• Free Activities. Google your location and ‘free activities’. You may be surprised at the wealth of opportunities for outdoor concerts, free movies (most national chains offer G and PG-rated movies throughout the summer–you really don’t need a child to attend), library activities, park events or free days at local museums. I did this last week in anticipation of a two-week visit from grandsons and filled a calendar with worthwhile, free or very low cost activities.
• Hobbies. Spend some extra time pursuing hobbies that you enjoy. Or start a new hobby, especially ones that require little cash outlay. One summer, my then 11-year-old daughter was confined to home with health issues. She began entering contests on behalf of herself, her parents and family friends. She learned how to be organized, gained communication skills and reaped more than $11,000 in goods, services and cash. Look for local organizations centered around your hobby or something you want to learn. Those that are passionate about something will often willingly share their knowledge with you.
• Stay-cation. All the rage these days to save money and be more ‘green’. Ask your local and state tourist bureaus for information about attractions in your own backyard. Set aside a week and vacation from home. Keep meals simple (or prepare them ahead), minimize housework and PLAY! Go to local monuments, meet interesting people, visit interesting architecture or make a tour of the local parks.
• Libraries. Use your local library to its fullest extent. Check for local programs (I found several really great ones–science expositions, live reptiles, visiting authors), children’s activities, check out DVD’s, books, magazines, etc. Use the library to get information about your local area, books about different areas of the world, cookbooks you have been wanting to try, hobby information and, often, very inexpensive resale books. At our local library, donated children’s books sell for 25 cents, adult paperback for 50 cents and hardbacks for $1.
• Visit Another Country (no passport required). Set aside a week to ‘explore’ another country. Go to the library and check out books, cookbooks, videos, etc. about a part of the world you want to visit. Encourage children to make up costumes, dances, musical numbers, art work, etc. common to that area of the world. Write to that country’s embassy (ahead of time) and ask for information about their country. If there is an embassy or consulate in your area, ask about visiting. See if there is a local group of citizens or descendents of immigrants from your country of choice. Visit them or invite someone over. Finish up the week with a great ‘fair’ featuring all you have learned and gathered. Try recipes from your country of choice, wear your costumes and have the children put on an art show.
• Set A Theme. Do your children love animals? Legos? Water play? Set aside a week to focus on a theme and practice being silly. Animals? Visit the local animal shelter and pet the animals. Visit a zoo. Or a vet’s office (with prior approval). Or a local farmer/rancher. Have a digital camera? Set up a ‘photo shoot’ of the stuffed animals as though they were wild animals. Legos? Set aside a lego week. See if there is a local Lego building enthusiasts group. Set aside a large area in the house for a massive Lego build that can stay up all week. Lady & Gentleman Camp. Spend a week learning the finer points of manners & social graces. The finale could be a meal at a nice restaurant or an at home ‘fine dining’ experience. Invite friends over for everyone to practice with. Princesses? Pirates? Sea Animals? Horses? Need ideas? Look online for party themes and coordinated ideas. There are many free downloadables, forums and other sources for great ideas.
• Practice The Silly. Let your inner-child out. Play with bubbles. Lay a sheet out on the floor, set an electric popcorn popper in the middle, remove the lid & let the popcorn fly! Have an Easter egg hunt in the middle of the summer. Make batches of homemade play-doh and have fun together. Set up a tent outside or in the basement. Play pirates. Have a treasure hunt. Set the timer and see how fast you can clean the house. Eat from paper plates. Have a backwards day–dinner for breakfast and pancakes for dinner while you wear clothes backwards or inside out. Let the children be parents for a few hours or a day. Develop a family language or secret code. Catch fireflies. Dress up in costumes and act out a play.
• Learn New Skills. Utilize summer days to learn a new recipe, teach your children or yourself to cook, sew, clean, mend, first aid, cake decorating, outdoor skills, canning, car maintenance, baking, home repairs, orienteering, bird watching, couponing, how to tell a joke…the list goes on and on. Utilize Boy Scout merit badge books to learn new skills. Invite an experienced Boy Scout over to teach you new skills–it will be good for all of you. USE THE LIBRARY!
• Prepare For School. Shop at thrift stores, yard sales, dollar stores, sales, etc. to start gathering the supplies and clothes you will need for the beginning of school. Set everything aside and label it as needed. Clean the house thoroughly. Don’t forget to schedule required physicals or eye exams NOW to avoid the school opening rush. Preparing slowly over a course of weeks will make it more enjoyable, less stressful and likely save you money.
• Practice Readiness Skills. A quiet summer evening is a perfect time to have a surprise ‘evacuation drill.’ See how fast it takes you to grab your 72-hour kit, your shoes, etc and get out of the house. Pile everyone in the car and go out for an ice cream cone. Make it a game to check the smoke detectors, locate the water shut off valve, find the gas shut off & required wrench.
• Surprise Santa. Start getting ready for Christmas & holiday gift giving during the summer months. Have your children begin making gifts for teachers, friends and family members. Utilize summer photos to make albums, notecards, etc. Use inexpensive rubber stamps or make your own with vegetables & produce custom wrapping paper. Label & store everything carefully and you’ll be ahead of the holiday crazies. Make up your holiday budget now and talk to family members about holiday plans.
• Redecorate. Now would be a great time to redecorate a child’s room. Give them a strong voice in the decision making and work together to choose colors, low-cost accessories, ‘upcycle’ thrift store or at home finds and remember to enjoy the experience.
• Visit Others. Visit friends or make new friends by visiting an assisted living or nursing care facility. Call ahead to make arrangements. If your family has specific talents, see if you can share them with the residents.
• Spa Day. Schedule a day to do manicures, pedicures, long soaks, etc. at home. Relax. Read a good book. Watch an uplifting or touching video. Listen to soothing music and consciously unwind.
• Service. Serve those around you. Cook dinner for a homeless shelter. Collect items for a women’s shelter. Visit shut ins. Tie a quilt for newborn babies. Write letters to military members. Cook dinner for a new mother. Look for opportunities to serve one-on-one.
• Old-Fashioned Fun. Our forefathers (& mothers) did not rely on commercial entertainment to enjoy the seasons. Look to yesteryear for fun & memorable summer activities such as picnics, visiting parks, games, musical evenings, at-home plays & puppet shows, nature walks, reading, fishing, etc. Learning new games and activities can not only be fun, but educational.
• Prepare Halloween Costumes. While you are out shopping yard sales and thrift stores, or honing your sewing skills, think ahead to Halloween. Have your children plan out a costume and look for the components while visiting yard sales, etc. Or use freecycle to find just what you are looking for.
• Clear The Clutter. Set aside a few hours a week to clear the clutter from your home. Safety check toys & equipment. Donate excess stuff to a worthwhile charity. Host an exchange day–friends & family bring the ’stuff’ they don’t want and exchange for your stuff that they might be able to use.
• Laugh & Enjoy The Time! Whatever you choose to do, use this time to bond with those you love. Enjoy being together and build memories of laughter, family and friends!

And don’t forget the sunscreen & sunglasses when you go outside.

Though you cannot lower the pollen count outside, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce the impact you feel. Also remember that the typical symptoms of allergies, runny nose, sneezing, itching, eyes watering, may seem to be no more than a nuisance, inflamed nasal passages and congested sinus’ can lead to more serious issues such as sinus infections, respiratory involvement and even life-threatening anaphylaxis. Consult your physician if your symptoms are not under control or suddenly worsen.

In the meantime, try these simple methods of gaining some relief from the down side of Spring’s splendor:

1. Make your bed every morning. I know, I know this sounds like your Mom speaking. Simply throwing the bedspread up over your pillows keeps a certain amount of dust and pollen from your pillow.

2. Frequently launder your bedding, including the mattress pad.

3. Shower before you go to bed and wash your hair. Your body & hair collect pollen all through the day. Don’t go to bed with it.

4. Keep your windows shut in the car & house, especially in the early morning and evening. Use your a/c and frequently change the filters.

5. Use nasal cleaning devices such as a Neti pot or saline spray. Spritzing out your nasal passages removes dust and pollen as it first enters the body. Be sure to ask your doctor first if you have chronic sinus problems and discontinue if you experience pain. Some people have very narrow sinus passages or other physiological issues that make using a Neti pot inadvisable.

6. Launder your clothing frequently. Don’t rehang clothing in your closet that you have worn in high pollen areas.

7. Frequently wash your dog. If you family has serious allergies, consider getting rid of hairy pets. Even if you are not allergic to the pet, the animal’s fur carries pollen, et al into your house and deposits it everywhere.

8. Invest in appropriate pillow and mattress covers that prevent the build up of allergens.

9. In the case of serious allergies, consider removing as many fibers as possible from sleeping areas. This includes carpet, drapery, bed drapings, etc.

10. Dust frequently with a damp or electrostatically charged micro-fiber cloth that traps dust instead of spreading it about.

11. Invest in a vacuum with a good HEPA filter. Vacuum frequently.

12. Remove dead leaves and other lingering vegetation from around your house. Last fall’s leaves are growing mold! If you are the allergy sufferer, have someone else do this job or wear a respirator.

13. Sanitize your shower curtains and bathrooms frequently to remove mold and mildew spores. Adding salt to the rinse cycle can cut down on mold & mildew.

14. Remove as many dyes, phospates and fragrances from your home that you can possibly manage. This includes laundry detergents, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, air fresheners, ‘plug-ins’, deodorants, shampoos, soaps, etc. Consider using ‘old fashioned’ cleaning solutions such as baking soda, salt, vinegar, borax and plain old elbow grease!

15. Reduce the clutter so that you can dust and vacuum with less hassle.

Remember, there are a wide range of allergy products available by prescription and over-the-counter. Be certain to speak with your healthcare provider about what options may be open to you!

And try to enjoy the Spring foliage!

Being able to easily and safely decontaminate water is an essential skill for everyone. Though you can use a variety of methods (including boiling, chemical treatment or distillation), one group has developed what may be the simplest method to date.

SODIS (Solar Water Disinfection) has been proven to kill the germs which cause human illness. By learning this simple technique, you can be assured that you will be able to purify questionable water in nearly any circumstance. Whether you are camping, dealing with a disaster or traveling in a country with questionable water, this method can literally save your life.

In order to effectively disinfect water, you must begin with fairly clear water. If the water has debris, sand, dirt, etc in it, strain it repeatedly until it is clear. Place water in a clean PET bottle (such as juice or water comes in) that holds 3 liters or less. The bottle must be clear or have only a slight blue tinge to it. You must remove the label from the bottle and be certain that the bottle does not have a large number of scratches or other discolorations on it.

Once filled, tighten the lid securely. Place the bottle lying down in FULL sun for at least 6 hours. It is critical that the bottle be lying down, NOT standing up. If possible, place the bottle on a reflective surface such as a piece of tin or aluminum. Though not necessary, the reflective surface will speed up the disinfection process. If the day is cloudy, lengthen the time to 48 hours. If there is a cool or cold wind blowing, shelter the bottles from the wind.

Water that has been treated by this method should be drunk from the bottle or poured into a clean cup. Contamination often occurs when the water is poured from the bottle into a less-than-clean drinking container.

Storing a few clear plastic PET bottles (which should be marked as such) is a simple, inexpensive way to be prepared to purify that most essential of liquids-water.

For more information about this process and a downloadable flyer, visit:

http://www.sodis.ch/index_EN

http://www.citizencorps.gov/news/webcasts.shtm.

The webinar is a good 30-minute over view of the types of materials and insurance you need to have and organize. Additionally, Operation Hope has several free pdf’s available that will help you organize information that all of us need access to. Similar to the ‘What If?’ notebook found at;

http://www.dailypreparedness.com/2008/10/the-what-if-notebook/

the Operation Hope materials will help you organize contact, legal, financial and medical information that you may need to grab in an emergency. It would be advisable to download the free pdfs and modify them to your needs.

This type of organizational process is critical to a successful life. Though most of us will never face a large-scale natural disaster, we will all face personal crisis, disaster or disruption that will require us to quickly locate vital information. Additionally, everyday life is made easier when we can efficiently locate information that we need to manage the ‘practical’ aspects of life.

When your notebook is complete, be certain that you protect as you would any other sensitive personal information. Store it in an inconspicuous place (such as with photo albums or other notebooks) and restrict access to family members. You might want to consider keeping a copy in your safe deposit box, with a trusted relative and digitally.

Take 30 minutes to listen to the webinar and then involve your entire family in preparing your own ‘What If?’ notebook that you can grab ‘n go or refer to in a moment’s notice!

To speed up your inspection, here is a handy dandy checklist of items you should check!

1. Kitchen

• Turn on all of the light switches. Wait an hour and see if any are warm. If they are, have an electrician check them for shorts.
• Change the filters in your refrigerator and sink (if you have one).
• Check appliance cords for signs of wear and tear.
• Clean the inside of your dishwasher. Set the washer for a short cycle. Once it is filled with water, carefully open the dishwasher and add one gallon of white vinegar. Continue with the cycle. When completed, wipe down the interior. Check the gaskets for signs of damage.
• Be certain your drains are running easily. A simple way to refresh the drains and garbage disposal is to pour a cup of baking soda down the drain. Add up to a quart of vinegar and stand back. Leave mixture alone for an hour and then flush with hot water.
• Check window trims for signs of leaking or loose caulk.
• Remove and clean the filter on your range hood. Clean the hood thoroughly.
• Check the microwave. Clean it thoroughly. Food particles adhering to the interior may be growing bacteria. When you microwave something new, these particles may fall on your food.
• Run the oven through a self-cleaning phase or clean with an oven cleaner. (Be sure to wear gloves and open a window)
• Check under the sink for signs of leaks. Consider installing inexpensive water leak detectors. (These battery operated devices are available for less than $20 at any home improvement store. They should be placed near any area where you think a leak may occur–under sinks, near hot water heaters, sump pumps, basement doors, etc. They emit a loud, piercing alarm as soon as they detect water.)
• Pull out the stove and clean under it. Grease trapped under a stove can become a fire hazard. Food stuff can attract vermin you don’t want.
• Check the cabinets for signs of insects or other unwanted guests.
• Have a fire extinguisher handy and check the expiration date.

2. Bathrooms

• Check cabinets, tub, shower & toilets for signs of leak & install inexpensive water leak detectors.
• Place a few drops of food coloring in the tank of toilet. Check back in an hour or two. If the water in the bowl is colored, you need to replace the flap valve unit in the tank.
• Test any ground fault circuit breakers that you have.
• Check shower curtain liners for signs of mold or mildew. Replace if needed.
• Check caulk around all surfaces. There should be no breaks, cracks or spots that are showing signs of mold.
• Clean out medicine cabinets and dispose of expired prescription or OTC meds.
• Clean drains as above in kitchen section. Make sure toilet is running well & filling appropriately.

3. Entire House

• Replace batteries in all smoke/fire/carbon monoxide detectors. Test and clean units.
• Replace furnace/air filters. Check duct work for signs of dirt or corrosion. Clean vents.
• Replace light bulbs as needed. Be certain all light bulbs are the appropriate wattage for the fixture.
• Clean dryer lint trap under running water. Check outside exhaust for lint build up. Clean lint trap. Clean under and around dryer. (Lint is highly flammable!)
• Have furnace and a/c unit inspected and serviced. You can do a preliminary inspection by looking for signs of corrosion, scale, funny noises or odd smells. If you suspect a gas leak LEAVE and call for professional help. If there is a serious gas leak, LEAVE and call 911.
• Have chimney cleaned if you used it over the winter. Chimney fires can smolder for hours before erupting.
• Clean out the fireplace. Remove all ash and clean all surfaces.
• Clean your clothes washer as you did your dishwasher. Install water detector alarm.
• Check area around your sump pump for signs of wear or corrosion. Consider installing a back-up battery operated unit. Install water detector alarm.
• Check all light switches as described in kitchen section.
• Check all water supply lines (don’t forget the line to the refrigerator) for signs of wear, corrosion, cracks or leaks. Test the shut off valves to make sure they work (and you know where they are!)
• Check all power cords.
• Check ceilings for signs of water leaks. If you see any, have your roof inspected (See below).
• Check all windows and doors for air leaks. Inspect caulking and weather stripping.
• Protect your valuable appliances, computers, TVs, etc with surge protectors. Consider installing a whole house surge protector.
• Inspect and test your security alarm system.
• Consult your owner’s manual and check your hot water heater. Install water detection alarm!
• Test the batteries in your water detection alarms.
• Check the attic for signs of leaks, birds, rodents, insects or missing/damaged installation.
• Vacuum upholstery and mattresses. Wash mattress and pillow covers as recommended.
• Inspect stair railings. Be certain they are snug and do not flex inappropriately.
• Inspect beds and cribs used by children. Be certain they are safe & secure.
• Inspect any child safety gates that you have installed.
• If you use child safety devices such as outlet plugs, cabinet locks, etc. inspect them.
• As you put away your child’s toys, sleds, winter gear, etc. inspect for loose parts, damage, etc.

4. Outside Grab some binoculars and head out into the fresh air!

• Stand away from the house and using binoculars, inspect your roof for signs of damage. Look for shingles that are missing, curling or bending at odd angles. Look at the roof ridge vent and check for loose portions or signs of wear. Look at the flashing around chimneys, checking for signs of corrosion, cracks, separation or lifting from the roof. Look at the siding under the roof eaves. If you see damage, this may indicate that an ice dam caused damage to the roof and the siding.
• If you see damage to your roof, get estimates from at least three different roofers. Be certain repair estimates are in writing and that the company offers a solid guarantee. Be extremely cautious in attempting any repairs to your own roof.
• Inspect your gutters. Again, use your binoculars and look for separation from the roof line, cracks, clogs, corrosion or bending of the gutter line. If you see damage, get several estimates.
• Use those binoculars again to scan any power lines above or around your house. Report any concerns to the appropriate utility. Be certain that trees are not encroaching on lines. NEVER attempt to work near a power line.
• Clean or have your gutters cleaned. Be certain that run-off positions are causing the water to run away from the foundation of your home. Install extenders if necessary.
• Clear debris, leaves and foliage from your foundation. Plants should encourage water to flow away from your home. Having plants up against the foundation encourages water retention, rodents & insects.
• With your binoculars, inspect all trees around your home. Look for limbs that show signs of breaking, strain or hanging at odd angles. Look for branches or limbs that have broken off but are stuck on lower branches of the tree. Consider hiring a professional to remove any damaged limbs. Again, get multiple estimates.
• If you are storing large amounts of water, this is a good time to drain the barrels, clean them and refill them. Look for signs of corrosion, damage, etc.
• Check your deck! Look for water stains where the deck attaches to the house. Ongoing water damage can weaken the deck and your home. Consult a professional (remember estimates) if you suspect damage of this sort. Look for signs of rot, loose boards, shaky handrails, nails pulling loose and splinters.
• Clean your deck to rid it of moss and mold. Reseal if needed.
• Check your foundation for cracks. If you see any, mark with tape and check again in a few months. If they remain stable, simply fill with an epoxy or foam product. If the cracks increase, consult a structural engineer.
• Check the foundation area for pellet-shaped droppings or shed wings from termites.
• Be certain that the ground around the foundation slopes away at about 1″ per foot. If needed, add compacted soil to increase slope.
• Fill in any low spots where water pools. Near the house, these can lead to foundation leaks. Away from the house, they are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
• Remove branches and other debris from your yard.
• Move firewood well away from house.
• Fill in gaps in siding or foundation with expanding foam product.
• Inspect your siding for signs of damage. Repaint as needed.
• Inspect all wood surfaces. Gently probe with a screwdriver. If you feel the wood give way, you may need to replace it. Repaint and caulk as needed.
• Inspect brick work for signs of cracking or chipping away of the brick. If a brick surface is damaged, reseal it with an appropriate product.
• Inspect your driveway and walkways for cracks, fissures or chipped areas. Repair to prevent falls.
• Check outside hose faucets for damage. Be certain they shut off completely and that there are no interior leaks when they are used. Check hoses for rot, cracks, wear, etc.
• Have a qualified technician inspect and service your a/c unit now before it gets hot! There are still tax credits available for upgrading units.

5. Garage and Cars

• Check your garage for oil stains and clean.
• Inspect the ceiling/under side of the roof for signs of leaking.
• Sweep up any spills. Be especially careful to sweep up spills of ice melting chemicals.
• Dispose of old chemicals, cleaning agents, paints, etc per local regulations.
• Thoroughly test your garage door:  Place a 2×4 or other 4″ structure on the floor where the garage door closes. Close the garage door. When the door hits the 4″ structure, it should immediately reverse direction. Next, cover an electric eye as the door is closing. The door should stop immediately and reverse. (You may be able to easily adjust the eye. If you cannot, see below) Next, disengage the electric garage door opener and open the door manually. It should rise and lower easily and evenly. If the door fails any of these tests, have a professional inspect and repair it.
• Inspect the exterior of your garage door for signs of flaking paint, leaks, water damage, etc.
• Wash the inside and outside of your cars. Chemicals and sand used to treat snowy/icy streets are hard on your car’s interior and exterior. Vacuum the carpets thoroughly.
• Check tire pressure, oil, washer fluid, antifreeze, etc.
• Look at the car’s engine. Inspect belts and hoses for signs of cracks, wear or weakness.
• Check the a/c coolant level.

A few hours in these early days of Spring may very well save you hours, dollars and heartache later on. These inspections can be done quickly, easily and spread out over time. Enjoy the beautiful weather and stay safe!

1. Know that the elderly and chronically ill are the most likely to be victims of medication errors. Both groups are most likely to have a larger than average number of prescription medications prescribed for them.

2. Children may be at a higher risk because their smaller body size makes it more likely that a dosing or drug interaction error will cause serious harm or death.

3. FULLY UNDERSTAND that medication errors can be fatal.

4. When prescribed a medication, be certain that the doctor explains why you are being prescribed this medication, what the medication should do for you, what the side effects are and how you should take the medication. For instance, should it be taken with meals, before a meal, at bedtime, etc.

5. Always provide every health care professional (including the pharmacist) with a complete list of ALL prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, supplements, herbal products, homeopathic remedies and vitamins that you take. Include the name of the medication, the dosage, how long you have been taking it and the medication’s use.

6. Understand that there is limited, peer-reviewed science based research into the interaction of herbal products, supplements and homepathic remedies. Most of these substances are NOT tested by independent peer-reviewed research nor their quality and potency regulated. Be certain that you fully research any ‘natural’ product that is recommended to you. Many of these products are the ‘natural’ version of powerful prescription medications. For instance, foxglove is merely natural digitalis, which can alter heart rhythms. Echinacea can lead to permanent liver damage, especially if used in combination with other medications/supplements. Prescription medications can interact with a wide range of products and there is, again, limited knowledge as to the interaction of prescription (or over-the-counter medications) and ‘alternative therapies’. Even simple vitamins can lead to overdoses and drug interactions.

7. Before taking a new medication, know how the drug is supposed to help you and all possible side effects.

8. Know what your medications look like. If you receive a new prescription and the medication looks different, do not take it until you speak with a pharmacist. Preferably, the pharmacy will have alerted you to a change in the appearance of your medication.

9. If hospitalized, ask what each medication you are being given is and what it is for. Competent staff will tell you the name of the medication before giving it to you. If they do not, be extra cautious. Again, if the medication looks different than what you normally see, ask!! Know what the dosage prescribed is. If something seems ‘off’, stop and ask to speak to a supervisor. My daughter was nearly killed in a hospital when a nurse attempted to administer 100 times the prescribed dose of a pain killer. The nurse had ‘misread’ where the decimal point was.

10. If the dosage and frequency of taking a medication is different than your physician told you, ASK questions!

11. Be certain that you are taking your medications exactly as prescribed. Regularly review the instructions on your prescription bottles!

12. If you take multiple medications, or care for someone who does, consider using a medication minder container. Many types are available at a variety of price points. These specially designed containers can be a great help in being certain that you are taking your medications as prescribed. This is vitally important for the elderly or anyone who may have memory issues.

13. Periodically review with your physician the medications you are taking. Each office visit should include a review of your medication, including when you need a new prescription written. Again, the elderly are most likely to have too many medications prescribed for them, often creating secondary problems. If a new symptom appears, ask the pharmacist if this could be a reaction to a medication.

14. When prescribed a medication, ask if there is a generic alternative which may save you money. Often, prescribers will merely write for the newest medication when an older, proven medication may work just as well. Also ask if there is an alternative to medication. Could you achieve the same results through lifestyle or diet changes?

15. Choose carefully and use one pharmacy for all of your prescriptions. Some points to consider when choosing a pharmacy:

• Is there a pharmacist available to answer all of your questions?
• Know the role of pharmacy technicians. Though they may perform many tasks within a pharmacy, including accepting prescriptions from you, they should not be answering questions about your medication’s interactions, uses and side effects.
• Does the pharmacist have time to talk to you in person or on the phone? If not, they may be over-worked which leads to more errors. Some pharmacies evaluate pharmacists on the number or prescriptions they fill per hour, not the number of customers they serve.
• Does the pharmacist answer your questions about drug interactions? If you are on medications for serious pain, heart problems, liver disease or kidney disease (or other serious long-term illnesses), be certain that you ask the pharmacist before taking over-the-counter, herbal or supplement preparations. Pharmacists should be able to answer your questions, with the exception of some herbal & ‘natural’ remedies that have not been well researched.
• Is the pharmacy efficient? Are prescriptions filled when they say they will be? An efficient pharmacy should be able to estimate when your prescription will be ready and alert you to possible delays. If they are chronically misrepresenting the time it will take to fill a prescription, they may be over-worked, under-staffed and more prone to errors.
• Can you understand the pharmacist? You should be able to freely communicate with this important member of your health care team!
• Be certain that the pharmacy has up-to-date software that warns of drug interactions, low/high dose alerts, LASA error checking (Look alike/sound alike) and patient allergies. Be certain that the pharmacist is aware of your drug and food allergies. Some food allergies can significantly impact the medications you can be prescribed.
• Is the pharmacy concerned with your privacy? Pharmacy staff should never announce the medication they are filling for you in a way that others might over hear.
• Does the pharmacy alert you when the appearance of your medication has changed?
• Does the pharmacy provide you with an information sheet that describes the appearance of your medication, possible side effects and uses of the medication?
• Does your pharmacy communicate efficiently with your physician’s office? Some communication errors are due to delays in the doctor’s office, but pharmacy staff should be able to up date you on their progress.
• Does your pharmacist relay information to you effectively? If they say they will get back to you, do they? Do they call you if there is a problem with a refill?
• Will your pharmacist attempt to answer your questions with research? We have had multiple times where a great pharmacist will go to extraordinary lengths to be certain that a medication is safe. This has included the pharmacist calling the pharmaceutical company for further information. This type of dedication can, literally, safe your life and you SHOULD EXPECT IT!
• Remember that the pharmacist is your safe guard when it comes to medications! They should have the most up-to-date and effective means by which you can be protected from possible allergic reactions or drug interactions. They are the trained professional when it comes to medication management!

16. Keep your medication information confidential and safe. Remove prescription labels from empty bottles before discarding. Likewise, shred information sheets or other paperwork that details what medications are in your home. Do not discuss publicly or post online medications you take. Theft of prescription drugs is on the rise.

17. Teach your children to never take medication (again, including ‘natural’ products) from someone other than you or a licensed health care professional.

18. Discard of out dated medications safely. Be especially vigilant about medications you may not take regularly, such as epi-pens or inhalers. Check their expiration date and get refills when needed.

19. Store your medicaitons safely. Know if the medication needs to be refrigerated. In general, most medications need to be protected from moisture, light and extremes in temperature.

20. Don’t run out! Be certain to carry vital medications with you and refill your prescriptions BEFORE you run out. Most insurers will allow you to refill a prescription seven days prior to the day you will run out.

21. KEEP YOUR MEDICATIONS OUT OF THE HANDS OF CHILDREN! Keep all medications, including vitamins, away from children. Be certain that visitors to your home safe guard any medication they have. Many children suffer overdoses while exploring Grandma’s luggage or purse.

Though there are many medical errors we cannot prevent, medication errors can often be prevented through our own vigilance, common sense and just a bit of time. Be wise, be cautious and be healthy!

In order to protect yourself from these unscrupulous vultures, follow these suggestions:

• Never link through an unsolicited charity email. Go to the charity’s own website from your own web browser. Be certain that the site is legitimate.
• The newest scams involve virus-laden websites that infect your computer with a virus and then cause a virus alert message to appear. It then tries to sell you virus protection software, which is actually malware. These sites will pop up if you search for Haiti and earthquake.
• Before giving to any charity, know what percentage of your donation will go to aid, what percentage may be diverted to other causes and what percentage is for ‘overhead’.
• Know that in most cases, the best thing you can give after a disaster is cash. Truckloads of clothing, furniture & bedding are often left to rot because there is no mechanism to distribute it after a large disaster.
• If you have goods that can be sold, sell them and donate the cash to a reputable charity.
• Do not respond to unsolicited phone calls pleading for money.
• Do not give cash to individuals coming to your home, place of business or in public asking for donations in the name of a charity. Instead, give directly to the charity.
• Ask if the charity is a 501c3. Ask to see their annual report. Ask for contact information for the headquarters. If they refuse to answer your questions, don’t donate.
• Beware of text message donations. You will most likely be paying the texting charges and fighting a fraudulent charge may be difficult. Also, do not text credit card or other personal information.
• If donating online, do so only through reputable charities’ websites and only those that begin with https
• The safest way to make a donation is with a check made out to the charity. You will then have a ready-made receipt for tax purposes.
• Ask the charity what help they are currently providing in the area. How many people are they currently serving? What other organizations are they working with?
• Do an internet search for the charity in question. Look for independent news reports of aid they are currently providing in the area they claim to be serving.
• Ask the charity what will happen to excess funds collected. How will they use them?
• Never give out your credit card or bank information over the phone, especially when the phone call is unsolicited.
• With any phone solicitation, ask the caller to send written materials. Do not donate unless they do so. Even then, be cautious.
• Know that countless ‘charities’ and ‘foundations’ prey on the elderly. They send statements that look like bills, rely on their instinctive generosity and employ a variety of other unsavory techniques. If you have elderly family members, watch their bank accounts for such donations. Some frauds include using the information on checks sent in to set up automatic electronic withdrawals.
• Avoid giving to newly established charities, especially after a major disaster.
• Every state attorney general’s office will have information on legitimate and fraudulent charities. If you believe that you have encountered a fraudulent charity, contact the AG office immediately.
• Decide what you can reasonably afford to donate and donate it to a legitimate charity of your choice. When you are asked for donations by others, simply say, “We’ve already donated.”

One of the most effective and fast-responding charities is LDS Humanitarian Services. 100% of your donation will go to assist others, not only in times of disaster but with a wide range of truly wonderful programs. A link to a rapid donation form is available at www.lds.org. For further information about other ways you can support worthwhile efforts around the world, go to http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services/

Do not become a secondary casuality of disaster. Be wise in your charitable giving and be certain that your generosity goes to those you wish to aid!

If the ease and final results weren’t enough, consider that the bread is fat-free, low sodium, super cheap and requires you to purchase only one item you may not own–a silicone baking sheet. (Check Wal-mart for a Wilton silicone sheet priced at about $5) You can also opt to use parchment paper on a cookie sheet.

How to begin? Find a food grade plastic container that holds about 5 quarts. It should have a lid, but the lid does NOT need to be air tight. You do NOT want to clamp the lid down, just cover the dough. A ‘cake saver’ type container will work as will an icing container from your local bakery. You will mix and store your dough in this container.

Basic Recipe: (Makes four 1-lb loaves)

3 cups lukewarm water (should just feel warm to you)

1 1/2 tablespoons granulated yeast (this is about 1.5 packets)

1 1/2 tablespoons Kosher or other coarse salt (if you use table salt, reduce to 1 tablespoon)

6 1/2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour

Cornmeal for baking surface

Pour water into your container. Add yeast and salt, stirring to at least partially dissolve the yeast. Don’t worry if the yeast isn’t perfectly dissolved.

Measure your flour by gently scooping the measuring cup into your flour and then scraping the top of the cup with a knife. Add flour to liquid mixture and stir with a heavy spoon. You can opt to use a mixer or large capacity food processor with a dough hook, but I have found that a sturdy spoon does just fine and you don’t have another thing to clean up.

As you mix in flour, scrape down the sides of the container frequently and work all of the flour mixture into the liquid. This will take only a few minutes. You may need to ‘poke’ the center of your dough blob as you mix in order to get the liquid completely distributed. You will not be kneading the dough!

You are finished mixing when everything is uniform and you can’t see any dry spots. The dough will be wet and sticky looking.

Cover the dough with the lid–remember it should not be air tight! Let the dough sit for at least 2 hours at room temperature. If you need to leave it longer, don’t worry. I’ve let it sit on the counter as long as 4 or 5 hours and the bread was just fine!

If you want to bake bread at this point, you can. Or, you can simply put the container in the refrigerator and store for up to two weeks. Refrigerated dough is easier to handle than room temperature dough, but either temperature works fine. If you want to add a sour dough flavor & texture, simply use the same container repeatedly without washing between bread batches. The dough does ‘age’ as stored, producing a better, stronger flavor and slightly different texture.

Dough can also be frozen in 1 loaf sizes. Place dough in a plastic bag and freeze. To thaw, leave in refrigerator overnight and then continue on with instructions.

When you are ready to bake, cover a cookie sheet with the parchment paper or the silicone baking mat. Liberally cover the baking surface needed for the loaf of bread with corn meal. Use a serrated knife and hack off a piece of dough about the size of a large grapefruit. Again, this is not a precise science.

Gently form your glob of dough into a round mound. This should take about 30 to 60 seconds. You are NOT kneading the bread, simply rounding it. The top side of the dough will look fairly smooth while the bottom is likely to look ‘ragged’. This is just fine!

Place the dough on the prepared baking surface and allow to rise about 40 minutes. The loaf will not completely rise in this time. The rising will continue while it is baking. Again, I’ve left it sitting on the counter for over 90 minutes and the bread was fine. A bit fluffier than the shorter rising time, but still great. You do not need to cover the bread while it is rising.

Begin preheating your oven to 450F about 20 minutes before you are ready to bake. Place a broiler pan, cake pan or several loaf pans filled with water on a lower shelf of the oven.

After the 20 minute preheat, liberally coat the top side of your loaf with flour. Using a serrated knife and quick slashing motions, cut a 1/4 inch deep gash across the top of your loaf. You can get creative here and create stars, tic-tac-toe, or cross designs.

Place the prepared dough in the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until it is golden brown.

The hardest part? The bread really is best when allowed to cool completely on a wire rack.

I have purposefully messed up several steps of the recipe to see what would happen. For the most part, you really can’t mess this up! I’ve over-baked, under-baked (that is worse than over-baking), left lumps in the dough and badly shaped loaves. I’ve cut it hot–sometimes you just can’t resist it–and stored it in the open overnight. Overall, this is truly the simplest, best, cheapest bread you will ever produce.

The final product is better than any bread I have purchased in the U.S. and the price can’t be beat!

Once you master the basic recipe, you can start adding herbs, roasted garlic, cheese or a wide variety of other ingredients. You can experiment with shapes, double the recipe, reduce the recipe size and substitute part of the unbleached flour for wholewheat, oats, rye, etc.

Happy Baking!

P.S. One final note. Before beginning this bread experiment, I had never used a silicone baking mat. Now, I think every kitchen needs one. Your cookies will be perfect and the clean up is a breeze with these wonderful inventions. You really can’t burn anything on them that won’t come clean. Someone else cooked dinner at my house and literally caught the oven on fire with a volcanic strength over-run of marinade and sauce. There were flames in the oven and the smoke damage is still being cleaned up. The cookie sheet under the meat and the rack the meat was on went in the trash. The oven has been cleaned three or four times and yet ‘blobs’ still re-appear. The silicone baking mat? With a little bit of hot water and dish soap–good as new! Absolutely miraculous.

One man caught in the Haiti earthquake found his way to safety relatively quickly with the aid of a small, inexpensive flashlight. This one small device, clamped to his cell phone, allowed him to pick his way through the rubble and find safe shelter after the devastating earthquake. Though we may never encounter an earthquake, there are a myriad of situations that could leave us stranded in the midst of chaos. Thinking and planning ahead of time are your best defenses!

In addition to your home-based 72-hour kit and your automobile emergency kit, considering preparing small kits that you keep in your office, briefcase and luggage. College dorm rooms should all have at least the basics! The size and quantity of items you place in your kit will be determined by where you store it. For most items, look for ‘mini’ versions in the travel and sports sections of discount stores. Your basic ‘To Go’ Kit should include:

1. Small flashlight and batteries. Store batteries outside of the flashlight. Many companies also sell really small flashlights that can be clamped on to your keys or cell phone. Such flashlights do not have always have easily replaceable batteries, but will provide instant light to help you locate your other supplies. Remember, too, that many cell phones can become temporary flashlights when their screens illuminate.

2. Long term water. ‘Water Blox’ and similar brands of water designed for long term storage at a variety of temperatures are readily available.

3. Power Bars. Store several high calorie bars, either ones from the grocery store or the type certified by the Coast Guard.

4. Heavy duty trashbags. Trashbags can become a variety of things including weather protection, shelter, blocking air, etc.

5. Small roll of duct tape. A brightly colored or fluorescent mini-roll would be the best option.

6. ‘Swiss Army’ type knife. One of the most compact styles is the size of a credit card. Make sure you have one with scissors and don’t forget to remove it from your carry-on luggage.

7. Hand sanitizer.

8. Cash and coins. Remember that a mini-M&M tube will hold quarters and rolled bills.

9. ‘Space blanket’. These are lightweight and can be used for protection from the cold as well as signalling.

10. Pocket sized tissues.

11. Feminine hygiene products. In addition to the obvious, they make great pressure bandages.

12. N-95 mask. Many disasters involve large amounts of contaminated dust and other particles. Get a mask that fits tightly against your mouth and nose.

13. Local map. If you had to walk home from your office, would you know the best route? What about alternate routes? Mark your map with the homes of friends, fire stations, police stations & hospitals. Use a fine point permanent marker and code your marks such as ‘F’ for friend, ‘P’ for police, ‘H’ for hospital.

14. First aid supplies. Pack as many as you can in the space you have available.

15. Backpack. Being able to easily carry what you have is critical. For a mini-kit, consider a ‘fanny pack’ or small backpack that is lightweight and folds compactly.

16. Communications. Cell phone with phone numbers & email addresses (include out of town family contact as well as local friends), a small radio, paper, pencil, permanent marker. If you are leaving your office, leave behind a note that states your name, time & date you left and where you are headed.

17. Medications. If you must have daily or emergency medications, ALWAYS carry at least a 3-day supply with you. This would include medications for allergies, heart condition, blood pressure, diabetes, asthma or any other condition that could become critical without medication.

18. Walking shoes and socks. Your office kit should include a pair of closed toe shoes and socks that you can walk well in.

19. A few waterproof matches.

20. Compass. There are many small ones available in sporting good stores.

21. Whistle. Whistles are critical for signaling. Purchase a sturdy plastic one. There are some on the market that combine a whistle, flashlight and compass.

22. A change of clothes. If your workplace, or surrounding area, were affected by a biochemical incident, you would need to be able to change your clothes. Pack clothes that can be layered.

23. ID card. Have a card in your kit with your name, home address, phone number, emergency contact, blood type & any pertinent medical history.

Instead of evacuating, circumstances may require you to remain in your office for several days. The supplies in your kit will make such a situation safer and more comfortable.

In addition to supplies, set goals to learn some basic skills such as first aid, basic signaling and hiking.

Mentally prepare yourself. Know the most likely disasters that could occur in your area—are they natural or man made disasters? Think through evacuation routes and develop a family communications plan. If you are in a carpool, make a plan for meeting in the case of an evacuation order.

If you are traveling internationally, especially in less developed countries, register your trip with the U.S. Embassy or consulate. Know where the embassy is!

Always remember that immediately after any major disaster, you are most likely going to have to rely on yourself and those around you. Planning and preparation will be your greatest allies!

First, the skills:

1. How to identify and care for fabrics. When shopping in a retail store, can you recognize the difference in quality between one fabric and another? Do you read care labels and follow them? Do you understand the wearability and expected lifespan of a thin polyester versus silk? What about the safety factors of wool versus fleece? (Did you know that wool self-extinguishes when removed from a fire source or that fleece is not only highly flammable, but spews bits of molten fiber as it burns?) Which fabrics will fade or wear out quickly in the sun? Which fibers are best for insulating?

2. How to make simple repairs to clothing and household items. Can you sew on a button? What about a snap? Repair a hem? Re-enforce an area that is showing wear? Stitch a seam before an item is ruined? Know which iron-on products you can use to make simple repairs? How to re-enforce the buttons on a new garment?

3. How to sew a straight seam on a sewing machine. You do not need an ultra-expensive computerized embroidery machine. But, you should be able to thread a sewing machine and at least sew a straight seam.

The supplies: (For all items, watch for sales. Sign up for the JoAnn Fabrics mailers or email notices. Also check Freecycle, thrift shops and other venues for free or cheap items!)

1. Hand sewing needles. Store a variety of betweens, sharps, quilting and curved needles. In general, the short thin needles are the easiest to use with most fabrics. You should store thin and thick curved needles, as the thin ones can stitch up a cut human while the thick ones can repair leather and other thick fibers.

2. Needle threader. The sturdiest needle threader I have seen is made by Fons and Porter. Having a needle threader is a a true aid to anyone attempting to sew by hand!

3. Scissors. Set aside a pair of scissors that will only be used on fabric. Mark the scissor handle as ‘fabric only’ and sternly enforce the rule. Fiskars and Gingher are both good beginner brands. A medium length scissor is good for most applications.

4. Measuring tape. Purchase a sturdy, coated one intended for sewing. Measuring tapes will stretch over time.

5. Ruler. Store at least one 12″ ruler, A transparent one is the easiest to use while sewing.

6. Fasteners. A supply of snaps, hook & eyes, buttons, velcro and a few all-purpose zippers. If you are going to throw away a piece of clothing away, cut off and save the buttons first!

7. Sewing machine. A good, basic machine is all most folks will need. Some of the older pre-computer-days machines are sturdier than the more modern ones. With the machine, store the manual, some sewing machine oil and spare needles.

8. Sewing machine needles. Always purchase needles packaged in a hard plastic case. Needles packaged in paper/thin plastic-type packaging often have microscopic bends and knicks in them. Schmetz is a good, readily available brand. Store a variety of sizes. Sewing machine needles can also be used to remove splinters (sterilize first), hang pictures on walls and pierce a variety of materials.

9. Iron-on interfacing. A good quality iron-on knit interfacing can be used to mend small tears, re-enforce worn spots and buttons in ready-to-wear garments. If applied carefully, it can give new shape to a sagging sweater or soften rough seams.  Always store with the instructions and away from heat, moisture or dust. Cover your ironing surface before using and place a piece of white paper between the interfacing and your iron.

10. A few basic patterns. Look for a variety of multi-sized skirts, dress, blouse, elastic waist pants and nightwear patterns. Patterns go on sale monthly and can often be picked up for free at community events as well as freecycle. Additional patterns are available on the internet.

11. Fabrics. Not everyone needs a true ‘fabricaholic stash’, but it would be wise to have a supply of cotton flannel, broadcloth, denim, cotton cheesecloth and wool. Sheets purchased from the clearance rack can provide a lot of yardage at little cost. (thrift store sheets are less wise to store as they are often worn unevenly and have been repeatedly washed) The flannel can be made into diapers, bedding, nightwear, re-usable sanitary products, as an insulator and for cleaning. Broadcloth can be made into garments, burial clothes, bedding and household items. Denim is nearly indestructable. Old jeans can be recycled into a variety of items. Wool is self-extinguishing, insulating and it breathes. 100% wool blankets can be used for a variety of purposes, including clothing. If you want to experiment, try felting wool by washing it several times in an electric clothes washer. Follow with a spin in the dryer. The resulting fiber is nearly water proof and incredibly warm. It won’t ravel and can be washed.  Cheesecloth is used in many areas of cooking, gardening and can be turned into gauze bandages. If you want to expand from those basics, add some colors, prints and a variety of textures.

12. Thread. Store a variety of hand sewing, hand quilting, buttonhole and machine quilting threads. Have on hand at least several spools of basic thread in white, beige, black, navy and red. Purchase a good quality thread such as Gutterman or Mettler. Hand quilting thread is stronger than ‘regular’ thread and can even sew up a human cut in an emergency. It is coated to make it resistant to breaking and can tolerate more stress than regular thread. Buttonhole thread is one of the strongest threads and can be used to repair heavy-duty items. Machine quilting thread (different than hand quilting) is again coated to tolerate more times going through more layers of fabric. Remember, though, that hand quilting thread should NOT be used in a sewing machine. Thread is another item that goes on sale frequently.

13. Elastic. Store some elastic in a few widths varying from 1/4″ to 1.5″.

14. Seam ripper. Un-sewing is a part of the process! Seam rippers are good for cutting loose threads from ready-made garments, as well as picking out the thread left behind when a button falls off. The sharpest seam rippers have curved blades and were based on disposable scalpels.

15. Thimble. A leather one with a metal tip is the easiest to get used to.

16. ‘Wonder under’ and similar products. There are a variety of products on the market designed to fuse, either temporarily or permanently, two pieces of fabric together. Steam-a-seam, stitch-witchery and wonder under are all brand names of these type of products which serve different purposes. Fusibles will allow you to quickly hem an item, repair a seam, make decorative items, hold items in place while stitching, as well as a variety of other useful purposes. LIke the interfacing, cover your ironing surface and put a protective layer between the fusible and your iron. Store with the instructions, away from heat, moisture and light.

17. Pins. Straight pins — my favorites are the long ones with the colored plastic or glass heads. You can iron over the glass heads. Never sew over a pin with your sewing machine! Also store safety pins.

18. Marking tools. Plain white chalk, tailor’s chalk in blue or pink, and a sharp #2 pencil are the basics.

19. Book. Find a good, basic ‘how to’ book such as Nancy Zieman’s “Let’s Sew: A Beginner’s Sewing Guide,” which was written for children in the 4-H program. If that is too basic, add Ms. Zieman’s ‘10-20-30 Minutes to Sew’ or her “Sewing With Confidence: A Beginner’s Guide.” The next level would be “Pattern Fitting With Confidence” or “Fitting Finesse”. Nancy’s books are always clearly written with great illustrations. All of her titles can be found used or at very reasonable prices. She has been on PBS for years, her shows are repeatedly shown and always informative. (And she is a genuinely nice woman!)

20. Containers. Store all of your supplies in labeled containers away from dust, heat and light.

A bit of sewing know-how can save you countless dollars and, maybe, provide you with a wonderful creative outlet that has proven to have significant health benefits. If nothing else, hauling bolts of fabric around is aerobic exercise.