — and downright dangerous — position. Officers were dispatched to the scene to help, and when they arrived the man, who lives in Randolph, already was out of harm’s way, thanks to the assistance of a couple of good Samaritans who stepped in and helped get him off the tracks. The man was wearing a New England Patriots jersey (natch) and told police he was trying to get to Marylou’s coffee shop when he got stuck. Officer Justo Pagan then went the extra mile and made sure he got his coffee before the game started. Holbrook police shared a photo of Pagan and the Pats fan on social media. “Crisis averted on the train tracks today,” the Facebook post said. “The gentleman from Randolph said he was trying to get to Marylou’s when he got stuck. Officer Pagan assisted this gentleman by getting him a Marylou’s coffee before the Patriots kick off today!”

DREAM HOME TURNS INTO NIGHTMARE

At 5:39 p.m. Sept. 6, a man walked into the Bridgewater police station and told officers that he may have fallen victim to a real estate scam. He said he worked with an online realtor to buy a home, and when he went to his newly purchased property, he got a surprise. He told police he was inside the home cleaning when the actual realtor showed up and told him he had, in fact, not purchased the home. Police said the incident is under investigation.

IS THAT A GUN I SEE?

At 8:48 a.m. Sept. 1, Norwood police received a call from a landlord on Katie’s Way who said there appeared to be a firearm sitting on top of a pile of debris that had been left behind by outgoing tenants. According to the log entry, police were dispatched to the property to check it out, and the responding officer reported that there was nothing to be worried about, because it wasn’t a real weapon; it was just a toy. In order to quell any future concerns, the officer “threw it away in a better spot.”

NO CAUSE FOR ALARM

At 1:54 p.m. Aug. 25, Wilmington police received a call from a concerned citizen who reported seeing a dog in a car in the Red Heat Tavern parking lot. The caller was concerned for the animal’s well-being, given the 90-degree temperature outside. The log entry stated that police showed up at the scene and found the vehicle in question. The responding officer subsequently reported that “it is a stuffed animal dog, not a real dog.”

ROOSTER ON THE LOOSE

Social media has become a great tool for reuniting lost pets with their owners. Many animal control officers and police departments use Facebook to post photos of missing pets of all kinds. Back in July, a rooster was found roaming in the area of Campanelli Drive in Andover, where the town’s department of public works is located. Andover animal control posted a picture of the rooster and asked if anyone recognized it. “This guy has been hanging out at the DPW since early this morning,” the Facebook post said. Sooner after that, the post was updated with the good news that the rooster’s owner had been found: “***UPDATE*** The rooster is back home! Thank you to everyone that shared this post!”

Emily Sweeney can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @emilysweeney and on Instagram @emilysweeney22.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

The Friends of Oakland Cemetery are hosting the Second annual “Clean the Headstones Party” at the Historic Oakland Cemetery, 1617 N. 15th St., across from Gunderson Funeral Home at 10 a.m. Sept. 24. The public, church groups, Boy Scouts, service organizations, businesses and other groups are encouraged to join the party for a couple of hours. The cleaning solution, spray bottles and brushes will be provided. There will be parking up on top of the hill from the main entrance. For more information, call Rick Carle at 515-570-0606. Last year around 20 headstones were cleaned.

Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

In the northwest of Yunnan Province, southwest China, lies Derung and Nu Autonomous County. Police officers and black-crowned night herons in the county have the story of a chance encounter to tell.

The police found an injured bird lying in the middle of the road. /Gongshan Border Management Brigade

The police found an injured bird lying in the middle of the road. /Gongshan Border Management Brigade

In the early morning of September 9, returning from a call-out, the police found an injured bird lying in the middle of the road. The officers took it back to the police station to care for it. Experts later identified the bird as a black-crowned night heron. 

Just two days later, two other night herons “visited” the police station. On the morning of September 11, a farmer spotted a night heron struggling to fly in the river. When the police arrived, they found that the wing of the night heron was hurt, so they took the bird back to the police station to disinfect and dress the injury. That evening, another wounded night heron was found while the police were on patrol. 

The three night herons that “stumbled into” the police station will return to the wild after recovering from treatment.

The police found an injured bird struggling in the river. /Gongshan Border Management Brigade

The police found an injured bird struggling in the river. /Gongshan Border Management Brigade

The black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) has an extremely large range and can be found in many parts of China. It inhabits trees, usually in bamboo forests near rivers or in low mountains and hilly areas. During daytime, it often hides in the swamp, scrub or forest. It is usually active in mornings and evenings.

A black-crowned night heron. /Gongshan Border Management Brigade

A black-crowned night heron. /Gongshan Border Management Brigade

Derung and Nu Autonomous County is rich in biodiversity. It is home to part of the Gaoligong Mountains, a national nature reserve and a key area of terrestrial biodiversity of international significance. 

The county has worked to protect biodiversity, publicized relevant laws and regulations on wildlife and plant protection, encouraged the public to participate in wildlife protection, and committed to promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at [email protected].)

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Officials broke ground earlier this month on a new 22,000-square-foot building in Flightpath Sports Park for ECS, a commercial cleaning service.

ECS is moving its headquarters from South White Oak Street in South Annville Township to Landings Drive in South Londonderry Township, Lebanon County.

The new corporate support center is expected to open in the summer of 2023.

“Our new Corporate Support Center will allow us to further serve our customers and build our incredible team of employees,” Dave Ober, president and CEO of ECS, said in a news release. “We have been proud to call Central Pa our home for over 30 years and this facility will further solidify us in the local community and provide new employment and growth opportunities.”

ECS has been in business for more than 33 years, and provides residential and commercial cleaning. The company also provides warehouse distribution labor support and locally provides residential carpet cleaning and power washing services.

In addition to its headquarters in Lebanon County, the company has offices in Atlanta, Georgia; Amsterdam, New York; Bethel, Pennsylvania; South Boston, Virginia; and Orlando, Florida.

• READ MORE: What is Ocean State Job Lot? Discount chain brings ‘crazy deals’ on a little bit of everything to central Pa.

ECS, a commercial cleaning service is moving its offices to the Flightpath Sports Park. (Photo provided)

The pre-engineered steel building from American Buildings has been custom designed in-house by the H.R. Weaver and will feature 17 offices, a welcome center, two conference rooms and a large open work area.

ECS purchased six acres in Flightpath Sports Park in May. ECS is hiring for the new corporate support center location. Anyone interested in employment, can go to www.ecscommercial.com.

H.R. Weaver Building Systems is the general contractor on the project, and is the developer for the Flightpath Sports Park where it also own the Klick Lewis Arena and In the Net. Flightpath Sports Park is about 35 minutes from downtown Harrisburg.

–Business Buzz

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Your home is a representation of you. Your personality. Your energy. It shines through the space where you spend so much of your time.

Therefore, keeping it orderly, relaxing, and free of clutter can have a profound effect on both your mind and soul.

“I am a true believer that physical clutter leads to mental clutter,” says Rachel Rosenthal, NoVA-based organizing expert and founder of Rachel and Company. “When you give yourself a clear space physically, it will clear up that space mentally, which will allow you to do your best work. Self-care is so important and vital to mental well-being, and I truly believe that organization is one of the ultimate forms of self-care.”

“If your home and space is calm, you will feel calm,” says Lauren Sadlon, owner of Neat Method Northern Virginia. “Home organization is part of the total aesthetic and design; taking your home from chaos to composed by having organizational systems will elevate the interior design.”

You’ve heard of spring cleaning, but fall is actually the perfect time to revisit the flow of your home and make sure you’re staying on top of your organization.

“Organization is not always about spacious walk-in closets or pantries larger than some studio apartment,” says Rosenthal. “Organization is about implementing systems and principles that help you manage what you have to function for you and your daily life.”

Here, Rosenthal and Sadlon provide some tips for better organizing your home.

Decrease your clutter

Decluttering is important for the function of your home, but it’s not always easy to do.

Shifting your mindset goes a long way in making it easier, says Rosenthal.

“You need to transition your mindset to not look at decluttering as parting with something, but [instead], look at it as creating physical and mental space in your life,” she adds.

Organization isn’t a one-time event but a way of life.

“When you implement organization into your daily life, it helps your overall mental well-being,” says Rosenthal. “Schedule time into your month or quarter to do a quick declutter session just as you would something like mowing the lawn.”

And you can save time later by taking the time now to put things back in their place each day, advises Sadlon.

“Hang your coats up, unpack backpacks, put your clothes away, and sort your mail,” she says. “If you spend 10-15 minutes doing this each day, you’ll get into the habit, and you will be able to manage what I like to call the ‘daily clutter.’”

Start with shared family spaces

The first order of business, Sadlon says, is to tuck away any items that you can.

“Categorize your family’s items — toys, games, electronics, etc. — and utilize bins and baskets to contain everything,” she says. “If it’s an open area, find some big, beautiful baskets to keep things hidden.”

Rosenthal agrees. “The most important thing when organizing shared family spaces is to create a home for everything and zones within the space,” she says. “When everything has a home, there is no question where everything and anything should be put away.”

Tackle the kitchen

Thinking about reorganizing your kitchen may sound like an overwhelming task, but once you see the end result, you’ll be so glad you did it.

When organizing your kitchen, consider systems that may make your everyday life simpler and increase the functionality of the space.

For instance, you can make mornings smooth by creating a coffee and kids lunch station, Sadlon suggests.

Or, if you are a baker, organize in a way that keeps your pans and ingredients at your fingertips. 

Creating categories in your kitchen and pantry will make this process even smoother, says Rosenthal.

“I like to choose a category per shelf — for example, cans or baking goods — and then do a mix of clear bins and turntables to maximize the space, contain the categories, and allow easy access to each item,” she explains.

And make sure you are organizing your kitchen and setting up systems that will work when it is fully stocked.

“Organize your kitchen on a shopping day,” Rosenthal adds. “There is no use organizing your fridge or pantry on a day it is empty, it will just become overrun again the first time you hit the store.”

Reset your kitchen each night to ensure it always remains clean and organized.

“Put away your leftovers, clean up the countertops, and run or empty the dishwasher each night so that the kitchen is clear for the following day,” Rosenthal says. “I’ve found that waking up and walking into a kitchen for the first cup of coffee of the day is just that much more enjoyable when there isn’t a dirty spaghetti dish staring back at you.”

And don’t forget your areas

It’s important to make sure you’re keeping your own personal areas — such as your home office — tidy as well. (Remote workers, we’re looking at you.)

Start by tossing any unnecessary paperwork, suggests Sadlon.

“You can find bills online and take pictures of kids artwork to upload to a service,” she says. “Always keep the important stuff, but you do not need everything.”

And keep in mind the functionality of the room.

“Just about every home office space these days needs to do double duty, so make sure you are thinking of the functionality of the space for more than just working hours,” Rosenthal says. “I suggest utilizing an acrylic desktop mail center to not only allow for storage of things like scissors and pens but also a spot for mail and keys that would previously have been strewn on your desk area.”

For your home office space, double duty might mean having a drawer or bin of coloring items for your kiddos when they need a spot for homework or perhaps a desktop calendar or bulletin board to serve as the family’s command center, she says.

Megan Herr is an editor and writer residing in the Shenandoah Valley. She graduated with a degree in journalism from Penn State University.

For more stories like this, subscribe to our Home newsletter.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

The idea of having a garden inside the home is appealing to many of us. There are wide-ranging fantasies one might entertain about growing one’s own vegetables right in one’s own kitchen — or at least next to it — while that person should be WFH-ing all day.

And while all those midcentury modern floor plans make the interior atrium look like the perfect solution to outdoor/indoor life, what does one do about the dirt? Is there dirt? And if there’s dirt, then what does one do about cats? As with all things in life, it’s better to ask someone who knows, rather than just going for it without giving the outcome a thought.

Photo courtesy Stephen Brookes, Hollin Hills

Barbara Wade, a resident of Hollin Hills in Alexandria, has been living in a home with an interior atrium for 30 years, and explains the upside and downsides to having a centrally located, glassed-in box right in the center of your home.

Wade’s atrium is in the middle of the house, which is a square shape. It’s two stories of glass on all four sides that’s open to the top, and is about 9 feet by 12 feet, with a door to get to the interior.

“It’s not the original design,” says Wade of the present layout of her atrium. “When the house was first designed, it was a U-shape on the bottom. To get into the house, you’d walk under the house, into the atrium, which was totally open on one side.”

When the previous owners renovated the house, they enclosed the atrium within the house itself, moving the main entrance elsewhere, and turning the former entryway into an entrance to the fully enclosed atrium, which is the present configuration of the home.

Photo courtesy Hollin HIlls

When it comes to what to put into your atrium, Wade says, “Most of the atrium is dirt, with a [paved] landing area off the door that’s [about 2 feet by 3 feet]. We have a large Aucuba tree and a Skimmia shrub. We have had some problems with getting things to grow out there, initially.”

Wade recommends planting shade-loving plants that do well in hot temperatures — like Shea plants, ferns, or the Aucuba tree, which has done well in her atrium over the years.  

But if you ask Barbara Ward, Design Review Committee director for Hollin Hills, she says that atriums are, for lack of a better phrase, a pain in the neck. “There’s lots of moisture problems with atriums — especially when combined with the soil’s own moisture issues around the [Hollin Hills neighborhood].”

While Ward does not have an atrium of her own, she mentioned that the moisture issue brought about by indoor atriums might lead to secondary maintenance issues within the structure of the home as well. Think leaks, water damage, water stains, mold, or mildew.

Wade did not report these issues with her atrium, although she said that she does have to hire maintenance workers to clean it on a semi-annual basis.

“There’s a bunch of leaves on the patio area,” says Wade. “It’s just regular outdoor maintenance. In the fall, I sweep up leaves. In the spring, it’s cleaning out the dead leaves. But it’s also pretty maintenance-free because of the plants you keep in there. You have to prune the tree, but that’s pretty much it.”

Plants aside, Wade says that the house gets hotter earlier in the year. “It’s definitely hot — I have to turn on the air conditioner in March or April — it gets so hot in here. You wouldn’t want to be there on a summer day.”

For more stories like this, subscribe to our Home newsletter.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Cleaning your home is a skill, and knowing how to clean a toilet is the most important one of all. Hint: The space around the toilet bowl is one of the dirtiest in the whole house. According to a household germ study done by NSF International, 27% of toilet seats and 14% of handles reached an unhealthy level of dirtiness. But it’s not just the grime that should get you to clean bathrooms; sloppy toilet-bowl cleaning may lead to bigger concerns. “A dirty toilet can cause plumbing issues,” says Ben Goldzweig, owner of Gold Plumbing in Cleveland. “If there is heavy calcium buildup, it could clog up the little holes on the inside of the toilet bowl, as well as the toilet jet hole at the bottom, and cause flushing problems.”

That’s why toilet cleaning is not something you should slack on. With proper cleaning products and tools and a bit of elbow crease, you can have a sparkling clean toilet bowl in no time. Here is how.

What is the best cleaner to use on toilets?

For a toilet that just needs a refresh, Goldzweig recommends a homemade formula of one cup of white vinegar and one cup of baking soda followed by two more cups of vinegar to create a fizzing cleaner. Use the toilet brush to get under the rim and over stains above the water line. Let this sit for about 10 to 30 minutes to break down the stains.

While white vinegar and baking soda are typically solid players when it comes to cleaning tips, this DIY hack doesn’t always cut it when it comes to serious toilet-bowl stains. You need a stronger all-purpose cleaner to get rid of hard water stains and calcium buildup, and particularly something with hydrogen peroxide or bleach. Make sure you use a bathroom-specific disinfectant and follow the directions on the bottle.

Start by coating the toilet-bowl interior entirely in the Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach. Start by squirting the cleaning solution along the top rim of the bowl, letting the cleaner trickle down, toward the toilet water. Next, grab a toilet brush and physically scrub the solution onto the surface. The bristles should create a light lather. With a handheld brush, get deep under the rim of the toilet. The underside is where those little water holes, are and this step will help prevent calcium and mineral buildup. Let the cleaner sit for about five minutes, then flush and the mess will be gone.  

If your toilet bowl is really stained—think that gross ring or icky marks­­—it needs a deep clean. In this case, a basic toilet cleaning product may not be enough, and you will need to use undiluted bleach. As a one-stop cleaning solution, pour one cup of bleach around the bowl. Then tackle every inch with a toilet brush or a handheld scrub brush. Let it sit for five minutes, then flush. 

How do you clean stained toilets?

You can start with a disinfecting toilet cleaning solution, or you can make your own by adding a spray nozzle to a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. This will allow you to spray all over the toilet bowl and get under the rim, and you can even spray the toilet brush when you’re done. Tempting as it may be to put cleaning products in the tank, skip this step, as doing so could void manufacturer warranties, Goldzweig warns.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Anthony Duncan Velke, owner of DV Cleaning & Home Services, has been named to a North Council seat of the Board of Directors. [Submitted]

The Currituck Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors have named Anthony Duncan Velke, owner of DV Cleaning & Home Services, to a North Council seat of the Board of Directors.

Anthony was born in Jamestown, NY. He moved to Currituck with his family in 1987 and attended Currituck County schools. After graduation he moved to Elizabeth City and then returned to New York to study Theater Vocal in 1998. Anthony eventually returned and settled in Camden, NC in 2004 to be closer to family. The move back allowed him to help aid in the care of his grandmother after the passing of his grandfather.

He worked locally at several different companies in the construction industry. He also worked 14 years at businesses that did housekeeping and inspections for property management. Working in housekeeping gave him insight that allowed him to assist his mother in starting her own housekeeping business called, A Touch Above.

 In 2011 he met his now husband, Jason Velke, who was also working in the property management, maintenance, and housekeeping fields. After marrying in 2017, Anthony and Jason decided to use their honeymoon money to start their own housekeeping business, DV Cleaning and Home Services. In 2018 they decided to move the business out of their home and found a location in Currituck.

Since moving to Currituck, DV Cleaning & Home Services has grown exponentially. Winning multiple awards in their field, Anthony and Jason decided to start giving back to the community that had supported them. They do this by donating cleans and with financial donations.  They are partnered with Cleaning for a Reason, donate to multiple Currituck County Schools booster clubs, Beloved Haven, Toys for Tots, multiple food pantries, and more. Anthony and DV Cleaning are currently working on getting their own charity up and running after the passing of Anthony’s mother (DV Cleaning’s Maintenance Manager) due to colon cancer in May 2022. Anthony’s Mother-in-Law, Tracey, is currently battling cancer.

The new charity called, LynnLee Cleans for Cancer, will donate cleans for locals in their own battle with cancer and help connect clients to local resources to assist in their fight.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Enterovirus D68 cases in pediatric hospitals have risen again since the 2014 outbreak. (Image: Adobe Stock; Illustration: Sebastian Stankiewicz/Boston Children’s)

By now you’ve seen the news: Several health care providers and hospitals across the United States during August 2022 identified an increase in pediatric hospitalizations due to a virus causing children to develop coughing and breathing problems that are often more severe than the common cold. That virus is Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) and it’s just one strain of Enteroviruses, which cause colds, fever, headaches, vomiting, and rashes among other symptoms. Most Enterovirus infections are very common and spread quickly primarily among children. EV-D68, however, is an unusual strain.

Not only is it much less common than other Enteroviruses, but it can also cause especially bad respiratory illnesses, including a bad cough and difficulty breathing. In some cases, children and other patients with EV-D68 have needed ICU-level care and the assistance of a mechanical ventilator. EV-D68 can be especially dangerous for children with existing lung problems (like asthma) or who have weaker immune systems (like newborns). In 2014, there was a large outbreak of EV-D68 from mid-August 2014 until January 2015. Almost all of the confirmed cases were children — many of whom had asthma or a history of wheezing. This was the first documented nationwide outbreak of the EV-D68, and now we’re taking a closer look at the current uptick in cases once again.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is monitoring the situation closely. Like any other virus, EV-D68 spreads from person to person through bodily fluids — think saliva and nasal mucus — as well as through sneezes, handshakes, changing diapers, and many other kinds of interactions.

Although EV-D68 seems to affect children more than adults, it may be that adults who become infected show much less severe symptoms. There are no vaccines or antiviral therapies for EV-D68 and care is supportive, meaning that all hospitals can do is provide relief for the symptoms. So it’s important that adults who are around children take precautions to minimize the risk of spreading the virus.

Here are some things you can do to help prevent the spread:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick, and when you are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Consider wearing a mask around other people if you have respiratory symptoms.
• Contact a healthcare provider immediately if you or your child has trouble breathing or has a sudden onset of limb weakness.
• Ensure you or your child are following an up-to-date asthma action plan if you or your child have asthma.
• Stay up-to-date with all recommended vaccines.

For more information about EV-D68, visit the CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/about/ev-d68.html#outbreak.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Research by dog-friendly holiday letting specialists, Canine Cottages, reveals the dirty truth about our dogs’ everyday items including their leads, toys, and bowls – and gives some cleaning tips as we face the rainy season.

To determine just how filthy our pooches’ essentials are, eight different dog items were swabbed. Then, the relative light units (which indicate how much bacteria are living on surfaces. The higher the RLU, the dirtier the area) of each item were analysed to reveal which were the filthiest of them all.

Turns out, it’s leads, toys, and bowls that carry the most bacteria. The top five dirtiest items are as follows:

• Dog leads
• Dog toys
• Water bowls
• Food bowls
• Dog beds

Coming in first are dog leads with an RLU of 21,456 which probably isn’t a surprise given they hold dirt and oils from the numerous walkies dogs get taken on! Toys came in as the second dirtiest item swabbed, followed by water bowls which is pretty worrying given most pooches should drink about an ounce of fluids per pound of body weight daily – therefore their bowl should be cleaned regularly.

Comparing dogs’ items to their pawents, a dogs’ toy had 21 times more bacteria than a human teddy bear, whilst their bed is six times dirtier than a human bed!

Given we’re approaching the cooler months of autumn where we experience more cold and wet days, this causes our pooches to pick up more bacteria during their walks, especially if it’s muddy. It’s therefore important that dog owners put extra measures in place to keep their dogs’ everyday essentials clean to limit germs and protect their health.

According to Laura Lambert, owner of Dragonfly Products, owners should:

Dog leads
• Handwash the items in mild detergent and then leave them to dry on a line or over a radiator.
• For really dirty items, pop them inside a pillowcase to prevent damage to the washing machine and do a handwash cycle using mild detergent.

Dog toys
• Most soft dog toys can be washed in the washing machine. You can use a dog-safe laundry detergent to clean and sanitise the toys or you can opt for a totally natural method of baking soda and white vinegar during the washing cycle. Then hang them out on the line or on the radiator.
• Toys that have been left in the garden pose a lungworm threat as slugs and snails are carriers of this parasite, so beware of slug and snail trails on toys and balls! Balls and rubber toys can be soaked in white vinegar and baking soda for 30 minutes to clean them.

Dog bowls
• Handwash bowls in hot water with washing-up liquid or put them into the dishwasher (check they are dishwasher safe) for a deep clean.
• We also recommend cleaning raw and wet food bowls daily (raw-fed dogs should also have their water bowls cleaned every day) and at least three times a week for dry food.

For dog beds/towels Julie Butcher, from Webbox, says:

• You’ll need to ensure you are using only non-toxic and non-irritating detergents. If washing it by hand, fill up the sink with warm water and some gentle detergent, and once washed, place the bed in an airing cupboard or outside to dry.
• When using a washing machine, choose a temperature of 40°C or above, so you can be sure that all the bacteria will be killed.

Mucky paws
Of course, our pooches will come home with mucky paws if the weather is wet whilst on their walk so it’s important that owners don’t forget to clean them. The last thing you want is for your pooch to bring dirt into your home or even worse, spread the dirt and bacteria from their paws onto their toys which they’ll undoubtedly have in their mouth at some point.

The experts at Canine Cottages, say:

• If their paws are just a little dusty, simply wet a towel or cloth and wipe them down
• If there is mud or debris stuck between the pads or on the foot put them in the tub for a thorough wash. Using dog-friendly products, gently scrub the dirty areas thoroughly and then completely rinse away the shampoo and debris using lukewarm water.
• No matter how you’re cleaning their paws, never forget to wipe around their toes and nails too

Commenting on the study, a spokesperson at Canine Cottages says, “With the rainy season approaching, dog owners will be about to embark on plenty of muddy walks with their furry friends – that requires an extra bit of cleaning!

“From dog towels to dog beds, we wanted to see just how dirty, or clean, our most-used dog items were, comparing them to the human equivalent, and provide helpful tips for dog owners to understand how to clean these items as we approach the wetter season.”

To read more about the study and uncover how human items compare to our pooches, head here.

This is a guest essay by Canine Cottages. Want to write for us? Visit www.dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/essay-submission or email [email protected]

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here