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03/08/2023

In 2018, Americans spent an average of 8.82 hours per day sleeping. That doesn't include other bedroom pursuits. So chances are your bedroom is due for a checkup. Bedroom health requires more than taking its temperature -- but that's a good place to start. Lighting, fabric choices, floor clean-ability, and air quality are just a few hot spots to visit.

03/08/2023

From washing machines to strollers, pretty much anything can be recalled for safety reasons. To find out if there's been one for something you're interested in buying, get the brand and model, then check the manufacturer's website. Older products may no longer be on recall lists, so you may want to give the company a call to be sure. You can also check with the government's Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov.

Health & wellness website

03/08/2023

Water and electricity are deadly together. As long as it's plugged in, a hair dryer has electricity raring to go, even if it's turned off. Newer ones protect you with a bulky plug that has red and yellow switches on it. It cuts off the supply of electricity if it gets wet. Don't buy older models that don't have this feature. And check that the cord is in good shape.

Health & wellness website

03/08/2023

Like car seats and helmets, there's just too much you can't know about their history. Were they in an accident? Driven at really high speeds? Towing loads that were too heavy? All those can cause damage you can't see. And every tire has an expiration date. They're only good for 6 years, whether you use them often or not.

Health & wellness website

03/08/2023

If you're allergic to dogs or cats, it's probably the dried skin flakes, known as dander, that affect you. And they're sticky, so they easily cling to clothes and other fabrics. Look for hair or fur to give you a warning sign. Washing clothes and linens will help. And furniture made of wood is a lot easier to clean than that almost perfect vintage sofa.

Health & wellness website

03/08/2023

These critters can crawl into the tiniest seam or crack and go a year without eating. Once you have them, they're brutal to get out. They can be in most types of used furniture, but you're more likely to find them in mattresses or items with soft fabric, like sofas. Check these things very closely, looking for bugs, eggs, and signs of their p**p, which looks like tiny black dots.

Health & wellness website

03/08/2023

The bulbs in tall torchiere lamps can get twice as hot as your oven. If a curtain touches it, it can catch fire. Look for one with a wire or glass shield over the bulb. And even if the label says otherwise, don't go any higher than a 300-watt bulb. It's also good to check for a polarized plug, where one side is wider than the other. And make sure the cord isn't frayed and that the lamp doesn't have any bent, rusted, or loose parts.

Health & wellness website

03/08/2023

From bikes to horse riding, most helmets are made to hold up through only one crash. Or one drop on a hard surface. Once that happens, the foam inside squeezes and won't protect you the same way, even if it looks fine. Plus, older helmets don't necessarily meet the same safety standards as new ones, and the materials can break down over time.

Health & wellness website

03/08/2023

If you're concerned about bedbugs -- and most of the time, you probably should be -- go straight to the dryer. Washing alone won't kill them. Run everything through on high heat for 30 minutes. Take any bags the items came in to your outside trash right away. For things that can't go into the washer and dryer, dry cleaning will get the job done.

03/08/2023

It might seem like a good deal -- until you have to pay for a doctor's visit and some medication. Makeup and brushes touch your hands, eyes, and mouth. That makes those little containers breeding grounds for all kinds of germs. Even the testers in stores can be a bad idea. You can get skin rashes and serious infections. And used makeup may no longer have labels that list ingredients and warnings and tell you how to use them safely.