FIGHT BACK : AS TEMPERATURE RISES, SO DO CASES OF FOOD POISONING.Byline: David Horowitz
We are entering into the hottest days of summer now, which can expose us to the highest odds of suffering food poisoning food poisoning, acute illness following the eating of foods contaminated by bacteria, bacterial toxins, natural poisons, or harmful chemical substances. It was once customary to classify all such illnesses as "ptomaine poisoning," but it was later discovered that from food that is not handled properly. We can get sick or even die in spite of all the high-tech ways we refrigerate re·frig·er·ate tr.v. re·frig·er·at·ed, re·frig·er·at·ing, re·frig·er·ates 1. To cool or chill (a substance). 2. To preserve (food) by chilling. , cook and preserve what we eat. The experts call the strains of food poisoning bacteria pathogens. These organisms breed silently and quickly, and they make about 33 million Americans sick every year. Approximately 10,000 people who get sick never recover. These germs can live for about three weeks as they move from dirty hands, unclean sponges and dish rags, and breed fastest in hot weather. Their enemy is cleanliness, soap and hot water, along with disinfectants. A mild solution of chlorine bleach on a counter top or cutting board after each use can reduce the risk of contamination almost entirely. Cooking meats, poultry and fish until the food's internal temperature is 165 degrees also will destroy these microscopic bugs. Reheating Reheating The addition of heat to steam of reduced pressure after the steam has given up some of its energy by expansion through the high-pressure stages of a turbine. leftovers quickly at a high temperature also will defeat pathogens. Other weapons against bacteria contamination include defrosting perishables in the refrigerator or microwave. Health experts say never allow any perishables to defrost de·frost v. de·frost·ed, de·frost·ing, de·frosts v.tr. 1. To remove ice or frost from: defrosted the windshield. 2. To cause to thaw. v. on a counter top at room temperature. You can keep bacteria in check if the food is kept at 40 degrees or less. Bottom line: If you can't keep it clean, keep it hot or cold, just don't keep it. It could save a life - maybe yours or a family member or friend. Electric savings You can lower your electric bill when you go on vacation simply by not being there to use power, but, even so, you can prevent problems and keep usage at a low level by just pulling the plug on some appliances. Microwaves, TV sets, computers, stereos and other convenience appliances suck current all the time, even when they are not in operation. Pulling the plug not only saves electricity but also can prevent damaging electrical power surges in some appliances. Electric water heaters are energy hogs and could be turned off by switching the circuit breaker circuit breaker, electric device that, like a fuse, interrupts an electric current in a circuit when the current becomes too high. The advantage of a circuit breaker is that it can be reset after it has been tripped; a fuse must be replaced after it has been used to the ``off'' position. Refrigerators can be set to lower cooling levels or on the ``vacation'' setting. Thermostats on gas water heaters can be lowered to ``warm'' instead of ``hot'' or placed on the pilot setting, which uses the least gas. You also might consider shutting off the water valves to your washing machine (storage) washing machine - An old-style 14-inch hard disk in a floor-standing cabinet. So called because of the size of the cabinet and the "top-loading" access to the media packs - and, of course, they were always set on "spin cycle". to avoid a possible water pipe break or major leak. Air conditioners should be set at the most conservative temperature if you live in a humid area. If not, just shut it off, but consider your house plants house plants, varied group of plants grown indoors and requiring no special care. They are usually grown singly in pots, but can also be grouped and planted together in dish gardens and terrariums. and other temperature-sensitive items first, like tropical fish tropical fish Any of various small fishes of tropical origin often kept in aquariums. They are interesting for their behaviour or showiness or both. Popular varieties include the angelfish, guppy, kissing gourami, sea horse, Siamese fighting fish, and tetra. tanks, before you shut your system down. Tourist menu scam Vacationing diners trying an out-of-town restaurant for the first time get confused by an unfamiliar menu and usually will ask the server for advice on what to order. Unsuspecting diners usually accept the server's selection without giving it a thought. I tried a little experiment at a popular restaurant in Iowa. Four of us went to dinner and asked for help with the menu. The servers were pros. The first tip-off we had was when the waitress made some negative remarks about some menu items by saying things like, ``That main course is just so-so, instead you should try the ...'' I asked myself, If the food is not that good, why are the items on the menu? The second red flag from the server was that all the selections the server chose were the most expensive menu items. When the dessert menu was presented, once again, the most costly concoction was recommended at twice the price of everything else. The food, by and large, was excellent. So was the service. When the check came, it had a hefty service charge, and the food the server suggested was pricey. As I was leaving the restaurant, I paused to put on my jacket and heard the same server go through her routine as she pushed the same most-expensive selections for other out-of-towners to try. Was it a gimmick? I think the answer is obvious. New sun blocker The latest hot-selling sun blocker, to keep both harmful ultraviolet A and B rays from searing sear 1 v. seared, sear·ing, sears v.tr. 1. To char, scorch, or burn the surface of with or as if with a hot instrument. See Synonyms at burn1. 2. your skin as if you are being barbecued, is ``Parsol 1789.'' It was widely used in Europe before it made a quiet debut in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , when it got FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. approval several years ago. If you check the label on your suntan oil or cream, you might see it contains ``Parsol 1789.'' It sounds like a ``parasol'' or umbrella. The chemical ``Parsol'' helps dramatically to protect the user against ultraviolet A and B rays that come from the sun and tanning beds in salons. These UVA and UVB UVB ultraviolet B; see ultraviolet. rays are called ``long rays.'' They can damage unseen connective tissue without sun bathers realizing it as they tan. The skin does not burn, but the layers beneath the surface can be damaged seriously. |
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