Knap Time

Here's a fascinating human interest story about a custodian who creates pictures in the knap of the carpet fibers in his school's library carpet when he vacuums. His abilities and imagination are quite intriguing. The children and staff are impressed and he has some fun sharing his unique talents. Read the story here.

April 27 - National Sense of Smell Day

One of the biggest indicators of cleanliness is smell! When you walk into a room and it smells clean, you feel happy, comfortable and confident. On the other hand if you walk into a room that has unpleasant smells, you immediately bristle and your mind begins to wonder what the odor is and you start questioning everything else about that room. That's why a good smell goes a long way toward inviting people back whether to a restaurant or into our schools.

Interestingly, April 27 is National Sense of Smell Day. The power and motivation of smells is obvious. The following article taken from www.cmmonline.com shares some interesting facts about smell.

Take a Whiff: Cintas Highlights 10 Fun Facts about Sense of Smell Lesser-known facts to celebrate National Sense of Smell Day

CINCINNATI — To celebrate National Sense of Smell Day on April 27, Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) today announced 10 fun facts about humans’ sense of smell. Sponsored by Sense of Smell Institute, National Sense of Smell Day aims to educate and raise awareness about the power of scents. Odor control specialists at Cintas highlighted facts to help organizations understand the powerful role that scent plays within their facilities and how it impacts the lives of building occupants each and every day.

“Since our sense of smell is highly linked to memory and perception, businesses should implement programs that work to tackle malodors in restrooms and other key areas of the facility,” said Dave Mesko, Senior Director of Marketing and Strategy, Cintas Corporation. “Through cleaning programs and odor-control products, businesses can ensure customers are constantly greeted with a fresh scent and positive first impression.”

Cintas highlights the following fun facts about sense of smell: 

1.    Everyone has a unique odor identity similar to a fingerprint—no two people smell the same way except identical twins.

2.    The human brain can process roughly 10,000 different smells in an area the size of a postage stamp.

3.    A woman’s sense of smell is much stronger than a man’s.

4.    A person’s sense of smell is weakest in the morning and the ability to perceive odor increases throughout the day.

5.    Approximately 80 percent of what we taste is actually qualified by our sense of smell. This is why our taste is diminished during a cold or flu.

6.    Prolonged exposure to unpleasant smells can actually impair your ability to smell. Wearing a mask over the nose and mouth can help lessen the effects of malodors.

7.    Smell has a very powerful link to memory and links to the emotional regions of the brain more directly than other senses.

8.    Our sense of smell is strongest in the spring and summer because of the added moisture in the air. It is also stronger after exercising because of the additional moisture in the nasal cavity.

9.    Scent works in the opposite direction of other senses. With sight, sound and taste, we identify the information first and then react emotionally. With scents, we have an emotional reaction first and then identify the scent shortly thereafter.

10.    People can remember smells with 65 percent accuracy after a year, while visual recall is about 50 percent after three months.
“A pleasant scent can signal powerful memories that bring us back to a great experience—while a disagreeable odor can be offensive,” added Mesko. “The facts about scent help businesses understand how critical this sense is for customers and how it impacts overall perception of a facility.”

For more information about Cintas’ scent uniformity solutions, visit www.cintas.com/facilityservices.com/

The Dark Ages of Medicine Resuscitated?

More people, more disease, more infections, more antibiotics needed. Yet, the creation of new drugs and the resistance of current ones has alarmed scientists and the medical community. The article below from Reuters is an eye-opener as the world continues to grow and expand. If something isn't done soon, the world is on a precipice of agony and defeat.

Drug pipeline for worst superbugs "on life support": report

By Julie Steenhuysen

CHICAGO | Thu Apr 18, 2013 12:09am EDT

(Reuters) - Only seven new drugs are in development for the treatment of infections caused by an especially nasty class of superbugs that include E. coli and CRE, the so-called "nightmare bacteria" that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised alarms about last month.

The data come from the latest report by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, or IDSA, released on Thursday, which has been tracking the rising number of bacteria that resist even the most potent antibiotics.

"We're on the precipice of returning to the dark days before antibiotics enabled safer surgery, chemotherapy and the care of premature infants," said Dr. Helen Boucher, an infectious diseases expert at Tufts Medical Center in Boston and a member of IDSA's board, whose report was published online in Clinical Infectious Diseases.

"Simply put, the antibiotic pipeline is on life support and novel solutions are required to resuscitate it - now," IDSA President Dr. David Relman said in a statement.

Boucher said health officials are losing ground because companies are not developing drugs quickly enough to keep up with the superbugs' ability to develop resistance, adding: "We're all at risk."

Almost as soon as penicillin was introduced in the 1940s, bacteria began to develop resistance to its effects, prompting researchers to develop many new generations of antibiotics. But their overuse and misuse have helped fuel the rise of drug-resistant superbugs.

In the past month, public health officials in the United States and Britain have sounded alarms about the growing threat.

On March 5 the CDC warned of the spread of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), a class of what CDC Director Thomas Frieden called "nightmare bacteria" that kill up to half of patients who get bloodstream infections from them.

A week later, Sally Davies, the chief medical officer for England, said antibiotic resistance was a "catastrophic threat" and called for global action to fill a drug "discovery void.

'ALARMINGLY LOW'

The latest report, a follow-up to a 2009 study, is based on interviews with drug companies, published data, information culled from websites and other sources. It focuses on new agents to fight gram-negative superbugs, which the group said represent the most "pressing clinical needs."

Gram-negative bacteria include E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella and other species in the class known as Enterobacteriaceae bacteria.

It suggests that companies have continued their retreat from research and development of antibiotics.

"The number of antibacterial compounds in phase 2 or 3 development remains alarmingly low," Boucher and colleagues wrote.

Unlike drugs for chronic diseases such as diabetes, which are taken over many years, antibiotics are used for just a few weeks, and efforts to control resistance have led doctors to prescribe the drugs sparingly.

For the report, Boucher and colleagues focused on new oral or intravenous antibiotics that had progressed to phase 2 or phase 3 clinical trials.

They found a total of seven drugs in development and being tested in people with drug-resistant, gram-negative infections.

"We know not all of those drugs will make it," Boucher said in a telephone interview.

Of the seven, one company, Polymedix, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy this month, and AstraZeneca, which is making two of the drugs, last month said it would invest less money in developing antibiotics.

The other companies include Merck, Cubist Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline and privately held Achaogen Inc of South San Francisco, California.

The ISDA is pushing for new economic incentives for drug companies, a clarification of U.S. regulations for antibiotic approval, more funding for basic research, better infection-prevention efforts and better data on the spread of drug resistance and the use of antibiotics.

(Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen; editing by Xavier Briand)

Five Years Ago Today...

Can you believe it? It was five years ago today that I started this blog. I took a brief in-district class on RSS feeds and blogging and that got me going. I not only have this blog, but I also blog on the Covington Reporter periodically and have numerous feeds I subscribe to. Once you get the hang of it, it's really not too difficult. And it's fun!

My intention for this blog was to share interesting stories, information, tips, suggestions and other custodial related items that others might find interesting or helpful. I've received a few comments over the years from appreciative readers and I usually get a few votes on the monthly poll I post. It's nice to get this information out on the web so others can benefit and smile.

Thumbs up to another five years to come! Thanks for reading.

You Haven't Seen Anything Like This

I've worked in the district for fourteen years. During that time I've seen some interesting, repugnant and downright filthy things that students have done just to be funny or out of childishness. An orange thrown in a toilet to clog it and then it being used until it is full. Graffiti of all different types on walls inside the building and outside. Fire extinguishers being discharged. Dispensers ripped off walls or smashed where they are hung. Unidentifiable things thrown in toilets or on floors.  Sprinkler heads purposely broken. The list could go on. Be that as it may, these occurrences don't happen every day.

I have to bow in respect though to the custodians mentioned in the linked article
from a University in California. If the things they've dealt with there were happening here, I'm sure there would be some quick action taken against the culprits if they could be tracked down. See what you think and then share your comments. Believe me, being a custodian can have its share of surprises!

Irresponsible Activity

A Toilet Filled to the Top With Toilet Paper - TJH

The Value of AED's

Every school should have at least one. Some schools have two such as the high school. They are AED's or Automated External Defibrillators. These easy-to-use devices can save a life. The instructions are simple as they tell you exactly what to do. If no shock is needed, they won't send an electric charge through the person in need.

The attached article shows how these simple machines can save lives. The story comes from New Hampshire where a custodian collapsed and was revived by an AED. The article is short but valuable. Everyone should be familiar with these devices.

AED

Microfiber Wins!

Our last poll asked which cleaned better, microfiber rags or regular? The answer is microfiber.
Microfiber construction allows dirt, water and other debris to be picked up much easier and cleans more efficiently. Regular rags work well, but you'd be impressed by the abilities of microfiber products.
If you haven't tried a microfiber product recently, give one a try. You'll love the way they clean and how well they work!

Wool or Synthetic - Which Would You Choose?

For decades synthetic carpeting has been the prominent floor covering used in both commercial and residential buildings. Before synthetics hit the market, wool carpeting was a huge seller and used on a regular basis. 

Today, wool is still sold and used, but not nearly as much as in the past. If you were choosing new carpeting, which would you choose; wool or synthetic? Many people would say synthetic based on preconceived ideas about wool. 

The following article was extracted from CM e-news Daily. After reading it, which would your choice be?

The Wool Fear Factor
Myths about Caring for Wool Carpeting Dispelled

MUKILTEO, WA — Contrary to reports, wool carpeting is still manufactured and sold in the United States and is invariably finding its way into upscale environments.

Reasons for wool's ongoing popularity are easy to understand:

•    Wool has a luxurious feel that is hard for synthetics to duplicate.
•    It can insulate rooms better than many other floor coverings can.
•    It accepts a variety of dyes that become colorfast, so they often last the life of the carpet.
•    It offers superb resilience (the ability of the carpet fibers to return to an upright position after being walked upon).
However, there are fears and myths about cleaning wool carpets. To clarify the issues, this month's U.S. Products Carpet Care Advisory addresses some of these common myths:

Myth: Wet-cleaning wool (for instance, cleaning with a carpet extractor) can damage the fibers.
Fact: Wool is hair, and like any hair it can be cleaned with water. If done properly, wet-cleaning will not damage wool carpets.

Myth: Wet-cleaning wool can cause it to shrink.
Fact: It is recommended to clean wool using cool water; also wool can be quite absorbent, so do not saturate with water

Myth: Wet-cleaning wool will cause it to turn brown.
Fact: Discoloration is likely caused by the backing on the carpet, not because of the wool fibers.

Myth: If wet-cleaning, no chemicals should be used.
Fact: Carpet cleaning chemicals can be used; they should have a neutral pH.

Myth: Bleach should never be used on wool carpeting.
Fact: This is true. Bleach can actually dissolve wool.

Myth: Wool should be allowed to air dry at its own pace.
Fact: Rapid drying is best; place air movers in strategic positions to facilitate drying.

"In fact, rapid drying is recommended when cleaning wool," says Mark Baxter, an engineer with U.S. Products. "I suggest that technicians also make an extra drying pass or two to help recover moisture and speed [the] drying."

Over Two Hundred!

This post marks the 201st post I've published on this blog.  A few years ago I attended a short class provided in-district about blogging and another on RSS feeds.  I didn't know if I'd use them much, but I was wrong. I use various RSS feeds on the Internet on a regular basis and I blog regularly here and in the Covington Reporter.  I enjoy sharing news items that relate to the custodial/maintenance field, providing helpful information for custodians and providing informative items that make my readers smile and increase their knowledge.  I will continue to provide these items and more throughout my next 100 posts and beyond.   Thanks for following.

SRO's

The last poll asked what an SRO was. The answer is a School Resource Officer.  Basically it is a law-enforcement person who works with the district in the school system.  Typically they work most of their time in the upper grade levels such as the junior and senior high schools, but they are available for all schools and often work with classes teaching and promoting awareness about school safety.  They are a real asset to the schools and are very much appreciated!