Wear safety goggles and a face mask to protect yourself from paint and wood dust as you sand, regardless of the sanding method you use. When removing paint from a crack or crevice or stripping it from a small, delicate wooden object, you should sand the paint off by hand.  Mechanical sanders use considerable force and can damage delicate pieces. Moreover, they can be difficult to use on small, confined spaces. Use coarse, open-coat sandpaper since other types may clog with paint and wood dust too quickly. Sand with the grain of the wood instead of against it. Decrease to a medium grit paper once you can see the grain of the wood peeking through the paint. Decrease to a fine grit when small bits of paint are all that remain. For larger areas of painted wood, including large pieces of wood furniture, large wooden chests, or wood trim, rely on a mechanical sander to save time.  Choose between a mechanical hand sander and a power sander. A hand sander will be a little gentler and makes a good option if you want to preserve more of the wood beneath the paint. A power sander will finish the job faster, though, making it a good choice for especially large projects. Belt, disk, and drum sanders are all good options worth considering when picking a power sander. Use coarse, open-coat sandpaper on your mechanical sander since less coarse options tend to clog up with paint and wood dust too easily. Always sand with the grain of the wood rather than against it to minimize the amount of damage to the wood. Switch to a fine grain sandpaper, if desired, once the majority of the paint has been sanded off and only a few small specks remain.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Protect yourself. Sand the paint off by hand when possible. Switch to a mechanical sander for larger jobs.


Your A1C level is a measurement of your blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. Your doctor can measure this level for you, but you can also use an at-home kit to get a relatively accurate reading.  The kits range from $50 to $150 USD. Your insurance may cover the cost of this kit if your doctor prescribes it. Since you'll be lancing your finger, you want to keep bacteria to a minimum. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds before rinsing the soap off. If you can't wash your hands, use hand sanitizer or wipe your finger with a rubbing alcohol wipe. Lift up on the loading mechanism at the top of the lancet. Set the tip of the lancet flat against the side of your finger near the tip. Push the button to release the spring, and the lancet will stick your finger with a small needle. Always read the instructions for your A1C kit first, as it may differ from kit to kit. Kits can vary, so you may need to put the drop of blood on the end of a strip or you may need to drop it into a solution. Either way, you will need the blood to get a reading. If you're having trouble getting blood, squeeze down the length of your finger towards the place where you pricked it. With some kits, you will compare the color of the solution to a chart to get your results. With other kits, you will get a reading from a monitor, much like a glucose monitor. In other cases, you will need to mail in the kit to learn your results.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Purchase an A1C test kit at a pharmacy. Wash your hands with warm water and soap. Prick your finger with the lancet to draw a drop of blood. Drop the blood onto the strip or into the solution. Read the results or mail in the kit.


Babies younger than a month old should be kept at home until they’re ready to be exposed to the sun and terrain of a hike. The jolting of the carrier during a hike can injure a newborn because they are unable to hold their head up without assistance. If you’re a mother, you might also want to wait about a month after giving birth to get back on the trail. Check with your doctor to see when it’s safe for you to resume physical activity like hiking. Depending on the length of your hike, you might need a few different snacks for yourself, like granola, fruit, or protein bars. Be sure to include ample water for yourself and the baby, and pack small snacks and a few jars of food for the baby as well.  This is especially important if you’re breastfeeding, which uses a lot of your body’s energy for producing milk. Be sure to bring enough food to keep your energy up, and pack an extra empty bottle just for water for the baby. If you aren’t breastfeeding, try to pack powdered formula, which tends to be lighter and easier to pack. Even if it’s warm outside, dress your baby in a long-sleeve shirt, long cotton pants, and a wide-brimmed hat to protect them from the sun. Dress in your normal hiking clothes, and be sure to prepare for the weather by taking a jacket or spare t-shirt just in case. Wear sturdy hiking shoes or sneakers.  Don’t forget to bring extra diapers for the baby! Chances are, you’ll have to change them on the hike if your trip is longer than an hour or so. At the very least, you may need to change them before and after the hike. Try to avoid putting sunblock or bug repellent on babies that are younger than 6 months. It’s best to rely on clothing for protection from the elements. The great outdoors can be very unpredictable, and even a minor change in temperature or a random rainstorm can make your hike a lot more difficult. Keep a close eye on the weather in the hours leading up to the hike, and plan accordingly. If the weather is supposed to be bad, don’t take your baby on the hike. If the weather begins to change during your hike, it’s best to turn around and make your way back to a safe spot as soon as possible. Even if it’s a false alarm, it’s better to be safe than get caught in a dangerous storm.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary --
Avoid taking your baby hiking if they’re less than 1 month old. Make sure the everyone on the hike has enough food and water. Dress yourself and the baby in clothes that are appropriate for the weather. Monitor the weather closely using a weather app.