Miami-Dade OnLine.com
Volume 1: HOME AND GARDEN SECTION
*HELPFUL HINTS
*SMELLY SPONGES: How often have you thrown out
a sponge because it had that awful smell? Fact is,
that smell indicates the sponge is full of germs. The
sponge was dangerous long before the smell warned
DANGER, DANGER. To counteract this problem and make your kitchen safer, put your
wet sponges and wipes in the microwave, on high for about a minute, or long enough to
have them begin steaming. Make sure you have wet sponges and make sure you do not
nuke any thing with plastic.
HEAT SAFETY and OUTDOOR CLEANUP: It is never too late to participate in the
cleanup of our community. And, there is a place to go for help: Keep Florida Beautiful
Inc. have a Hotline (800-828-9338) and an on-line site (www.keepFLBeautiful.org) to help
you. They can assist in organizing the cleanup of a specific neighborhood street, park, or
playground. In addition to providing cleanup bags, they can give advice on what to do
with the litter once its bagged.
*Whether the neighborhood or your own back yard, here is a list of safety tips to keep in
mind when working outside:
- Wear gloves and thick-soled shoes.
- Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
- Wear sun screen and bug repellent.
- Wear colored safety vest for roadside cleanup.
- Do not let your volunteers overdo it.
- Drink plenty of water and be especially cautious when the humidity is high. With high
humidity, the sweat does not evaporate from your skin. The body overheats, which can
result in Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke. If someone feels "strange" or "faint" or "odd",
or if they look real red or real pale, have them get out of the sun, sit down, and drink
lots of water. If they do not feel better, get them out of the heat, all together. Do not
underestimate the dangers from heat.
- Do not overstuff bags.
- Never pick up hypodermic needles or sharp objects with your hands, even if you have
gloves on. Use a shovel or other tool. Always insure that needles or sharp objects are
placed in containers that cannot be pierced.
- Wash your hands after the cleanup.
- Bag litter to meet local regulations.
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