I need to temporarily kid proof my house for a party tomorrow. Any suggestions on how I do this? [more inside]
posted by reenum on Nov 13, 2009 - 19 answers

Is a site based outside of the US, that allows US under-13s to join, required to comply with COPPA? [more inside]
posted by lwb on Nov 11, 2009 - 5 answers

I'm thinking of putting cream cheese on bagels, wrapping them in plastic wrap and selling them. I expect to be sold out in 2-3 hours. Should I be concerned about the cream cheese going bad? Any other food safety issues?
posted by rudy26 on Nov 9, 2009 - 19 answers

I may be my own personal typhoid Mary. Food safety questions inside. [more inside]
posted by sully75 on Nov 6, 2009 - 29 answers

Is it ok/safe to heat non-water beverages (apple cider, namely) in my Krups electric kettle? [more inside]
posted by faeuboulanger on Nov 5, 2009 - 16 answers

Automobile accident: Did the seat belt fail? What should we do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 20, 2009 - 10 answers

How do you open a childproof zipper on an Ikea children's mattress cover? [more inside]
posted by TurkeyMustard on Oct 17, 2009 - 4 answers

Is it safe to swap the power adapter attachment between an iBook G4 and an intel MacBook? [more inside]
posted by ndicecco on Oct 14, 2009 - 4 answers

My baby sister will spend a week in Paris alone and is travelling overseas for the first time. What practical arrangements can I make from a distance to help her have the best time she has ever had? [more inside]
posted by tavegyl on Oct 14, 2009 - 15 answers

Why (in the UK, or anywhere else where this applies) is it illegal to drive without wearing a seatbelt, but legal for bus passengers to sit, or even stand without one? [more inside]
posted by Mwongozi on Oct 14, 2009 - 14 answers

I'm heading off to Paris for four days, and I'm starting to get a bit nervous that I'll forget something important. I've never been to Paris, and I haven't been to Europe for fifteen years. I'll be staying by myself in a hotel in Arondissement 7. I'm wondering if you can help me out with any last-minute tips or things I'm likely to have forgotten. [more inside]
posted by cider on Oct 9, 2009 - 25 answers

How should I go about handling my (very) mentally ill father who goes through (primarily) emotionally/psychologically abusive phases with anyone he holds a relationship with? Completely cutting off contact is probably not a solution for a few reasons. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 3, 2009 - 23 answers

Every day I need to transfer a piece of equipment from a dolly to another piece of equipment. It weighs about 50 kg (~100 lbs). How can I do this safely and with minimal strain? [more inside]
posted by dmd on Sep 29, 2009 - 13 answers

Safe to eat raw refrozen meats that've been defrosted several times? [more inside]
posted by chalbe on Sep 28, 2009 - 5 answers

Engineers, construction workers, and lawyers: How can I find out what the specific site safety requirements and statutes are for an under-construction commercial urban development site? Specifically, I'm looking to find out more about site-safety requirements in the city of St. Louis, Mo. [more inside]
posted by limeonaire on Sep 20, 2009 - 16 answers

Where can I find non-biased information relating to the safety of vaccinations for children? [more inside]
posted by burhan on Sep 9, 2009 - 39 answers

When should I get a new car... for safety reasons? [more inside]
posted by cheapskatebay on Sep 3, 2009 - 21 answers

I'm about to go on a bike accessory spending spree, and I wanted input on the most impenetrable locks, the most stylish helmets, and on everything from baskets to bells to headlights. I also would welcome any input on the best way to light a bike frame using electroluminescent wire. [more inside]
posted by Juliet Banana on Aug 20, 2009 - 47 answers

Should I complain about not being told when our workplace is under a tornado warning? [more inside]
posted by soelo on Aug 19, 2009 - 24 answers

Our new house has a steep steep staircase. What are some ways I can make this feature safer for my family, and especially for our soon-to-be-toddling baby? [more inside]
posted by Bardolph on Aug 11, 2009 - 19 answers

Stage Combat Question. Is it possible to take a bladed weapon and render it safe for use on-stage (without damaging the weapon itself)? I seem to recall from my days as a DragonCon volunteer that cosplayer's swords had to be taped* and/or bated (or else the sword had to be peace-tied so as to prevent its leaving a scabbard), but I can't find a description of the safety-making process. [more inside]
posted by grabbingsand on Aug 6, 2009 - 9 answers

How can one safely convince a teeming mass of bees to vacate a crack in the exterior wall of a brick building, so that the crack can be filled in? [more inside]
posted by Beardman on Aug 3, 2009 - 28 answers

Is it illegal to release party (latex or mylar) balloons into the sky? Have planes or other craft been damaged by such balloons in-flight? Other than environmental and ecological damage, what are the hazards of releasing a balloon?
posted by Blazecock Pileon on Aug 2, 2009 - 13 answers

Looking for a Family Circus cartoon / safety flier. It is one of the single pane, dotted-line ones of Jeffy(?). It maps his path crawling through the house and lists different potential hazards. I'd like to use it to educate new parents about "childproofing" the home. I lost my last copy and can't seem to find it anywhere. -Thanks!
posted by infomaniac on Jul 20, 2009 - 3 answers

What are the real odds of being killed by lightning, if you are outside in a field during a storm (i.e. factoring OUT all the people smart enough to stay inside)? [more inside]
posted by Jim Biancolo on Jul 17, 2009 - 19 answers

Is the chicken sell-by date a safety paradox? [more inside]
posted by underwater on Jul 11, 2009 - 20 answers

Home canning filter: do I need to sterilize Mason jars/lids by boiling or oven or some other method if I'm using them for fridge pickles and freezer preserves, or am I okay just washing in hot soap and water? [more inside]
posted by rhoticity on Jun 30, 2009 - 10 answers

When should a woman home alone answer the door to strangers? [more inside]
posted by palliser on Jun 23, 2009 - 95 answers

There are a couple of gorgeous beaches on the west side of the Mississippi river near Lake Street in south Minneapolis. Is it safe to swim or wade at them? [more inside]
posted by vytae on Jun 11, 2009 - 7 answers

I didn't find this thread helpful. Does anyone have new information related to obtaining car safety information for older cars? I am considering purchasing a 1989 Subaru Loyale, a car I owned prior to having children and loved. I currently drive a newer 1998 Honda Civic, but I really miss my old Loyale. I don't want to move back in time if it will jeopardize the safety of my children.
posted by jeffmac on Jun 1, 2009 - 11 answers

Another "safe to eat" question, this one about tofu. [more inside]
posted by zadcat on May 31, 2009 - 15 answers

I want to burglar proof my home! Now that I have a family, the last thing I ever want to have happen is to become the victim of a home invasion, robbery, burglary, etc. I am interested in things that I can do to deter bad guys and prevent this from happening. Secondly, if a robber / gang did get into my house, how could I get them to leave peacefully. I am open to any idea from physical security, reinforced doors / locks, cameras, psychology, geography / topology, lasers, stun guns, trap doors, safe rooms, fake jewelry / money, persuasion, etc. Keep my family and all MeFites safe from the bad guys.
posted by jasondigitized on May 31, 2009 - 40 answers

[pit bull filter]: Help me sell my house. Caveat: Three large dogs next door are scaring away buyers, including one very aggressive pit bull. I believe the way these dogs are left to roam outside may also be potentially breaking the law. [more inside]
posted by Unicorn on the cob on May 28, 2009 - 26 answers

Help me enjoy the beach on my own... [more inside]
posted by GraceCathedral on May 23, 2009 - 13 answers

Looking for a unique door to my gun room/armory. [more inside]
posted by Mastercheddaar on May 18, 2009 - 16 answers

Twenty-something interested in buying first serious car...a Volvo maybe! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 17, 2009 - 16 answers

How do I safely clean under the cook top of my gas range? [more inside]
posted by jennyb on May 16, 2009 - 8 answers

Is there some scientific or medical reason why a menstruating woman would be banned from a public/shared hot tub or pool? (I'm talking actual findings, not just general cultural ickiness.) [more inside]
posted by dahliachewswell on May 13, 2009 - 18 answers

Is there a person or organization which will pick up and make productive use of a (non-famous) engineer/scientist's lifelong collection of books and papers? The local university libraries and relevant engineering organizations no longer accept hard-copy materials. I'm living across the country, and the family can't keep paying storage cube rental after my father's death. It's going to have to be an all-or-nothing donation in the next two or three months, or everything gets sent to a landfill. The storage facility is in the Ann Arbor, MI (USA) area - please see the extended explanation for details. [more inside]
posted by patience_limited on May 2, 2009 - 23 answers

Where can I find a bike helmet for my 14 month old daughter? I have been looking everywhere! Everything I have found is 3+ and too big! If you know of a place that sells baby bike helmets, please let me know! [more inside]
posted by chuma on Apr 24, 2009 - 11 answers

Robbed on the street in daylight - didn't get hurt, didn't lose much, but I'm worried about the anxiety and stress of the aftermath. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 13, 2009 - 19 answers

Are headphones and earphones inherently worse for your ears? In other words, is there a difference between listening to something live or through speakers, and listening to something through headphones or earphones at the same volume, in terms of damage done to your ears? [more inside]
posted by dicetumbler on Apr 3, 2009 - 13 answers

What should I wear on my feet this spring/summer? ... Not so much a fashion question, as a let's-keep-my-feet-under-me-and-my-bones-unbroken question. But a little fashion would be nice. [more inside]
posted by taz on Mar 31, 2009 - 22 answers

My local market keeps organic tea in its refrigerator. When I buy it, do I have to keep it refrigerated, or can I store it at room temperature? [more inside]
posted by werty on Mar 30, 2009 - 7 answers

What is the inner harbour residential area of Kingston, Ontario like? [more inside]
posted by nothingsconstant on Mar 16, 2009 - 9 answers

How old is too old to learn to ride a skateboard? [more inside]
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! on Mar 13, 2009 - 46 answers

Why are airplane seatbelts different from car seatbelts? [more inside]
posted by gleuschk on Mar 13, 2009 - 14 answers

I'm a Canadian (Ontario) citizen, currently living in Eastern Europe. I usually "register" with the Canadian govt. each time I live abroad, just because, well, you never know what might happen. But this time, I have a couple questions: [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 12, 2009 - 3 answers

South Africa filter: Any advice and recommendations for Cape Town and the garden route would be much appreciated. [more inside]
posted by latentflip on Mar 12, 2009 - 11 answers

What should I know before starting a Meetup.com group for Hearts? [more inside]
posted by cranberrymonger on Mar 11, 2009 - 3 answers