Category: Home safety

According to USDA guidelines, a full freezer can keep food safe for up to 48 hours, but for longer power outages, you need a plan for food that should be kept without a refrigerator for a power outage. This essential guide covers everything you need to know to assemble a safe and practical emergency food supply.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises treating all indoor mold growth as a potential health hazard because visually identifying the most harmful types is virtually impossible. This makes it crucial to understand what do harmful molds look like generally, rather than relying on color alone, to know when to call a professional.

According to the FDA, improper disposal of unused medicines, including vitamins, can pose risks to both humans and the environment. It is crucial to understand how do you properly dispose of vitamins to prevent accidental ingestion, misuse, and water contamination.

Globally, at least 2 billion people use a drinking water source contaminated with feces, posing severe health risks. Learning how to see if water is safe to drink is a critical skill for protecting your family's health, whether you rely on a municipal supply or a private well.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, over 5.5 million households in the Northeast alone use heating oil for warmth, prompting questions about its health effects. While this industrial fuel is a clear health risk if improperly handled, the common query about its link to cholesterol stems from a confusion with edible oils.

According to the ASPCA, while common ornamental 'geraniums' (*Pelargonium* spp.) are mildly toxic to pets, they are generally not considered poisonous to humans. This critical distinction is key to understanding whether are geraniums safe for humans, especially for culinary or medicinal use.

Boiling water effectively kills bacteria and viruses, but a critical misunderstanding exists about its effect on chemical contaminants. So, can you boil out nitrates? The answer is a definitive no, and doing so can actually make the water more dangerous.

According to poison control centers, consuming household baking powder can lead to severe gastrointestinal issues and potentially fatal complications due to its high sodium content and chemical activators. This is why the question of how often should you drink baking powder is fundamentally unsafe, as the correct approach is to avoid it entirely.

Over 200 varieties of sweet pea exist, but contrary to their name, the seeds of the ornamental sweet pea plant are toxic and should never be consumed. While beautiful and fragrant, the pods and seeds from *Lathyrus odoratus* contain a poisonous chemical that can cause a serious condition called lathyrism if ingested over time.

According to cookware experts and health journalists, high-quality, food-grade glass is a safe and healthy option for cooking due to its non-porous and non-reactive nature. This makes answering the question, 'Is cooking in glass healthy?' a resounding yes, with a few important caveats about usage and temperature safety.