Fire SAFETY! Be Sensible about Passover Preparations.

B'SD 

 14 Nisan, 5776

 It's that time of year again,when Jews worldwide have cleansed their hearts and homes of chametz, the stuff that we may not have during Passover. 

The leavened foods will be burned before the holiday begins, so I'm sharing safety tips from a rescue organization before you light the first match. (Psst: Bring a bucket of water to extinguish embers before you leave!): 

Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2016 23:26:21 +0300 
From: Hatzala Beit Shemesh 
To:  
Subject: [BS/RBS list] Erev Pesach Safety Tips from Hatzala Beit Shemesh 

Once again, we have reached Biur Chometz time! In previous years, Hatzala Beit Shemesh has been called to burn cases where children and even adults have been burned, in some cases seriously.. Here are some tips to stay safe this Erev Pesach:

*1. DO NOT EVER!!! place lighter fluid or other chemicals on a raging fire. We'll repeat it again: DO NOT EVER!!! place lighter fluid or other chemicals on a raging fire. A number of years ago, a man and his grandson were seriously injured as they walked near a fire, where children were spraying chemicals on the fire. To this day, they are still dealing with the after effects of this terrible tragedy.*

2. Children should NEVER start or be left alone by a fire, without proper adult supervision. 

3. Plastics and other non-combustible items should not be thrown in the fire. This can cause breathing difficulties. 

4. Never, ever throw an aerosol can or sealed bottle in the fire! The can can explode, sending shrapnel and shards into the crowd - and leaving people with injuries similar to a bomb blast! 

Some quick burn tips: If, Chas V'Shalom, someone does get a burn, taking these immediate steps will alleviate some of the pain and time of healing. 

 A. If a person's clothes are on fire, roll them on the ground and attempt to extinguish the flames. Have someone immediately call emergency! 

 B. Immediately remove whatever clothing is covering the burned area. However: DO NOT PEEL OFF CLOTHING WHICH IS STUCK TO THE SKIN! 

 C. Place the burned area under cool, but not cold, water until responders arrive on the scene. 

 D. Remove any rings, bracelets, or other tight fitting jewelry or body ornaments, as swelling may occur.

 E. DO NOT put any lotions, salves, or creams on the burn without speaking to a medical professional, such as a doctor. These items can trap in the heat, and create more complications to healing. 

 *Hatzala Beit Shemesh advises you to call for any burn, even if it seems superficial or a minor burn. 02.999.999.2* 

We hope these safety tips keep you and your children safe, so you do not need to call us for a burn!

 Wishing everyone a Chag Kosher V'Sameach and a very safe and happy Yom Tov! 

Hatzala Beit Shemesh . Your local emergency first response and emergency ambulance transportation organization. 



To lighten the mood a bit, here's a link to Passover fun.

I wish you and the entire world a kosher, joyous, healing, enlightening, spiritual and peaceful Pesakh/Passover. 

Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.





Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism.

Fill your life with sensible choices.

Call the Kids! They Can Have FUN with this Blogpost!

B'SD

26 Adar, 5775

Call the kids and seat them in front of your monitor. 

Share some quality time as you learn how to create a cleansing (and Passover-friendly), non-allergenic volcano in the kitchen, bathroom and other drains. You can use the recipe all year long, too.

Fill a kid-friendly bucket with the following supplies:

    A plunger (NOT the one you use on toilets, a new one for the kitchen sink!)

    Several packets, or a box, of bicarbonate soda (mei shtiya  מי שתיה in Hebrew)

    A slim container of 5% yellow vinegar

    Paper toweling

Now you're ready for fun. But first, open a nearby window.

Kids, take charge. Grab a paper towel and wipe out all the gunk from the kitchen sink. Toss that into the trash. Yes, you. Don't worry, this is gonna be fun in a minute.

Take a new piece of paper towel and remove all the hair in bathroom sink, shower or bathtub drains. Trash that, too.

Okay, back to the kitchen. Sprinkle a packet or several tablespoons' worth of bicarbonate soda into the drain. Boring, huh? Well, add some fun with a generous dollop of vinegar and watch your kitchen volcano go into action. PU! Stand back for fresh air and let the drain goo dissolve on its own.

Add a bit more powder and/or vinegar to keep the action going. When the bubbling stops, you should, too.

Use the Kitchen Sink-Only Plunger and pooka-pooka over the drain with all your might. You're using basic chemistry and good housekeeping skills at the same time.

Adults, after the drain stops bubbling and it was pooka-pooka'ed loose of remaining debris, have the kid chemists stand far away from the sink as you pour boiling water down the pipes. That washes the loosened debris to the sewer. Mention that this is a dangerous task and that you'll teach the child/ren how to do it after they're taller and stronger.

After you're sure that the drain is cleared of all obstructions, store the kitchen plunger where it belongs. Hide the water kettle and treat the stove as a No-Fly Zone.

Thank each other and double-check that the flame on the stove is OFF. No need for more boiling water.

Head on over to the bathroom and do the same vinegar and bicarbonate soda thing in that sink, and in the tub or shower drains. There's NO NEED to follow up with boiling hot water down those drains. A simple pooka-pooka with the bathroom plunger will suffice. Flush the toilet and run the shower to chase away loosened soil.

The job is done. Teamwork is terrific.

Thank each other again and have fun figuring out why that chemical combination worked so well. Check out Kid Chemistry and be sure to share Sneaky Uses for Everything. Your inner MacGyver will have lots of fun with those resources.

PS - If you're cleaning for Passover, do not torture yourself and take the fun out of the holiday or its preparations. Dirt is NOT hametz (leavened food remnants). Rabbi Scheinberg shared that life lesson.

PPS - Today is Israel's election day and my tummy is in a knot. I'm keeping in mind that Nissan begins this Shabbat. It's a month of miracles. I'm praying for several. May this be the year of Geula B'Rakhamim (global rescue by GOD). Politicians have sure messed up countless lives.





Cheer up someone who's sick, even yourself. Buy the E-book or print edition of EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge. 





Face Your Medical Problems with Dignity. Face Your Future with Optimism.

Fill your life with fun. It makes doing chores more bearable.