Lakeland (FL) Ledger, Eric Messenger
Published July 16, 2006
We pulled back the curtains, peeked into the cabinets, and took a good hard look at what's lurking in houses. The result: our room-by-room fix-it guide. From carpets and wall colors to window shades and overhead lighting, your house can play a role in how much you weigh, your mood, even your cancer risk. After consulting the latest medical research, safety experts, healthy home pros, and decorating gurus, we have helpful hints for the kitchen and bathroom.
The KITCHEN
Nearly 25 percent of people worldwide spend more time in the kitchen than any other place in the home
LIGHT EATING: A well-lit kitchen helps prevent overeating, says Joseph Kasof, Ph.D., a research associate at the University of California, Irvine. His studies suggest dim lighting makes people feel less self-aware, which promotes binge eating.
FIGHT FIRES: About 373,000 home fires occur each year; cooking is the main cause, followed by heaters. Every kitchen needs a fire extinguisher. (It's smart to have one in the garage and near the bedrooms, as well.) We like the Kidde Brushed Finish Kitchen Fire Extinguisher ($33;
www.lowes.com).
HERBAL EDGE: Wake up faster with rosemary -- the scent boosts alertness, research shows. Keep an aloe plant on hand, too. It contains anti-inflammatories that can soothe minor burns. Break off a leaf and squeeze gel on the affected spot.
NONSTICK KNOW-HOW: When a nonstick pan gets too hot, it releases a gas called perfluorooctanoic acid, which can cause flu-like symptoms. But it's not known how hot is too hot. The Environmental Working Group says that heating pans to 325 degrees (a medium flame) is enough, while industry representatives claim it takes 600 degrees or more for PFOA to be released. Until a definitive answer is known, use a low flame and never heat an empty pan.
REFLECT ON THIS: When people dine in front of a mirror, they're likely to eat less and make smarter food choices, finds a study of 1,300 people at the University of Michigan. Researchers say that when we're confronted with our own image, we're reminded of our goals and values, such as eating healthy.
GET A GOOD GRIP: Using a dish towel as a pot holder is a no-no: Dangling edges can easily ignite. Silicone pot holders are your best bet. For oven use, however, extra-long oven mitts (often sold as grilling mitts) will protect hands and forearms.
THE KINDEST CUT: Which is best: a plastic or wood cutting board? The answer is either, as long as the board is not riddled with deep grooves. Wash it with hot soapy water or toss it in the dishwasher.
LEAVE IT OUT: Placing a bowl of fruit in plain sight inspires healthy eating, says David Grotto, RD, national spokesman for the American Dietetic Association.
POISON ALERT: Roughly 75 percent of American families don't have the national poison control number clearly posted. Write this down next to your phone: (800) 222-1222. Poisonings account for nearly one-third of accidental home injuries.
SKINNY SIPS: Squat glasses are fine for healthy drinks such as orange juice or water, but for alcohol or soda, choose thin, tall tumblers. Researchers at Cornell University and Georgia Tech found that people tend to underestimate the capacity of short, wide glasses and over-pour.
LOW-CALORIE DISHES: Choose blue plates and bowls. Research suggests that blue and purple serve as appetite suppressants. Downsize dishes, too. If you serve your main course on your salad dish, cleaning your plate will become a healthier habit.
STRONG SOAP: Soap and water kill germs and help prevent colds, no antibacterial variety needed. Regularly using the latter may spur antibiotic resistance.
FRIDGE FEVER: Set the refrigerator at 40 degrees or lower and the freezer at 0 degrees or lower to ensure that food doesn't spoil.
THE BATHROOM
An average person spends about 3 years of her life in the bathroom.
SUN SPRAY: Early morning natural light helps keep your internal clock in sync with your environment and your mood positive, research shows. To maintain privacy and light, spray your windows with glass frosting; curtains can collect mold. Just run your fan while spraying. ($5;
www.joann.com).
STAY SURE-FOOTED: Lacking a nonskid bottom and could lead to a nasty fall. Wall-to-wall carpeting is no solution. You'll be standing on a virtual petri dish of mold and bacteria. Mold can cause headaches, dizziness, asthma attacks, and other problems.
SHUT OUT MOLD: Glass shower doors are the best choice for hindering mold growth. If you're not ready to switch, pick a nylon or vinyl curtain and clean or replace at the first hint of mold. Got an outer cloth curtain? Wash it weekly.
SCALD-FREE SHOWER: Avoid an accidental burn from a surprise toilet flush by installing the ScaldShield Shower device ($35;
www.antiscald.com).
DIRTY MAGAZINES: If you're going to read periodicals in the bathroom, leave them there. Carrying magazines to other rooms will bring bacteria, too, says Gregory Papadeas, past president of the Colorado Dermatologic Society.
SCALE SMARTS: Daily weigh-ins help keep a weight loss program on track, found a study of 1,800 adults at the University of Minnesota.
CLEANER WATER: You absorb about the same amount of the toxin chloroform in a 10-minute shower as you would if you drank about 2 liters of the same water, say Rutgers University researchers. Check out
www.epa.gov for reports on local water supplies; if contaminants are present, try an Aquasana shower filter ($80;
www.aquasana.com).
ZAP-PROOF PLUGS: Even with a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet, a hair dryer should be unplugged.
"A GFCI stops the flow of electricity if an appliance gets wet, but it's still possible to get a shock if the appliance comes in contact with water," says Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council.
WASH YOUR CLOTH: Washcloths that don't dry -- bad. Quick-drying synthetic sponges and poufs -- good. Just be sure to hang them up and replace them monthly.
RAZOR ROUTINE: As long as little hands can't reach your disposable razor, leave the plastic cover off the blade; it'll help keep it dry and bacteria free.
NIGHT SIGHT: Plug in a night-light. Bright evening light kicks your body into wake-up mode and there's evidence it may raise your risk of several types of cancer. Because red wavelengths are the most innocuous, use a crimson bulb.
SAFE STORAGE: The bathroom is the worst place to keep medications, says Jackson A. Como, PharmD, director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Drug Information Service. The heat and humidity can cause deterioration. Store in a dark, cool, dry place, instead. Put your makeup there, too; bathroom moisture can spur bacteria growth. Published July 17, 2006
