Professional advice on household skills, safety

Press, 9 March 1982, Page 16

Professional advice on household skills, safety

CONSUMER FILE

Anne Ingram

Household guides If you were asked to help organise the food for a three day camp for 50 children, would you know where to start? “Catering with Confidence,” an informative, 24 page bulletin, put out by the Department of University Extension, University of Otago, will help. Guidelines include meal planning, giving estimated amounts per person, how to shop, how to keep costs down, how to plan the work, how to store, prepare and serve the food. This practical, no nonsense guide is priced at $1.25. Other publications from the Department of University Extension particularly relevant to this lime of year are “Freezing” $1.25. “Preserving” $1.25, “Jams and Jellies” $1.25, and “Pickles and Relishes” $l. Available from Whitcoulls. Toasters

In a recent test on toasters, the Consumers' Institute found that only one automatic toaster, the “Speedie TAIS,” was sufficiently deep to satisfactorily toast slices from the large size cut loaf.

This design limitation was not shared by manual toasters, all of which took slices from the largest size cut loaf. Other criteria in the test included evenness of browning, electrical standard, endurance, ease of cleaning, and safety. Sandwich makers were also tested and versatility was a factor considered here. Automatic toasters to receive the highest ratings over all were the “Ultimate Toastronic.” followed by the “Zip AT3" and the “Speedie TAIS.” Of the manual toasters, the “Zip MT2” rated best, with the “Electromaid” next. Of the sandwich makers, the “Sunbeam Deep Dish” received the highest over-all score in the tests. Electric blankets If you have to buy a new electric blanket this winter, how can you be sure of purchasing a safe, quality product? One way is to buy an electric blanket that is

licensed to carry the Standards Mark. The “S” Mark is a symbol signifying fitness for purpose, technical reliability and value for money. It is an assurance to the buyer that the product complies with the relevant New Zealand Standard. Electric ■ blankets licensed to carry the “S” Mark are “Dreamland," “Warm-n-Safe," ''Safe-Warm,” “Warma," “Safasleep" and “Fedrata." Cliild r e n ’ s nightwear When buying children's pyjamas and nightdresses this winter, check to see that the label includes one of the following' standards: NZS 8704 or NZS 8705.

The 1979 Safety of Children Nightwear Act makes it illegal for manufacturers to make children’s nightdresses and nightgowns from flammable fabrics. Materials must comply with the New Zealand Standard 8704 which ensures they are low fire risk.

Unless pyjamas are made from similar low-fire-risk materials, their design must accord with the specifications of New Zealand Standard 8705. This standard controls the width measurements of legs, sleeves, and jackets. If you sew for your children and have difficulty finding a safe dressmaking pattern (many pattern books still illustrate flowing nightdresses, and pyjamas with wide legs and arms or frilled legs and arms), the Plunket Society has patterns for age:-two-to-five years. The patterns are for botf short and long pyjamas, an> a jumpsuit dressing gown, a) in one pack. Price $2.5( Enquire at your local brane of the Plunket Society.