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Spring cleaning
Shine on.
Mix ¼ cup of white
vinegar with a quart of warm
water for a homemade, less
toxic window cleaner.
Take on tripping hazards.
Clear
clutter from floors and stairways.
Remove or secure throw rugs.
Go on poison patrol.
Keep
medicines and household
chemicals in their original bottles
or containers. Store them out of
the reach of children.
Put away every little thing.
If
kids live in or visit your home,
scan rooms for small items that
might be choking hazards.
Sound the alarm.
Install smoke
alarms on every level, outside
sleeping areas and in bedrooms.
Bonus tip: Set a smartphone
reminder to test them monthly!
Clean sponges DAILY.
To help
wipe out germs, toss sponges
in the dishwasher with a drying
cycle—or microwave a damp
sponge for one minute. Consider
using paper towels to clean
countertops. They’re less likely
to spread germs.
Spiff up for safety
You go to work to bring home a paycheck—
not the flu, carpal tunnel
syndrome or some other health problem.
So how do you stay safe and healthy on the job?
Here are five key safeguards.
1
Protect yourself from disease-
causing germs.
Get a flu vaccine
every year—as soon as you’re able. It’s the best
way to avoid getting a nasty case of the flu from a co-worker and
missing work—or worse, getting sick enough
to be hospitalized.
Also:
»
Wash your hands often with soap and water. And avoid touching
your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
»
Do your co-workers a favor and stay at home if you’re sick with a
flu-like illness.
2
Avoid a sore back by lifting properly.
Picking up something heavy? Get close to the object, bend at
both knees and lift with your leg muscles. Don’t bend at your waist.
3
Sit smart at your desk.
Keep your back in a normal,
slightly arched position, with your head and shoulders erect.
Make sure your chair supports your lower back. Try to stand and stretch
every couple hours.
4
Prevent computer-related eyestrain.
If you spend a lot
of time in front of the computer or focusing on any one thing
close up, follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, focus on a point
about 20 feet away for about 20 seconds.
5
Guard against carpal tunnel syndrome.
You’re at risk
for this painful disorder of the wrists and hands if you do
the same hand movements over and over throughout the day. To help
prevent it, take regular breaks from repeated hand movements.
And if possible, switch hands during work tasks.
If you use a keyboard, adjust the height of
your chair so that your forearms are level
with the keyboard and you don’t
have to flex your wrists
to type.
Sources: American Academy of Family
Physicians; American Academy of
Orthopaedic Surgeons; American Optometric
Association; Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
Let the season inspire a tidier
and safer home with these
quick tips.
GO GREEN!
Reduce, reuse,
recycle. Learn more about how
and where to dispose of or donate
items at
epa.gov/recycle
.
Sources: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; American
Academy of Pediatrics; Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission; U.S.
Department of Agriculture
citizensmemorial.com5
COMMUNITY
TAGLINE HERE
WELLNESS
Stay safe and
healthy at work