Lead in Christmas Lights

The wires of many electrical devices, including Christmas lights, are insulated inside a plastic (PVC) coating. Some sort of stabilizer must be added to the PVC so that it will be heat resistant. PVC stabilizers commonly include metals such as lead, cadmium and tin.

The concern with these Christmas lights is that the lead will leech out of the PVC and be deposited on your hands while you are decorating. Lights containing lead that are sold in California must carry a Proposition 65 warning label, but those sold elsewhere contain no warnings. Lights manufactured in the United States are less likely to contain lead.

Do not allow your children to handle Christmas lights. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling them yourself.

You should also be aware that those Christmas lights aren't the only things to be cautious about when selecting your holiday decor. Artificial Christmas trees made of PVC also contain stabilizers.

Researchers at the Environmental Quality Institute at the University of North Carolina-Asheville have found that some PVC trees release lead dust into the air and onto the ground and presents underneath the tree. Your children can breathe the dust and contaminate their hands while touching the ground or unwrapping gifts. As we all know, lead exposure is of particular concern during childhood.

To find out if your holiday decorations contain lead, order a $12.00 dust test kit from CWLTI at http://www.leadtesting.org/order.htm

This article is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as medical advice or as a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be interpreted as recommendation for treatment. If you have questions or concerns regarding your physical or mental health or the health of your child, please seek assistance from a qualified health care provider before using any health information.

© Christine Climer

The wires of many electrical devices, including Christmas lights, are insulated inside a plastic (PVC) coating. Some sort of stabilizer must be added to the PVC so that it will be heat resistant. PVC stabilizers commonly include metals such as lead, cadmium and tin.

The concern with these Christmas lights is that the lead will leech out of the PVC and be deposited on your hands while you are decorating. Lights containing lead that are sold in California must carry a Proposition 65 warning label, but those sold elsewhere contain no warnings. Lights manufactured in the United States are less likely to contain lead.

Do not allow your children to handle Christmas lights. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling them yourself.

You should also be aware that those Christmas lights aren't the only things to be cautious about when selecting your holiday decor. Artificial Christmas trees made of PVC also contain stabilizers.

Researchers at the Environmental Quality Institute at the University of North Carolina-Asheville have found that some PVC trees release lead dust into the air and onto the ground and presents underneath the tree. Your children can breathe the dust and contaminate their hands while touching the ground or unwrapping gifts. As we all know, lead exposure is of particular concern during childhood.

To find out if your holiday decorations contain lead, order a $12.00 dust test kit from CWLTI at http://www.leadtesting.org/order.htm

This article is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as medical advice or as a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be interpreted as recommendation for treatment. If you have questions or concerns regarding your physical or mental health or the health of your child, please seek assistance from a qualified health care provider before using any health information.

© Christine Climer

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10 Reasons to Buy a GPS System This Christmas

So why is GPS so cool? Why should you be begging to get one this Christmas? That is what we are about to find out.

Global positioning systems have the ability to determine location, speed, direction, and time. Basically, you should never be lost or late ever again.



GPS is more accurate than ever. Since selective availability was disabled, consumers have been able to enjoy the accuracy the military had for years. Now it keeps time better than a clock, gives your position within a few feet, and has thousands and thousands of points of interest stored. Want to know where the closest Best Buy is located, how to get there, and how long it will take? No problem.



You can get a GPS system in a variety of formats, from devices integrated into cars, phones, and watches, to dedicated devices that you can carry with you anywhere. Whatever your needs are, there is probably a GPS system available for you.



You can save any location as a favorite and then easily call it up as a destination in the future. This saves you time and allows you to just jump in the car and head out. You can worry about directions on the way.



GPS allows you to keep your eyes on the road instead of on a map. So, basically it is a lot safer.



GPS can help you avoid traffic. Interstate is blocked by a wreck? No problem. GPS will take you routes that you never knew existed.



You can adjust your route while driving. There are always unexpected things during a trip like construction or a new road. With GPS you can adjust even if say the new road isn't in the system yet. You can still navigate using position back to a road that it knows. I had to do this once with a brand new toll road and it worked perfectly.



You can find anything you need including gas stations, restaurants, or a hotel. That gives you more peace of mind than you know.



You can give your exact location to an emergency service. Say you have a flat tire and you call up AAA. Guess what? You can give your exact position and they will use their GPS to find you!



It is more affordable than ever. Like all technology, things get cheaper. Once an item out of reach for most except the rich, GPS is now cheap enough anyone can buy one. You can easily find a unit for $200 or less.

Did I mention that it happens to be one of the hottest items on everyone's wish list anyways? Don't get left behind and take the plunge into the realm of GPS.

So why is GPS so cool? Why should you be begging to get one this Christmas? That is what we are about to find out.

Global positioning systems have the ability to determine location, speed, direction, and time. Basically, you should never be lost or late ever again.



GPS is more accurate than ever. Since selective availability was disabled, consumers have been able to enjoy the accuracy the military had for years. Now it keeps time better than a clock, gives your position within a few feet, and has thousands and thousands of points of interest stored. Want to know where the closest Best Buy is located, how to get there, and how long it will take? No problem.



You can get a GPS system in a variety of formats, from devices integrated into cars, phones, and watches, to dedicated devices that you can carry with you anywhere. Whatever your needs are, there is probably a GPS system available for you.



You can save any location as a favorite and then easily call it up as a destination in the future. This saves you time and allows you to just jump in the car and head out. You can worry about directions on the way.



GPS allows you to keep your eyes on the road instead of on a map. So, basically it is a lot safer.



GPS can help you avoid traffic. Interstate is blocked by a wreck? No problem. GPS will take you routes that you never knew existed.



You can adjust your route while driving. There are always unexpected things during a trip like construction or a new road. With GPS you can adjust even if say the new road isn't in the system yet. You can still navigate using position back to a road that it knows. I had to do this once with a brand new toll road and it worked perfectly.



You can find anything you need including gas stations, restaurants, or a hotel. That gives you more peace of mind than you know.



You can give your exact location to an emergency service. Say you have a flat tire and you call up AAA. Guess what? You can give your exact position and they will use their GPS to find you!



It is more affordable than ever. Like all technology, things get cheaper. Once an item out of reach for most except the rich, GPS is now cheap enough anyone can buy one. You can easily find a unit for $200 or less.

Did I mention that it happens to be one of the hottest items on everyone's wish list anyways? Don't get left behind and take the plunge into the realm of GPS.

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Five Treadmills Worth Checking Out This Christmas

Do you already know what you are getting everyone on your gift list year? What about for yourself, do you know what you want? If you or anyone you know is looking to receive fitness and/or workout equipment, a treadmill can make an excellent gift.

Here is a list of five popular treadmills on the market today and some of their key features.

The ProForm 725ex

The ProForm 725ex is a durable machine, yet not too hard on your body. With the ability to adjust the speed of this treadmill from 1 mile an hour to 10 miles an hour, it could be useful for everyone in the family. It also boasts these characteristics:

o EKG pulse grip

o 4 window electronics

o 2.5 HP motor

o Cushion base

o A wide treadbelt with plenty of length

o Power incline

The NordicTrack Apex 4100i

NordicTrack is one of the leading brands in fitness equipment. The quality and dependability of their treadmills is no exception. The NordicTrack Apex 4100i treadmill is a sleek machine that offers the following:

o A space saving design

o 2 lb. ErgoGrip hand weights

o 12 light training areas

o 31 built in workouts

o 2.0 HP continuous duty motor

o A comfortably wide treadbelt

o 0 - 12 percent power incline

o 0 - 10 mph adjustable speed

o Pulse sensing Cardio Grip

The NordicTrack c2255

Another powerful machine from NordicTrack is the NordicTrack c2255 treadmill. This piece of equipment has the following features:

o 2.25 CHP motor

o Wide 20" treadbelt

o 0 - 10 mph adjustable speed

o 0% - 12% incline

o 300 lb weight capacity

o Folding ability, for easy storage

On top of those features, the NordicTrack c2255 boasts the following extras:

o Lifetime motor warranty

o ClearView blue backlit display

o A cushion deck that is adjustable to 3 positions

o Many workout options, including 6 built in workout options, but also features like MyMiles and Carb Counter that help you personalize and maintain your fitness routine

o iFit workout card compatible. These iFit cards are inserted into the treadmill and they are workouts that have been designed by personal trainers.

The BowFlex Series 3

BowFlex, another strong name in fitness equipment, offers a great treadmill in the BowFlex Series 3 machine. This sturdy and rugged machine is perfect for any home and workout room. The capabilities offered in this treadmill are:

o folding ability for better storage

o wide running surface

o four window computer display

o 1.75 HP continuous duty motor

o Adjustable speed range up to 10 mph

o 0% -12% incline

o Heart rate monitoring in the grip

o Six different workout programs

o Bottle/cup holders

Free Spirit® 2.0-Hp Folding Treadmill

The FreeSpirit 2.0 HP Folding treadmill is a wonderful machine that everyone in your family can use. It has many features including, but not limited to:

o Folding ability for storage

o Adjustable speeds up to 10 mph

o Power incline that can be adjusted to 10 positions

o Handlebar grip with pulse sensor

o Comfortable running deck

o LCD displays time, distance, speed, pulse, calories burned and more

o 2.0 HP continuous duty motor

o Cup holder and storage space in console

Do you already know what you are getting everyone on your gift list year? What about for yourself, do you know what you want? If you or anyone you know is looking to receive fitness and/or workout equipment, a treadmill can make an excellent gift.

Here is a list of five popular treadmills on the market today and some of their key features.

The ProForm 725ex

The ProForm 725ex is a durable machine, yet not too hard on your body. With the ability to adjust the speed of this treadmill from 1 mile an hour to 10 miles an hour, it could be useful for everyone in the family. It also boasts these characteristics:

o EKG pulse grip

o 4 window electronics

o 2.5 HP motor

o Cushion base

o A wide treadbelt with plenty of length

o Power incline

The NordicTrack Apex 4100i

NordicTrack is one of the leading brands in fitness equipment. The quality and dependability of their treadmills is no exception. The NordicTrack Apex 4100i treadmill is a sleek machine that offers the following:

o A space saving design

o 2 lb. ErgoGrip hand weights

o 12 light training areas

o 31 built in workouts

o 2.0 HP continuous duty motor

o A comfortably wide treadbelt

o 0 - 12 percent power incline

o 0 - 10 mph adjustable speed

o Pulse sensing Cardio Grip

The NordicTrack c2255

Another powerful machine from NordicTrack is the NordicTrack c2255 treadmill. This piece of equipment has the following features:

o 2.25 CHP motor

o Wide 20" treadbelt

o 0 - 10 mph adjustable speed

o 0% - 12% incline

o 300 lb weight capacity

o Folding ability, for easy storage

On top of those features, the NordicTrack c2255 boasts the following extras:

o Lifetime motor warranty

o ClearView blue backlit display

o A cushion deck that is adjustable to 3 positions

o Many workout options, including 6 built in workout options, but also features like MyMiles and Carb Counter that help you personalize and maintain your fitness routine

o iFit workout card compatible. These iFit cards are inserted into the treadmill and they are workouts that have been designed by personal trainers.

The BowFlex Series 3

BowFlex, another strong name in fitness equipment, offers a great treadmill in the BowFlex Series 3 machine. This sturdy and rugged machine is perfect for any home and workout room. The capabilities offered in this treadmill are:

o folding ability for better storage

o wide running surface

o four window computer display

o 1.75 HP continuous duty motor

o Adjustable speed range up to 10 mph

o 0% -12% incline

o Heart rate monitoring in the grip

o Six different workout programs

o Bottle/cup holders

Free Spirit® 2.0-Hp Folding Treadmill

The FreeSpirit 2.0 HP Folding treadmill is a wonderful machine that everyone in your family can use. It has many features including, but not limited to:

o Folding ability for storage

o Adjustable speeds up to 10 mph

o Power incline that can be adjusted to 10 positions

o Handlebar grip with pulse sensor

o Comfortable running deck

o LCD displays time, distance, speed, pulse, calories burned and more

o 2.0 HP continuous duty motor

o Cup holder and storage space in console

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