Stacy Said:

What IsCausing The EXHAUST SMELL Coming ThroughThe Vents Of My b-friends chevy 95 tahoe?

We Answered:

It's the exhaust.

Mattie Said:

Have you ever lived in South Africa? please tell me about everything: life, safety, people?

We Answered:

Im in Pretoria (near Johannesburg);

MacDonalds adult meal - R25
MacDonald kids meal - R16-00
Can of Coke - R4-50
School Fees (per month) - from R600 (government) upwards
Bread- R5-00 a loaf
Milk - R10-00 for 2 liters

Its cheaper to cook your food from scratch than to eat out. Convenience foods are more expensive.

Meat and Vegetable prices vary from place to place if you can afford it - buy from Woolworths, next PicknPay or Spar (all grocery stores)

Some places advertise cheap Vegetables (Fruit&Veg City or Housewives Market) - but dont buy more than you can eat in 4 days because its normally already ripe and goes bad before you can eat it.

We have great food here, South Africans love to Braai (BBQ) and we eat more red meat than other countries.
And Biltong is raw meat that dried out - it sounds aweful but tastes good. "Dry Wors" is raw sausage dried out - also good.

Safety ... you will need to be more alert than what you are used to. Lock doors and windows at night, lock the car if you are at a shopping center or at night.
Be careful when offering to help people (dont pick up hitch-hikers) dont hand out money to people begging at the traffic lights, or buy stuff from the guys selling at the traffic lights (vegetables, fake perfume, sunglasses and fake dvds)

Try not go out of public areas, until you know the area. Most things happen to foreigners when they are at a secluded beach/ hiking trail or walking home from clubs etc.

Be careful of everyone, no matter how nice they seem.

What is your religious affiliation? The best way to join a new area and find like minded people is to join a church. There you will meet people who will be happy to help you with info on nearby shops/ schools/ etc

English is the most widely spoken language.

I have lived in SA for 30 years. 2 years ago someone tried to steal my purse, I put it next to my baby under a blanket in the babyseat of the trolley. I saw this lady reaching under the blanket (I was about 2 meters away) and I got so mad because I thought she was touching my baby. When I realised my purse was gone I shouted at the top of my voice " SHE STOLE MY PURSE" within 30 seconds my purse was found and the lady dissapeared. That is the only crime that I can think of that has happened to me.

Our home has an alarm, we are linked with a security company called Chubb. We are very aware. We have had to chase people out of our garden at night before (burglars) but we chased them before they got into our home.
We have a dog who barks at all strange noises at night - thats a deterant.

I have also be called over protective, but my 3 kids (under 5) are always supervised (at school / home by me or my domestic worker) I dont let them go unaccompanied anywhere. If your children are older you will have to find out from parents of similar aged children what they do.

Dont worry but when you get here be careful.

Julie Said:

has health and safety gone far for our kids?

We Answered:

Yes i think kids today are too over-protected, they need to be allowed to do stuff thats how they learn about life, they also need to be allowed to get dirty as it builds their immune system for the future:)

Nancy Said:

Is 'health and safety' ruining our kids childhood?

We Answered:

I know its mad. I think H&S is crazy in any instances. I work with Young homeless adults, and it is crazy, I tried to organise a weekend trip away and gave up in the end because H&S.
Tried to have a BBQ couldnt, mad mad mad.
Same as these darn Human rights.

Dawn Said:

The lion mark and health and safety for kids?

We Answered:

I am aware of the "lion mark" in the UK in connection with toys and other children's goods (e.g., clothing, highchairs, playpens, gates and barriers) and in connection with eggs.

In connection with safety and *toys*, the "Lion Mark" was developed in 1988 by the British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) as a symbol of toy safety and quality for the consumer.

In order to expand the "Lion Mark" to more retailers, the British Association of Toy Retailers joined with the British Toy and Hobby Association to develop the Lion Mark for use by retailers. By displaying this sign the retailer is saying that all products in the shop meet a certain standard of safety.

This symbol displayed in the shop, in catalogues and in retailer advertising, indicates that the retailer has agreed to the Code of Practice and as such, is prepared to make strenuous efforts not only to offer safe toys and children's products (e.g., safety of *children's clothing*, *highchairs*; *mattresses for children's cots and prams*) for sale, but to ensure management and staff are briefed on toy safety matters such as age warnings and similar.

In connection with safety in the production of *eggs*, the "Lion Quality mark" on egg shells and egg boxes means that the eggs have been produced to the highest standards of food safety. The Lion Quality Code of Practice was launched in 1998 and includes compulsory vaccination against Salmonella Enteritidis of all pullets destined for Lion egg-producing flocks, independent auditing, improved traceability of eggs and a "best-before" date stamped on the shell and pack, as well as on-farm and packing station hygiene controls.

Theodore Said:

I need a Challenge Statement for kids and parents to follow to ensure their future health. =?

We Answered:

How about,
"Footprints Towards The Future", teaching children and their families to put their best foot forward by taking care of their bodies and minds!

Penny Said:

Health expo: Fire safety (ideas?)?

We Answered:

You could use the USFA Kids site to get some interactive fire safety games, crossword puzzles, and coloring sheets, there are also some cute games on Sparky.org (the fire dog sponsored by the NFP).