HOUSEHOLD TIPS NOT FOUND IN WOMAN'S WEEKLY

[Tizer]

One of the big dangers for young kids these days is finding `button' batteries on the carpet, under the furniture, even in the street. They like to try eating them and then need immediate treatment otherwise they can suffer serious injury or even death:
"Kate Cross, consultant neonatal and paediatric surgeon said: "If the battery gets enveloped in the mucosa of the oesophagus it creates an electrical circuit and the battery starts to function, releasing an alkali which is like caustic soda, which can erode through the wall to the windpipe. "If the battery is facing a different way it can burn into the aorta, a major blood vessel, and there have been cases in Britain where the child has bled to death. "That is why it is important to get the message out to parents but also other health professionals because this is a time critical problem." Full BBC story here: LINK

I know from having two hearing aids that those tiny batteries are difficult to handle, especially with old fingers, and once they drop they can be a devil to find...but you can be sure that little Jimmy will find it several days later. Poor old grandad could be a hazard for his grandchildren! If he doesn't get them the kids are at risk from all the batteries in their own toys and gadgets. If they don't suffer the immediate injury there is the potential chronic effect from the poisonous metals such as cadmium in the battery. It makes you wonder how many kids might be going around with batteries inside them. Let's hope their gut is good at flushing them out!

[Stanley]

I hadn't realised the dangers of the small batteries until I saw a piece about it on TV and you are right Tiz, so dangerous.

[Stanley]

A friend of mine was telling me yesterday about the problems they have encountered after a death in the family. There was no will or other signal of intention. Today's tip is to attend to matters like this now on the grounds that it will save the family a lot of trouble. Setting up Lasting Powers of Attorney and making a proper will is not cheap but saves a lot of trouble when the inevitable happens.....

[Tizer]

Although we have had Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) for each other for some years now we've just completed the new LPAs so that we're covered for health & lifetsyle as well as financial (the EPA only covers financial). We've also added in another member of the family in case we both lost mental ability at the same time (which is what happened to Mrs Tiz's parents). £110 per person per LPA if you do them yourself. I'd advise anyone wanting to set them up to phone and ask for full documents to be sent to you rather than doing it online; you get all the forms and a very detailed guide. Too much to print out yourself!

Ask the Office of the Public Guardian about help you can get if you:
don’t have a computer or internet access
want to use the online service but need some help
Office of the Public Guardian
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Telephone: 0300 456 0300
Textphone: 0115 934 2778
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[Stanley]

We are lucky in Barlick in that we have dedicated service run by a lady called Janet who is superb. True you pay for her services but she and the solicitors who back her are familiar with the process and can warn of the possible pitfalls. Mine are in place and already registered so if I die tomorrow the mechanisms are ready to go. By the way, Janet pointed out that as I was in receipt of benefits the registration cost would be waived. The whole process including registration cost me about £700 for both LPAs. I consider that reasonable.

[Tizer]

Mine are in place and already registered so if I die tomorrow the mechanisms are ready to go....The whole process including registration cost me about £700 for both LPAs.

If you `die tomorrow' your LPAs will expire tomorrow! I think you're mixing up LPAs and wills. If you lose capacity to manage your affairs tomorrow that's when your LPAs will be a benefit.

[Stanley]

Ahh, of course you are right Tiz. Sorry for that. My will is in place and has been checked as part of the LPA process.

[Stanley]

It pays to read labels on foodstuffs in supermarkets. I do this and discovered the other day that Co-op own brand baked beans have more beans in that Heinz. Not a biggie but as they are cheaper than Heinz, the market leader, you can make some informed decisions. Transferred to all your shopping this can make a significant difference to your annual shopping bill. In this day and age this is good!

[Tripps]

I am a keen label reader. I noticed recently that HP sauce is made in Holland - I think we knew that a while ago - but I was surprised to see that Daddies Sauce, which used to be made at the same Birmingham factory as HP, is now produced in Poland. My latest bottle of Heinz Ketchup has Arabic writing on it, and an address in Dubai. It came from Home Bargains - so perhaps a job lot cancelled export order. Life's very complicated isn't it?

[Tizer]

For someone like me it's essential to read labels on foodstuffs in supermarkets. My stomach can't cope with spices and pungent herbs but just about everything has these in the ingredients list. Many people who don't read the lists would get a surprise, even shock, when they found out what was in their supermarket food products. I drink fizzy soft drinks but only in small amounts and I avoid the low-sugar ones because the normal ones taste better and I don't want to take in artificial sweeteners if possible. But now even the normal sugary supermarket soft drinks have at least two types of artificial sweetener in them as well - why put those in when the product is sweet enough already?

I picked up a packet of wine gums the other day and noticed that the list included `pork products' but it didn't tell me which bit of the pig was in my wine gum. Probably gelatin from leftover scraps from pigs! Not good news for Muslims who like wine gums.

[plaques]

which used to be made at the same Birmingham factory as HP, is now produced in Poland.

So when we finally leave the European Union all the foods we considered as 'British' will be subject to an import duty because they are made abroad. This will add to the general inflation index which normally would be calmed by increasing the interest rate but because wages are stagnant the B of E can't go down this road. So look out for more words that sound like ' Inflation overshoot'. This is an euphemism for 'we can't do anything about it'.

[Stanley]

Spot on P. One of the unintended consequences that will stem from this insane obsession with 'sovereignty'. In many areas we will have even less control and that's a good example. Complicated stuff this Brexit!
I saw some elixir advertised on the TV last night to combat 'Oral Infection' at £9.99 for a small bottle. Today's tip is ignore the buggers, mix some salt with warm water, wash your mouth and gargle with it. Much cheaper and unless you have something really serious that needs medical attention anyway, just as effective. Your mother was right!

[Stanley]

I have had a slightly sore mouth for a few days and that was what triggered the salt tip yesterday. Even slight soreness is serious when you have pot gobblers! I remembered this morning that I had a bottle of TCP in the cupboard. Very similar to Milton disinfectant and excellent when diluted as a mouth wash or gargle. I don't know what it costs today, I have had this bottle for yonks but I'll take a small bet it is cheaper than £9.99!

[Stanley]

The TCP worked a treat. Just to be sure I shall repeat the treatment today.....

[Stanley]

'Ne'er cast a clout 'til May be out' An old saying but we are reminded today of the truth behind it. As I write the odd flake of snow is falling....... Ignore official statements that Spring is here. Spring in Barlick is only certain during the second week in June!

[Stanley]

Never dismiss the advantages of old fashioned dried peas. Apart from lasting indefinitely they make the best mushy peas but of course take a bit more trouble soaking and boiling. Add a bit of bicarbonate of soda to the water when you steep them. Some people swore by a small knob of coal in the pan but I have never tried that.

[Stanley]

The sweetest meat on a bacon ham is in the hock. Your grandmother was right when she said "The nearer the bone, the sweeter the meat". It just happens to be the cheapest as well even after discarding the fat and the bones. Win-win.....

[Stanley]

How nice to have a day good enough to hang bedding out on the line in the back yard. Nothing beats the smell of duvet covers dried in the wind!

[Stanley]

If you are under constant low level stress it helps if you have something to look forward to. I booked two tickets on the Fellsman yesterday for Susan and I so we can anticipate August 1st. Thick end of £500 but well worth it!

[Stanley]

I find the smell of Dettol after mopping the vinyl floor in the kitchen strangely comforting..... Must be a childhood memory....

[Tizer]

At least it doesn't smell like Jeyes Fluid, that's horrible and lasts forever!

[Wendyf]

At least it doesn't smell like Jeyes Fluid, that's horrible and lasts forever!

I like the smell of Jeyes fluid, but then I cant resist the smell of creosote either!

[Stanley]

I like Jeyes (Or the modern equivalent) as well Wendy. It and creosote are such a clean smell......

[Tizer]

Now we know what Colin dabs behind his ears!

[Cathy]

I like Dettol as well and White King. I used to use Domestos a lot but now find it too overpowering (for breathing in). Windex is good for surfaces, PineOClean is nice for floors but recently I have started using Cleaning Vinegar in the bathroom.
Are we trying to clean and freshen or obliterate all germs these days??