take a moment
 Volume 7 April
2007Important Reminder: Many users and ISPs are adding SPAM filters to their computers or servers. If you already have one, or will shortly be implementing a SPAM filter please remember to configure the filter to ALLOW email from take-a-moment.com domain, or you will not be able to receive your newsletter. Welcome to TAKE-A-MOMENT! The Take-A-Moment newsletters strive to provide quick-to-read content to improve and enhance the quality of life at home and in the work place...for when you can "take-a-moment" from your hectic schedule. Take-a-Moment is provided by the Louisville Area Cooperative Extension Agents. When you have "more-than-a-moment" visit our web site for expanded articles, article archives, sign-up and contact information, and links to other web sites of interest. ("Netiquette" statement is at the end of this email, see below.) Did You Know...?
C O N T E N T S
SPECIAL Links Since there has been concern over the potential for a pandemic via "bird flu" we wish to provide you with several links to sites with great information on prevention and response. We hope that none of us will ever need this information, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared and have information available.
STAIN REMOVAL You can make alternative cleaning products from common household items including vinegar, baking soda, cornstarch, charcoal, salt and ammonia to clean your home. Use a paste of baking soda, salt and water to scrub away baked-on grease and oven spills. You also can sprinkle these with dry baking soda, let it remain for five minutes and scrub with a damp cloth. Be careful not to let the baking soda touch wires or heating elements. It will help if you wipe up grease and spills soon after using the oven. Use a non-metallic, bristle brush to clean charred spills.
FINANCIAL FITNESS You may have heard you should begin saving and investing early. Have you wondered why? The earlier you begin to save, the more time you have to earn interest on your interest. Interest on interest is known as compound interest. Imagine that you have established a budget and found that you can afford to invest $100 a month. Your investment earns a 9 percent annual rate of return. You begin saving at age 18, putting this money into your retirement account, and then retire at age 67. If you let that money accumulate until you retire at age 67, you will have a little over a million dollars. But you would have actually invested less than $60,000. If you decide to wait until you are age 32 to begin saving and you invest the same $100 a month until age 67, your money will be worth less than $300,000. This is more than $750,000 less than if you started at age 18. You would have invested $17,000 less by waiting until age 32 to begin, but compound interest is responsible for incredible difference in the total amount saved. Investing early will earn you more money than if you decide to wait. It will allow your money to earn interest upon interest If you plan it right you could become a millionaire! Reference: Bankrate.com calculator http://www.bankrate.com/brm/calc/401k.asp Source: Robert H. Flashman, Extension Specialist for Family Resource Management,
FAMILY LIFE One of the most important parental decisions is to choose a sitter for your child. It is important to select someone who is conscientious and has the experience to care for and supervise the child and handle emergency situations. To ensure that your child is in good hands, follow these suggestions to interview and communicate with a sitter. Ask friends and relatives about personal experiences with sitters. Conduct interviews with several candidates before making a final decision. Find out about previous experience, references and special training such as infant Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid. The sitter should understand the importance of constant supervision, know what to do in an emergency and accept your guidelines for child care. It is equally important to communicate with the sitter regarding safety procedures, off-limit areas and medical instructions. There is no substitute for constant supervision so instruct the sitter never to leave your child alone, especially in the bathroom or kitchen, around playground equipment or near water. The sitter also should pay attention to what the child is doing. It is helpful for the sitter to have some good, age-appropriate ideas for play activities, because a busy, happy child is less likely to become involved in unsafe behavior. Give the sitter a tour of your home to point out safety precautions such as baby gates and child-resistant locks and the locations of telephones, first-aid supplies, fire extinguishers, flashlights and planned fire-escape routes. Be sure to point out the list of emergency numbers adjacent to each telephone including your cell phone or another number where you can be reached, fire and police departments, poison control center, emergency services, your doctor, a neighbor and a relative. The home tour also should include the locations of protective gear for a bicycle, skateboard, scooter or in-line skates. Further, the sitter should insist that your child wear a helmet, knee and elbow pads and other protective gear. Certain areas of the home should be off limits to infants and toddlers. Since there are many hazards in the kitchen and
bathroom, a child should not be allowed to play in these areas.
NUTRITION & WHAT'S COOKING Homeowner concerns about the safety of drinking water have led to an increased demand for home water treatment products in recent years. It is estimated that one in five homes in the United States now has some type of water filtration or treatment device. These products include simple filter pitchers as well as whole-house treatment units that are connected to the water line where water enters the house. Many are readily available at the retail level, while others must be bought from a dealer or contractor. The most common types of filtration devices sold through retail outlets are faucet-mount filters, countertop filters and filter pitchers. While water treatment devices can improve water’s taste and, in some cases, can make it safer, there are several things that should be considered before purchasing one. First, it’s important to know what it is you want to change about the water you are treating. The most common complaint homeowners have about their drinking water is the taste. Occasionally, they don’t like the odor, or they might think the water is too “hard,” meaning minerals such as calcium and magnesium are present. Regardless, testing the water is the best way to determine what may need to be changed. Water supplied by a public water system is regularly tested and must meet national safety standards. This will be reflected in the local water company’s water quality report, which is available to the public. If there are “aesthetic” problems, including taste, odor, hardness, corrosivity and staining, they can usually be addressed with home water treatment devices. However, homeowners who use a private water supply should always test their water before buying water treatment equipment. Testing will aid in identifying problems and guide the decision making process. For those who have a well, spring or cistern, it’s important to test to make sure the water is free of bacteria. Many filters will not remove bacteria. Once homeowners know what to change about their drinking water, they should look for treatment products that are certified to do what they claim. Certified products will carry a symbol from NSF International, Underwriters’ Laboratory or the Water Quality Association. Finally, before purchasing a water treatment product, homeowners should consider the total cost, including installation, maintenance and filter replacement. Also be sure to review the product warranty. For the best results, follow directions precisely and change filters routinely. Contact you local Cooperative Extension Service office for more information.
HOME TIPS A dog or cat in the household calls for more vigilant cleaning; particularly if there are family members who suffer from asthma or allergies.
Store cleaning products in a locked cabinet or out of reach of curious pets; don't leave any type of cleaning liquid out where pets might be tempted to take a drink. As a kindness to your pet, send him to another part of the house while you're cleaning. Not only is it safer, but the activity and the noise of the vacuum can upset your best friend.
WAYS TO WELLNESS Take-a-moment to incorporate some of these tips for a healthier lifestyle!
Source: 2007 Food and Nutrition Calendar, “Reaching for a Rainbow”,
IN THE WORK PLACE Stress happens! Print the list of stress busters and place it where you can read it daily. We all need help!
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