Safe-Home.com

Barbara reviews the Squirrel Evictor MB10K and MB100K strobe lights These pest animal control units are mounted in attics or crawl spaces. Home pest control includes these environmentally safe strobe lights that get rid of roof rats, squirrels, raccoons, feral cats and mice. No damage to your building, no poisons, no traps, no repeat visits by exterminators, no decaying animal smells, no harm to the animals.

Question about the EVA-DRY EDV2200 Mid-Size Dehumidifier and the EVA-DRY Petite Electric Dehumidifier EDV1100.

Answer: I recommend the EVA-Dry Mid-Size for these reasons:

• Capacity: 2 Liters of water
• Drying feature: warm air is released through outlets on each side of the machine.
• Water Level Detector: Automatic Switch to indicate tank is full 
• Effectiveness : 2,220 cubic feet
• Removes approximately 20.5 oz. moisture per day @ 86° F, 80% relative humidity 

Power consumption is only 72 watts so you can run this unit continuously if you choose at less than the cost of a single 100 watt light bulb. It is small so it will fit into a closet or small storage room where you want to control moisture.

Thanks for your question.

Sincerely, Barbara

Question about the effectiveness of Bac Zap Urine Neutralizer Deodorizer, a Bio-Active Urine Neutralizer with Enzymes .

Answer:  This product is made by Brulin, who specialize in products for nursing homes, hospitals, veterinarians, kennels, etc. More detailed information on use is arriving in a day or two as this is a new product for Safe Home Products and is not yet on site in Iowa.  This is what information we have received and was also gleaned from the manufacturer's website:

"Tthis ready-to-use liquid formula attacks uric acid odors immediately with a powerful enzyme digestion process. It is bio-active. Use as is or add it to carpet shampoos and cleaners. This is a popular nursing home and hospital product. Attacks Uric Acid Odors Immediately by a Powerful Enzyme/Digestion Process with Zero Environmental Impact .Specially bred enzyme/bacteria cultures attack and break down the uric acid molecules like nothing else before. It does the job by digesting the source, just the way nature does it...but does it in minutes rather than days or weeks, with zero environmental impact. Destroys malodors by eliminating the source. Vanilla herb fragrance."

I, too, have some issues with dog urine odors from my carpet when the humidity rises. I will update this page after I get the additional information.

Thanks for your question, Lorrie.

Sincerely, Barbara

Question about killing influenza virus on hard surfaces in day care centers, schools and hospitals.

Answer: Swine Flu is caused by an influenza A (H1N1) virus. All influenza A viruses ares essentially the same, whether they are swine, avian, or human.  Two of the Brulin products we sell Maxima, and BruClean TbC have label claims against at least one form of influenza A virus. The EPA makes the following comments on identifying products that are registered by EPA to disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces that may be contaminated with the swine flu. " EPA believes, based on available scientific information, that the currently registered influenza A virus products will be effective against the 2009-H1N1 flu strain and other influenza A virus strains on hard, non-porous surfaces."

1. Maxima is a Soft Acid Disinfectant Cleaner that can be used as a disinfectant cleaner, a glass cleaner, a toilet bowl cleaner, for cleaning chrome and for lime and soap scum control. It is effective against HBV and is Staphyloccidal, Pseudomonacidal, Viruscidal, Fungicidal and Mildewicidal.
2. Brulin Bru-Clean TBC comes in a 540 tablet bottle. These are effervescent tablets that clean and disinfect. Effective Against a Wide-Range of Micro-Organisms Including TB,C.Diff, and Canine Parvo. Meets the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. Use in place of corrosive bleach or harsh phenolic disinfectants. Bru-Clean TbC is effective, yet safer – its active ingredient, sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC), is used worldwide to purify drinking water. Less Corrosive than Harsh Bleach & Phenolics.Safer Active Ingredient. Use in animal care, day care, isolation wards, medical research, etc. facilities.

Maxima is available in several strengths and sizes. Bru-Clean is currently available only in the large bottle.

Thank you for your question.

Sincerely, Barbara

Question about the best choice to suggest to physicians' office and local hospital to make restrooms accessible to elderly and/or handicapped.

Answer: Mom, I did write an email to the Pittsburgh medical hospital association with whom your physician and hospital are affiliated. I know you've brought up this subject with your physician many times in the past. I understand that the physician's building built must have been built prior to the ADA regulations went into effect. It still seems cruel to me not to be able to use a toilet at a physician's office. Thank you for your question and suggestion for the blog.

Some options that are removable and would help you and others include:

• 3 Locking Raised Toilet Seats, Without Arms These could be used in combination with grab bars. Each toilet seat currently would ship for under $40 each.
• TWO Locking Raised Toilet Seat With Removable Armrests These would cost about $50 each with shipping
• Chrome Grab Bars - Grab Bar 32" Chrome KnurledThis is a 32 inch grab bar that could be installed near the toilet.

If there are physician's offices, hospitals, etc. interested in more options, please contact me.

Thanks for the questions and comments, Mom.

Love, Barbara

In this video, Barbara reviews the Safe-T-Alert 30 and 40 series Gas Alarms for RV's and Campers. These flush mount, 12V propane detectors are made in the USA and can alert you to propane dangers.

Question about the Touchless Automatic White Dispenser for 800 to 1000 ml Hand Sanitizer and Epo Clenz Foam Hand Sanitizer Starter Kit.

Answer: The two sanitizers you asked about are high in alcohol. A New York Times article from 2006 focuses on hand sanitizers. The recommendation there was to get all sides of your hands wet with gel or foam, then rub them together until they dry. CDC guidelines for healthcare workers are that, if your hands dry within 10 to 15 seconds, you did not use enough. Studies cited in the NY Times recommend purchasing alcohol based hand sanitizers with 60% to 95% alcohol or running the risk of growing bacteria rather than killing bacteria and viruses.

Soap and water are still the best choice although many restrooms are set up so that you must grab the door handle to leave rather than pushing it open thus contaminating hands. We were impressed on a recent cruise by the wide availability of hand sanitizer dispensers at all restaurants, entrances to the ship, restrooms, etc. Also one pushed out on restroom doors or there was a doorway entrance that meant no door was needed.

Personally, I prefer the foam dispensers although the liquid is as effective and was used on the ship. Children are attracted to foam products and there is less likelihood of dripping. The most economical way to buy the sanitizer is in the 1000 ml bags or about 33.8140225589 ounces.

One other more expensive option is the alcohol free Handclens foamer hand sanitizer that comes in green apple and unscented versions. This sanitizer has benzalkonium chloride as the active ingredient.

The products we sell by Medline all have moisturizers or similar additives to keep hands from drying out.

Thank you for your question. We hope you are successful in your efforts especially with the H1N1 flu expected this fall. Most schools are asking children to bring sanitizer to school. The problem is that rarely is it available in school cafeterias in such a way that every child uses it before they eat.

Sincerely, Barbara

Question about the Medport Daily PillBox with Alarm and the Medready Basic Pill Box with Alarm.

Answer: At this time, these three are the best ones available.

For portability, the Medport Daily Pill Box with timer is the best choice if you need an alarmed unit that is portable.

The Medready has the loud alarm plus she would only have access to the medications during the time that particular pill container was available to her. The Medready audible alarm settings: 1- 4 per day.  Alarm signal: alternates 5 seconds on, 1 second off . Stops when medication door is opened. Set alarm time interval for 3, 30, 45, 60 or 250 minutes. Alarm will continue to beep for that time interval until the medication door is opened or the alarm time is reached. Alarm sound: similar to microwave alarm. Alarm intensity: 90dB, 2800-3000 Hz. (P1500LF is a lower frequency).

Thank you for your question.

Siincerely, Barbara

Questions about Gray Kids Edge Hearth Guard 54 Inch Pad Sticks and Gray Hearth Guard 7 Inch by 7 Inch Corners and Boing Edge Corner Strips (Pack of 4) -GREY

Answer: Both lines of product are fire-resistant, non-toxic and easily applied with contact cement if you prefer not to use the adhesive tape on the Kids Edge products. Boing recommends only the GE-Silicone I brand rubber silicone cement. A long sharp knife like a fillet knife is recommended for the cleanest cut. Lubricating the entire length of the knife with soapy water or liquid soap, then moving the knife back and forth with the blade straight will give the cleanest cut.

Gray and yellow are the more popular colors for industrial usage. If you have poles that require padding, we recommend the Boing Yellow Pole Pad if your poles have a 5 inch diameter. This brand has two halves that connect. Each half is 19.5 inches long and .5 inches thick. The other choice is the Kids Edge yellow padding which is 48 inches high and has an interior diameter of 2 1/8 inches. Two pieces can be wrapped about a pole and pieces can be added to fit. There are also matching yellow corners and wall padding for the Boing products.

Thanks for your question. Let us know if we can help further.

 Sincerely, Barbara

Question about Kids Edge Hearth Safety Pad installation when there is no metal frame.

Answer: First decide which color you want. Padding comes in gray, brown, black, taupe and ivory. Next measure the length of the hearth. Then measure the width of the side or sides. If the total equals 150 inches or less, the standard hearth pad kit will work. Each kit contains 90 inches of straight padding and two corners that are 10 inches by 20 inches. So you can cover the front of a hearth that is up to 130 inches long with 10 inches of returns to the fireplace or 110 inches of width with a return of 20 inches in depth.

These are the steps to take:

1. Make sure the hearth edge is clean and dry.
2. Lay out the pad on the hearth to determine how it will fit.
3. Attach the corners, Remove the adhesive backing from the lower part of the pad. Fit it onto the hearth. Next remove the adhesive backing from the upper portion and press it onto the hearth.
4. Next attach the straight pieces to the hearth. Press ends together as you attach each piece to help conceal joints.
5. Most likely, you will need to cut the last piece installed.
6. Measure the space to be covered accurately
7. Add approximately 3/8 inch and mark the pad.
8. Place pad on shipping box edge.
9. Use a sharp long bladed knife such as a fillet knife in this next step
10. Lubricate the entire length of the knife with liquid soap or soapy water
11. Using light pressure, move the knife back and forth on the top of the pad, keeping the blade straight.
12. Repeat on bottom half after turing over the pad
13. Attach the last piece of pad by removing the backing as noted in step 3.

If you need additional lengths of padding, you can purchase by the foot or by the 54 inch stick. Remember extra padding can be used to pad tops of stairways into basements, etc.

Thanks for your question. We recommend that you do a safety walk around of your entire home as well to find other places that need safety proofing. Among the most dangerous items are aquariums, tv sets, bookcases, windows open more than 4 inches and sharp corners and edges on furniture.

Sincerely, Barbara