Sunday 30 November 2014

Toxic Home Syndrome

UK homes are at risk of ‘Toxic Home Syndrome’

The air inside your home is causing more damage to your health than the air outside1

Results from an exclusive Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) home study reveal UK households are at risk of experiencing aggravated health problems due to poor air quality inside the home.

The independent study tested the air quality in British homes; analysing the level of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) present in the air. Out of the 122 homes tested in the UK, only 9% were considered in the normal category of recommended level of pollutant concentration, with the remaining 91% of homes above the recommended level2.

“At the normal level, non-chemically sensitive individuals should not experience health issues from VOCs. As the TVOC level increases into the moderate, elevated or severe levels, individuals may experience aggravated health problems, and therefore, the need to address VOC issues becomes more critical” says indoor air quality expert Tim Robinson.

Mould is one of the key factors of poor indoor air quality and health risk. According to a new YouGov consumer survey, 58% of respondents have experienced mould or condensation in their home; with 19% of those have already suffered from a respiratory or dermatological condition while the remaining 81% could be at risk3.

As we move towards winter, condensation and mould become more prominent as we close windows and make our homes more airtight. Moulds release allergens, irritants and toxic substances that have been linked to immune system disorders such as asthma and allergies1. Other pollutants released by items around the home – such as fireplaces, candles, air fresheners, textiles, furniture, cleaning products paint and detergents3 - add to this, creating  a potent ‘pollutant soup’ in the home.

Peter Howarth, Professor of Allergy and Respiratory medicine at Southampton University, calls for increased awareness of what is being termed ‘Toxic Home Syndrome’. He comments: “There is a lot of noise about how outdoor air pollution affects your health, but we should look closer to home as this is where we spend most of our time. Indoor air can be more hazardous than outdoor air, particularly in young children and the elderly and where air quality is poorest. ‘Toxic home syndrome’ occurs when families are exposed to a potent mix of airborne pollutants arising from poor home ventilation, causing respiratory and skin diseases to occur more frequently.”



For more information on ‘Toxic Home Syndrome’, expert advice and top tips or to find out if your health and home is at risk visit www.myhealthmyhome.com  


References
1 Camfil Farr (2012) Clean Air is a Human Right Report
2 Prism & Waverton Analytics (2013) IAQ Home Study
3 YouGov Consumer Survey (2014) Air Quality




Friday 28 November 2014

I've Made Friday Week 127


Good Morning everyone!

I hope your week is going well
and you are looking forward to the weekend.

Tomorrow is the schools Christmas Fair.
Then Sunday we get the Christmas Decorations down
ready for decorating the house.

I can't believe how close December is!

I've got lots to show you this week.

 

 

Here is what I made with Little Red this week.
We bought a selection craft kit.
It's the most popular craft kits from Baker Ross


The colour is actually black and dark red.
This is the hat for Little Red's 
Crazy Hair day at school. 


This is actually baby size.
It's from the Leisure Arts book:
Image 1


 

  

The Bobble Hat is from the book Crochet Boutique Hats.
Little Red loves the hat and wanted a scarf to match.
So mummy to the rescue.
I just followed the basic techniques of the hat
and replicated them in a scarf.



I finished my Deer Pattern from Lovely Baby Gift!
I cannot recommend this pattern highly enough!
It is a 5 out of 5.
The pattern is super easy to follow!
I made ours with a red nose and little red didn't want the mouth or scarf.
You can add them if you want.
I love him!
It is a pattern that is well worth the price!
Every different part of the pattern is easy to follow
and each part is so effective.
I made mine with a double knit acrylic yarn and 3 mm hook.

Here is what the full pattern looks like:
Amigurumi Deer Crochet Pattern, Crochet Deer Pattern, Animal Crochet Pattern, Reindeer, Christmas Deer, CP-134
You can purchase the pattern through:

Victoria's patterns are amazing!
Check out some of her other designs:

 Meskiukas_29_small2 Beibis1_small2 Baby_shoes_crochet_pattern_small2
Paternai_640x480_begemotas_small2 Cp_40-2_small2 Bezdzione_small2
Cp_31_drambliukas21_small2 Crochet_booties_pattern_small2 Cp-140_santa_small2

You can also Find her on Facebook

This week I've read (listened to)
In Cold Blood
by Mark Dawson


I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. 
I didn't think the subject matter was something I would enjoy. 
How wrong I was. 
The book is well written and pulls you into the story. 
The emotion and characters are believable and you just want to hear what happens next. 
I can't wait to get the next in the series just to see what happens. 
Will she make it? Will she finish her wish list?
The main character of the story is Rose.
She used to work for the English Government but things turned bad.
She is now out to seek revenge on the people
that ruined her life and meant that she wouldn't see her daughter 
for 8 years.
There are lots of mixed emotions and lots of action.
It was a good read and I'm looking forward to more
of the stories in the series.

Now it's time for linky love.
Please feel free to share anything you've made.
  • Please visit other people to see what they have made.
  • Add the link to here on your blog so we can share the linky love.
  • I will try and visit as many people as possible.
  • I will reply to all comments as soon as I can
Crochet Addict UK I've Made Friday


Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Thumb-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
If this widget does not appear, click here to display it.


I received a copy of the Deer pattern to review.
However all comments are my own.
No monies were received.
Affiliate links are included on this post. 

Serenata Flowers ~ Hamper Review & UK Giveaway




I was lucky enough to be sent this wonderful
Sugar Blush Hamper
to review by Serenata Flowers

 
To be honest I think the hamper pictures review the
product themselves!
The Hamper looks and tastes amazing.
As you can see the Hamper comes beautifully packaged.
 
 
The only problem you'll have is choosing what to eat first:
Tin of Cherry & Chocolate Chip Biscuits
Monty Bojangles Natural Rhubarb & Custard
Salted Caramel Fudge 113g
Red Box of Luxury Belgian Chocolates
KC Chocolatier, Caramel & Praline Milk Chocolate Bar 75g
KC Chocolatier, Hazelnut Cream White Chocolate Bar 75g

 
 
Everything is packaged to show off everything to perfection.
You feel like it has the air of class.
 
 
It makes a fantastic gift for anyone who loves something sweet!
They will feel special if they receive this.
 


The service is fantastic.
The delivery is fast
and the quality is fantastic.
 
 
My favorite thing out of the hamper has to be
the Cherry & Chocolate Chip Biscuits.
They were fantastic!
I would highly recommend this beautiful hamper.
It's ideal as a treat for yourself or as a gift
for a loved one.

Check out some of the other brilliant gifts at Serenata Flowers.

Now Serenata Flowers have kindly offered one
of my UK followers a brilliant gift:
 

Isn't it fantastic!!!

Handmade White Chocolate Dotty Bar with Jazzies
Milk Chocolate Lollipop with Candy Beans
Sweet House - Jelly Babies
Sweet House - Lime Sherbert
Pink Teddy Bear

UK Giveaway

Good Luck!!

If you can't wait you can find this and other amazing gifts at


I received the hamper to review.
However all opinions expressed are my own.
No monies were exchanged.

Thursday 27 November 2014

Thursday Homemade Love Week 106


Thursday Handmade Love
has been on hold for a while.
I've decided to bring it back for a while.
I'm only going to link free 
#Crochet & #Knitting patterns
on Ravelry:

This weeks theme is Reindeer
(All the pictures are linked to the Free Patterns)

Free Crochet Patterns;

80971ada_small2 Rorylogo300_small2 Murray_1_small2
P1020718_copy_small 297266_03aug12_crw_3406_smallShermanthedeer1_small2
1430643715_2108a5c5c1_n

Free Knitting Patterns:
Dscn2577_small2 Pc036149_raverly_small2 20140801_114432_small2
Ravdeer4_small2 20-2_small2 5932079414_60810b0158_n
Photo_on_2013-09-12_at_11 Pa010027_small2 535853138_f82c57000d_n
10-2_medium Deer_sweater_-_front_small2 4098911953_3e539b1ee4_m
P2190001_small2 Img_1248_small2 10-2_medium
17-2_medium 43-2_medium 15-2_medium 14-2_medium
Reindeersocks4_small2 Ravelry_eva_lyus_design_julekuler_reindeers_in_love_small2 Nikolausi2_small2
Imag0504_small2 996-2_medium 869-2_medium

Now it's your turn.
Feel free to link anything handmade.
It doesn't have to follow the theme.
Please add the button to your post.
We want the handmade love to spread.

Crochet Addict UK Thursday Handmade Love

Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Thumb-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
If this widget does not appear, click here to display it.