If you cut off an entire limb, you might reconsider using the big knife

Dear Home-Ec 101,

How do I know if a cut is serious enough to go to the ER?

Signed,

My knife skills need work

Ivy says:

This is a very good question. Many people question when an expensive trip to the ER is warranted, and when you can do for yourself at home. Now, neither Heather nor I are medical professionals and any advice we give should not be replaced by that of a medical professional. And void where prohibited by law. And other standard disclaimers.

Go to the ER immediately if:

• The cut is jagged, has rough edges, or is very deep (you can see muscle or bone)
• The cut bleeds in spurts (you may have hit an artery)
• Your cut soaks through several bandages, or doesn’t stop bleeding after 10 minutes with direct pressure on the wound.
• There is something embedded in the wound that cannot be removed.

Go to your doctor or a walk-in-clinic if:

• You were cut by something dirty or rusty and you haven’t had a tetanus shot in the last ten years, or cannot remember when your last tetanus shot was.
• Your wound shows signs of infection, like redness, swelling, numbness or oozing. Also, if you run a fever of 100 degrees fahrenheit, you may have an infection.

Most cuts can be taken care of at home. Make sure you clean it well and put an antibiotic ointment on it.

Is it safe to drink it yet?

Dear Home Ec 101:

I live in Hurricane Country and there are often boiling water advisories after a storm. How long am I supposed to boil the water before it is safe to drink?

~Avoiding the Runs in Ravenel

Heather says:

Boil water advisories are more common than you may think. They are quite common if the power is disrupted for an extended period of time, but they are also issued for line breaks, positive tests for contamination, and occasionally when maintenance is being done.

Water should be brought to a roiling boil and boiled for one minute. Begin timing when the bubbles appear. Allow it to cool and place in a clean, covered container.

These advisories also apply to more than just drinking water, it affects toothbrushing, cleaning produce, and ice making. Be sure to use boiled water for these purposes, as well.

Showering is typically safe for adults and teenagers, but young children should be given spongebaths.

Dishes can safely be washed in hot water with a small amount bleach (one tablespoon per gallon).

After the advisory has been lifted flush the pipes by running each cold water tap for one minute. If you have an automatic ice maker, discard the first three batches.

Remember most filters, such as those in a fridge are for taste and odors, not harmful bacteria.

Food Storage: Butter

Dear Home Ec 101:

How long will butter last in the freezer?

~Freezing my Assets

Heather says:

It depends, at 0°F butter will last 6 - 9 months and still retain its quality.  I have frozen it for much longer with no noticeable change, but our deep freeze is only used for long term storage.  If a freezer is frequently opened, food may lose quality due to exposure to moisture or fluctuating temperatures.

School Daze

Heather says:

It’s back to school time in my neck of the woods.  Try to have the rugrats in bed at a decent hour, lay out clothes (including shoes!) the night before, and check those backpacks.  These simple routines help cut down on the morning scramble.

Over the next few weeks I’ll supply some quick and easy or make-ahead breakfast ideas to simplify mornings without reaching for the sugar-coated-frosted-bombs.

Stay Cool, Stay Cool

Ivy says:

I don’t know about y’all, but it’s HOT here. It got up to 110 degrees today. It’s ridiculous. My air conditioner can’t keep up.  I’ve been taking about 100 showers a day (okay, I took three today), loading up on water and lemonade slushes, and sitting in front of a fan. Here’s a post I wrote about keeping cool.

How are you keeping cool? Got any tips or tricks for us? We’d love to hear them.

Also, since Heather’s busy with Miss Elizabeth, y’all are stuck with just me for awhile. Got any burning home ec questions? Want to bombard me with stupid questions? Email me at either helpme@home-ec101.com or badbadivy@gmail.com and I’ll get them answered. Don’t ask any complex cooking questions, though, or you’ll end up with wrong answers, most likely.

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