wordreference web site
http://www.wordreference.com/


FEMA Encourages Individuals To "Resolve To Be Ready"
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=50088

Release Date: December 17, 2009
Release Number: HQ-09-155

Resolve to be Ready in 2010. Resolve to be Ready is an annual initiative encouraging individuals, families, businesses and communities to make preparedness
a part of their New Year resolutions.

“This holiday season, as family and friends come together to celebrate, it is also a great time to talk about the importance of being prepared,” said
Administrator Fugate. “Families can start small, by ensuring they have a communications plan in place before an emergency happens, a little bit of
planning can make all the difference in an emergency.
Being Ready for emergencies can be an easy New Year's resolution to keep by following the Ready Campaign's three simple steps: 1) Get an emergency supply
kit; 2) Make a family emergency plan; and 3) Be informed about the types of emergencies and appropriate responses.

Taking these steps and having an emergency supply kit both at home and in the car, will help prepare people for winter power outages and icy roads. Each of
these kits should include basic necessities such as water, food and first aid supplies to help you survive if you are without power or become stranded in your vehicle. Complete checklists for each kit are available at www.ready.gov.

In addition, by visiting www.ready.gov
or the Spanish-language Web site www.listo.gov, individuals can access free materials that will help them make
and keep a New Year's resolution that will bring their families peace of mind.


about web site
http://www.about.com/


Research Update

The Choking Game: CDC´s Findings on a Risky Youth Behavior
http://www.cdc.gov/Ncipc/duip/research/choking_game.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unintentional Strangulation Deaths from "The Choking Game" Among Youths Aged 6 - 19 Years – United States, 1995-2007. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2008; 57(6):141-144. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/
mm5706a1.htm




An article published in the February 15, 2008 MMWR describes an activity called "the choking game," which has led to the death of at least 82 children and adolescents since 1995. Researchers from CDC´s Division of
Unintentional Injury Prevention analyzed media reports of deaths of children and adolescents from the choking game. Highlights from their findings address some common questions about this public health threat.

What is the choking game?
The choking game is a dangerous activity that older children and early adolescents sometimes play to get a brief high. They either choke each other or use a noose to choke themselves. After just a short time, children can pass out, which may lead to serious injury or even death from hanging or strangulation.

Who is most at risk for death from playing the choking game?

* Boys were much more likely to die from the choking game than girls; 87% of victims were boys.
* Most of the children that died were 11-16 years old (89%).
* Nearly all of the children who died were playing the game alone when they died.
* Deaths have occurred all over the United States; the choking game isn’t limited to one area of the country.


What are the warning signs that a child is playing the choking game?
Parents, educators, health-care providers, or peers may observe any of the following signs that can indicate a child has been involved in the choking game:

* Discussion of the game or its aliases
* Bloodshot eyes
* Marks on the neck
* Wearing high-necked shirts, even in warm weather
* Frequent, severe headaches
* Disorientation after spending time alone
* Increased and uncharacteristic irritability or hostility
* Ropes, scarves, and belts tied to bedroom furniture or doorknobs or found knotted on the floor
* The unexplained presence of dog leashes, choke collars, bungee cords, etc.
* Petechiae (pinpoint bleeding spots) under the skin of the face, especially the eyelids, or the conjunctiva (the lining of the eyelids and eyes)


What are some of the other names used for the choking game?

* Pass-out game
* Space monkey
* Suffocation roulette
* Scarf game
* The American dream
* Fainting game
* Something dreaming game
* Purple hazing
* Blacking out/blackout
* Dream game
* Flat liner
* California choke
* Space cowboy
* Airplaning
* Purple dragon
* Cloud nine

How quickly can someone die after playing the choking game?
Someone can become unconscious in a matter of seconds. Within three minutes of continued strangulation (i.e., hanging), basic functions such as memory, balance, and the central nervous system start to fail. Death occurs shortly after.

Are there non-fatal, long-term consequences of the choking game?

* Loss of consciousness and death of brain cells due to oxygen deprivation in the brain; coma and seizures may occur in severe cases
* Concussions or broken bones (including jaws) from falls associated with the choking game
* Hemorrhages of the eye

How can the choking game be prevented?
Research is not available on the best strategies to prevent the choking game. However, parents, educators, and health-care providers should be made aware of this public health threat and the warning signs that adolescents may be playing the game.


Content Source: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Page last modified: October 20, 2008



American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
http://www.aapmr.org/


Fires and Food Safety
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Fires_and_Food_Safety/index.asp

Fire! Few words can strike such terror. Residential fires are, unfortunately, a common occurrence. Some 2 million American homes are in flames yearly. In the aftermath of fire, people are left to salvage their lives and belongings.

Whether it's the whole house involved or just a fire in the kitchen, people try to save what they can — including food. But generally, saving food that's been in a fire is not a good idea.

Food exposed to fire can be compromised by three factors: the heat of the fire, smoke fumes, and chemicals used to fight fire.

Heat from the Fire
Food in cans or jars may appear to be okay, but if they've been close to the HEAT of a fire, they may no longer be safe.

Why? Heat from a fire can activate food spoilage bacteria. If the heat is extreme, the cans or jars themselves can split or rupture, rendering the food unsafe.

Fumes from a Fire
One of the most dangerous elements of a fire is sometimes not the fire itself, but TOXIC FUMES released from burning materials.

Those fumes can kill; they can also contaminate food. Any type of food stored in permeable packaging — cardboard, plastic wrap, etc. — should be thrown away. Toxic fumes can permeate the packaging and contaminate the food.

Discard any raw foods stored installing battery-powered smoke outside the refrigerator — such as potatoes or fruit — that could be contaminated by fumes.

Surprisingly, food stored in refrigerators or freezers can also become contaminated by fumes. The refrigerator seal isn't airtight and fumes can get inside.

If food from your refrigerator has an off-flavor or odor when it's prepared, throw it away.

Chemicals in Fires
Chemicals used to fight fires contain toxic materials and can contaminate food and cookware. The chemicals cannot be washed off the food.

Foods that are exposed to chemicals should be thrown away. This includes food stored at room temperature, such as fruits and vegetables, as well as foods stored in permeable containers like cardboard and screw-topped jars and bottles.

Canned goods and cookware exposed to chemicals can be decontaminated.

Wash in a strong detergent solution. Then dip in a bleach solution (1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water) for 15 minutes.

Fire Stoppers
The American Red Cross recommends that you:

* Make your home fire-safe by installing battery-powered smoke detectors on each floor and in the garage. Test the detectors twice a year and keep a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
* Plan two emergency escape routes from each room in the house. Have rope or chain ladders for upstairs rooms. Agree on where to meet after the family escapes.
* Have your own practice fire drills. Instruct everyone to crawl low under smoke.


For more information, contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline or one of these other government sites.

CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

* Call 1-800-CDC-INFO or 1-800-232-4636, TTY 1-888-232-6348, for information on hazards, safe clean up, and preventing illness and injury. Available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
www.cdc.gov


FDA: Food and Drug Administration

* For information on safe food handling for foods other than meat, poultry, or egg products, call FDA's toll-free information line at 1-888-SAFEFOOD or 1-888-723-3366.
www.cfsan.fda.gov
* FDA emergency number, staffed 24 hours a day, (301) 443-1240


Other

* Environmental Protection Agency - EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791
www.epa.gov
* Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Food and Water in an Emergency
www.fema.gov


General Disaster Assistance Site: www.foodsafety.gov


Last Modified: November 18, 2008





Fact Sheets

Safe Food Handling
At-Risk Populations
Meat Preparation
Poultry Preparation
Egg Products Preparation
Seasonal Food Safety
Appliances & Thermometers
Foodborne Illness & Disease
Emergency Preparedness
FSIS Programs & Workforce
Production & Inspection
Food Labeling



Healthystuff.org


healthywomen org web site
http://www.healthywomen.org


Stay Young at Heart Recipes
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/index.htm

Appetizer

* Curtido Cabbage Salvadore
* Oven-Fried Yucca



* Pupusas Revueltas with Chicken

Soups

* Bean and Macaroni Soup
* Cannery Row Soup
* Corn Chowder
* Gazpacho



* Homemade Turkey Soup
* Meatball Soup
* Mexican Pozole
* Minestrone Soup
* Rockport Fish Chowder

Entrees
Beef

* Bavarian Beef
* Beef and Bean Chili
* Beef Casserole
* Stir Fried Beef and Potatoes



* Beef Stroganoff
* Black Skillet Beef with Greens and Red Potatoes
* Scrumptious Meat Loaf

Poultry

* Turkey Stuffed Cabbage
* Barbecue Chicken
* Chicken Gumbo
* Chicken Marsala
* Chicken Orientale
* Chicken Ratatouille
* Chicken and Rice
* Chicken Stew
* Crispy Oven-Fried Chicken



* Finger-Licking Curried Chicken
* Grilled Chicken with Green Chile Sauce
* Pupusas Revueltas with Chicken
* Spaghetti with Turkey Meat Sauce
* 20-minute Chicken Creole
* Very Lemony Chicken
* Yosemite Chicken Stew and Dumplings

Fish

* Baked Trout Ole
* Fish Veronique
* Mediterranean Baked Fish
* Mouth-Watering Oven-Fried Fish



* Scallop Kabobs
* Spicy Baked Fish
* Spinach Stuffed Sole
* Tuna Salad

Vegetarian

* Black Beans with Rice
* Caribbean Pink Beans
* Classic Macaroni and Cheese



* New Orleans Red Beans
* Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce
* Summer Vegetable Spaghetti
* Zucchini Lasagna

Side Dishes
Green Vegetables

* Chayotes Stuffed w/Cheese
* Fresh Cabbage and Tomato Salad
* Green Beans Saute
* Italian Vegetable Bake



* Limas and Spinach
* Smothered Greens with Turkey
* Vegetable Stew
* Vegetables with a touch of Lemon

Pasta

* Parmesan Rice and Pasta Pilaf
* Red Hot Fusilli



* Sweet and Sour Seashells

Potatoes

* Candied Yams
* Delicious Oven French Fries
* Garden Potato Salad
* Garlic Mashed Potatoes



* New Potato Salad
* Savory Potato Salad
* Sweet Potato Custard
* Wonderful Stuffed Potatoes

Rice

* Oriental Rice
* Scallion Rice



* Sunshine Rice
* White Rice

Breads

* Apricot-Orange Bread
* Banana-Nut Bread
* Carrot-Raisin Bread



* Good-For-You Cornbread
* Homestyle Biscuits

Toppings/Sauces

* Fresh Salsa
* Made at Home Sour Cream



* Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
* Yogurt Salad Dressing

Desserts
Cakes

* Apple Coffee Cake
* Frosted Cake

Fruits

* Rainbow Fruit Salad
* Tropical Fruit Compote

Puddings and Pies and More

* Crunchy Pumpkin Pie
* Mock-Southern Sweet Potato Pie
* Mousse a la Banana



* 1-2-3-Peach Cobbler
* Rice Pudding
* Winter Crisp

Beverages

* Mango Shake
* Summer Breezes Smoothie



answers web site
http://www.answers.com/


OSRAM SYLVANIA Recalls Portable Nightlights Due to Electric Shock Hazard

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2009
Release # 10-060

Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 423-3772
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

OSRAM SYLVANIA Recalls Portable Nightlights Due to Electric Shock Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: LED Rocketship PalPODzzz(tm) Portable Nightlights

Units: About 26,000

Importer: OSRAM SYLVANIA Products Inc., of Danvers, Mass.

Hazard: The bottom plastic cover on the recharging base of the portable nightlight can break, exposing internal electrical components. This poses an electric shock hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received three reports of the bottom of the recharging base breaking and consumers touching internal electrical components that resulted in minor electric shocks.

Description: This recall involves LED Rocketship PalPODzzz(tm) portable nightlights with model number 72174. The product can also be used as an emergency light or a flashlight. The nightlight is shaped as a rocket ship and sits in a plastic recharging base that plugs into the wall. The model number and date codes "0808" or "0908" are printed on the label attached to the bottom cover of the recharging base.

Sold at: The Home Depot, Stop & Shop, and other retailers nationwide and online at Amazon.com, Smarthome.com, and Sylvaniaonlinestore.com from October 2008 through November 2009 for between $15 and $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled portable nightlights and contact OSRAM SYLVANIA for a free replacement portable nightlight and a $5 coupon credit for OSRAM SYLVANIA products.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact OSRAM SYLVANIA at (877)-423-3772 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET or visit the firm's Web site at www.sylvania.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10060.html