President Barack Obama’s push to lower student-loan payments and forgive them five years sooner than current law requires is a “fraudulent solution” to the problem of rising college tuition, Rush Limbaugh said on his radio show Thursday. Obama’s plan would save graduates less than $10 per month, he said, quoting a magazine piece in The Atlantic.
“This is all a fraud,” he said. “It’s all about making the student-loan community think that he cares.”
According to The Atlantic, student loans have grown by 511 percent since 1999, and 82 percent of the debt was taken on during the past decade.
“That is a stunning fact,” Limbaugh said. “So, here’s Obama now, out promoting a fraudulent solution, just like everything else he does is fraudulent. It’s all about more lies — it’s all about more promises.”
Obama’s proposal will allow borrowers to consolidate all direct government loans, limit the amount of student-loan payments to 10 percent of graduate’s income (the figure is now 15 percent), and forgive the debt after 20 — it’s currently 25 — years.
“These student loans are going to end up costing the taxpayers anywhere between $800,000 and $900,000 per student,” Limbaugh said. “The student on the loan repayment, if they make the payment, will save $8 to $10 maximum a month.
“Obama’s proposal was geared to getting the best headlines for the least amount of money,” he continued. “The taxpayers get screwed royally. It’s another transfer, redistribution of wealth.”
_______________________________________________________________________
Donald Trump says the removal and killing of Libyan despot Moammar Gadhafi will result in “disaster” because “at least he had control of his weapons,” and under new leadership the United States won’t have any idea whose fingers are on the triggers. The real estate mogul also told Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren Tuesday he still questions whether President Barack Obama’s birth certificate is “real.”
“We spend all this money and it will be worse than Gadhafi — least he had control over his weapons, he had control over the country — I think what’s going on there is going to be worse,” Trump said. “You know what? When you look at him — I could care less for Gadhafi — but when you look at the way they treated him: I mean, these are the people that we are going to be dealing with.
“Do you think we really made a bargain there? We spent billions of dollars and we got nothing,” he said. “The so-called rebels . . . they came to us and said: ‘We need help, we need help’ — we could have said, we are going to give you help but we want 50 percent of your oil for the next 25 years. You know what they would have said? ‘How about 75 percent of the oil — we will give that too.’ What do we get out of it? We get nothing.
“So, you know, people talk about like Libya is a victory — Libya is not a victory — I think it’s a disaster,” he said.
Turning to the issue of Obama’s birth certificate, Van Susteren noted that presidential hopeful Rick Perry has indicated Trump might still have doubts about whether Obama was born in the United States and asked if indeed that was the case.
“I’m not a major believer — I don’t know how it just miraculously appeared. We will see what happens — but I’ve never been a major believer,” Trump said. “All of a sudden . . . it was produced out of nowhere. Some people have serious, serious doubts as to its validity.
“I frankly really want to get on to much more important subjects, although that’s a very important one — because if in fact it’s not 100 percent, he’s not supposed to be the president of this country — which is a pretty important fact,” he said. “But nevertheless, I want to talk about jobs, I want to talk about the economy, I want to talk about how China, and OPEC, and others are ripping us off.”
Van Susteren said she thought the question of Obama’s birth had been put to rest in April when the president produced documentation that showed he was born in Hawaii.
“No, no, never to rest, I’m at a point where I say: Look, the country is going to hell in a hand basket, and something has to be done about it — and we shouldn’t be talking about the birth certificate — but people love to talk about it,” Trump said. “For instance, it’s your first question. I guess at a luncheon or an interview, Governor Perry mentioned that I said I’m not a big believer — and I’m not. People look at the hospital: There are no records that his mother was there. There are many a things that are really suspect.”
In his interview with Van Susteren Trump also:
• Questioned whether Obama does any real work as president. “I have a never seen anything like it — he’s constantly out campaigning and he will make a speech and another speech, they are campaign speeches — there’s a different between work and campaigning.”
• Weighed in on GOP presidential hopefuls’ tax plans. “There are a lot of different concepts of taxes, including the ones we currently have if you take away deductions and simplify it. But the code is so complex right now — it’s thousands and thousands of pages and simplification would be a fantastic thing. Even if you took the existing code and that starts getting into the flat tax. The only problem I have with the 9-9-9 — and I like Herman [Cain] — the sales tax will be tough on people of middle income and lower income status. I think the sales tax aspect of it is pretty tough for them to handle.”
• Revisited the possibility he might run for president if he doesn’t think a GOP candidate can beat Obama and revitalize the nation. “If we choose somebody who is not right, and the economy continues to be bad — which I think we will because we have leadership that doesn’t know what it’s doing — I would certainly consider running as an independent, yes.”
Friday, October 28, 2011
How to Treat Arthritis Joint Pain
Your knees ache and hips creak. Did you do too much over the weekend? Or is it age? If you’re a woman in your 40s, you may have osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. Find out what causes this painful joint disease and how to ease the aches and stiffness. Plus, how much do you know about osteoarthritis? Take our quiz and find out…
You feel great after that six-mile hike, those rousing sets of tennis, that morning jog. But lately, there’s an ache in your step. Some days walking feels more like hobbling.
You may be paying for living a longer, more active life than Mom or Grandma. Hobbies like hiking, tennis and gardening keep us fit and youthful into our senior years, but they also conspire against us.
The result of the wear and tear?
Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that causes pain and stiffness.
Arthritis has many forms, but osteoarthritis is the most common: More than 27 million Americans suffer from it, and women over age 45 are 10 times more likely to have osteoarthritis than men. Researchers don't know why, but it could be blamed on women's bone structure, or even the high heels women sometimes wear.
Former competitive athletes – from runners to divers to gymnasts – are particularly vulnerable.
Aging, excess weight and having a joint injury also increase risk. The disease usually targets weight-bearing joints, such as the hips, knees and lower back, but also the neck, fingers and big toe.
Osteoarthritis’ most common symptoms include:
Joint soreness after overuse or inactivity
Morning stiffness that improves with activity
Changes in posture or walking because of stiffness
What Causes the Pain?
Osteoarthritis breaks down cartilage, the primary shock absorber covering the joint ends. The subsequent damage occurs in several stages:
First, the cartilage cushion loses elasticity and is more easily damaged from injury or use.
As the cartilage wears down, the underlying bone thickens and develops growths or spurs. At this stage, bits of bone and cartilage float in the joint.
The joint lining then becomes inflamed and releases irritants that damage cartilage even more. The normal lubricant also deteriorates, further exposing the joint surfaces to injury.
Eventually, the joint becomes so painful and stiff that replacement may be the only option. The procedures are hugely successful: A study published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism showed that 77% of 112 knee replacement patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the results; 80% said they would have the surgery again.
Where You Feel It Most
Hips: If you have osteoarthritis of the hips, you may feel pain in the groin, inner thigh or buttocks. The discomfort may radiate to the thigh or knee and force you to limp when walking.
Hands: It’s common in the fingers too, causing joints to ache and swell. They may develop boney outgrowths and your hand may lose its grip strength or fine motor skills that help you pick up small items or hold a pencil.
Back: Repetitive stress on the spinal discs that cushion the vertebrae can cause them to break down. Again, boney spurs may develop, placing pressure on the nerves exiting the spinal canal.
Osteoarthritis of the back can lead to stiffness and pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, lower back and legs. It can also cause pinched nerves, which leads to weakness in arms and legs.
Knees: Osteoarthritis of the knees usually causes pain, grating or catching at the joint as you move, especially on stairs.
Women tend to wear out their knees differently than men. First, women are more likely to tear one of their key knee ligaments, the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL. (Female college basketball players, for example, are up to eight times more likely to sustain an ACL injury than their male counterparts.) The resulting knee instability increases the risk for developing arthritis.
Women also are more likely to wear down the outer knees. Our broader pelvis force the legs to angle inward at the knee instead of straight down. Researchers have developed gender-specific joint replacements for a more comfortable fit.
High-heel shoes also increase osteoarthritis risk. Shoes with three-inch heels, whether stilettos or platform, put at least 22% more pressure on knee joints than low-heeled shoes because they strain muscles and tendons.
Treating Joint Pain
So how do you get rid of the pain?
Step 1: See a physician for tests, such as a blood count, joint X-rays and possibly a joint MRI.
Sometimes the doctor will remove some joint fluid to look for deterioration and to rule out other forms of arthritis, which are treated differently than osteoarthritis.
Early diagnosis and treatment are key to managing the disease. You can’t reverse the clock, but you can minimize joint damage and maintain range of motion.
You can also control pain and swelling, improve function and slow osteoarthritis' progression. Often treatment includes weight management (the less weight, the less stress on the joint), exercise, physical therapy and medication.
Traditional medications include:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve)
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Topical pain relievers, such as creams and rubs containing wintergreen oil or camphor
Steroids and viscosupplements, such as Synvisc, that a doctor can inject into the knee to supplement its normal lubricating fluid.
Fitted braces can also relieve some stress and reduce damage over time. Arthroscopic surgery may be necessary to clean up the joint, trim worn or torn cartilage and remove debris.
For advanced osteoarthritis, you may need a total joint replacement. Partial replacements (often called joint resurfacing) repair only the damaged area, allowing you to retain more of the original joint.
Relief, Naturally
Alternative treatments like glucosamine with chondroitin sulfate and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) can help, often in combination with conventional methods.
Among the most popular:
Glucosamine: This sugar seems to play a role in cartilage formation and repair. One study showed that 50% of osteoarthritis patients had less pain when taking glucosamine supplements, particularly among those with mild to moderate symptoms.
But watch out: Glucosamine may upset your stomach and raise blood sugar levels. Also, don’t take it if you are allergic to shellfish.
Chondroitin sulfate: This protein part gives cartilage its elasticity. It may improve its shock-absorbing properties and help it retain water. Like glucosamine, chondroitin can upset your stomach.
Glucosamine and chondroitin: They've been used in combination for years in Europe to manage joint pain.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2006 showed that the supplements were more effective together. They had little effect on mild pain, but showed a significant benefit in people with moderate to severe pain.
Methylsulfonylmethane or MSM: This naturally occurring sulfur compound found in fruits, vegetables and grains may also reduce pain and inflammation.
A pilot study of 50 men and women with osteoarthritis showed that MSM reduced pain and improved physical function without major side effects, but no controlled trials substantiate the claim.
Before you add a nutritional supplement to your treatment regimen, check with your doctor.
For more information and expert advice, visit our Arthritis Health Center.
Are You Bad to the Bone?
For years, you’ve been the first one on the tennis courts, the weekend hiker, the intrepid gardener on your knees for hours. While all those activities are great for you, they can also be hard on your joints.
You feel great after that six-mile hike, those rousing sets of tennis, that morning jog. But lately, there’s an ache in your step. Some days walking feels more like hobbling.
You may be paying for living a longer, more active life than Mom or Grandma. Hobbies like hiking, tennis and gardening keep us fit and youthful into our senior years, but they also conspire against us.
The result of the wear and tear?
Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that causes pain and stiffness.
Arthritis has many forms, but osteoarthritis is the most common: More than 27 million Americans suffer from it, and women over age 45 are 10 times more likely to have osteoarthritis than men. Researchers don't know why, but it could be blamed on women's bone structure, or even the high heels women sometimes wear.
Former competitive athletes – from runners to divers to gymnasts – are particularly vulnerable.
Aging, excess weight and having a joint injury also increase risk. The disease usually targets weight-bearing joints, such as the hips, knees and lower back, but also the neck, fingers and big toe.
Osteoarthritis’ most common symptoms include:
Joint soreness after overuse or inactivity
Morning stiffness that improves with activity
Changes in posture or walking because of stiffness
What Causes the Pain?
Osteoarthritis breaks down cartilage, the primary shock absorber covering the joint ends. The subsequent damage occurs in several stages:
First, the cartilage cushion loses elasticity and is more easily damaged from injury or use.
As the cartilage wears down, the underlying bone thickens and develops growths or spurs. At this stage, bits of bone and cartilage float in the joint.
The joint lining then becomes inflamed and releases irritants that damage cartilage even more. The normal lubricant also deteriorates, further exposing the joint surfaces to injury.
Eventually, the joint becomes so painful and stiff that replacement may be the only option. The procedures are hugely successful: A study published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism showed that 77% of 112 knee replacement patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the results; 80% said they would have the surgery again.
Where You Feel It Most
Hips: If you have osteoarthritis of the hips, you may feel pain in the groin, inner thigh or buttocks. The discomfort may radiate to the thigh or knee and force you to limp when walking.
Hands: It’s common in the fingers too, causing joints to ache and swell. They may develop boney outgrowths and your hand may lose its grip strength or fine motor skills that help you pick up small items or hold a pencil.
Back: Repetitive stress on the spinal discs that cushion the vertebrae can cause them to break down. Again, boney spurs may develop, placing pressure on the nerves exiting the spinal canal.
Osteoarthritis of the back can lead to stiffness and pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, lower back and legs. It can also cause pinched nerves, which leads to weakness in arms and legs.
Knees: Osteoarthritis of the knees usually causes pain, grating or catching at the joint as you move, especially on stairs.
Women tend to wear out their knees differently than men. First, women are more likely to tear one of their key knee ligaments, the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL. (Female college basketball players, for example, are up to eight times more likely to sustain an ACL injury than their male counterparts.) The resulting knee instability increases the risk for developing arthritis.
Women also are more likely to wear down the outer knees. Our broader pelvis force the legs to angle inward at the knee instead of straight down. Researchers have developed gender-specific joint replacements for a more comfortable fit.
High-heel shoes also increase osteoarthritis risk. Shoes with three-inch heels, whether stilettos or platform, put at least 22% more pressure on knee joints than low-heeled shoes because they strain muscles and tendons.
Treating Joint Pain
So how do you get rid of the pain?
Step 1: See a physician for tests, such as a blood count, joint X-rays and possibly a joint MRI.
Sometimes the doctor will remove some joint fluid to look for deterioration and to rule out other forms of arthritis, which are treated differently than osteoarthritis.
Early diagnosis and treatment are key to managing the disease. You can’t reverse the clock, but you can minimize joint damage and maintain range of motion.
You can also control pain and swelling, improve function and slow osteoarthritis' progression. Often treatment includes weight management (the less weight, the less stress on the joint), exercise, physical therapy and medication.
Traditional medications include:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve)
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Topical pain relievers, such as creams and rubs containing wintergreen oil or camphor
Steroids and viscosupplements, such as Synvisc, that a doctor can inject into the knee to supplement its normal lubricating fluid.
Fitted braces can also relieve some stress and reduce damage over time. Arthroscopic surgery may be necessary to clean up the joint, trim worn or torn cartilage and remove debris.
For advanced osteoarthritis, you may need a total joint replacement. Partial replacements (often called joint resurfacing) repair only the damaged area, allowing you to retain more of the original joint.
Relief, Naturally
Alternative treatments like glucosamine with chondroitin sulfate and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) can help, often in combination with conventional methods.
Among the most popular:
Glucosamine: This sugar seems to play a role in cartilage formation and repair. One study showed that 50% of osteoarthritis patients had less pain when taking glucosamine supplements, particularly among those with mild to moderate symptoms.
But watch out: Glucosamine may upset your stomach and raise blood sugar levels. Also, don’t take it if you are allergic to shellfish.
Chondroitin sulfate: This protein part gives cartilage its elasticity. It may improve its shock-absorbing properties and help it retain water. Like glucosamine, chondroitin can upset your stomach.
Glucosamine and chondroitin: They've been used in combination for years in Europe to manage joint pain.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2006 showed that the supplements were more effective together. They had little effect on mild pain, but showed a significant benefit in people with moderate to severe pain.
Methylsulfonylmethane or MSM: This naturally occurring sulfur compound found in fruits, vegetables and grains may also reduce pain and inflammation.
A pilot study of 50 men and women with osteoarthritis showed that MSM reduced pain and improved physical function without major side effects, but no controlled trials substantiate the claim.
Before you add a nutritional supplement to your treatment regimen, check with your doctor.
For more information and expert advice, visit our Arthritis Health Center.
Are You Bad to the Bone?
For years, you’ve been the first one on the tennis courts, the weekend hiker, the intrepid gardener on your knees for hours. While all those activities are great for you, they can also be hard on your joints.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY...
If he wants meaning—the meaning of his dreams, his secrets, his life—a man must reinhabit his past, however dark, and live for the future, however uncertain.
FUN FACTS
* When you take a step, you are using up to 200 muscles.
* Sex burns about 360 calories per hour. *
* The largest cell in the human body is the female egg and the smallest is the male sperm. *
* By weight, Bone is five times stronger than steel. *
* Fidgeting can burn about 350 calories a day. *
* It is possible for you to survive even after the removal of the spleen, the stomach, one kidney, one lung, 75% of the liver, 80% of the intestines, and almost every organ from the pelvic and groin area. *
* Sex burns about 360 calories per hour. *
* The largest cell in the human body is the female egg and the smallest is the male sperm. *
* By weight, Bone is five times stronger than steel. *
* Fidgeting can burn about 350 calories a day. *
* It is possible for you to survive even after the removal of the spleen, the stomach, one kidney, one lung, 75% of the liver, 80% of the intestines, and almost every organ from the pelvic and groin area. *
7 Hidden Dangers in Your Home
Home is where the heart is, but it’s also where tons of health hazards dwell. What you breathe and touch could actually be making you sick. From mold, mothballs, dust mites, carpet chemicals and more, learn what the top 7 hazards are and how to protect yourself. Plus, test your child safety IQ with our quiz...
Out of sight, out of mind, right? Not when it comes to the hidden health dangers in your home. Odorless gases, fumes from your carpet, even the innocent-looking cleaners in your cabinet can harm you and your family.
So what can you do? Lifescript talked with top experts to find out what’s lurking in your home-sweet-home. Here are their tips for protecting you and your loved ones:
1. Mold
Does your bathroom, closet or basement have an old musty odor? Blame mold spores. They make themselves at home in damp spots.
“Mold can grow within 24-48 hours where there’s moisture and what they consider a food source,” says Jeff May, co-author of My House is Killing Me! and The Mold Survival Guide (both from The Johns Hopkins University Press).
It doesn’t take much to make mold happy and multiply: It chomps down on dust, wood, paint, paper, cotton or oil, among other things. It’s attracted to modern building materials like drywall.
Complex heating and cooling systems can make mold matters worse, especially if you suffer from allergies or asthma.
Mold spores can trigger asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, the Mayo Clinic reports. Allergic reactions include: sneezing; runny or stuffy nose; itchy, watery eyes; and inflamed sinuses.
Common spots to find the fuzzy stuff – it often grows in a circular pattern and can be black, brown, white, yellow, pink or greenish-blue – are basement walls and carpets, closets and on wooden backs and bottoms of furniture stored in damp spaces.
Protective steps
Use a dehumidifier to keep the humidity in mold-prone rooms below 50%.
Operate an oscillating fan in the bathroom after showering and fix leaks as soon as possible.
Keep rooms well ventilated.
If you suspect mold, check the area with a flashlight (some of the fungi can only be seen with a bright light).
Can’t find the mold or its cause? Turn to the pros.
“An American Society of Home Inspector (ASHI) member can be very useful in determining moisture sources,” May says.
2. Dust mites
You can’t see these microscopic critters with the naked eye, but they can wreak havoc on your health.
They may be one of the most common causes of allergies and asthma and can trigger the same miserable symptoms.
Dust mites, too, need moisture and feed off the dead skin cells our bodies shed.
Their favorite hiding place? Beds, pillows, mattresses and sheets.
Protective steps
Face it: Dust mites are a part of your life.
“There’s no way to get rid of dust mites, so you need to put a barrier between you and them,” says Linda B. Ford, M.D., a spokeswoman for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and associate professor of medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Here are some tips:
Allergy covers can help because they’re woven, so even dust mites can’t slip through them. Seal your mattress, box spring, comforter and pillows. (You can usually buy allergy covers where sheets are sold.)
Wash your bedding and area rugs in hot water (120 degrees F) at least once a week.
Put items that aren’t machine washable – like a special pillow or stuffed animal – in the freezer for a couple hours at a time to kill dust mites.
Don’t go to bed with wet hair − you’re just giving the mites more moisture.
Regularly vacuum all floors, especially carpets, where dust mites can hide.
3. Carpet chemicals
Redecorating or renovating your house can give you a headache – literally.
When your wall-to-wall or area rug gives off that new carpet smell, it’s usually shedding 4-PC, a chemical in carpet backing, May says.
Though the smell probably will go away within days or weeks, it can cause temporary headaches and hoarseness in people sensitive to chemicals.
Protective steps
Ideally, new carpet should be aired before installation. But if that’s not possible, keep the carpeted room well ventilated and stay out if you’re sensitive to 4-PC.
“If the odor is strong despite ventilation for a week, you may want to have that carpet removed,” says May, who adds that some carpets never stop giving off 4-PC.
Here’s how May tells if carpet odor is giving off gas:
1. Take a clean, fragrance-free paper towel and fold it in half twice.
2. Place it on a section on the rug and cover it with aluminum foil secured with tape.
3. After 24 hours, fold the towel inside the foil quickly.
4. Then go outside and unwrap it just enough to take a whiff.
5. If it stinks, your carpet is giving off gas.
4. Medications
To tweens, toddlers and preschoolers, prescription and over-the-counter medications may look as tempting as candy, thanks to their interesting shapes and colors.
Protective steps
Store these drugs where kids can’t find them and use a safety lock on that cupboard or cabinet.
Never leave meds within easy reach, such as your purse, night-table or countertop.
Make sure all bottles have child-resistant caps.
Never call any drugs candy – no matter how desperate you are to get them to take it when they’re sick – or they may dip into the “sweet stuff” on their own.
Most important: Put the number of your local Poison Control Center where you can easily find it in an emergency. Need the number? Visit the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC).
5. Mothballs
They may keep your favorite sweaters from resembling Swiss cheese, but the stinky naphthalene balls that keep moths away also emit chemicals that can irritate people.
“Most of them are pesticides, which can be harmful to anyone’s health,” May says.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “acute exposure through inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact is associated with anemia, damage to the liver, and, in infants, neurological damage.”
Signs that you’ve had short-term exposure to naphthalene include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, anemia, jaundice and convulsions.
Protective step
Play it safe by replacing moth balls (and their horrible aroma) with natural moth repellants like cedar blocks or chips or dried lavender.
Even white peppercorns are reputed to ward off these flying insects.
6. Cleaning products
More than one million children under 5 years old are exposed each year to potential poisons such as medicines and household chemicals, the AAPCC reports.
And like medications, the bright colors and sweet scents of cleaning products make them look appealing to little ones.
But there’s nothing pretty about health problems they can cause. The most common products ingested by children are drain, oven and toilet bowl cleaners, bleach, detergents, furniture polish and rust remover.
Protective steps
High, not low: Under the kitchen and bathroom sinks are common places to store cleaning products, but it’s better to keep them on high shelves, out of reach of kids.
If you have to store cleaners in low cabinets, use baby-proof locks and make sure all tops are properly closed.
When you take products out to clean, make sure they’re way out of your child’s reach and securely closed.
Put a danger mark on all hazardous products (draw your own or use a sticker) and teach kids to steer clear when they see it.
7. Carbon Monoxide
This odorless, colorless gas is toxic and may even kill you. And you may not even realize it’s in your home!
Typically, the danger comes from fuel-burning appliances: furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, clothes dryers, water heaters and space heaters, as well as automobile exhaust from attached garages.
Low levels of this toxic gas may cause headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue, according to the EPA.
Higher levels can lead to impaired vision and coordination, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, unconsciousness and, at very high concentrations, death.
Protective steps
Buy a carbon monoxide detector, something the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends for all homes. Make sure it’s installed properly and test it regularly.
Make sure fuel-burning appliances are installed correctly. To stay safe, have a pro inspect all your fuel-burning appliances annually.
With gas stoves, use an exhaust fan vented to the outside.
Make sure the flue is open when using your fireplace and that your space heater is vented.
Never let your car idle in the garage.
How Much Do You Know About Child Safety?
Protecting your kids is a natural instinct, but how much do you actually know about child safety?
Out of sight, out of mind, right? Not when it comes to the hidden health dangers in your home. Odorless gases, fumes from your carpet, even the innocent-looking cleaners in your cabinet can harm you and your family.
So what can you do? Lifescript talked with top experts to find out what’s lurking in your home-sweet-home. Here are their tips for protecting you and your loved ones:
1. Mold
Does your bathroom, closet or basement have an old musty odor? Blame mold spores. They make themselves at home in damp spots.
“Mold can grow within 24-48 hours where there’s moisture and what they consider a food source,” says Jeff May, co-author of My House is Killing Me! and The Mold Survival Guide (both from The Johns Hopkins University Press).
It doesn’t take much to make mold happy and multiply: It chomps down on dust, wood, paint, paper, cotton or oil, among other things. It’s attracted to modern building materials like drywall.
Complex heating and cooling systems can make mold matters worse, especially if you suffer from allergies or asthma.
Mold spores can trigger asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, the Mayo Clinic reports. Allergic reactions include: sneezing; runny or stuffy nose; itchy, watery eyes; and inflamed sinuses.
Common spots to find the fuzzy stuff – it often grows in a circular pattern and can be black, brown, white, yellow, pink or greenish-blue – are basement walls and carpets, closets and on wooden backs and bottoms of furniture stored in damp spaces.
Protective steps
Use a dehumidifier to keep the humidity in mold-prone rooms below 50%.
Operate an oscillating fan in the bathroom after showering and fix leaks as soon as possible.
Keep rooms well ventilated.
If you suspect mold, check the area with a flashlight (some of the fungi can only be seen with a bright light).
Can’t find the mold or its cause? Turn to the pros.
“An American Society of Home Inspector (ASHI) member can be very useful in determining moisture sources,” May says.
2. Dust mites
You can’t see these microscopic critters with the naked eye, but they can wreak havoc on your health.
They may be one of the most common causes of allergies and asthma and can trigger the same miserable symptoms.
Dust mites, too, need moisture and feed off the dead skin cells our bodies shed.
Their favorite hiding place? Beds, pillows, mattresses and sheets.
Protective steps
Face it: Dust mites are a part of your life.
“There’s no way to get rid of dust mites, so you need to put a barrier between you and them,” says Linda B. Ford, M.D., a spokeswoman for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and associate professor of medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Here are some tips:
Allergy covers can help because they’re woven, so even dust mites can’t slip through them. Seal your mattress, box spring, comforter and pillows. (You can usually buy allergy covers where sheets are sold.)
Wash your bedding and area rugs in hot water (120 degrees F) at least once a week.
Put items that aren’t machine washable – like a special pillow or stuffed animal – in the freezer for a couple hours at a time to kill dust mites.
Don’t go to bed with wet hair − you’re just giving the mites more moisture.
Regularly vacuum all floors, especially carpets, where dust mites can hide.
3. Carpet chemicals
Redecorating or renovating your house can give you a headache – literally.
When your wall-to-wall or area rug gives off that new carpet smell, it’s usually shedding 4-PC, a chemical in carpet backing, May says.
Though the smell probably will go away within days or weeks, it can cause temporary headaches and hoarseness in people sensitive to chemicals.
Protective steps
Ideally, new carpet should be aired before installation. But if that’s not possible, keep the carpeted room well ventilated and stay out if you’re sensitive to 4-PC.
“If the odor is strong despite ventilation for a week, you may want to have that carpet removed,” says May, who adds that some carpets never stop giving off 4-PC.
Here’s how May tells if carpet odor is giving off gas:
1. Take a clean, fragrance-free paper towel and fold it in half twice.
2. Place it on a section on the rug and cover it with aluminum foil secured with tape.
3. After 24 hours, fold the towel inside the foil quickly.
4. Then go outside and unwrap it just enough to take a whiff.
5. If it stinks, your carpet is giving off gas.
4. Medications
To tweens, toddlers and preschoolers, prescription and over-the-counter medications may look as tempting as candy, thanks to their interesting shapes and colors.
Protective steps
Store these drugs where kids can’t find them and use a safety lock on that cupboard or cabinet.
Never leave meds within easy reach, such as your purse, night-table or countertop.
Make sure all bottles have child-resistant caps.
Never call any drugs candy – no matter how desperate you are to get them to take it when they’re sick – or they may dip into the “sweet stuff” on their own.
Most important: Put the number of your local Poison Control Center where you can easily find it in an emergency. Need the number? Visit the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC).
5. Mothballs
They may keep your favorite sweaters from resembling Swiss cheese, but the stinky naphthalene balls that keep moths away also emit chemicals that can irritate people.
“Most of them are pesticides, which can be harmful to anyone’s health,” May says.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “acute exposure through inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact is associated with anemia, damage to the liver, and, in infants, neurological damage.”
Signs that you’ve had short-term exposure to naphthalene include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, anemia, jaundice and convulsions.
Protective step
Play it safe by replacing moth balls (and their horrible aroma) with natural moth repellants like cedar blocks or chips or dried lavender.
Even white peppercorns are reputed to ward off these flying insects.
6. Cleaning products
More than one million children under 5 years old are exposed each year to potential poisons such as medicines and household chemicals, the AAPCC reports.
And like medications, the bright colors and sweet scents of cleaning products make them look appealing to little ones.
But there’s nothing pretty about health problems they can cause. The most common products ingested by children are drain, oven and toilet bowl cleaners, bleach, detergents, furniture polish and rust remover.
Protective steps
High, not low: Under the kitchen and bathroom sinks are common places to store cleaning products, but it’s better to keep them on high shelves, out of reach of kids.
If you have to store cleaners in low cabinets, use baby-proof locks and make sure all tops are properly closed.
When you take products out to clean, make sure they’re way out of your child’s reach and securely closed.
Put a danger mark on all hazardous products (draw your own or use a sticker) and teach kids to steer clear when they see it.
7. Carbon Monoxide
This odorless, colorless gas is toxic and may even kill you. And you may not even realize it’s in your home!
Typically, the danger comes from fuel-burning appliances: furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, clothes dryers, water heaters and space heaters, as well as automobile exhaust from attached garages.
Low levels of this toxic gas may cause headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue, according to the EPA.
Higher levels can lead to impaired vision and coordination, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, unconsciousness and, at very high concentrations, death.
Protective steps
Buy a carbon monoxide detector, something the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends for all homes. Make sure it’s installed properly and test it regularly.
Make sure fuel-burning appliances are installed correctly. To stay safe, have a pro inspect all your fuel-burning appliances annually.
With gas stoves, use an exhaust fan vented to the outside.
Make sure the flue is open when using your fireplace and that your space heater is vented.
Never let your car idle in the garage.
How Much Do You Know About Child Safety?
Protecting your kids is a natural instinct, but how much do you actually know about child safety?
Food Expiration Dates: Should You Eat That? - Find Out What Package Labels Really Mean
Confused by food expiration dates? Figuring out when to toss that packaged poultry can confound even the smartest women, and the wide range of labeling standards don’t make it easier. Lifescript’s Medical Detective is here to help. Whether it’s meat or dairy, fresh or canned, find out what a “use by” date really means – and how it can save you money…
That half-full container of milk in your refrigerator was date-stamped three days ago. A sniff test doesn’t turn your stomach and it hasn’t gone chunky. Should you take a chance and pour it over your kids’ cereal?
The experts say: Sure! In fact, many foods are just fine past their listed “sell by” dates.
“If it smells OK, the world won’t come to an end [if you eat it],” says Jeanne Goldberg, Ph.D., professor of nutrition at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy at Tufts University in Boston.
“It’s better to use food quickly before it expires – but a large part of your decision-making should be common sense,” she says.
In fact, expiration dates mean more to grocers than they do to consumers. Most packaged foods with dates stamped on them help store owners and manufacturers track the products. Dates and codes vary, and the government regulates almost none of it.
“Seventy percent of shelf-life dates on products are [manufacturer] guesses,” says Ted Labuza, Ph.D., professor of food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota.
Yet most consumers would rather take a hit to their pocketbooks than eat food that’s “expired.”
“People don’t care what we say or if food smells fine,” says Kathy Bernard, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “They can’t get past that date – if it’s expired, they throw it out.”
The labels aren’t easy to decipher either. Walking the aisles of a local supermarket recently, the Medical Detective found an “enjoy before” label on a carton of juice, a “sell by” label on refrigerated salad dressing, a “better if used by” label on a box of cereal, and a “use or freeze by” label on a package of ground turkey. (What does it all mean? See “Label Language” at the end of this article.)
Most of us sort through perishables at the market to get the latest possible use by date, Labuza says. But freshness often depends more on how quickly an item went from delivery truck to store-refrigerator case than the date on the package label.
“Ironically, the older product in a store may be the [fresher] one, depending how quickly it hit the refrigerator,” he adds. “[Reading labels] is no guarantee you’re getting a better product.”
Some foods last longer than their use by date, while others – such as meat – can go bad days before the label suggests it should.
Besides, the listed dates have more to do with a food’s quality than its safety.
“Safety is about avoiding the growth of pathogens [bacteria] that can cause infection or poisoning,” Labuza says. “Quality is about freshness, flavor and texture – whether your potato chips are crisp or soggy.”
How Long You Can Store Food
If you’re like most people, you care about flavor and safety. Wondering if that salmon is still OK, or if that Bush-era can of corn is edible? Here are expiration guidelines for 5 major food categories, along with a breakdown of what their labels really mean.
1. Steak, veal, pork and lamb (keeps for 3-5 days in the refrigerator after purchase).
Ground beef (keeps for 1-2 days in the refrigerator after purchase).
Nothing’s more worrisome than fresh meat – and for good reason. It spoils quickly and no one wants to spend the night hugging the toilet.
Meat is likely to have a “use or freeze by” or “best if used by” package label, which lists the last date recommended by packagers or grocers for eating at peak quality, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Often, you can still use the meat after that date, though it may not taste as good.
But label dates won’t help you with a more important consideration: meat safety.
“Growth of bacteria is the main concern about the shelf life of meat and fish,” Labuza says.
When meat is improperly stored, “the number of bacteria doubles every 15-20 minutes,” he says. “You start with 10,000 bacteria per square centimeter on the surface and get to a million rather quickly. At that number, if you eat it, you throw up.”
The rate of decay depends on the amount of moisture meat is exposed to (less is better) and the temperature at which it’s stored. That’s why you shouldn’t leave raw meat out of the refrigerator or wait too long to consume it.
“The cooler you keep it, the longer it lasts,” Labuza says.
All meat should be stored below 40°, but Labuza keeps his in a separate garage refrigerator set at 32° so it easily outlasts the expiration date by several days, he says.
As a general rule, refrigerated meat should be cooked within a few days of purchase.
The exception is ground meat, which has a shorter shelf life and should be stored for only 1-2 days. It’s more easily contaminated by harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes during processing – so even if it’s fresh, you need to cook it to an internal temperature of 160° to avoid illness, according to the USDA.
And remember, Goldberg warns: “If you keep raw meat in your car while riding around doing errands, it spoils even faster.”
You’ll know if meat has gone bad by an unmistakable vinegar or ammonia odor. It may also be slimy and the color may have started to fade.
Frozen foods remain safe indefinitely, but can lose quality over time, according to the USDA. Uncooked roasts, steaks and chops last 4-12 months, uncooked ground meat is good for 3-4 months, and bacon and sausage can be frozen for 1-2 months.
2. Raw poultry (keeps for 1-2 days in the refrigerator after purchase).
This bird should fly off store shelves promptly, experts say.
“Chicken spoils quickly,” Goldberg explains.
Bacteria such as salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Campylobacter jejuni and Listeria thrive on raw or undercooked chicken, multiplying quickly at temperatures higher than 40°. Only cooking (to 160° all the way through) can kill them.
Although not federally required, many stores voluntarily provide sell-by dates on poultry, after which they’ll remove it from shelves. But whatever that date says, you should use or freeze it within two days of purchase.
If you purchase a warm, roasted chicken from a market or food chain, make sure it’s hot when you buy it and use within two hours. Otherwise, cut it into pieces and refrigerate it in shallow, covered containers that don’t leave much space for air; then eat it within 3-4 days.
In the freezer, uncooked poultry lasts 9-12 months. But while freezing can stop further contamination, it won’t kill bacteria that’s already there.
That’s one reason to defrost frozen poultry in the refrigerator, Goldberg says: “Bacteria grow fast on the outside of the chicken or turkey, even when it’s frozen on the inside.”
3. Fish (refrigerate for 1-2 days after purchase; store frozen for 3-8 months).
Shellfish (refrigerate for 1-2 days; store frozen for 3-12 months).
Fish and shellfish leftovers (refrigerate for 3-4 days; store frozen for 3 months).
Raw fish, like meat and poultry, often has a use by date on the package label, and you shouldn’t ignore it because “fish has a short shelf life,” Labuza says.
But you shouldn’t depend only on that date either. Use your nose – smell that salmon before you grill or bake it.
You’ll know it has gone bad if it produces a strong fish odor and turns brown or gray around the edges. Fresh fish springs back when you press it; spoiled fish is mushy.
3. Dairy products (usage depends on the product and the geographical state in which it’s sold).
The federal government has no requirements for milk, yogurt, cheese and other dairy foods. About 20 states impose their own labeling rules.
Pasteurized milk, if stored in your refrigerator at the right temperature (below 40°) immediately after purchase, can last 3-7 days after the “sell-by” date. But there’s no guarantee – and it sometimes starts to smell before the expiration date, Goldberg says.
If it’s left out at a temperature above 40°, it can go sour fast. No matter when you bought it, if it smells bad, toss it, Goldberg says.
What about cheese? Hard varieties, such as Swiss, cheddar or blue, are good for up to six months after their sell-by dates. Cream cheese lasts about two weeks.
If there’s a little mold on the outside of a block of hard cheese, you don’t have to trash it. Save money by scraping it away (about 1/8th of an inch deep) and enjoying the rest.
4. Eggs (store in the refrigerator 3-5 weeks after purchase).
Fresh eggs have a long shelf life, as long as you refrigerate them quickly. Expiration or sell by dates are sometimes state-required, and USDA-graded eggs (AA, A or B) will display a pack date (the day the eggs were washed, graded and placed in the carton).
A while after the expiration date, the yolk may not stand at attention when you crack it open, but it’s still safe to eat, experts say.
“I’ve used eggs two months past the date on the carton,” Labuza says. “Just be sure to keep them cold.”
Egg shells are porous, so as moisture leaks out of them, the quality diminishes, Goldberg says. To help prevent this, she recommends storing them in the carton.
Throw away a cracked egg if you don’t know how it happened. If you’re the culprit, store the egg in a container, then use it in a baked recipe within a couple of days.
Hard-boiled eggs that are cooled before storing in the refrigerator last up to a week, according to the American Egg Board. But discard them if the shell color changes or feels slimy.
5. Canned, jarred and packaged foods (keep up to five years at room temperature).
Canned foods often are your safest food bet. They’ll last as long as five years past the “pack date” (usually printed as a code on the bottom), if your pantry is cool enough – ideally about 50°-70°, according to Texas A&M University. (Hint: Don’t put your pantry next to your oven, or even the refrigerator – it throws off a lot of heat.)
“I found a can of chicken in my pantry that was seven years old, and it was great,” Labuza says. “But another time I opened a can of condensed milk – not that old – and it was a solid brown gel. I dumped it.”
Foods with a high acid content, such as tomatoes and pineapple, don’t last as long. Use them within 12-18 months of the pack date.
If a can is sharply dented – or, especially, if it bulges outward – toss it immediately because there’s a good chance it has been infected with botulism, a potentially life-threatening bacteria.
Dry packaged foods also stay fresh a long time if they’re packed and stored well and aren’t exposed to moisture. For example, canned Pringles potato chips can last “2 or 2-1/2 years,” Labuza says.
Pasta and rice maintain their taste for about a year. Unopened bags of cookies are good for a few months.
Label Language
Confused by the language of food dates? This guide breaks down the codes:
“Sell by” date: Used by manufacturers to remind grocers when to remove products from shelves.
“Best if used by” or “Use by” date: Refers to the flavor or quality, not food safety. Past that date, the taste and nutrient content may have diminished, but it may still be edible.
(Note: The use by date on infant formula and some baby food is set by the federal government and refers to the period in which the product must contain the full amount of nutrients described on the label.)
“Expires by” or “Expiration date”: You should throw the product out past that date. No wiggle room.
“Pack date”: A code on cans and boxed foods indicating when the product was packed. It can be hard to decipher, but you can usually at least pick out a year.
What’s Your Food Safety IQ?
There's nothing worse than polishing off a delicious meal, only to be struck later with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Little did you know when you were enjoying your entrée that you'd be paying a heavy price within hours. Food poisoning, whether contracted in a restaurant or in your own home, is never fun.
That half-full container of milk in your refrigerator was date-stamped three days ago. A sniff test doesn’t turn your stomach and it hasn’t gone chunky. Should you take a chance and pour it over your kids’ cereal?
The experts say: Sure! In fact, many foods are just fine past their listed “sell by” dates.
“If it smells OK, the world won’t come to an end [if you eat it],” says Jeanne Goldberg, Ph.D., professor of nutrition at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy at Tufts University in Boston.
“It’s better to use food quickly before it expires – but a large part of your decision-making should be common sense,” she says.
In fact, expiration dates mean more to grocers than they do to consumers. Most packaged foods with dates stamped on them help store owners and manufacturers track the products. Dates and codes vary, and the government regulates almost none of it.
“Seventy percent of shelf-life dates on products are [manufacturer] guesses,” says Ted Labuza, Ph.D., professor of food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota.
Yet most consumers would rather take a hit to their pocketbooks than eat food that’s “expired.”
“People don’t care what we say or if food smells fine,” says Kathy Bernard, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “They can’t get past that date – if it’s expired, they throw it out.”
The labels aren’t easy to decipher either. Walking the aisles of a local supermarket recently, the Medical Detective found an “enjoy before” label on a carton of juice, a “sell by” label on refrigerated salad dressing, a “better if used by” label on a box of cereal, and a “use or freeze by” label on a package of ground turkey. (What does it all mean? See “Label Language” at the end of this article.)
Most of us sort through perishables at the market to get the latest possible use by date, Labuza says. But freshness often depends more on how quickly an item went from delivery truck to store-refrigerator case than the date on the package label.
“Ironically, the older product in a store may be the [fresher] one, depending how quickly it hit the refrigerator,” he adds. “[Reading labels] is no guarantee you’re getting a better product.”
Some foods last longer than their use by date, while others – such as meat – can go bad days before the label suggests it should.
Besides, the listed dates have more to do with a food’s quality than its safety.
“Safety is about avoiding the growth of pathogens [bacteria] that can cause infection or poisoning,” Labuza says. “Quality is about freshness, flavor and texture – whether your potato chips are crisp or soggy.”
How Long You Can Store Food
If you’re like most people, you care about flavor and safety. Wondering if that salmon is still OK, or if that Bush-era can of corn is edible? Here are expiration guidelines for 5 major food categories, along with a breakdown of what their labels really mean.
1. Steak, veal, pork and lamb (keeps for 3-5 days in the refrigerator after purchase).
Ground beef (keeps for 1-2 days in the refrigerator after purchase).
Nothing’s more worrisome than fresh meat – and for good reason. It spoils quickly and no one wants to spend the night hugging the toilet.
Meat is likely to have a “use or freeze by” or “best if used by” package label, which lists the last date recommended by packagers or grocers for eating at peak quality, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Often, you can still use the meat after that date, though it may not taste as good.
But label dates won’t help you with a more important consideration: meat safety.
“Growth of bacteria is the main concern about the shelf life of meat and fish,” Labuza says.
When meat is improperly stored, “the number of bacteria doubles every 15-20 minutes,” he says. “You start with 10,000 bacteria per square centimeter on the surface and get to a million rather quickly. At that number, if you eat it, you throw up.”
The rate of decay depends on the amount of moisture meat is exposed to (less is better) and the temperature at which it’s stored. That’s why you shouldn’t leave raw meat out of the refrigerator or wait too long to consume it.
“The cooler you keep it, the longer it lasts,” Labuza says.
All meat should be stored below 40°, but Labuza keeps his in a separate garage refrigerator set at 32° so it easily outlasts the expiration date by several days, he says.
As a general rule, refrigerated meat should be cooked within a few days of purchase.
The exception is ground meat, which has a shorter shelf life and should be stored for only 1-2 days. It’s more easily contaminated by harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes during processing – so even if it’s fresh, you need to cook it to an internal temperature of 160° to avoid illness, according to the USDA.
And remember, Goldberg warns: “If you keep raw meat in your car while riding around doing errands, it spoils even faster.”
You’ll know if meat has gone bad by an unmistakable vinegar or ammonia odor. It may also be slimy and the color may have started to fade.
Frozen foods remain safe indefinitely, but can lose quality over time, according to the USDA. Uncooked roasts, steaks and chops last 4-12 months, uncooked ground meat is good for 3-4 months, and bacon and sausage can be frozen for 1-2 months.
2. Raw poultry (keeps for 1-2 days in the refrigerator after purchase).
This bird should fly off store shelves promptly, experts say.
“Chicken spoils quickly,” Goldberg explains.
Bacteria such as salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Campylobacter jejuni and Listeria thrive on raw or undercooked chicken, multiplying quickly at temperatures higher than 40°. Only cooking (to 160° all the way through) can kill them.
Although not federally required, many stores voluntarily provide sell-by dates on poultry, after which they’ll remove it from shelves. But whatever that date says, you should use or freeze it within two days of purchase.
If you purchase a warm, roasted chicken from a market or food chain, make sure it’s hot when you buy it and use within two hours. Otherwise, cut it into pieces and refrigerate it in shallow, covered containers that don’t leave much space for air; then eat it within 3-4 days.
In the freezer, uncooked poultry lasts 9-12 months. But while freezing can stop further contamination, it won’t kill bacteria that’s already there.
That’s one reason to defrost frozen poultry in the refrigerator, Goldberg says: “Bacteria grow fast on the outside of the chicken or turkey, even when it’s frozen on the inside.”
3. Fish (refrigerate for 1-2 days after purchase; store frozen for 3-8 months).
Shellfish (refrigerate for 1-2 days; store frozen for 3-12 months).
Fish and shellfish leftovers (refrigerate for 3-4 days; store frozen for 3 months).
Raw fish, like meat and poultry, often has a use by date on the package label, and you shouldn’t ignore it because “fish has a short shelf life,” Labuza says.
But you shouldn’t depend only on that date either. Use your nose – smell that salmon before you grill or bake it.
You’ll know it has gone bad if it produces a strong fish odor and turns brown or gray around the edges. Fresh fish springs back when you press it; spoiled fish is mushy.
3. Dairy products (usage depends on the product and the geographical state in which it’s sold).
The federal government has no requirements for milk, yogurt, cheese and other dairy foods. About 20 states impose their own labeling rules.
Pasteurized milk, if stored in your refrigerator at the right temperature (below 40°) immediately after purchase, can last 3-7 days after the “sell-by” date. But there’s no guarantee – and it sometimes starts to smell before the expiration date, Goldberg says.
If it’s left out at a temperature above 40°, it can go sour fast. No matter when you bought it, if it smells bad, toss it, Goldberg says.
What about cheese? Hard varieties, such as Swiss, cheddar or blue, are good for up to six months after their sell-by dates. Cream cheese lasts about two weeks.
If there’s a little mold on the outside of a block of hard cheese, you don’t have to trash it. Save money by scraping it away (about 1/8th of an inch deep) and enjoying the rest.
4. Eggs (store in the refrigerator 3-5 weeks after purchase).
Fresh eggs have a long shelf life, as long as you refrigerate them quickly. Expiration or sell by dates are sometimes state-required, and USDA-graded eggs (AA, A or B) will display a pack date (the day the eggs were washed, graded and placed in the carton).
A while after the expiration date, the yolk may not stand at attention when you crack it open, but it’s still safe to eat, experts say.
“I’ve used eggs two months past the date on the carton,” Labuza says. “Just be sure to keep them cold.”
Egg shells are porous, so as moisture leaks out of them, the quality diminishes, Goldberg says. To help prevent this, she recommends storing them in the carton.
Throw away a cracked egg if you don’t know how it happened. If you’re the culprit, store the egg in a container, then use it in a baked recipe within a couple of days.
Hard-boiled eggs that are cooled before storing in the refrigerator last up to a week, according to the American Egg Board. But discard them if the shell color changes or feels slimy.
5. Canned, jarred and packaged foods (keep up to five years at room temperature).
Canned foods often are your safest food bet. They’ll last as long as five years past the “pack date” (usually printed as a code on the bottom), if your pantry is cool enough – ideally about 50°-70°, according to Texas A&M University. (Hint: Don’t put your pantry next to your oven, or even the refrigerator – it throws off a lot of heat.)
“I found a can of chicken in my pantry that was seven years old, and it was great,” Labuza says. “But another time I opened a can of condensed milk – not that old – and it was a solid brown gel. I dumped it.”
Foods with a high acid content, such as tomatoes and pineapple, don’t last as long. Use them within 12-18 months of the pack date.
If a can is sharply dented – or, especially, if it bulges outward – toss it immediately because there’s a good chance it has been infected with botulism, a potentially life-threatening bacteria.
Dry packaged foods also stay fresh a long time if they’re packed and stored well and aren’t exposed to moisture. For example, canned Pringles potato chips can last “2 or 2-1/2 years,” Labuza says.
Pasta and rice maintain their taste for about a year. Unopened bags of cookies are good for a few months.
Label Language
Confused by the language of food dates? This guide breaks down the codes:
“Sell by” date: Used by manufacturers to remind grocers when to remove products from shelves.
“Best if used by” or “Use by” date: Refers to the flavor or quality, not food safety. Past that date, the taste and nutrient content may have diminished, but it may still be edible.
(Note: The use by date on infant formula and some baby food is set by the federal government and refers to the period in which the product must contain the full amount of nutrients described on the label.)
“Expires by” or “Expiration date”: You should throw the product out past that date. No wiggle room.
“Pack date”: A code on cans and boxed foods indicating when the product was packed. It can be hard to decipher, but you can usually at least pick out a year.
What’s Your Food Safety IQ?
There's nothing worse than polishing off a delicious meal, only to be struck later with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Little did you know when you were enjoying your entrée that you'd be paying a heavy price within hours. Food poisoning, whether contracted in a restaurant or in your own home, is never fun.
Utah Leads Nation in Suicidal Thoughts
More people in the heavily Mormon western state of Utah think about killing themselves than anywhere else in the United States, according to a survey on suicidal thoughts and attempts released Thursday.
One in 15 adults, or about 6.8 percent of those in the picturesque state that is home to Salt Lake City, had serious thoughts of suicide in 2008 to 2009, saccording to the report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The lowest rate was in the southeastern state of Georgia, with one in 50 adults, or 2.1 percent of the population reporting they thought of killing themselves.
The report is the first to examine state-by-state self-reported thoughts, plans, and attempts to commit suicide, but did not measure actual suicides.
Suicide bids were highest in the tiny northeastern state of Rhode Island, where one in 67 people (1.5 percent) reported to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health that they had tried to take their own lives in the past year.
The lowest number of attempts were in Delaware, with one in 1,000 people, or 0.1 percent, saying they tried to end their own lives, according to the report.
"Suicide is a tragedy for individuals, families, and communities. This report highlights that we have opportunities to intervene before someone dies by suicide," said CDC director Thomas Frieden.
"We can identify risks and take action before a suicide attempt takes place."
Across the nation, 2.2 million adults (1 percent of the adult population) reported making suicide plans in the past year, and more than 1 million (0.5 percent) said they attempted suicide.
The survey also found the highest rates of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts among people aged 18 to 29.
Nearly 14 percent of high school students said they had seriously considered attempting suicide during the 12 months preceding the survey, and 6.3 percent said they tried one or more times.
Women were also significantly more likely than men to have serious suicidal thoughts, the survey said.
According to the latest CDC data nationwide on actual suicides, more than 34,000 people killed themselves in 2007, which makes for about one suicide every 15 minutes. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States.
The research released Thursday gave no suggestion as to why Utah, where about 60 percent of the population is Mormon, was a leader in suicidal thoughts.
However it did note that historically, suicide rates "have consistently been higher in Western states, especially the Rocky Mountain states."
Experts said the reasons for suicidal feelings are complex, and that having state-by-state data should help public health officials focus on helping those most at risk.
"The variations identified in this report might reflect differences in the frequency of risk factors and the social and economic makeup of the study populations," said Linda Degutis, director of CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
"These differences can influence the types of prevention strategies used in communities and the groups included."
People most at risk for suicide often have a family history of the event, a history of depression or substance abuse, or experience a stressful event in their lives, the CDC said.
One in 15 adults, or about 6.8 percent of those in the picturesque state that is home to Salt Lake City, had serious thoughts of suicide in 2008 to 2009, saccording to the report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The lowest rate was in the southeastern state of Georgia, with one in 50 adults, or 2.1 percent of the population reporting they thought of killing themselves.
The report is the first to examine state-by-state self-reported thoughts, plans, and attempts to commit suicide, but did not measure actual suicides.
Suicide bids were highest in the tiny northeastern state of Rhode Island, where one in 67 people (1.5 percent) reported to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health that they had tried to take their own lives in the past year.
The lowest number of attempts were in Delaware, with one in 1,000 people, or 0.1 percent, saying they tried to end their own lives, according to the report.
"Suicide is a tragedy for individuals, families, and communities. This report highlights that we have opportunities to intervene before someone dies by suicide," said CDC director Thomas Frieden.
"We can identify risks and take action before a suicide attempt takes place."
Across the nation, 2.2 million adults (1 percent of the adult population) reported making suicide plans in the past year, and more than 1 million (0.5 percent) said they attempted suicide.
The survey also found the highest rates of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts among people aged 18 to 29.
Nearly 14 percent of high school students said they had seriously considered attempting suicide during the 12 months preceding the survey, and 6.3 percent said they tried one or more times.
Women were also significantly more likely than men to have serious suicidal thoughts, the survey said.
According to the latest CDC data nationwide on actual suicides, more than 34,000 people killed themselves in 2007, which makes for about one suicide every 15 minutes. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States.
The research released Thursday gave no suggestion as to why Utah, where about 60 percent of the population is Mormon, was a leader in suicidal thoughts.
However it did note that historically, suicide rates "have consistently been higher in Western states, especially the Rocky Mountain states."
Experts said the reasons for suicidal feelings are complex, and that having state-by-state data should help public health officials focus on helping those most at risk.
"The variations identified in this report might reflect differences in the frequency of risk factors and the social and economic makeup of the study populations," said Linda Degutis, director of CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
"These differences can influence the types of prevention strategies used in communities and the groups included."
People most at risk for suicide often have a family history of the event, a history of depression or substance abuse, or experience a stressful event in their lives, the CDC said.
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