The city’s first pet shelter gives needy felines and canines a temporary home during this special time.

The temporary shelter for pets owned by confirmed COVID-19 cases or their close contacts in Huangpu District’s Laoximen Subdistrict was opened on Jiangyin Street on May 7. Its manager and founder Zhai Jiang is also the owner of a nearby pet clinic called Babara Vet.

Zhou Shengjie / SHINE

A poster, a staff work schedule, and a QR code to enter the pet shelter are posted outside the property.

Zhai, 48, has more than 20 years of experience in the pet industry. When the subdistrict staff approached him to discuss establishment of the pet shelter last week, he immediately agreed, owing in large part to his strong love for little animals.

As one of the areas most affected by the pandemic in Huangpu District, it was decided in early May for close contacts in Laoximen Subdistrict to also be relocated to dedicated isolation facilities to stamp out transmission of the virus.

However, how to care for their house pets became a problem for many residents who needed to be transferred. In fact, some would cite this as an excuse not to comply with the transfer.

“Many of those who were to be transferred called me in tears,” Zhai said, adding that he could clearly feel that many of them treated their pets almost like their own children, and were naturally concerned.

Zhou Shengjie / SHINE

A volunteer helps Zhai Jiang to put on his protective suit.

Timi, a 5-year-old Labrador who lived with his owner on Menghua Street, was the first “guest” when the pet shelter opened.

Prior to this, the dog had been cared for over three days by the residents’ committee after his owner was transferred to a makeshift hospital as a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Timi was sent over by Laoximen Subdistrict staff after the shelter was opened.

Zhai said that all pets are delivered to the shelter by a special car from the subdistrict. After the owner returns home, so are the pets in a vehicle arranged by the subdistrict.

“You’re not going to see Timi,” Zhai said. “After his owner’s recovery, he was picked up and returned home on May 8. He is the first puppy to leave our shelter.”

Services provided at the shelter are free. It has two rooms, can accommodate up to 40 dogs and 10 cats, and at the time of the interview there were five cats and two dogs in residence.

“I have bought items such as cat food, dog food, and cages,” Zhai said. “Five volunteers from the pet hospital help me to care for the animals.”

Zhai set up a tent next to the shelter and, since it opened, he and a volunteer sleep on site to monitor and provide for the pets’ needs.

They disinfect the shelter each day, feed the animals, and do cleaning. They also input each pet’s health status and their owner’s information into a computer.

Zhou Shengjie / SHINE

A tent set up next to the shelter allows Zhai and volunteers to monitor the pets’ health status.

The pet shelter is equipped with a videocam so that owners can see their pets in real time. Zhai also takes videos or photographs of the pets to share with owners via WeChat.

“We let them see their pets at all times to set their minds at ease and recover more quickly,” he said.

A puppy named “Gou Gou,” sent to the shelter on May 9, has kept on barking.

Zhai said that when pets have an intense stress reaction, the staff immediately discuss possible solutions with the owner. They seek information about its temperament, and adjust their diets accordingly.

Zhou Shengjie / SHINE

A puppy named “Gou Gou” had an intense stress reaction and kept barking in the shelter.

Due to current limited conditions, the shelter can only accept pets from families with quarantined caretakers in Laoximen. Interested residents can get more information from their own neighborhood committee.

Zhai hopes that more shelters can be established in the city to give the pets a temporary home in this special time.

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Originally Appeared Here

Spring is well underway, as the country enjoys some warmer temperatures and brighter, longer days.

But the incoming summer season also brings with it itchy eyes, sneezing and discomfort, all in the form of hay fever.

According to Met Office data, hay fever negatively affects the lives of roughly 10 million people around the UK.

Last month, Google searches for ‘hay fever symptoms’ spiked 306%.

But hay fever season isn’t the only trigger for allergies.

Common dust mites, dead skin and even animal fur often result in hay fever-like symptoms. Ivan Ivanov, spokesperson for cleaning company End of Tenancy London, https://www.end-of-tenancy-london.co.uk/, wanted to help eliminate home allergies by offering 10 fantastic and simple cleaning tips to keep your house dust-free.

“We’re now at the beginning of hay fever season, and quite rightly people are getting prepared for their allergies to hit,” he said.

“Although antihistamines and other over-the-counter pharmaceuticals can help alleviate allergy symptoms, the best course of action is to remove any triggers.

“This means tackling dust within your own home first and foremost, and it doesn’t have to be an arduous task.

With these 10 tips, it should make your life a lot easier, and help make your spring and summer as allergy-free as possible.”

Get those bed sheets washed

Let’s start with the basics. Clean your bed sheets. Microscopic dust mites love to nestle into the fibres of the sheets, causing unwanted irritation on the skin. Plus, with the close proximity of the duvet sheet to your mouth, you run the risk of breathing in the dust mites, which is unhygienic and a potential trigger point for allergies.

Wash your sheets and dry them away from the floor, so as not to pick any dust up.

Hate vacuuming? Suck it up

Speaking of, time to up that vacuuming regime. Dust falls perfectly into carpet crevices, meaning the only way to avoid dust build-up is to vacuum frequently, with special attention being paid to thick carpets.

Also consider transitioning to hardwood flooring, as it makes spotting dust a whole lot easier.

Become a Mopping Pro

If you do have a hard floor already, then mopping is a super speedy and effective way of lowering the amount of allergy triggers in the home.

A simple and cost-effective way of cleaning the floor is warm water with a couple splashes of vinegar, to ease some of the dirt off of the ground. In a matter of minutes, you’ll have a clean shiny floor with no dust on.

Air Purifiers are a great investment

If you’re someone that prefers tech over toil, a great addition to the home is an air purifier. Using extremely fine filters, they suck in air and cleanse it to remove any allergen particles. Whilst they aren’t infallible, they are extremely effective at removing dust. An air purifier is definitely something to consider.

DIY can help U

Dust can build up inside cracks, such as in the walls or in the ceiling. To stop the tide of dust building up and causing irritation, be sure to try and cover up all the cracks inside. Plus, eliminating cracks that lead to the outside also have a positive effect on your energy bills.

Time to re-learn how to dust

The most important facet of dusting is having a damp cloth over a dry one. A dry one just disperses dust particles into the air, which unfortunately makes allergies a whole lot worse. A damp cloth collects all the dust with ease. Don’t bother getting on all fours to reach tight corners and skirting boards, instead use the vacuum’s long attachment, it’ll save you hassle.

Let’s get organised

Be wary of clutter. Dust LOVES to settle into cracks and crevices, and can build up surprisingly quickly. Declutter your spaces, as a clean home is a clean mind. Consider donating your clutter to charity instead of throwing it out. If you simply can’t live without it, put the items in the attic or the garage.

Don’t be blind to the dust

If you have light fixtures or blinds that are made of a delicate material, put down the damp cloth or vacuum and instead invest in lint rollers. Designed primarily for clothing, lint rollers have a sticky outside that lends itself beautifully to removing dust.

Just be cautious not to apply too much pressure to what you’re cleaning (such as a venetian blind) or else you run the risk of breaking it.

Dust can hide in surprising places

Have you ever noticed how your computer keyboard attracts dust? Typing removes microscopic amounts of dead skin, and eventually that forms into dust. When typing, all that settled dust comes up again into the air, becoming a potential irritant. To stop this happening, take a cotton bud and run it along the rows and columns of keys carefully, collecting all the buildup.

How to make cleaning enjoyable

Finally…have fun with it. Cleaning can be a monotonous task, and therefore it can be easy to fall into the trap of doing the minimum work needed. Instead, put music on in the background. Work to a beat to maintain a rhythm. Or, let your mind wander as you listen to a podcast. It can make even the most menial cleaning task a whole lot more enjoyable.

“Combining all these tips should result in a dust-less and healthy home, free from allergy irritants and just in time for the start of the warmer months,” Mr Ivanov said.

Spring is well underway, as the country enjoys some warmer temperatures and brighter, longer days.

But the incoming summer season also brings with it itchy eyes, sneezing and discomfort, all in the form of hay fever.

According to Met Office data, hay fever negatively affects the lives of roughly 10 million people around the UK.

Last month, Google searches for ‘hay fever symptoms’ spiked 306%.

But hay fever season isn’t the only trigger for allergies.

Common dust mites, dead skin and even animal fur often result in hay fever-like symptoms. Ivan Ivanov, spokesperson for cleaning company End of Tenancy London, https://www.end-of-tenancy-london.co.uk/, wanted to help eliminate home allergies by offering 10 fantastic and simple cleaning tips to keep your house dust-free.

“We’re now at the beginning of hay fever season, and quite rightly people are getting prepared for their allergies to hit,” he said.

“Although antihistamines and other over-the-counter pharmaceuticals can help alleviate allergy symptoms, the best course of action is to remove any triggers.

“This means tackling dust within your own home first and foremost, and it doesn’t have to be an arduous task.

With these 10 tips, it should make your life a lot easier, and help make your spring and summer as allergy-free as possible.”

Get those bed sheets washed

Let’s start with the basics. Clean your bed sheets. Microscopic dust mites love to nestle into the fibres of the sheets, causing unwanted irritation on the skin. Plus, with the close proximity of the duvet sheet to your mouth, you run the risk of breathing in the dust mites, which is unhygienic and a potential trigger point for allergies.

Wash your sheets and dry them away from the floor, so as not to pick any dust up.

Hate vacuuming? Suck it up

Speaking of, time to up that vacuuming regime. Dust falls perfectly into carpet crevices, meaning the only way to avoid dust build-up is to vacuum frequently, with special attention being paid to thick carpets.

Also consider transitioning to hardwood flooring, as it makes spotting dust a whole lot easier.

Become a Mopping Pro

If you do have a hard floor already, then mopping is a super speedy and effective way of lowering the amount of allergy triggers in the home.

A simple and cost-effective way of cleaning the floor is warm water with a couple splashes of vinegar, to ease some of the dirt off of the ground. In a matter of minutes, you’ll have a clean shiny floor with no dust on.

Air Purifiers are a great investment

If you’re someone that prefers tech over toil, a great addition to the home is an air purifier. Using extremely fine filters, they suck in air and cleanse it to remove any allergen particles. Whilst they aren’t infallible, they are extremely effective at removing dust. An air purifier is definitely something to consider.

DIY can help U

Dust can build up inside cracks, such as in the walls or in the ceiling. To stop the tide of dust building up and causing irritation, be sure to try and cover up all the cracks inside. Plus, eliminating cracks that lead to the outside also have a positive effect on your energy bills.

Time to re-learn how to dust

The most important facet of dusting is having a damp cloth over a dry one. A dry one just disperses dust particles into the air, which unfortunately makes allergies a whole lot worse. A damp cloth collects all the dust with ease. Don’t bother getting on all fours to reach tight corners and skirting boards, instead use the vacuum’s long attachment, it’ll save you hassle.

Let’s get organised

Be wary of clutter. Dust LOVES to settle into cracks and crevices, and can build up surprisingly quickly. Declutter your spaces, as a clean home is a clean mind. Consider donating your clutter to charity instead of throwing it out. If you simply can’t live without it, put the items in the attic or the garage.

Don’t be blind to the dust

If you have light fixtures or blinds that are made of a delicate material, put down the damp cloth or vacuum and instead invest in lint rollers. Designed primarily for clothing, lint rollers have a sticky outside that lends itself beautifully to removing dust.

Just be cautious not to apply too much pressure to what you’re cleaning (such as a venetian blind) or else you run the risk of breaking it.

Dust can hide in surprising places

Have you ever noticed how your computer keyboard attracts dust? Typing removes microscopic amounts of dead skin, and eventually that forms into dust. When typing, all that settled dust comes up again into the air, becoming a potential irritant. To stop this happening, take a cotton bud and run it along the rows and columns of keys carefully, collecting all the buildup.

How to make cleaning enjoyable

Finally…have fun with it. Cleaning can be a monotonous task, and therefore it can be easy to fall into the trap of doing the minimum work needed. Instead, put music on in the background. Work to a beat to maintain a rhythm. Or, let your mind wander as you listen to a podcast. It can make even the most menial cleaning task a whole lot more enjoyable.

“Combining all these tips should result in a dust-less and healthy home, free from allergy irritants and just in time for the start of the warmer months,” Mr Ivanov said.

Spring is well underway, as the country enjoys some warmer temperatures and brighter, longer days.

But the incoming summer season also brings with it itchy eyes, sneezing and discomfort, all in the form of hay fever.

According to Met Office data, hay fever negatively affects the lives of roughly 10 million people around the UK.

Last month, Google searches for ‘hay fever symptoms’ spiked 306%.

But hay fever season isn’t the only trigger for allergies.

Common dust mites, dead skin and even animal fur often result in hay fever-like symptoms. Ivan Ivanov, spokesperson for cleaning company End of Tenancy London, https://www.end-of-tenancy-london.co.uk/, wanted to help eliminate home allergies by offering 10 fantastic and simple cleaning tips to keep your house dust-free.

“We’re now at the beginning of hay fever season, and quite rightly people are getting prepared for their allergies to hit,” he said.

“Although antihistamines and other over-the-counter pharmaceuticals can help alleviate allergy symptoms, the best course of action is to remove any triggers.

“This means tackling dust within your own home first and foremost, and it doesn’t have to be an arduous task.

With these 10 tips, it should make your life a lot easier, and help make your spring and summer as allergy-free as possible.”

Get those bed sheets washed

Let’s start with the basics. Clean your bed sheets. Microscopic dust mites love to nestle into the fibres of the sheets, causing unwanted irritation on the skin. Plus, with the close proximity of the duvet sheet to your mouth, you run the risk of breathing in the dust mites, which is unhygienic and a potential trigger point for allergies.

Wash your sheets and dry them away from the floor, so as not to pick any dust up.

Hate vacuuming? Suck it up

Speaking of, time to up that vacuuming regime. Dust falls perfectly into carpet crevices, meaning the only way to avoid dust build-up is to vacuum frequently, with special attention being paid to thick carpets.

Also consider transitioning to hardwood flooring, as it makes spotting dust a whole lot easier.

Become a Mopping Pro

If you do have a hard floor already, then mopping is a super speedy and effective way of lowering the amount of allergy triggers in the home.

A simple and cost-effective way of cleaning the floor is warm water with a couple splashes of vinegar, to ease some of the dirt off of the ground. In a matter of minutes, you’ll have a clean shiny floor with no dust on.

Air Purifiers are a great investment

If you’re someone that prefers tech over toil, a great addition to the home is an air purifier. Using extremely fine filters, they suck in air and cleanse it to remove any allergen particles. Whilst they aren’t infallible, they are extremely effective at removing dust. An air purifier is definitely something to consider.

DIY can help U

Dust can build up inside cracks, such as in the walls or in the ceiling. To stop the tide of dust building up and causing irritation, be sure to try and cover up all the cracks inside. Plus, eliminating cracks that lead to the outside also have a positive effect on your energy bills.

Time to re-learn how to dust

The most important facet of dusting is having a damp cloth over a dry one. A dry one just disperses dust particles into the air, which unfortunately makes allergies a whole lot worse. A damp cloth collects all the dust with ease. Don’t bother getting on all fours to reach tight corners and skirting boards, instead use the vacuum’s long attachment, it’ll save you hassle.

Let’s get organised

Be wary of clutter. Dust LOVES to settle into cracks and crevices, and can build up surprisingly quickly. Declutter your spaces, as a clean home is a clean mind. Consider donating your clutter to charity instead of throwing it out. If you simply can’t live without it, put the items in the attic or the garage.

Don’t be blind to the dust

If you have light fixtures or blinds that are made of a delicate material, put down the damp cloth or vacuum and instead invest in lint rollers. Designed primarily for clothing, lint rollers have a sticky outside that lends itself beautifully to removing dust.

Just be cautious not to apply too much pressure to what you’re cleaning (such as a venetian blind) or else you run the risk of breaking it.

Dust can hide in surprising places

Have you ever noticed how your computer keyboard attracts dust? Typing removes microscopic amounts of dead skin, and eventually that forms into dust. When typing, all that settled dust comes up again into the air, becoming a potential irritant. To stop this happening, take a cotton bud and run it along the rows and columns of keys carefully, collecting all the buildup.

How to make cleaning enjoyable

Finally…have fun with it. Cleaning can be a monotonous task, and therefore it can be easy to fall into the trap of doing the minimum work needed. Instead, put music on in the background. Work to a beat to maintain a rhythm. Or, let your mind wander as you listen to a podcast. It can make even the most menial cleaning task a whole lot more enjoyable.

“Combining all these tips should result in a dust-less and healthy home, free from allergy irritants and just in time for the start of the warmer months,” Mr Ivanov said.

Spring is well underway, as the country enjoys some warmer temperatures and brighter, longer days.

But the incoming summer season also brings with it itchy eyes, sneezing and discomfort, all in the form of hay fever.

According to Met Office data, hay fever negatively affects the lives of roughly 10 million people around the UK.

Last month, Google searches for ‘hay fever symptoms’ spiked 306%.

But hay fever season isn’t the only trigger for allergies.

Common dust mites, dead skin and even animal fur often result in hay fever-like symptoms. Ivan Ivanov, spokesperson for cleaning company End of Tenancy London, https://www.end-of-tenancy-london.co.uk/, wanted to help eliminate home allergies by offering 10 fantastic and simple cleaning tips to keep your house dust-free.

“We’re now at the beginning of hay fever season, and quite rightly people are getting prepared for their allergies to hit,” he said.

“Although antihistamines and other over-the-counter pharmaceuticals can help alleviate allergy symptoms, the best course of action is to remove any triggers.

“This means tackling dust within your own home first and foremost, and it doesn’t have to be an arduous task.

With these 10 tips, it should make your life a lot easier, and help make your spring and summer as allergy-free as possible.”

Get those bed sheets washed

Let’s start with the basics. Clean your bed sheets. Microscopic dust mites love to nestle into the fibres of the sheets, causing unwanted irritation on the skin. Plus, with the close proximity of the duvet sheet to your mouth, you run the risk of breathing in the dust mites, which is unhygienic and a potential trigger point for allergies.

Wash your sheets and dry them away from the floor, so as not to pick any dust up.

Hate vacuuming? Suck it up

Speaking of, time to up that vacuuming regime. Dust falls perfectly into carpet crevices, meaning the only way to avoid dust build-up is to vacuum frequently, with special attention being paid to thick carpets.

Also consider transitioning to hardwood flooring, as it makes spotting dust a whole lot easier.

Become a Mopping Pro

If you do have a hard floor already, then mopping is a super speedy and effective way of lowering the amount of allergy triggers in the home.

A simple and cost-effective way of cleaning the floor is warm water with a couple splashes of vinegar, to ease some of the dirt off of the ground. In a matter of minutes, you’ll have a clean shiny floor with no dust on.

Air Purifiers are a great investment

If you’re someone that prefers tech over toil, a great addition to the home is an air purifier. Using extremely fine filters, they suck in air and cleanse it to remove any allergen particles. Whilst they aren’t infallible, they are extremely effective at removing dust. An air purifier is definitely something to consider.

DIY can help U

Dust can build up inside cracks, such as in the walls or in the ceiling. To stop the tide of dust building up and causing irritation, be sure to try and cover up all the cracks inside. Plus, eliminating cracks that lead to the outside also have a positive effect on your energy bills.

Time to re-learn how to dust

The most important facet of dusting is having a damp cloth over a dry one. A dry one just disperses dust particles into the air, which unfortunately makes allergies a whole lot worse. A damp cloth collects all the dust with ease. Don’t bother getting on all fours to reach tight corners and skirting boards, instead use the vacuum’s long attachment, it’ll save you hassle.

Let’s get organised

Be wary of clutter. Dust LOVES to settle into cracks and crevices, and can build up surprisingly quickly. Declutter your spaces, as a clean home is a clean mind. Consider donating your clutter to charity instead of throwing it out. If you simply can’t live without it, put the items in the attic or the garage.

Don’t be blind to the dust

If you have light fixtures or blinds that are made of a delicate material, put down the damp cloth or vacuum and instead invest in lint rollers. Designed primarily for clothing, lint rollers have a sticky outside that lends itself beautifully to removing dust.

Just be cautious not to apply too much pressure to what you’re cleaning (such as a venetian blind) or else you run the risk of breaking it.

Dust can hide in surprising places

Have you ever noticed how your computer keyboard attracts dust? Typing removes microscopic amounts of dead skin, and eventually that forms into dust. When typing, all that settled dust comes up again into the air, becoming a potential irritant. To stop this happening, take a cotton bud and run it along the rows and columns of keys carefully, collecting all the buildup.

How to make cleaning enjoyable

Finally…have fun with it. Cleaning can be a monotonous task, and therefore it can be easy to fall into the trap of doing the minimum work needed. Instead, put music on in the background. Work to a beat to maintain a rhythm. Or, let your mind wander as you listen to a podcast. It can make even the most menial cleaning task a whole lot more enjoyable.

“Combining all these tips should result in a dust-less and healthy home, free from allergy irritants and just in time for the start of the warmer months,” Mr Ivanov said.

Spring is well underway, as the country enjoys some warmer temperatures and brighter, longer days.

But the incoming summer season also brings with it itchy eyes, sneezing and discomfort, all in the form of hay fever.

According to Met Office data, hay fever negatively affects the lives of roughly 10 million people around the UK.

Last month, Google searches for ‘hay fever symptoms’ spiked 306%.

But hay fever season isn’t the only trigger for allergies.

Common dust mites, dead skin and even animal fur often result in hay fever-like symptoms. Ivan Ivanov, spokesperson for cleaning company End of Tenancy London, https://www.end-of-tenancy-london.co.uk/, wanted to help eliminate home allergies by offering 10 fantastic and simple cleaning tips to keep your house dust-free.

“We’re now at the beginning of hay fever season, and quite rightly people are getting prepared for their allergies to hit,” he said.

“Although antihistamines and other over-the-counter pharmaceuticals can help alleviate allergy symptoms, the best course of action is to remove any triggers.

“This means tackling dust within your own home first and foremost, and it doesn’t have to be an arduous task.

With these 10 tips, it should make your life a lot easier, and help make your spring and summer as allergy-free as possible.”

Get those bed sheets washed

Let’s start with the basics. Clean your bed sheets. Microscopic dust mites love to nestle into the fibres of the sheets, causing unwanted irritation on the skin. Plus, with the close proximity of the duvet sheet to your mouth, you run the risk of breathing in the dust mites, which is unhygienic and a potential trigger point for allergies.

Wash your sheets and dry them away from the floor, so as not to pick any dust up.

Hate vacuuming? Suck it up

Speaking of, time to up that vacuuming regime. Dust falls perfectly into carpet crevices, meaning the only way to avoid dust build-up is to vacuum frequently, with special attention being paid to thick carpets.

Also consider transitioning to hardwood flooring, as it makes spotting dust a whole lot easier.

Become a Mopping Pro

If you do have a hard floor already, then mopping is a super speedy and effective way of lowering the amount of allergy triggers in the home.

A simple and cost-effective way of cleaning the floor is warm water with a couple splashes of vinegar, to ease some of the dirt off of the ground. In a matter of minutes, you’ll have a clean shiny floor with no dust on.

Air Purifiers are a great investment

If you’re someone that prefers tech over toil, a great addition to the home is an air purifier. Using extremely fine filters, they suck in air and cleanse it to remove any allergen particles. Whilst they aren’t infallible, they are extremely effective at removing dust. An air purifier is definitely something to consider.

DIY can help U

Dust can build up inside cracks, such as in the walls or in the ceiling. To stop the tide of dust building up and causing irritation, be sure to try and cover up all the cracks inside. Plus, eliminating cracks that lead to the outside also have a positive effect on your energy bills.

Time to re-learn how to dust

The most important facet of dusting is having a damp cloth over a dry one. A dry one just disperses dust particles into the air, which unfortunately makes allergies a whole lot worse. A damp cloth collects all the dust with ease. Don’t bother getting on all fours to reach tight corners and skirting boards, instead use the vacuum’s long attachment, it’ll save you hassle.

Let’s get organised

Be wary of clutter. Dust LOVES to settle into cracks and crevices, and can build up surprisingly quickly. Declutter your spaces, as a clean home is a clean mind. Consider donating your clutter to charity instead of throwing it out. If you simply can’t live without it, put the items in the attic or the garage.

Don’t be blind to the dust

If you have light fixtures or blinds that are made of a delicate material, put down the damp cloth or vacuum and instead invest in lint rollers. Designed primarily for clothing, lint rollers have a sticky outside that lends itself beautifully to removing dust.

Just be cautious not to apply too much pressure to what you’re cleaning (such as a venetian blind) or else you run the risk of breaking it.

Dust can hide in surprising places

Have you ever noticed how your computer keyboard attracts dust? Typing removes microscopic amounts of dead skin, and eventually that forms into dust. When typing, all that settled dust comes up again into the air, becoming a potential irritant. To stop this happening, take a cotton bud and run it along the rows and columns of keys carefully, collecting all the buildup.

How to make cleaning enjoyable

Finally…have fun with it. Cleaning can be a monotonous task, and therefore it can be easy to fall into the trap of doing the minimum work needed. Instead, put music on in the background. Work to a beat to maintain a rhythm. Or, let your mind wander as you listen to a podcast. It can make even the most menial cleaning task a whole lot more enjoyable.

“Combining all these tips should result in a dust-less and healthy home, free from allergy irritants and just in time for the start of the warmer months,” Mr Ivanov said.

Spring is well underway, as the country enjoys some warmer temperatures and brighter, longer days.

But the incoming summer season also brings with it itchy eyes, sneezing and discomfort, all in the form of hay fever.

According to Met Office data, hay fever negatively affects the lives of roughly 10 million people around the UK.

Last month, Google searches for ‘hay fever symptoms’ spiked 306%.

But hay fever season isn’t the only trigger for allergies.

Common dust mites, dead skin and even animal fur often result in hay fever-like symptoms. Ivan Ivanov, spokesperson for cleaning company End of Tenancy London, https://www.end-of-tenancy-london.co.uk/, wanted to help eliminate home allergies by offering 10 fantastic and simple cleaning tips to keep your house dust-free.

“We’re now at the beginning of hay fever season, and quite rightly people are getting prepared for their allergies to hit,” he said.

“Although antihistamines and other over-the-counter pharmaceuticals can help alleviate allergy symptoms, the best course of action is to remove any triggers.

“This means tackling dust within your own home first and foremost, and it doesn’t have to be an arduous task.

With these 10 tips, it should make your life a lot easier, and help make your spring and summer as allergy-free as possible.”

Get those bed sheets washed

Let’s start with the basics. Clean your bed sheets. Microscopic dust mites love to nestle into the fibres of the sheets, causing unwanted irritation on the skin. Plus, with the close proximity of the duvet sheet to your mouth, you run the risk of breathing in the dust mites, which is unhygienic and a potential trigger point for allergies.

Wash your sheets and dry them away from the floor, so as not to pick any dust up.

Hate vacuuming? Suck it up

Speaking of, time to up that vacuuming regime. Dust falls perfectly into carpet crevices, meaning the only way to avoid dust build-up is to vacuum frequently, with special attention being paid to thick carpets.

Also consider transitioning to hardwood flooring, as it makes spotting dust a whole lot easier.

Become a Mopping Pro

If you do have a hard floor already, then mopping is a super speedy and effective way of lowering the amount of allergy triggers in the home.

A simple and cost-effective way of cleaning the floor is warm water with a couple splashes of vinegar, to ease some of the dirt off of the ground. In a matter of minutes, you’ll have a clean shiny floor with no dust on.

Air Purifiers are a great investment

If you’re someone that prefers tech over toil, a great addition to the home is an air purifier. Using extremely fine filters, they suck in air and cleanse it to remove any allergen particles. Whilst they aren’t infallible, they are extremely effective at removing dust. An air purifier is definitely something to consider.

DIY can help U

Dust can build up inside cracks, such as in the walls or in the ceiling. To stop the tide of dust building up and causing irritation, be sure to try and cover up all the cracks inside. Plus, eliminating cracks that lead to the outside also have a positive effect on your energy bills.

Time to re-learn how to dust

The most important facet of dusting is having a damp cloth over a dry one. A dry one just disperses dust particles into the air, which unfortunately makes allergies a whole lot worse. A damp cloth collects all the dust with ease. Don’t bother getting on all fours to reach tight corners and skirting boards, instead use the vacuum’s long attachment, it’ll save you hassle.

Let’s get organised

Be wary of clutter. Dust LOVES to settle into cracks and crevices, and can build up surprisingly quickly. Declutter your spaces, as a clean home is a clean mind. Consider donating your clutter to charity instead of throwing it out. If you simply can’t live without it, put the items in the attic or the garage.

Don’t be blind to the dust

If you have light fixtures or blinds that are made of a delicate material, put down the damp cloth or vacuum and instead invest in lint rollers. Designed primarily for clothing, lint rollers have a sticky outside that lends itself beautifully to removing dust.

Just be cautious not to apply too much pressure to what you’re cleaning (such as a venetian blind) or else you run the risk of breaking it.

Dust can hide in surprising places

Have you ever noticed how your computer keyboard attracts dust? Typing removes microscopic amounts of dead skin, and eventually that forms into dust. When typing, all that settled dust comes up again into the air, becoming a potential irritant. To stop this happening, take a cotton bud and run it along the rows and columns of keys carefully, collecting all the buildup.

How to make cleaning enjoyable

Finally…have fun with it. Cleaning can be a monotonous task, and therefore it can be easy to fall into the trap of doing the minimum work needed. Instead, put music on in the background. Work to a beat to maintain a rhythm. Or, let your mind wander as you listen to a podcast. It can make even the most menial cleaning task a whole lot more enjoyable.

“Combining all these tips should result in a dust-less and healthy home, free from allergy irritants and just in time for the start of the warmer months,” Mr Ivanov said.

Spring is well underway, as the country enjoys some warmer temperatures and brighter, longer days.

But the incoming summer season also brings with it itchy eyes, sneezing and discomfort, all in the form of hay fever.

According to Met Office data, hay fever negatively affects the lives of roughly 10 million people around the UK.

Last month, Google searches for ‘hay fever symptoms’ spiked 306%.

But hay fever season isn’t the only trigger for allergies.

Common dust mites, dead skin and even animal fur often result in hay fever-like symptoms. Ivan Ivanov, spokesperson for cleaning company End of Tenancy London, https://www.end-of-tenancy-london.co.uk/, wanted to help eliminate home allergies by offering 10 fantastic and simple cleaning tips to keep your house dust-free.

“We’re now at the beginning of hay fever season, and quite rightly people are getting prepared for their allergies to hit,” he said.

“Although antihistamines and other over-the-counter pharmaceuticals can help alleviate allergy symptoms, the best course of action is to remove any triggers.

“This means tackling dust within your own home first and foremost, and it doesn’t have to be an arduous task.

With these 10 tips, it should make your life a lot easier, and help make your spring and summer as allergy-free as possible.”

Get those bed sheets washed

Let’s start with the basics. Clean your bed sheets. Microscopic dust mites love to nestle into the fibres of the sheets, causing unwanted irritation on the skin. Plus, with the close proximity of the duvet sheet to your mouth, you run the risk of breathing in the dust mites, which is unhygienic and a potential trigger point for allergies.

Wash your sheets and dry them away from the floor, so as not to pick any dust up.

Hate vacuuming? Suck it up

Speaking of, time to up that vacuuming regime. Dust falls perfectly into carpet crevices, meaning the only way to avoid dust build-up is to vacuum frequently, with special attention being paid to thick carpets.

Also consider transitioning to hardwood flooring, as it makes spotting dust a whole lot easier.

Become a Mopping Pro

If you do have a hard floor already, then mopping is a super speedy and effective way of lowering the amount of allergy triggers in the home.

A simple and cost-effective way of cleaning the floor is warm water with a couple splashes of vinegar, to ease some of the dirt off of the ground. In a matter of minutes, you’ll have a clean shiny floor with no dust on.

Air Purifiers are a great investment

If you’re someone that prefers tech over toil, a great addition to the home is an air purifier. Using extremely fine filters, they suck in air and cleanse it to remove any allergen particles. Whilst they aren’t infallible, they are extremely effective at removing dust. An air purifier is definitely something to consider.

DIY can help U

Dust can build up inside cracks, such as in the walls or in the ceiling. To stop the tide of dust building up and causing irritation, be sure to try and cover up all the cracks inside. Plus, eliminating cracks that lead to the outside also have a positive effect on your energy bills.

Time to re-learn how to dust

The most important facet of dusting is having a damp cloth over a dry one. A dry one just disperses dust particles into the air, which unfortunately makes allergies a whole lot worse. A damp cloth collects all the dust with ease. Don’t bother getting on all fours to reach tight corners and skirting boards, instead use the vacuum’s long attachment, it’ll save you hassle.

Let’s get organised

Be wary of clutter. Dust LOVES to settle into cracks and crevices, and can build up surprisingly quickly. Declutter your spaces, as a clean home is a clean mind. Consider donating your clutter to charity instead of throwing it out. If you simply can’t live without it, put the items in the attic or the garage.

Don’t be blind to the dust

If you have light fixtures or blinds that are made of a delicate material, put down the damp cloth or vacuum and instead invest in lint rollers. Designed primarily for clothing, lint rollers have a sticky outside that lends itself beautifully to removing dust.

Just be cautious not to apply too much pressure to what you’re cleaning (such as a venetian blind) or else you run the risk of breaking it.

Dust can hide in surprising places

Have you ever noticed how your computer keyboard attracts dust? Typing removes microscopic amounts of dead skin, and eventually that forms into dust. When typing, all that settled dust comes up again into the air, becoming a potential irritant. To stop this happening, take a cotton bud and run it along the rows and columns of keys carefully, collecting all the buildup.

How to make cleaning enjoyable

Finally…have fun with it. Cleaning can be a monotonous task, and therefore it can be easy to fall into the trap of doing the minimum work needed. Instead, put music on in the background. Work to a beat to maintain a rhythm. Or, let your mind wander as you listen to a podcast. It can make even the most menial cleaning task a whole lot more enjoyable.

“Combining all these tips should result in a dust-less and healthy home, free from allergy irritants and just in time for the start of the warmer months,” Mr Ivanov said.

Spring is well underway, as the country enjoys some warmer temperatures and brighter, longer days.

But the incoming summer season also brings with it itchy eyes, sneezing and discomfort, all in the form of hay fever.

According to Met Office data, hay fever negatively affects the lives of roughly 10 million people around the UK.

Last month, Google searches for ‘hay fever symptoms’ spiked 306%.

But hay fever season isn’t the only trigger for allergies.

Common dust mites, dead skin and even animal fur often result in hay fever-like symptoms. Ivan Ivanov, spokesperson for cleaning company End of Tenancy London, https://www.end-of-tenancy-london.co.uk/, wanted to help eliminate home allergies by offering 10 fantastic and simple cleaning tips to keep your house dust-free.

“We’re now at the beginning of hay fever season, and quite rightly people are getting prepared for their allergies to hit,” he said.

“Although antihistamines and other over-the-counter pharmaceuticals can help alleviate allergy symptoms, the best course of action is to remove any triggers.

“This means tackling dust within your own home first and foremost, and it doesn’t have to be an arduous task.

With these 10 tips, it should make your life a lot easier, and help make your spring and summer as allergy-free as possible.”

Get those bed sheets washed

Let’s start with the basics. Clean your bed sheets. Microscopic dust mites love to nestle into the fibres of the sheets, causing unwanted irritation on the skin. Plus, with the close proximity of the duvet sheet to your mouth, you run the risk of breathing in the dust mites, which is unhygienic and a potential trigger point for allergies.

Wash your sheets and dry them away from the floor, so as not to pick any dust up.

Hate vacuuming? Suck it up

Speaking of, time to up that vacuuming regime. Dust falls perfectly into carpet crevices, meaning the only way to avoid dust build-up is to vacuum frequently, with special attention being paid to thick carpets.

Also consider transitioning to hardwood flooring, as it makes spotting dust a whole lot easier.

Become a Mopping Pro

If you do have a hard floor already, then mopping is a super speedy and effective way of lowering the amount of allergy triggers in the home.

A simple and cost-effective way of cleaning the floor is warm water with a couple splashes of vinegar, to ease some of the dirt off of the ground. In a matter of minutes, you’ll have a clean shiny floor with no dust on.

Air Purifiers are a great investment

If you’re someone that prefers tech over toil, a great addition to the home is an air purifier. Using extremely fine filters, they suck in air and cleanse it to remove any allergen particles. Whilst they aren’t infallible, they are extremely effective at removing dust. An air purifier is definitely something to consider.

DIY can help U

Dust can build up inside cracks, such as in the walls or in the ceiling. To stop the tide of dust building up and causing irritation, be sure to try and cover up all the cracks inside. Plus, eliminating cracks that lead to the outside also have a positive effect on your energy bills.

Time to re-learn how to dust

The most important facet of dusting is having a damp cloth over a dry one. A dry one just disperses dust particles into the air, which unfortunately makes allergies a whole lot worse. A damp cloth collects all the dust with ease. Don’t bother getting on all fours to reach tight corners and skirting boards, instead use the vacuum’s long attachment, it’ll save you hassle.

Let’s get organised

Be wary of clutter. Dust LOVES to settle into cracks and crevices, and can build up surprisingly quickly. Declutter your spaces, as a clean home is a clean mind. Consider donating your clutter to charity instead of throwing it out. If you simply can’t live without it, put the items in the attic or the garage.

Don’t be blind to the dust

If you have light fixtures or blinds that are made of a delicate material, put down the damp cloth or vacuum and instead invest in lint rollers. Designed primarily for clothing, lint rollers have a sticky outside that lends itself beautifully to removing dust.

Just be cautious not to apply too much pressure to what you’re cleaning (such as a venetian blind) or else you run the risk of breaking it.

Dust can hide in surprising places

Have you ever noticed how your computer keyboard attracts dust? Typing removes microscopic amounts of dead skin, and eventually that forms into dust. When typing, all that settled dust comes up again into the air, becoming a potential irritant. To stop this happening, take a cotton bud and run it along the rows and columns of keys carefully, collecting all the buildup.

How to make cleaning enjoyable

Finally…have fun with it. Cleaning can be a monotonous task, and therefore it can be easy to fall into the trap of doing the minimum work needed. Instead, put music on in the background. Work to a beat to maintain a rhythm. Or, let your mind wander as you listen to a podcast. It can make even the most menial cleaning task a whole lot more enjoyable.

“Combining all these tips should result in a dust-less and healthy home, free from allergy irritants and just in time for the start of the warmer months,” Mr Ivanov said.

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Originally Appeared Here

Who needs an air freshener when you can ask your local health worker to disinfect your whole home!

AFP

Looking at what’s going on in China is something that is both scary and unsafe, too.

There have been reports from Shanghai indicating that health workers within the country are carrying out mandatory disinfectant sprays inside people’s homes. 

This is being done regardless of whether you as a home owner gave consent to it or not. This was not a welcomed surprise that the locals took kindly to and comes while the city is already in a strict COVID-19 lockdown.

READ: China knows the zero-Covid strategy 

The viral video bellow has been making the rounds on social media:

上海白卫兵入室做无死角消杀 pic.twitter.com/VCLzko4BWg

— 方舟子 (@fangshimin) May 10, 2022

Imagine that was your home? 

The Chinese health officials believe that by spraying disinfectant, it can help eliminate COVID-19. 

However, what the officials fail to understand from the information shared by World Health Organisation (WHO) is that the measure is somewhat pointless as the risk of transmission via contaminated surfaces is low.

READ: Half of Shanghai already in lockdown to stop COVID-19

One thing is definitely for sure, this would receive loads of complaints had this happened in South Africa. Sharing their thoughts on the matter was Darren Maule…

China’s approach to its people is less like a citizen and more like a hive. The individual bee is inconsequential but what the hive produces is important. China only recently abolished its one family, one child policy, and not long before that, the mutilating foot-binding policy to make concubines ‘appear’ more attractive was the status quo.

– Darren Maule

We are heading into the middle of the year already. Most countries have a laissez-faire attitude to the pandemic now with restrictions all but disappeared, so why is China ramping up their interventions? 

READ: WHO criticises China for their hardline approach to zero-Covid

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Originally Appeared Here

Among the costs sought was a bill of $900 for eating out because the apartment smelt too bad to eat in. Photo / 123RF

Unhappy tenants have tried to claim more than $50,000 worth of compensation from their landlord, saying a toilet leak destroyed designer clothes, branded devices and caused an illness that left one of them in a toxic shock “coma”.

Tenants Ximing Yang and Xiao Pan took their case to the Tenancy Tribunal saying their landlord failed to meet the healthy home’s standard after the seal on their toilet burst and flooded their central Auckland unit with human waste and greywater.

They say the leak exposed them to “deadly diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid” and they were left out of pocket after having to throw out $21,370 worth of contaminated items – including clothing, underwear, shoes, a rug, silk pillowcases and beds.

Some of the items “contaminated” by the flood of human waste were from designer brands such as Gucci, Chanel and Burberry, as well as an iPhone max-pro, Airpods and a MacBook pro.

The rest of the $53,588 claim related to compensation for a long list of things including “psychology consultations”, medical treatment, legal consultation, preparation costs for the hearing, translation services, catch-up French lessons and eating out because of the smell.

However, Tribunal adjudicator Jane Northwood threw out the majority of the couples’ claims, stating the extensive list wasn’t supported by sufficient evidence and that the landlord made a concerted and prompt effort to fix the problem.

The toilet started leaking on June 25, 2021, causing sewage and wastewater to travel through the bathroom, into the corridor and two upstairs bedrooms. The tenants said sewage was up to 20mm high and destroyed personal property that was on the floors of the bedrooms.

They said they contacted the landlord on the same day, but because they were unable to reach them they cleaned up the initial mess and disposed of the damaged property.

Another email was sent to the landlord two days later saying the toilet was leaking, they had stopped using it and the floor was damp.

After receiving the email the following morning, the landlord organised an urgent repair and the toilet was scheduled to be fixed the next day.

A report filed by the plumber the following month said he found a blockage that had caused “a considerable amount of mess in the bathroom area, consisting of human waste and toilet paper”.

He said it was clear the toilet was blocked but it was still being used, which caused most of the mess, and if he had known the extent of the contamination he would have attended sooner.

A faulty seal was found at the base of the toilet by the plumber, and the landlord said this was not an ongoing issue and had the toilet not been blocked by the tenants there would not have been a leak.

“Because of the blockage and the faulty seal, rather than the water rising in the bowl as it normally would, it spewed out of the toilet connection at the base,” the tribunal decision released this month read.

“Apparently, the owner and previous tenants had lived in the property for over 10 years and neither had experienced any issues despite the faulty seal,” Northwood said.

Industrial cleaners were sent in to decontaminate the property on June 29, and after complaints that the smell still lingered, further decontamination work was done at the beginning of July.

Dehumidifiers and drying equipment set up by the cleaners to dry the carpets were turned off by the tenants. The underlay was eventually replaced.

The tenants told the Tribunal that during their tenancy they had blocked the toilet “about 10 times” and had used a plunger to unblock it before the big leak.

The claims for compensation for the contaminated items were declined by Northwood, but the tenants were credited $1250 as a rent rebate.

“At no time did the tenants prove ownership of these items, nor destruction of, nor disposal of these alleged items,” Northwood said.

“It should be noted that the landlord made an offer of some financial assistance to move out temporarily while the clean-up was taking place. The tenants chose not to avail themselves of the offer.”

One of the tenants claimed he was in an alleged “coma” due to toxic shock from the toilet leak, despite receiving no medical evidence, intervention or support.

The tenants also claimed to have suffered from high blood pressure, chest pains, sleep disturbances and stress due to the leak.

However, Northwood declined compensation for those claims as well.

“The tenants have failed to produce any evidence of damage to their general health, (short and long term) and that the premises were non-compliant with the RTA and toxic.”

Yang and Pan were instead ordered to pay $6173 to their landlord for rent arrears, cleaning and water rates.

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Originally Appeared Here

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) continues to monitor the health impacts of recent severe weather. Significant power outages, home repairs, and flooding can create dangerous and potentially life-threatening situations, even days after the storms have ended.

 

Mississippi residents should take the following special precautions against health risks after the storm:

 

Food Safety: Preventing Food-Borne Diseases

• The Mississippi State Department of Health advises throwing away all fresh food including fruits, vegetables and other produce that can become submerged.
• Throw away all screw cap or crimp cap containers that can become submerged.
• Discard any cold or cool food that has warmed. Food that is still frozen or cold (45 degrees Fahrenheit or less) is safe to prepare.
• MSDH advises that individuals should not eat any food that may have come into contact with contaminated water from floods or tidal surges.
• Commercially prepared cans of food should not be eaten if there is a bulging or opening on the can.
• Undamaged, commercially canned foods can be saved if you remove the labels and then disinfect the cans in a bleach solution. Use ¼ cup of bleach in one gallon of water; re-label the cans including expiration date and type of food. Assume that home-canned food is unsafe.
• If you are not breastfeeding, infants should be fed only canned baby formula. Do not use powdered formulas prepared with treated water. Use boiled water when preparing formula.

 

Floodwater and Drinking Water Safety

In times of severe weather or flooding, any loss or significant drop in your water pressure, even if it is brief, means that your water supply could be contaminated by groundwater. If you notice an interruption, loss of pressure, or significant drop in pressure in your water service, follow standard boil-water precautions below. If you are unsure of the safety of your water, contact your water supply operator.

 

If your area is officially notified that emergency water purification is necessary, MSDH advises the following:

• Vigorously boil water for at least a full minute before using.
• Treat chemically by adding unscented chlorine bleach in these amounts: two drops of bleach for each quart of clear water or four drops of bleach for each quart of muddy or dirty water. Let the water stand at least 30 minutes before using.
• Basic hygiene is very important during this emergency period. Always wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected before eating, after toilet use, after participating in cleanup activities and after handling articles contaminated by floodwater or sewage.
• Flooding that occurs after the hurricane may mean that water contains fecal matter from sewage systems, agricultural and industrial waste and septic tanks. If you have open cuts or sores exposed to the floodwater, keep them as clean as possible by washing them with soap and clean water. Apply antibiotic ointment to reduce the risk of infection. If a wound or sore develops redness, swelling or drainage, see a physician.
• Do not allow children to play in floodwater. They can be exposed to water contaminated with fecal matter. Do not allow children to play with toys that have been in floodwater until the toys have been disinfected. Use ¼ cup of bleach in one gallon of water.

 

Power Outages: Preventing Fire Hazards

Using battery-powered lanterns and flashlights is preferable to using candles.

 

If you must use candles, make sure you put them in safe holders away from curtains, paper, wood, or other flammable items.

 

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas, and is highly poisonous. Take the following precautions to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Only use grills or generators outdoors. Do not use grills or generators inside a house, garage or any enclosed space.
• Symptoms of CO poisoning may include fatigue, weakness, chest pains for those with heart disease, shortness of breath upon exertion, nausea, vomiting, headaches, confusion, lack of coordination, impaired vision, loss of consciousness, and in severe cases, death.
• If you suspect you are experiencing any symptoms of CO poisoning, open doors and windows, turn off gas appliances and go outside. In cases of severe CO poisoning, call 911 emergency services or the Mississippi Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

 

Clearing Standing Water: Preventing Mosquito-Borne Illness

Heavy rains and flooding can lead to an increase in mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are most active at sunrise and sunset. Public health authorities will be working actively to control the spread of any diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.

 

To protect against mosquitoes, MSDH urges the public to remain diligent in their personal mosquito protection efforts. These should include the 4 D’s for prevention:

• Dusk and Dawn— Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are seeking blood, for many species this is during the dusk and dawn hours.
• Dress— Wear clothing that covers skin.
• DEET— When the potential exists for exposure to mosquitoes, repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, or N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) are recommended. In addition to those containing DEET, insect repellents including the ingredients picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus in mosquito repellents are recommended for use on human skin. Always read the manufacturer’s directions carefully before you put on a repellent.
• Drainage— Check your home to rid it of standing water in which mosquitoes can lay their eggs.

 

Mold and Mildew

Stagnant moisture can be an ideal source for mold growth – all it needs is a source of moisture, a place to grow, and food sources such as leaves, wood, paper or dirt. When airborne mold spores are present in large numbers, they can cause allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections, and

other respiratory problems for people. Exposure to high spore levels can cause the development of an allergy to the mold.

 

If mold is a problem in your home, you need to clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture. Identify and correct the moisture source; clean, disinfect with bleach, then dry the moldy area; and then bag and dispose any material that has moldy residues, such as rags, paper, leaves or debris.

The MSDH neither regulates nor tests for mold. You should contact a commercial environmental consulting firm for services related to mold.

 

Follow MSDH by e-mail and social media at HealthyMS.com/connect.

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Originally Appeared Here

Cuts and scrapes are an unfortunate aspect of life, whether you get careless while chopping vegetables or end up with a blister after breaking in a new pair of shoes. These injuries are usually more inconvenient than they are serious, and we tend to keep supplies on hand to treat minor wounds at home. However, if you reach for this one common treatment to disinfect your cuts, you may want to reconsider. Read on to find out which product medical experts say you say you should stop using on your injuries immediately.

READ THIS NEXT: If You Notice This in Your Arms and Legs, Get a Blood Test.

Shutterstock

Cuts can be painful, but unless you are seriously injured, you likely won’t be paying a visit to the doctor or emergency room. First aid kits are convenient to have on hand and often come equipped with the basic necessities to treat a minor wound, such as bandages, gauze, and cleansing wipes. The American Red Cross recommends also adding personal items, such as medications and emergency contact numbers, as well as anything your doctor suggests. If you have one of these kits stocked and ready to go, you might want to double check to make sure it doesn’t have one common product, which could actually interfere with the healing process.

Shutterstock

If your mom dabbed hydrogen peroxide on your scraped knee when you were a kid, you are not alone. This approach to disinfecting cuts is something many of us experienced growing up—and it seemed to always come with the warning that it “might sting a little.” With that in mind, you may be surprised (and relieved) to learn that medical professionals suggest avoiding hydrogen peroxide in these instances.

“Hydrogen peroxide in high concentrations is caustic, and just like it kills bacteria, it also kills the healthy cells that are so important to the healing process,” Stephani Laing, advanced care paramedic and CEO of Elite Emergency Reposnse Inc., says. “It also disrupts the formation/repair of blood vessels, which also slows healing.”ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

For more health advice delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

veryulissa / Shutterstock

According to the Mayo Clinic, both hydrogen peroxide and iodine irritate your wound, as opposed to helping it, and should be avoided when tending to yourself or your loved ones. The familiar fizzy reaction you see on the surface of your skin does help remove debris from the wound, but it may also interrupt your body’s natural and immediate response to heal on its own.

“Many folks think the bubbling means it’s really working, but the foaming indicates a chemical reaction that’s also damaging healthy cells,” Laing explains. “It’s much like when we take oral antibiotics, they kill bad bacteria but also good ones because they don’t know the difference, which can cause secondary infections.”

Laing added that this can be doubly problematic for people with diabetes and older adults whose healing processes aren’t as effective. But the latter group might still be using hydrogen peroxide as a force of habit. “Since peroxide has been used for first aid since the 1920s, the older crowd, in particular, tends to still reach for it as the first choice for wound disinfection,” she says.

andriano.cz / Shutterstock

The Mayo Clinic recommends washing your hands before doing anything to treat your wound and then applying gentle pressure to stop any bleeding. Laing also suggests that running water and gentle soap is really the best approach for immediate treatment.

Next, you will want to swap out the peroxide for an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin, or petroleum jelly, which keeps the surface of your skin moist and also prevents scarring, according to the Mayo Clinic. You can then apply a bandage or gauze, and you’ll want to change this dressing once a day or whenever it becomes dirty.

READ THIS NEXT: This Popular Med Is “The Most Dangerous OTC Drug,” According to Doctors.

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Originally Appeared Here

South Platte Renew, a wastewater treatment facility, said they’re seeing the second-biggest spike during the pandemic.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Cases of COVID-19 are going up across Colorado, and the situation is comparable to the spike the state saw around this time last year.

But in some places, there’s an even higher spike in wastewater samples. 

“Yeah, we’re like the canary in the coal mine, so to speak. We get to see it first and have an idea of what’s coming in the future,” said Blair Corning, South Platte Renew’s deputy director of environmental programs. 

Corning said the glimpse of what we could see in future cases is interesting. 

“Currently we’re having a big spike,” he said. “Like the second-biggest spike, there was a big one back around December, and it’s spiking up again.” 

He’s referencing data from BioBot, the company they contract with that shows the prevalence of the virus that causes COVID-19 spiking on May 1, second only during the pandemic to a spike last winter. 

“I’ve been watching it we get it twice a week,” said Corning. 

Epidemiologists from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in an email they are seeing a recent increase in COVID-19 cases, but “there may also be a higher prevalence in the wastewater because people may be taking rapid tests at home and those results are not included on our dashboard.”

A spike on a graph is concerning but state health officials still believe the high levels of immunity from vaccinations will help protect Coloradans from being hospitalized, and keep that patient spike lower than before. 

COVID-19 hospitalizations are up in Colorado, but not at the rate we saw this time last year. According to CDPHE data, 110 people are currently in the hospital with COVID-19 statewide.

Once South Platte Renew is finished with the water samples it tests, they disinfect the water using sodium hypochlorite, a stronger version of household bleach that kills bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19.

RELATED: How to find COVID-19 treatment in Colorado

RELATED: ‘Scientific miracle’ unfolds in front of massive health care team

RELATED: The number of vaccinated vs. unvaccinated patients in Colorado hospitals is changing

SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Full Episodes of Next with Kyle Clark

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Originally Appeared Here

The additional deaths being reported today include the following:

• A man in his 20s who was a resident of the City of Dallas. He expired in an area hospital ED and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
• A woman in her 40s who was a resident of the City of Dallas. She expired in an area hospital ED and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
• A woman in her 40s who was a resident of the City of Grand Prairie. She expired in an area hospital ED and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
• A man in his 70s who was a resident of a long-term care facility in the City of Mesquite. He was found deceased at home and had underlying high-risk health conditions.

To date, a total of 2,592 cases with SARS-CoV-2 variants have been identified and investigated in residents of Dallas County, including 288 cases of B.1.1.7 (Alpha); 4 cases of B.1.351 (Beta); 1,858 cases of B.1.617.2 (Delta); 31 cases of B.1.427 (Epsilon);  29 cases of P.1 (Gamma);  15 cases of B.1.526 (Iota); 5 cases of C.37 (Lambda); 4 cases of B.1.621 (Mu); 355 cases of B.1.1.529 (Omicron); and 3 cases of P.2 (Zeta). Four hundred and forty-nine cases have been hospitalized and 64 have died. Forty-nine COVID-19 variant cases were reinfections. Seven hundred and thirty-six people were considered fully vaccinated before infection with a COVID-19 variant.

For week 17, area hospital labs have continued to report elevated numbers and proportions of respiratory specimens that are positive for other respiratory viruses by molecular tests: parainfluenza (10.51%), rhinovirus/enterovirus (35.35 %), and RSV (2.79%).

There are currently 15 active long-term care facility outbreaks. A cumulative total of 6,493 residents and 4,365 healthcare workers in long-term facilities in Dallas have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Of these, 1,338 have been hospitalized and 911 have died. About 16% of all deaths reported to date have been associated with long-term care facilities.

There have been 0 outbreaks of COVID-19 in a congregate-living facility (e.g. homeless shelters, group homes, and halfway homes) reported within the past 30 days. A cumulative total of 1,152 residents and staff members (856 residents and 296 staff) in congregate-living facilities in Dallas have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

“DCHHS is continuing to work to improve the computer interface to get more accurate and timely data. It may be several days before the switch over to the new system is done. In the meantime, we are providing the data that is currently available. The numbers are low, but they have increased and now is a good time for those who have not been vaccinated to get their vaccine, and for those who have not had a third shot to get this important dose. Go to covid.gov to find a free vaccination near you,” said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.

All Dallas County COVID-19 Updates and Information can be found here: https://www.dallascounty.org/covid-19/ and all guidance documents can be found here: https://www.dallascounty.org/covid-19/guidance-health.php
Specific Guidance for the Public:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends taking everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid close contact outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others and continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to seek medical care
• Wash your hands often and with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and help young children to do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve, not your hands. Immediately wash your hands.
• Monitor your health daily. Be alert for symptoms. Take your temperature and follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

Additional information is available at the following websites:

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We all strive to be the healthiest forms of ourselves possible. With the rise in the wellness industry and certain fads, it can seem daunting to keep up and make sure you do everything to keep your body in optimal shape. Aside from keeping up, going to wellness salons and studios to feel better can do some damage to your wallet.

We want you to look good and feel good, so we rounded up five products for home wellness to better your day-to-day life. Whether you need a better shower, loosen your muscles or save time and energy otherwise spent at a supply store, we got you. Get these five products and start changing the way you live.

After a long day, you likely want to sit back, kick your feet up and relax. We understand the craziness of everyday life and the desire to sneak some wellness into the mix. When we want to recenter, take care of ourselves and feel good again, these five products help us get to a place of relaxation and rejuvenation.

Allow your body to recover from the physical and mental strains of everyday life with items like the Leg Massager, Cleansing Brush, Waterfall Shower Head, and Massage Gun.

Editors’ Recommendations

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In a 2021 survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, 42 percent of respondents said they now identified as germaphobes. (Delcan and Co. / The New York Times)

One of my first memories is the pungent smell of rubbing alcohol. Every evening, my mother sprayed the kitchen sink and counters with isopropyl alcohol to disinfect them. And no wonder: She had cared for me for months when I caught a nasty salmonella infection as a toddler. Bacteria were her nemesis. “I became a real nut about it,” she admitted recently. “I really became a germaphobe.”

It’s no surprise, then, that I grew up to be a germaphobe too. I keep a dizzying array of antimicrobial wipes in the basement; have at least seven bottles of hand sanitizer stashed around my house and car; and keep an emergency bag tucked away in my closet stuffed with bleach wipes and other strong disinfecting paraphernalia should the dreaded stomach bug strike our household. (I should add: There’s a difference between cleaning and tidying. I’m a zealot with the former but lazy with the latter.)

Today, because of the pandemic, I’m not alone in my germ paranoia. In a survey last year of 2,000 U.S. adults, 42% of respondents said they identified as germaphobes. But our fears aren’t always well-founded, I learned when I interviewed chemists and cleaning experts. It turns out, many popular cleaning practices aren’t effective, and some are just unnecessary.

Focus on the Bad Bugs

I’m often guilty of thinking that viruses and bacteria are unequivocally bad, but many bacteria do good things — like those in our gut that help us digest food and build our immunity. “Microbes are absolutely everywhere,” said Erica Hartmann, an environmental engineer at Northwestern University. “And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.” Research suggests that children who grow up on farms, surrounded by microbes, have a lower risk of developing asthma and allergies than other kids.

Before getting into the nitty-gritty, let me explain the scientific difference between cleaning and disinfecting. Cleaning removes things — dirt, crumbs, germs, dog hair — from surfaces. Disinfecting kills things — typically viruses and bacteria. Cleaning is something we may want to do regularly, Hartmann said, but we need to worry about killing (disinfecting) only dangerous, disease-causing germs. And we can often predict where they will be.

For instance, you probably don’t need to disinfect your kitchen counters every day, unless you have handled raw meat. You also don’t need to obsessively disinfect your bathroom unless someone in your home has an infection that spreads through stools, like salmonella or norovirus.

For standard messes — like when my 11-year-old drips maple syrup all over the kitchen table at breakfast — you don’t need to reach for a disinfectant wipe when soap and water will remove the sticky residue. (Soap is also great for removing germs from your hands, but you need to build a good lather and wash for 20 seconds.)

You ask, Why not disinfect everything anyway?

There are long-term risks associated with the overuse of certain disinfectants, such as quaternary ammonium compounds. These “quats,” as they’re called, are found in many popular household cleaning products, including sprays and wipes made by Lysol and Clorox. These cleaners may increase the risk of antibiotic resistance, Hartmann said. Plus — although experts I spoke to disagreed on just how much to worry about this — disinfectants such as bleach, ammonia and quats release fumes that can be harmful, said Pawel Misztal, a chemist who studies disinfectants at the University of Texas at Austin. So use disinfectants when you need to disinfect but not when you want to just clean.

Use Disinfectants Wisely

When you have reason to worry about bad germs, kill them with a disinfectant. Some chemicals work better than others. Plain soap and water can kill germs when lathered but won’t be as foolproof as stronger options if you’re trying to eliminate microbes on surfaces, said Bill Wuest, a chemist at Emory University. Far more effective are disinfectants such as bleach, isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, ethanol, hydrogen peroxide and quat-based cleaners.

If you’re using a disinfectant that releases fumes, such as bleach or ammonia, ventilate the area first by opening doors or windows, or wear a disposable face mask and throw it away afterward, Misztal suggested. And I hate to tell you, but you’re probably disinfecting all wrong. Many people spray or spread disinfectants on a surface and then immediately wipe the cleaner off with a paper towel or sponge, Wuest said, but this removes the chemical before it has had a chance to disinfect.

If you’re using a store-bought product, the disinfection time should be on the label. Lysol disinfectant spray, for instance, needs to sit on a surface for three minutes. Recommendations for bleach solutions vary from one to 10 minutes. Alcohol-based solutions don’t need to be wiped at all, since they eventually evaporate, said Cassandra Quave, an ethnobotanist at Emory University. And some botanical disinfectants may need to be left on for a long time, even 15 or 30 minutes, Hartmann said.

Wondering about other disinfectant options? Here’s some more information:

— You can make disinfectants to save money. For a disinfecting bleach solution, mix one-third cup of household bleach with 1 gallon of water. (Bleach breaks down rapidly in water, so you’ll need to make a new solution each day. And never mix bleach with chemicals other than water.)

— Sprays containing 70% ethanol or isopropyl alcohol and 30% water are also effective, Quave said. She emphasized that you should mix alcohol with water because otherwise it will evaporate before it has a chance to disinfect.

— You can make or buy plant-based disinfectants, some of which are less toxic and more environmentally friendly than conventional options. But note that botanical disinfectants may not work as quickly or thoroughly as bleach, quats or alcohol.

The bottom line: We germaphobes can still delight in killing germs but perhaps not all of them. When I need to clean a spill, I’ll use soap and water or a gentle cleaning spray, not a disinfectant. But after handling raw meat, or when a family member is ill, I’ll reach for the stronger stuff to clean contaminated surfaces, and I’ll make sure to let it sit long enough to work, with the windows open. And while I wait, maybe I’ll have the chance to tidy my house.

Yeah, right.

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