Your health
Hang up! The most dangerous place to be in your home during a lightning storm might be on your land-line telephone. Get off the computer and tell the kids to put down the video games, too.
"Surprisingly, hard-wired phone use is the leading cause of indoor lightning injuries in the United States," said Dr. Mary Ann Cooper, director of the lightning injury research program at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
When lightning hits a house, it can travel through the electrical, phone, plumbing and radio/TV reception systems. You shouldn't take a shower or wash the dishes either, but it's OK to use your cell phone.
About 50 Americans are struck and killed by lightning each year, and the risk is highest during summer. Survivors often have permanent health effects, including chronic pain, brain injury and thought-processing problems.
Most people killed by lightning were outside when they were hit, and half were either under a tree or on or near the water.
Mold risks: Summer storms and flooding can leave your home a moldy mess. People sensitive to mold can experience allergy symptoms, and mold also may aggravate asthma.
To clean small areas, use detergent and water to wash mold from hard surfaces. Wear gloves, eye protection and a mask or respirator so you won't inhale the spores. Be sure the area dries completely. Ceiling tiles, wallboard and carpeting that become moldy can't be cleaned and should be replaced.
To learn about mold's health effects, visit www.aiha.org, the Web site of the American Industrial Hygiene Association.
Choosing a bassinet: Almost half of all infants between birth and two months sleep in them, but bassinet safety doesn't get as much attention as cribs or play yards. Two studies published in the Journal of Pediatrics evaluate the risks.
Researchers looked at records of 53 infants who died in bassinets from 1990 to 2004. Because six of the babies were found with their faces wedged against the side of the bassinet, the researchers suggest that a bassinet with mesh sides may be safer. As with a crib, place baby on her back and don't put loose items like pillows or blankets in the bassinet.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says bassinets to have a sturdy bottom with a wide base, smooth surfaces with no protruding hardware and a firm, snugly fitting mattress.