It is the time of year for spring cleaning. Many of us are amazed at how much stuff has collected over time. We put away items, thinking that we will need them some day, and if your house is like mine, you forget that you even had the thing in the first place. Why not try a garage sale?
The following is a partial list of products that must meet safety requirements under the Hazardous Products Act:
- Baby gates – Baby gates that have large diamond-shaped or large V openings at the top are not allowed to be sold in Canada because of the risk of strangulation.
- Car seats – Car seats must carry the compliance label stating the height and weight of the child for which the seat is designed. Detailed instructions, all straps and parts, including the tether strap for forward-facing seats, must be present. Check with Transport Canada, 800-333-0371 or www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety, to find out if the car seat has been recalled. Seats that are cracked or broken must not be sold nor any seat that has been involved in a vehicle crash.
- Cribs – Cribs made before the fall of 1986 do not meet current safety standards and cannot be sold. It is important that the mattress used in a crib fits snugly, with a gap of no more than three centimetres between the mattress and interior of the crib. Spacing between the bars should be no more than 60 millimetres. Corner posts should be no more than three mm high. The mattress support must be firmly fixed to the end panels. Cribs that have a mattress support system with floating S-shaped hooks are not safe.
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Cribs with visible signs of damage and missing parts should be discarded. Cribs that meet the regulations must have information that identifies the manufacturer, model number, date of manufacture and assembly instructions.
- Protective sports equipment – Hockey helmets and face protectors sold in Canada must meet safety standards set by CSA International. If the CSA sticker is not present, discard the product. These items should not be sold if previously subjected to a major impact, if older than five years, if they show visible signs of damage, if parts are missing or if they have been subjected to intensive use over two consecutive seasons. This holds true for bicycle helmets as well.
- Playpens – Some older playpens may have protruding bolts that can catch on a child’s clothing, or may have worn or faulty mechanisms on the folding sides of the playpen. If the playpen has been recalled, be sure the problem has been corrected. Playpen mesh must be small mosquito-type netting. When selling a folding playpen, ensure all locking mechanisms work and set-up instructions are included.
- Strollers – Carriages and strollers made before 1985 may not meet current safety standards. Strollers must come with a lap belt or some safety restraint that is solidly attached to the seat or frame. Ensure the brakes as well as locking mechanisms on folding models are in working order. Make sure that the wheels are solidly attached. Remember, baby walkers are banned.
- Toys – Toys with sharp edges or points or those with loose eyes or noses are potential hazards. It is illegal to sell lawn darts with elongated tips in Canada.
- Electrical appliances – Be sure items bears a CSA certification mark. If you are selling items that fail to meet safety standards you can be held responsible if someone is injured.
For more information contact: Canada Safety Council, 1020 Thomas Spratt Place, Ottawa, K1G 5L5, 613-739-1535, fax 613-739-1566.
Wear sunglasses
It is important to protect your eyes against damage from the sun, and for most people, an inexpensive pair of sunglasses will do the job.
There are two types of UV rays that reach the earth’s surface, UV-A and UV-B rays. They can cause or speed up the progress of several diseases of the eye or its supporting structures. Most of the damage caused to eyes by UV rays happens over a long period of time and cannot be reversed. For adults and children, wearing sunglasses makes sense.
When shopping for sunglasses, always look for brands and models that block 99-100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B rays, regardless of lens tint.
Protection from west Nile
While the risk of being bitten by a mosquito infected with west Nile virus is low and the chance of becoming seriously ill even lower, people should minimize exposure to mosquitoes.
When going outdoors, use insect repellents that contain DEET. Try to avoid spending time outdoors at dawn and at dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants and a hat. Light coloured clothing is best because mosquitoes tend to be more attracted to dark colours. Make sure that door and window screens fit tightly and have no holes.
Eliminate mosquito breeding sites around your home. Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water and it takes about four days for the eggs to grow into adults. Even a small amount of water is enough to act as a breeding ground. Remove unused items around your property including old tires, that have a tendency to collect water.
Change the water in wading pools, bird baths, pet bowls and livestock watering tanks twice a week. Cover rain barrels with screens. Clean out eavestroughs regularly to prevent clogs that can trap water. If you have an ornamental pond, get fish that will eat mosquito larvae.
To bug off
Since we are on the subject of bugs several readers have sent in tips with regards to maple bugs referred to in our Feb. 6 column. Here are some ideas for controlling the critters.
N.E., Oyen, Alta., wrote that their family has been using dish detergent in a spray for spruce budworm for quite a few years with fairly good success. So they tried it on the maple bugs with the addition of vinegar. The mixture they now use is one cup (250 mL) of dish detergent and one cup (250 mL) vinegar in about two gallons of water. It will not eradicate them but rather hold them down. This works well when they start to bunch up in the fall.
Another reader wrote via internet saying that she can kill maple bugs with a mix of lemon-flavoured dish detergent in water. She says one good squirt in water followed by a spraying will do the trick.
B. & P. Hicks, from southwestern Ontario wrote that they have been battling these bugs as well. After contacting the University of Indiana, they received an environmentally friendly way to get rid of the pests. Simply pour boiling water on them. They claim that it worked instantly.
Flax cinnamon buns
I have had many requests for bread machine treats. This recipe is quick and great for lunches. Yield: 12 buns.
3/4 cup milk 175 mL
1 egg
3 cups all-purpose 750 mL
flour
3/4 cup milled flaxseed 175 mL
1/2 teaspoon salt 2 mL
3 tablespoons sugar 45 mL
4 tablespoons butter 60 mL
2 teaspoons fast rising 10 mL
instant yeast
Filling:
3 tablespoons butter 45 mL
1/3 cup sugar 75 mL
1 tablespoon cinnamon 15 mL
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 2 mL
(optional)
Glaze:
1 cup icing sugar 250 mL
2 tablespoons milk 30 mL
1/2 teaspoon vanilla 2 mL
Mill flaxseed in a coffee grinder to a granular, free-flowing meal.
Measure ingredients for dough and place in bread machine pan in order recommended by manufacturer. Select dough cycle.
Remove dough from pan and place on floured surface. Cover and let rest 10 minutes. Roll out dough into a rectangle, about 10 x 15 inches (25 x 38 centimetres). For the filling, spread butter over dough to within one in. (2.5 cm) of the edges. Sprinkle sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg evenly over dough.
Roll up dough tightly on long side. Press edges to seal and form into a 12 in. (30 cm) long, evenly shaped roll. Cut into one in. (2.5 cm) pieces. Place rolls into a greased nine x 13 in. (23 x 33 cm) pan. Cover and let rise until double in volume, about 30-45 minutes. Bake at 375 F (190 C) for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool in pan 10-14 minutes. Drizzle with icing sugar glaze.
Sweet green relish
I wonder if you can help me with my pickle problem. I have been watching for at least three years for a recipe for sweet green cucumber relish similar to the Bick’s relish and so far have found nothing quite like it. Because of a digestive problem, I am unable to eat the store-bought relish and I really miss it. – D.T., via internet
Tangy green relish
The original recipe does not contain dill, but the family consensus is that it would be a welcome addition if you like its flavour.
7 large cucumbers
2 large onions
1 green pepper (you can use red peppers, also)
Put 1/4 cup (50 mL) coarse pickling salt through a grinder or food processor. Grind cucumbers and put in a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and let stand overnight. Drain and rinse.
Sauce:
3 cups sugar 750 mL
3 cups vinegar 750 mL
3/4 teaspoon turmeric 3 mL
1 cup water 250 mL
1/2 cup flour 125 mL
pinch of celery salt
pinch of red pepper
pinch of mustard seed
Stir the sauce ingredients together in a large heavy pot on medium heat until they come to a boil. Boil until thick, stirring occasionally.
Add cucumbers, onion and pepper, return to a boil. Continue boiling for another 10 minutes, again stirring occasionally. Pour into hot sterilized jars to within 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) of the top. Seal.
Variations:
- Add 1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) of cayenne pepper.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) ginger.
- Add dill weed for extra flavour.
Jodie Mirosovsky is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and one of four columnists comprising Team Resources. Send correspondence in care of this newspaper, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or contact them at team@producer.com.
