Be safe this Halloween by carrying a flashlight.
But not by carrying one of these from Target.
The firm has received eight reports of flashlights overheating and melting, including one report of burns to the hand.
This recall involves two types of Halloween-themed flashlights: the mini flashlights and flashlights sold with stencils.
Mini Flashlights: The mini flashlights have a key ring extending from the bottom and were sold in a pack of three colors: orange, green and black. The orange and purple packaging has “Mini Flashlights (3 Pack)” printed on the front and “DGI,” “Made in China” and “DPCI# 234-02-1813” printed on the back.
Standard Size Flashlights: Also included in the recall are standard sized flashlights with a black handle and an orange top. The flashlights were sold with six stencils in various colors and images: a pumpkin, ghost, spider, cat, witch and skull & cross-bones. “Flashlight with Stencil” is printed on the front and “Tien Hsing,” “Made in China” and ”234 02 1838” is printed on the back of the packaging.
There's only one thing scarier than a "Nightmare on Elm Street" movie marathon, and that's a clogged drain. Yep, Hitchcock's got nothing on backed-up plumbing.
This is a busy time of the year for the folks at Roto-Rooter, according to their latest newsletter. Why? Because amidst the excitement of carving up the pumpkins and positioning the ghoulish gourds on the front steps for all to see, few people actually stop and think, "Wait, maybe putting these pumpkin guts down the sink isn't such a good idea."
It's understandable. Who wants rotting innards sitting in the trash can for days on end? It's much tidier just to wash the stringy, smelly slop down the drain and be done with it.
Unfortunately, the pulp and seeds soon harden, clogging the drain and disposer. The resulting plumbing bill is enough to scare the socks off of John Carpenter.
So, follow Roto-Rooter's advice this Halloween season. Don't put pumpkin guts down the drain, in the garbage disposal or in the toilet. Wrap them up in newspaper and throw them in the trash, or even better: compost them!
The company that redefined "clean" is taking the flu head-on, by giving away 1,500 free shots at the South Central Family Health Clinic in South Central, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, October 21. The free flu shots will be available from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, and both adults and children will be eligible.
Clorox seems intent on preparing its faithful customers for Outbreak 2010, with an entire page on their site devoted to the latest flu strain.
With homeowners sealing up their windows, doors and walls against the oncoming winter and all its accompanying germs, viruses, and what-have-you, it's a good time to evaluate the indoor air quality (IAQ) of the home. Now might be a good moment to consider an air purifier, or run down this list of the top 10 contributors to poor indoor air quality.
In the meantime, are you getting the flu shot and/or the H1N1 shot this season?
Most people care enough about energy efficiency that they'll make some changes to their own home to lower the bills a few bucks. But wielding the caulk gun at a stranger's house? Isn't that extremist? The volunteers at HEET don't think so. The Massachusetts-based organization combines weatherizing techniques and good ole-fashioned barn raising sensibilities to kill a few birds with one big good-will stone. Improve a home's energy efficiency? Check. Teach participants skills on said topic? Check. Build community? Check.
Their most recent "barn raising" (yes, they really call them that) attracted the attention of fellow blogger Martin LaMonica, who joined 40 others to help weatherize a leaky New England house before Old Man Winter starts his blowing. You can read all about his experience on his CNET GreenTech blog page.
Great concept, great cause. I wonder how many of these groups are cropping up across the country. Have you helped raise a barn lately? What are you doing to winterize your house this season? Get great tips for winterizing on a budget.
As the snow begins to melt and the icicles drip to reveal branches of the tree again, the scene gradually turns into an airborne nightmare of pollen and particulate matter, gusting about the spring air. For those with allergies, this is the worst time of the year.
Luckily, PollenTEC is here to the rescue. It has partnered with a European textile company to produce screens that are designed to block allergens from entering your home while letting in fresh air, so you don't have to shut all the windows and doors on a windy day.
The European Center for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF) has tested the screen on several tree allergens, which are the most prominent triggers for allergies, and their findings verified that 100 percent of grass pollens, 99.71 percent of birch pollens, 93.1 percent of stinging nettle-pollen and 90.9 percent of ragweed pollen were filtered through PollenTec screens. So, if you're anticipating another nose-sniffling, poofy-eyed season, PollenTEC might be able to help.
Looking at my roof this morning, I thought, "How much snow can it take before it starts doing damage?" This "article from Ask the Builder" goes a long way in answering that question. According to the article, the typical roof is designed to accommodate 20 pounds per horizontal square foot. How much snow that is depends on the type of snow. Wet, heavy snow obviously weighs more than the powdery, dry stuff, and ice weighs the most of all. As a general rule, if your roof has over a foot of wet, heavy snow then you are pushing the limit of your roof. Ice is about three times as heavy as wet snow, so only four inches of ice on your roof is trouble. Steep roofs can be cleared by homeowners using a snow roof rake. If you are unable to clear the snow from your roof safely by yourself, call a professional and make sure that pro has Workman's Compensation and liability insurance. You don't want to be on the hook if they injure themselves while working on your home.
Want to surprise your Valentine with a cool gift that also reduces your carbon footprint on the world? The Ultimate Green Store, a Web site designed to teach customers about the importance of going green with their useful and stylish products, has everything from solar power chargers to decorative hemp collars for your dog. I have my eye on a heart charm necklace made by an environmentally responsible gold plating provider found in the Green Hot Valentine’s Sale section (hint to the boyfriend!). The best thing about the Web site? You can read under each description how the product you bought is making that carbon footprint difference.
