better
HEALTH
new s & know -how
by the numbers:
1
0
%
The percentage of pre-teen kids
home alone in the summer.
Most parents would prefer not to leave
their children home alone when school’s
out. But if it’s unavoidable, keep them safe.
H E A LTH O N T H E FLY
Th e fleet o f nine specially equipped buses
that are perform ing health screenings across the c o u n try o ve r the next
ye a r m ay not stay long in y o u r to w n , but the beneflts th e y p rovide are
m uch m ore long-lasting. Funded by a partnership betw een AARP and
W algreens, the buses can provide screenings fo r bone density, total
cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, body mass index, and
m ore. To And o u t w hen a big red bus is com ing to y o u r to w n , call to ll-fre e
866/484-8687, o r go to
aarpwalgreens.com/tour.
Th e screenings, w ith a
value o f about $140, are free to everyone o ve r age 18.
1
. CARD THEM
Leave emergency and
work contact information in multiple
places: on the fridge, taped to the phone,
and in their wallet or backpack.
2
. PLAY “WHAT-IF?’
They should know
what to do if a stranger calls or knocks
(don’t answer). Cover the basic crises
too— toilet overflows, power outages,
being locked out of the house.
3
. PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES
Have a
plan for tornadoes, fires, or other major
events. Practice drills frequently.
4
. INSTITUTE RULES
Make it clear that
rules change— for the stricter— when
you’re not around. No cooking, for
example. Leave them with meals and
snacks that are prepared ahead of time.
5
. GET HELP
Sites such as that of the Home
Safety Council,
homesafetycouncil.org,
have invaluable safety information.
H E A L IN G
M O V E S Y O G A
F o rso m e beginners,
yo ga is a daunting
a ctivity because th ere
are so many styles, poses,
and precon ception s. In
he r a u d io -o n ly C D called
Healing Moves
Yoga,
Carol K ru co ff,a yo g a th e ra p ista t
Duke Integrative M edicine, keeps it
refreshingly sim ple. T h e C D is split into Ave
sections o f about 15 m inutes each: Centering
and Breathing, W a rm -U p s, Standing Poses,
Lying-D ow n Poses, and Relaxation. Do one
o r m ore sections, depending on how m uch
tim e yo u have and w hat yo u need m ost.
A b o u t $14 at
amazon.com.
2 1 2
JULY2009 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
h o m e re m e d y
SOOTHE A SUNBURN
If SPF slips your mind and the sun exacts its toll for your
forgetfulness, remedies for your scorched skin are close by.
ALOE VERA
— Apply some aloe gel, which increases blood
flow to the skin and decreases pain and inflammation, says
Dr. Amy Derick, a board-certified dermatologist in Barrington,
Illinois. Use as pure agel as possible— look for one with 98
percent or more aloe vera.
HONEY
— Can’t find pure aloe? Smear honey on the burned
parts. It’s another natural salve that promotes healing
ASPIRIN OR IBUPROFEN
— Both drugs ease inflammation
and pain, and speed healing. Take according to package
directions until the redness is gone, says Dr. Daniela
Kroshinsky, a board-certified dermatologist in Boston.
WASHCLOTH
— Once you peel, gently wipe away dead skin
with a soft cloth after showering. Avoid exfoliants, bath salts,
oils, and rubbing alcohol, all of which irritate tender skin.
If the burn is over a large area (such as your entire back),
causes fever or achiness, or if it begins to blister or forms a
honey-colored crust, seek medical help. — ALICIA WARDEN
PHOTO: JUPITER IMAGES
