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5 things you should never do while driving

Driving is a rite of passage everyone wants to achieve. It gives you the freedom to transport yourself whenever and wherever you want to go. This doesn’t mean that you do whatever you please when you’re behind the wheel, though!

Eating while you’re driving, or applying make-up sounds harmless, but multitasking on the road can be dangerous. According to statistics by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), there were 14 050 road crash-related deaths in 2017. Scary, right?

You can help lower the death toll by being more cautious on the road. Here are a few things you should avoid doing while driving.

1. Eating and drinking

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, a bus driver faced a lawsuit in 2014 for causing an accident involving three drivers. When a video was later revealed in 2015, it was discovered that he was distracted while driving because he was enjoying his lunch… a burrito. Like the unfortunate bus driver, you may think that having a snack while you’re in traffic is harmless but think again. Just taking your hands off the wheel for one sip of water may cause an accident. Instead of munching while on the road, have a snack before you get into your car. If you’re taking a long trip, take breaks in a legal parking area to eat or drink. And of course; never drink alcohol and drive!

2. Using your phone

Your phone beeps while you’re driving, so you look down for a second to check the message. Such a seemingly innocent thing to do, but it’s a huge risk. A survey by the Automobile Association (AA) revealed that during peak hour traffic 7.2% of 2500 drivers were using their phones while driving. Avoid texting, scrolling through social media, and making phone calls while you’re driving. A phone occupies your hands and distracts your thoughts. Check and send any messages before you start driving. If you have a passenger, ask them to answer important calls or text messages while you keep your eyes on the road.

3. Getting dressed

Your car isn’t a changing room, so avoid using it as one. Think of all the yanking, stretching and pulling you need to do when getting changed. This makes it impossible to keep your eyes on the road, or your hands on the steering wheel. If you’re running late, rather pack your clothes in your car and change in a bathroom or dressing room when you get to your destination. Alternatively, dress as far as possible and change your shoes or add layers once you’re safely parked away from the road.

4. Make-up and grooming

Whether it’s brushing your hair, applying mascara or painting your nails, you can’t do any of these while driving. Either apply your makeup before you start driving, or do it when you’ve arrived at your destination. But never while you’re driving. And remember, your car mirrors are there to help you keep an eye on the road, not so you can swipe on some lipstick!

5. Take a nap

Don’t kid yourself. There’s no such thing as closing your eyes “for a second”, so don’t close them while you’re at the wheel. If you’re sleepy, take a nap before starting your journey. If you’re on a long drive, make time to get some shut-eye before continuing your trip. Driving with a passenger can be a great help as you can take turns driving when either of you are tired.

References:

How to avoid toxins in the kitchen

Imagine you still had to head out into the field to collect your corn, fetch your eggs from the chickens and milk your own cow. It may be a novel experience for a weekend retreat, but hardly a practical morning routine for our modern lives.

We live in the age of convenience: with ready-made meals, and fruit, veg and fresh produce delivered straight to your door. The downside, though, is that all the processing and packaging can lead to harmful toxins entering into your kitchen. Pay attention to these hidden dangers of our prepackaged era, so you can give your family the best.

Safer storage

The Risk: Plastic materials (plastic containers, Ziploc bags, plastic wrap, plastic cups and baby bottles) can be toxic. Hundreds of chemicals are used to make plastic containers and food packaging. These chemicals are often linked to cancer, endocrine disruption (an interference with the normal functioning of hormones) and chronic diseases. Plastic containers and packaging may leak substances like bisphenol-A (BPA), bisphenol-S (BPS), and phthalates into the foods they touch. BPA is the substance that makes plastic clear and hard.

The Alternative: Because we generally can’t pinpoint what’s in our plastics, always choose materials made from glass, ceramic, bamboo, or metal to prepare and store your food with.  Opt for eco-friendly replacements like paper bags or cartons for plastic wrap. If you do need to use a plastic container, shop for BPA-Free plastic. When you microwave BPA plastic, chemicals in the plastic (including the phthalates that make plastic flexible), will actually leak into the food. This means that the chemicals move from the plastic into the food. Avoid this by always heating food in a glass or ceramic container.

Non-stick pans

The Risk: While we all love an egg that doesn’t stick to the pan, non-stick cookware may not be worth it. The coating on the pan may be made with a carcinogenic chemical that releases fumes when heated. The coating may also flake and peel off over time and this is definitely not something you want in your food!

The Alternative: Aluminium pans are a common alternative; however, its coating may also break down over time and leak chemicals. Where possible, rather opt for cast iron, high-quality ceramic, or glass.

Bleached paper products

The Risk: White paper towels, parchment paper and baking cups look pretty, but they are hotbeds for toxic chemicals. Paper is bleached with chlorine, which creates a chemical by-product called dioxin. Dioxin is considered cancer-promoting and causes adverse effects on your endocrine and immune systems. It may also affect your fertility.

The Alternative: Choose reusable alternatives instead of disposable products. These include washable bamboo kitchen towels and reusable tea filters.

Simple steps can change your kitchen from a toxic place to a safe one.

  • Glass and ceramic are great choices when it comes to dishware. Make sure that the ceramic dishware has a lead-free glaze. High-quality food grade silicone plates, stainless steel, bamboo or wood containing food-safe finishes are also safe options.
  • Avoid Teflon and other chemical non-stick coatings. Overheating of non-stick pans and any scratching or chipping of the materials can cause these chemicals to be released.
  • Avoid plastic utensils and accessories when cooking as these can melt or flake with extreme heat or wear down over time. This could potentially cause chemicals to transfer to food. Choose stable materials like wood, bamboo, silicone or stainless steel instead.
  • The safest materials for cookware and bakeware include glass, high stainless steel, cast iron and ceramic cookware.
  • When using stainless steel cookware, know that deeply scratched and pitted pans can cause metals like nickel and chromium to transfer into food in trace amounts. These are not necessarily toxic elements unless you have an allergy or sensitivity. For your safety, avoid frequent use of abrasive materials with stainless steel cookware.
  • Use non-toxic cleaning products. Avoid bleach, ammonia, synthetic fragrances and dyes.
  • Filter tap water for drinking and cooking. Find a high-quality filter that can remove heavy metals, chlorine, and other contaminants.
  • Buy products from reputable manufacturers who have detailed description labels.

References:

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Continue reading “UPDATE: Don’t lose your child in a public place”

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Continue reading “Holiday safety – kids at the beach”