10 Worst Germ Hot Spots
Locations that may surprise you—and how to make a clean sweep
By Alyssa Shaffer
Win the War on Germs
1. Kitchen Faucet
2. Garbage Disposal
3. Welcome Mat
4. Vacuum Cleaner
5. Dish Towel
6. Car Dashboard
7. Soap Dispensers
8. Restaurant Ketchup Bottle
9. Refrigerator Seal
10. Cell Phone
Win the War on GermsYou may scrub your toilet and countertops until they shine, but these scary new bacteria breeding grounds require just as much attention.
Germs (the catchall name for bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms) are everywhere--at home, in the office, even in your car. Luckily, about 99% of them can't harm us. But the other 1% can be annoying, uncomfortable, or downright scary: Most of these pathogens are either viral or bacterial and can cause everything from a runny nose to a potentially life-threatening infection. You may think you know the obvious places that germs propagate--the doctor's office, the soles of your shoes--but many more germ-friendly locales are completely unexpected yet no less dangerous. We uncovered a host of surprising new spots where germs like to lurk, and offer easy solutions to keep you and your family safe and healthy. Click here for the whole story: http://www.prevention.com/10worstgermspots/

OSHA eTools and Electronic Products for Compliance Assistance

OSHA eTools and Electronic Products for Compliance Assistance OSHA recognizes the utility of distributing information through the Internet and CD-ROMs. The following electronic products for compliance assistance are available: eTools, Expert Advisors, eMatrix Safety and Health Topics Pages PowerPoint Presentations eTools, Expert Advisors, eMatrix eTools are "stand-alone," interactive, Web-based training tools on occupational safety and health topics. They are highly illustrated and utilize graphical menus. Some also use expert system modules, which enable the user to answer questions, and receive reliable advice on how OSHA regulations apply to their work site. Expert Advisors are based solely on expert systems. Selected eTools are available as downloadable files for off-line use. eTools Ammonia Refrigeration (07/2004) Anthrax (12/2002) Battery Manufacturing (02/2004) Construction (01/2001) Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution (01/2010) Evacuation Plans and Procedures (09/2002) Eye and Face Protection (07/2002) Hospital (02/2002) Incident Command System/Unified Command (ICS/UC) (11/2003) Lead: Secondary Lead Smelter (12/2002) Legionnaires' Disease (10/2003) Lockout/Tagout (09/1999) Logging (10/1998) Machine Guarding (07/2003) Noise and Hearing Conservation (01/2005) Nursing Home (10/2000) Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing (02/2003) Poultry Processing (06/2001) Powered Industrial Trucks (09/2008) Respiratory Protection (10/1998) Safety and Health Management (01/2001) Scaffolding (10/2002) Shipyard Employment (08/2006) Silica (10/1998) Steel Erection (10/2002) Teen Worker Safety in Restaurants (07/2003) Wood Products: Sawmills (04/2002) Wood Products: Woodworking (04/2002) Youth in Agriculture (07/2003) Ergonomics eTools Baggage Handling (09/2003) Beverage Delivery (01/2001) Computer Workstations (08/2003) Electrical Contractors (07/2003) Grocery Warehousing (01/2001) Printing Industry (08/2006) Sewing (01/2001) eTools en Español eTool de Construcción - La Prevención De Fatalidades (Translation Updated 02/2006) (Construction) La Costura (Sewing) (10/2001) Expert Advisors Asbestos Confined Space Downloadable | Online Electronic Permit Required Confined Spaces (e-PRCS) Electronic Health and Safety Program (eHASP)2 Fire Safety Downloadable Hazard Awareness Downloadable Lead in Construction Downloadable Lead in General Industry Lockout/Tagout LOTO Plus SafeCare $afety Pays eMatrix Hazard Exposure and Risk Assessment Matrix for Hurricane Response and Recovery Work

	www.osha.gov	www.dol.gov

Track It Back - Recover Lost Electronics

Special Report:

See TrackItBack in action on the streets of Chicago

Two cell phones, purposely lost in downtown Chicago. Using hidden video cameras, watch as a third party records what happens next. Will the phones be found and returned? See for yourself!

http://www.trackitback.com/us/testimonials.html

Sesame Street Fire Safety Station Curriculum

This activity book and the accompanying audiocassette of songs and stories helps educators reach preschoolers with simple, memorable fire safety messages. Both have been created with the resources and expert guidance of the USFA and Sesame Workshop™.

The original Sesame Street Fire Safety Station project began in 1979 and has been well-recognized for its effectiveness in reaching and teaching preschoolers. We’ve updated and examined upon this information to bring you Sesame Street Fire Safety Station. Whether you’re a teacher, child care provider, fire safety educator, firefighter, nurse, or burn center administrator, these materials will support your preschool fire safety education efforts. Use them to form the core of your program or to supplement what you’re already doing in this regard. The book and audio cassette have both been designed to be effective in one-time teaching situations or on an ongoing basis. We hope Sesame Street Fire Safety Station will make preschool fire safety education easier for you and more fun for everyone.

Order Information

The kit is only available to preschools, fire departments and individuals who home school or teach young children. Requests from schools, fire departments and other organizations must be faxed on organization letterhead to (301) 447-1213. Home school requests may be made by calling (301) 447-1189. USFA reserves the right to limit order quantities.

Free Fire Safety Info For Kids - FREE DOWNLOADS

http://www.firesafety.gov/kids/flash.shtm

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa-176.pdf

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa-295-press.pdf

http://www.fema.gov/kids/tsunami/

Water rings
Do your wood end tables or coffee tables have rings from water glasses being set down? Using one cup of vinegar with one cup of olive oil rub with the grain on your wood furniture you can make the stain disappear.

How to Clean Vintage Costume Jewelry

By Jerrie Dean

Vintage Costume Jewelry needs special attention when you clean it. Read on for tips on how to clean your costume jewelry.

Step 1

1. 

   Some costume jewelry will turned green. This is called verdigris and is a patina that occurs on copper, brass or bronze over time and can appear on your vintage costume jewelry because it was made with these metals in it. It is not something that you want to leave on your jewelry as it will start to decay it. Ketchup and vinegar can be used, but I think that lemon juice is better. You can use a q-tip or soft toothbrush to help get to the hard to reach places. You may find that the finish has been compromised from the vendigris, but that is better than loosing the piece to decay.

2. Step 2
   

   Scratching can ruin the old stones in your piece and make it look dull. To keep it looking like new always store it so that it isn't touching your other jewelry or wrap it with a old wash cloth. Zip lock bags work well for storage, too. If you have a room, displaying your jewelry in a curio cabinet is a great idea.

3. Step 3
   

   Vintage costume jewelry are usually set with prongs but some may still have glue to keep them in. You want to be careful and look at your piece before you put it in a jewelry cleaner full of jewelry cleaning solution. It will soften the glue. You particularly want to be careful with pieces that have colored backing as this will chip away or dissolve. Also, any pieces that are faux pearls will loose their outter shell or chip away and be ruined if put in water or any cleaning solution.

4. Step 4

   If your decide that your jewelry does meet the above criteria and you cannot soak it in a jewelry cleaning solution , then use a q-tip or soft toothbrush and the cleaning solution to clean your jewelry.

5. Step 5

   Finish up by using a very soft jewelry cleaning cloth to make your jewelry glow.

6. Step 6

   Make sure your jewelry is completely dry before you put it away as moisture is what causes verdigris.