A 3-D Summer

 Are you planning to see a 3-D movie this summer?

I had recently gone to a 3-D movie with my husband and we were given a pair of 3-D glasses to enjoy the movies "special effects" and even though the glasses were packaged in a sealed plastic bag I still had to wonder about the cleanliness of the glasses that would be planted on my face  and a blink away from my eyes.  I used to be a teacher, so I know how sickness can be passed and how it can spread within a heartbeat, but I digress.  In the spirit of the movie I put my glasses on and watched the movie and later deposited the glasses in the return bin in the middle of the theater lobby and didn't give it another moments thought.

A week after our 3-D experience I had been flipping through an issue of Good Housekeeping when an article about 3-D glasses jumped out at me.  "I knew it!", I groaned.  The article stated  that Good Housekeeping had tested seven pairs of 3-D glasses, three of which came in the plastic bag, and four of which did not.  Since the 3-D glasses are not allowed to be taken home Good Housekeeping took samples of all seven pairs of 3-D glasses and sent the swabs to be tested at an independent lab in Cinnaminson, NJ.

The Findings:

* NONE of the glasses tested were found to be STERILE

* Most of the glasses tested were found to have bacteria, but none serious enough to be alarmed at

* One unwrapped pair was found to be contaminated with Staphylococcus aureaus, which can cause skin infections, conjunctivitis (pinkeye), food poisoning, and even pneumonia

Good Housekeeping Suggested:

* Clean the glasses with an alcohol wipe and this should reduce the bacteria by 95%

* A good wash of soap and water in the bathroom was almost as effective as the alcohol wipe

* Wiping the glasses with only a tissue only wiped 66% of the germs away

So, if you're headed to the movies this summer and a 3-D movie happens to be on your list  of things to see plan to do a little (Good) housekeeping and keep it safe.

* Original article can be found in the July issue of Good Housekeeping

Did You Know?

Did you know... 

You should sleep at least ONE hour for ever TWO hours you are awake?

Some research says that lack of sleep ages you while others state it doesn't, because you will age at the same consistent daily rate no matter what.  Doctors have stated that at the very least an adult should get no less than 6 hours of sleep every night.

Lack of sleep in children can be very critical to their growth and overall performance in their school work.  Without a full nights rest for your child it has been proven that is harder for them to concentrate in school with symptoms of hyper, disagreeable, and sometimes extremes in behavior.

So, what is considered a full nights rest for a child?

Newborns:

Between 16 to 20 hours of total sleep a day, divided equally between the daylight and night time hours, spending 3 to 4 hours of the sleep at a time.

6 to 12 months:

About 11 hours a night with a 2 - 3 hour nap during the day.

Toddlers:

Between 10 to 13 hours a night, with or without a nap, depending on if the child gets overly tired.

Preschoolers:

Between 10 to 12 hours, with or without a nap, depending on if the child gets overly tired or at age 5 years they don't really require a nap at all, if they are getting their full 10 - 12 hours a night.

Teens:

Between 8 - 9.50 hours a night.  As your teen progresses through puberty you might find that they require and will sleep upwards to 12 hours, especially if they are active.

One of the most important guidelines for a successful sleeping regimen for the entire family is to establish a healthy night time ritual of getting ready for bed and sticking to it.

Nighty, night!