Many Americans take advantage of summer vacation time to travel near and far. Whether you’re planning a camping trip an hour away, taking a cruise, or flying to a country on another continent, you’ll have a better time if you stay healthy. That means avoiding vacation habits that might compromise how you feel, or endanger your health in a more serious way. Keep the following tips in mind so you can feel your best on any vacation.

Plan Wisely: If you haven’t climbed a mountain in 25 years, don’t plan to hike a fourteener in Colorado. If you can’t swim, think twice about white water rafting. And if you get seasick as soon as any boat leaves the shore, a sailing trip might not be a great idea. Some people who get seasick do fine on large cruise ships, but ask your doctor for advice, and consider stocking up on motion sickness preventatives. About.com has information about preventing or treating seasickness here.

Check Your Health Insurance: Make sure your health insurance covers you while traveling, and call member services to ask for any forms you might need during or after your trip. . . .Read More

Draperies are highly specialized window treatments. Installing the right colors, fabrics, and styles for your home takes both time and money. And they are much more than window coverings; draperies serve as air filters that trap dust, allergens and other contaminants that circulate through your home. As a result, they require maintenance. Properly caring for your draperies will protect your investment and help keep your home fresh and clean.

In addition to dust, according to the Drapery Specialists Institute, drapery fabrics trap residue from cooking, smoking (which we don’t recommend anywhere, but certainly not in the house), heating, and other combustion sources. Some of these residues contain sulfur oxides that gradually transform into sulfuric acid. The acid can deteriorate the fibers in your draperies, and contribute to color fading. Regular cleanings remove acid and contaminant residues before they can do damage, and extend the life of drapery fabric and colors.

Drapery Cleaning is COIT’s signature service. Our cleaning process removes dust, smoke, pollen, odors and soil, and returns your draperies with parallel pleats, even hems and zero shrinkage. Our specially trained technicians will even hang your draperies with the utmost professional care. . . .Read More

Most of us vacuum our carpets to clean up a mess or freshen their look.  But carpets can actually collect mold spores and allergens, and in some cases can be reservoirs of bacteria or viruses – so cleaning them serves an important health function.  You’d be surprised at what might be lurking between carpet fibers, especially if you don’t vacuum often or schedule regular professional carpet cleanings.

According to eHow.com, Norovirus, Salmonella, and Campylobacte can all collect in your carpets.  Norovirus, also known as the Norwalk Virus, can cause the stomach flu and other digestive problems.  It is able to survive on carpet fibers for four to six weeks, and can become airborne each time someone walks on the carpet.

Most of us have heard of Salmonella, and think of it as a food-borne illness.  Salmonella is a pathogen that can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, and is especially dangerous to young children and elderly adults.  Although we associate it most often with contaminated food, Salmonella can be tracked into your home – and carpets – on the bottom of shoes.  One study showed that 15 of 55 (27.2%) of vacuum cleaner bags from households with . . .Read More

Are you prepared for a spill emergency? How well you are able to clean a mess on your hard surfaces may depend on your preparation. Having the right cleaning tools assembled in-advance may mean the difference between an easy clean-up and having permanent damage to your flooring.

To prevent problems in the first place, have plenty of coasters or placemats on-hand, especially if you are serving acidic beverages such as juice or wine. Made-to-fit plastic covers from companies, such as Tap Plastics, can serve as an unobtrusive way of protecting delicate surfaces without detracting from the décor of the room. But if a spill occurs, and eventually one will, make sure your cleaning arsenal is ready for action.

Use a Bucket List
Set aside space under the sink or wherever you store your cleaning products for a bucket of cleaning essentials, including:

- Paper Towels and Rags
- Sponge
- Mild Detergent
- Empty Bottle for Water
- Stone Soap and Poultice (for natural stone surfaces)

Be Wary of Cleaning Solutions
It’s best to test a cleanser well in-advance on a portion of the surface that is partially hidden, such as under a table or appliance, to see if it discolors . . .Read More

In many cultures, especially in Asia, people always remove their shoes before entering a home. In Japan, for example, it is considered poor form to wear shoes inside a house, and even in some businesses. But in the United States, people rarely remove their footwear before they step inside.

According to eHow.com, the tradition of removing shoes in Japan could be related to the climate. Japan experiences heavy rainfall, and the roads and sidewalks are often wet or muddy. To track mud into a home would be considered disrespectful. Many Japanese rooms are designed for sitting or sleeping close to the floor. In Cambodia, according to Natural Home & Garden, removing shoes is a sign of respect for elders, and contributes to maintaining quiet. Many Scandinavians also remove their shoes before entering a home.

Do these cultures have the right idea? In all climates, dirt, allergens, and even pesticides are often brought into homes on footwear. Sometimes the result is obvious – we’ve all seen muddy footprints on carpets, or tracked across kitchen tiles. Most of us would take off our boots before walking through a clean house in . . .Read More

Grout is a seemingly minor facet of tiled floors, countertops, or showers, but when it gets dirty, you discover how important it is to the look of your room.  Grout stained with ground-in dirt can affect the entire look of a kitchen, bathroom, or any tiled surface, so it’s important to know how to clean dirty grout, or how to choose stain-resistant, camouflaging grout in the first place.

If you already have a problem with grout stains and dirt, you know that mopping, home tile cleaners and home grout cleaning methods often don’t help, especially if dirt has settled deep into grout lines.  Thankfully, COIT offers Tile Cleaning and Grout Cleaning Services that will return your tiled surfaces to their previous shine.  Our powerful truck-mounted cleaning system safely cleans floors, showers, and countertops by quickly removing dirt and contaminants.  The process uses heat, a specialized cleaning solution, and vacuum power, and we complete the job with a high-pressure rinse.  After cleaning your tile and grout, our professional technicians will apply a penetrating sealer to protect grout against mildew and staining for up to two years.  And if you have colored grout, our special Grout Color Sealing process will protect it.

If . . .Read More

Many homeowners are concerned about having mold in their homes, but don’t know the early warning signs – or preventative measures – that could help them avoid a major problem.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is “always a little mold everywhere,” including in the air, and on many surfaces.  Molds themselves are not toxic or poisonous, although some people talk about “toxic molds.”  The hazards presented by these molds, which in reality are just molds that may produce mycotoxins, should be considered the same as the hazards presented by other common molds.  There are very few reports that toxigenic molds found inside homes can cause unique or rare health conditions.  But in 2004, according to the CDC, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found sufficient evidence to link indoor mold exposure with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that condition.  The Institute also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children.

Mold spores can get into homes through open doorways, windows, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems . . .Read More

Tents.  Coolers.  Portable stoves.  For the many Americans who love nature, few summer activities beat camping outdoors.  But just like any outdoor activity, camping involves safety risks.  So it’s important to take steps to ensure your family’s safety before and during your excursion.

Controlled campsites offer many amenities, while more remote locations, like those that can be reached only by backpacking, invite unexpected events.  Any night spent under the stars means sharing your space with natural elements and wildlife, and it’s important to respect and understand what surrounds you.  It’s also important to know that human activities can impact the wilderness, sometimes in tragic ways (think wildfires).  So being well-versed in safe camping practices is an important part of any excursion.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have posted a number of Camping Safety Tips, summarized here:

• Get vaccinated. Vaccinations can help protect against certain diseases and conditions associated with camping.  Be sure your vaccinations and your family’s vaccinations are up-to-date.  This includes vaccinations for family pets who will be coming along for the trip.
• Prepare healthy, safe food. It’s always a good idea to bring healthy snacks on a camping trip, and to follow these food safety tips:
  • Pack foods in tight, . . .Read More

It’s summertime! Most families enjoy numerous outdoor activities during the warmer months – swimming, boating, and outdoor sports to name a few. But hot weather also means you should take precautions against sunburn, dehydration, heat stroke, and water accidents. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers some common-sense tips to keep kids safe in the summer. We’ve summarized their recommendations here, and added a few extra notes.

If your child is under six months old, the AAP recommends preventing sunburn by avoiding sun exposure as much as possible, and dressing your child in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats. Your child’s neck should also be shaded. When adequate clothing and shade are not available, apply a minimal amount of sunscreen to small areas, such as the child’s face and the back of the hands. Use at least 15 SPF. In the case of sunburn, apply cold compresses. See your pediatrician if you are at all concerned.

If your child is older, the best line of defense against ultraviolet radiation (those UVRs we all hear about) is covering up. Be sure your child wears a hat with a brim that protects the . . .Read More