Balanced Living

December 2007

Unwrap the Gift of Toy Safety

December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month

The biggest threat to the health of children over 12 months of age is not some dreaded disease. It's accidental injury. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year nearly 200,000 children suffer injuries from toys severe enough to be treated in a hospital emergency room. Nearly 40 percent of those injured are 5 years old or younger.

The challenge you face as a parent is to find toys your children will enjoy and that you know are safe.

These simple guidelines can help keep the holiday season safe for your youngsters:

Avoid toys that shoot or have parts that fly off.
Choose toys made of durable materials with no sharp edges or points.
Don't give young children toys with small parts. Youngsters tend to put things in the mouth, increasing the risk of choking.
Choose age-appropriate toys. Age labeling is provided for developmental and safety reasons.
Select toys to suit your child's abilities, skill, and interest level.
To avoid serious ear injury, don't buy toys that make loud or shrill noises.
Choose well-made stuffed animals. The eyes, noses, and other small parts should be fastened securely.
Never buy hobby kits, such as chemistry sets, for children younger than age 12.
Look for the letters "ASTM," which indicate a toy or product meets the national safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials.

Tips to avoid playtime mishaps:

Explain and demonstrate how to use toys.
Keep toys for older children away from younger ones.
Discard packaging immediately. Sharp staples and plastic bags can cause injuries and pose safety hazards.
Make sure children play in safe areas and, if appropriate, under supervision.
Make a list of safety rules and share them with your children. If your youngsters are playing with friends, remind everyone of your safety rules.
Inspect older toys for broken or sharp edges, loose parts, and loose strings or ribbons.

For more information:
http://www.toysafety.org
http://fhahelps.personaladvantage.com/content?sub=10000265

You are likely aware of the many toy recalls that have occurred recently by major manufacturers. The number of toys recalled this year now numbers in the millions. The best way to enjoy stress-free shopping for the children in your life is to educate yourself. The following links are from the US Product Safety Commission, an agency charged with protecting the public from any safety issues that may arise from products distributed in the United States:

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission's information on all recalls and a searchable database:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission's Toy Hazard Recall List:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html

A New Vision of Holiday Eating

Indulging over the holidays can do more than stretch your waistline. An American Heart Association (AHA) report shows that the risk of having a heart attack is four times greater after eating a large meal high in fat and calories. The good news is that you can enjoy the holidays in a healthy way.

Get creative

Try these simple recipe changes from the AHA to reduce fat and calories while keeping the flavor:

Use egg substitutes or egg whites (two whites per one whole egg).
When a baking recipe calls for oil or butter, try a fruit puree, such as applesauce, instead.
Use less sugar than called for in pie recipes. You can make up for the required sweetness by using one-fourth of the amount of sugar and add the sweetener sucralose, which can be successfully used in baking.
Use low-fat dairy products.

Change one ingredient at a time so that you know which changes you like best.

Party planner

At holiday parties, you don't always have control over the types of foods available. The best choice to make is to cut back on portions:

Take only a sliver of your favorite desserts.
If you're having pie, don't eat all the crust, unless it's made from crushed graham crackers.
Sample the fresh fruit platter.
Avoid alcohol.
Eat a healthy meal before the party so that you don't overindulge.

When you bring a dish to share, keep in mind that the guests may also be watching their eating habits. Offer healthy alternatives to feel good about what you're serving.

For more information:
http://fhahelps.personaladvantage.com/dieting

What You Need to Know About AIDS

World AIDS Day is December 1st, 2007

Some people are so fearful of infection by HIV, the virus that can cause AIDS, they won't shake hands with someone who is HIVpositive. But you can't get the infection unless you have unprotected sexual contact with the infected person, share needles, or come in contact with his or her blood or blood products. HIV isn't transmitted by casual contact. Nor can you get it from sharing water fountains, toilet seats, pencils, or pens. And it's not spread through coughing or sneezing, tears, sweat, urine, or saliva.

Learning the following facts about HIV and AIDS can help you protect yourself and allay your fears. To protect yourself from the deadly AIDS virus, it's imperative you understand how it's spread.

Sexual transmission

Homosexuals and heterosexuals alike are at risk. Infected people can pass HIV on to anyone with whom they have intimate contact. Men can infect female or male partners, as can women. If you're promiscuous, you increase your chances of encountering someone who's infected. To protect yourself, use condoms.

Drug and needle use

Injecting drugs or steroids with someone who's HIV-positive puts you at risk. Dried blood can stay on a needle or inside a syringe, then be transferred to the next user. Because you can't tell by looking whether a person has HIV, sharing needles is always dangerous.

You're also at risk if you have any part of your body pierced or get a tattoo. If you have either of these procedures, make sure the person providing the service uses only new or sterile needles.

Blood transfusions

Today, blood that is used in transfusions in the United States is rigorously tested for HIV and several other contagious viruses, so there is only a slight chance of getting HIV from a transfusion. That wasn't the case a decade ago.

Stopping the spread

The following steps can help you prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS:

Find out all you can about HIV and AIDS, so you can protect yourself. Share your knowledge with family members and friends.
If you don't know your partner's sexual history, abstain from sexual relations or use a condom when having sex.
Don't inject drugs of any kind. Don't share needles or syringes. Seek medical help if you have a drug problem.
Have an HIV test if you've participated in unsafe sex or drug use. Encourage any friends who believe they may be infected to do the same.
Postpone pregnancy if it's possible you've been infected. Unborn children can contract the disease from their mothers, although there are medications that can prevent this. Your doctor can offer advice, as can family-planning services.

Education is the key to AIDS prevention. For further information visit:
http://www.ashastd.org/learn/learn_hiv_aids_overview.cfm
http://www.aidsinfo.nih.gov
http://www.unaids.org/en/default.asp

Key Facts About Clean Hands

December 2nd through 8th, 2007 is
National Handwashing Awareness Week

Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It is best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. However, if soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs quickly and significantly reduce the number of germs on your skin.

When washing hands with soap and water:

Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing “Happy Birthday” twice through to a friend!
Rinse hands well under running water.
Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.

Remember: If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based gel to clean your hands.

When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

Apply the product to the palm of one hand.
Rub your hands together.
Rub the product over all hand surfaces and fingers until dry.

When should you wash your hands?

Before preparing or eating food.
After going to the bathroom.
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom.
Before and after tending to someone who is sick.
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
After handling an animal or animal waste.
After handling garbage.
Before and after treating a cut or wound.

The first week in December is National Handwashing Week. Henry the Hand has excellent resources for teachers and parents to help kids learn and remember to wash their hands.

For resources and more information please visit:
http://www.henrythehand.com

Buying Foreclosed Property

With the current state of the real estate market, you may have heard about a number of properties foreclosing. It certainly is possible to get a good deal on a foreclosing property, but you'll have to put in some elbow grease and pay attention to details.

There are many homes near or in foreclosure due to:

Mortgage nonpayment
Probate after a death
IRS tax seizures
Real estate tax nonpayment
Condemnation or abandonment

You can find information about houses in legal foreclosure from:

Local newspapers
Subscription newsletters
The county deed recorder's office

Buying From A Bank After Foreclosure

There's little risk involved with property a bank has already purchased at a foreclosure auction. A bank will generally pay any other outstanding debts, such as property taxes or amounts owed to the IRS, in order to sell the house with a clear title. Plus the bank will have already evicted the tenants or former homeowners, and appraised the house prior to auction.

A bank has the flexibility to negotiate on the selling price, down payment, interest rate, and closing costs. Added together, these factors can make a big difference in whether you can afford a home, especially for firsttime homebuyers.

One disadvantage to buying from a bank is that the property may be sold "as is," so it's important to inspect carefully and budget for any needed repairs.

Buying From The Homeowner Prior To Auction

If you can communicate with a homeowner whose property is in legal foreclosure, it may be possible to buy a house prior to auction by giving the homeowner a small amount of cash in exchange for any equity in the house.

But it's important to thoroughly check out any existing liens or other debts on the property, so you know what you're getting into. You may be able to negotiate a discounted settlement with any lien holders.

You'll also want to inspect the property and estimate the costs of necessary repairs. If the costs of paying off the lender, cashing out the homeowner, and making repairs are more than the fair market value of the home, it's a bad deal.

If you decide to purchase the property directly from the homeowner, it's important to have a local real estate lawyer draft the purchase agreement.

Buying At A Foreclosure Auction

Buying at a foreclosure auction is the riskiest way to purchase foreclosed property, and shouldn't be attempted by a first-time buyer.

You may not be able to inspect the property, and will likely have to come up with the entire purchase price in cash in a short period of time (sometimes measured in hours rather than days). Plus you'll still end up owing any unpaid property taxes and junior liens (debts put on the property after the debt which caused the property to kick into legal foreclosure).

Buying at auction also comes with the possibility that the former owner will exercise their right of redemption by coming up with the cash to buy the house back within a certain period of time. The IRS also has 120 days to redeem the property if back taxes are owed. A local real estate lawyer can fill you in on the redemption laws in your state.

If you're tempted to buy at a foreclosure auction:

Research the condition of the property and any existing debts such as liens, unpaid taxes, and previous construction debts, by ordering a full title search on the property.
Scope out land use problems such as zoning or toxic waste issues.
Find out how the auction process and rules work.
Sit in on some other auctions ahead of time.
Decide what your maximum offer will be and don't go above it.
Arrange any financing you may need ahead of time.

Buying A HUD Home

The federal Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") often has houses for sale which are sold to the public after HUD or FHA mortgage foreclosures.

HUD pays up to 5 percent of closing costs. And a HUD home which has been pre-approved for an FHA mortgage has already been appraised, so you can move in faster.

HUD properties are sold "as is" on a cash basis through a conventional lender other than HUD. You can only purchase HUD property through an approved HUD broker or agent, who will submit an offer for you.

For more information:
http://fhahelps.personaladvantage.com/buying_a_home