If you have to send the product and have it tested it will be more expensive and you will have to wait on results. Consumer Reports and Consumer Labs are organizations that regularly review and test products so the information is readily available.  Some organizations may want you to join and some will let you pay per result. Be sure you understand the benefits that come with each option before requesting and paying for information. Ideally, you would want to get as much information on the product as possible for the cost.

Summary: Find a lab or organization that test products regularly and will provide you with information without you sending in a sample. Ensure lab or organization uses United States Pharmacopeia [USP] standards test for disintegration. Know what you are paying for.


Make the following modifications, recommended by the American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):  Bolt or brace water heaters, gas appliances, bookcases, china cabinets and other tall furniture to wall studs, so they're less likely to fall over. Hang pictures and other objects away from the bed, where they're less likely to fall on you during a night-time earthquake. Anchor or brace overhead fixtures such as lights and ceiling fans. Store heavy, breakable items on low shelves or in cabinets that lock shut, so there's less chance of them falling on you. If your kids are old enough, teach them how to do this as well. Every person old enough in the family should be able to do this. Make sure that all family members are aware that they are not to turn utilities back on until given the all-clear by the utility or emergency authorities that it is safe to do so. If it's not secured, your home is at additional risk during an earthquake.

Summary: Make your home as earthquake-safe as possible. Learn how to turn off your home's gas and water valves quickly in an emergency. Hire a professional to verify whether your home is secured to its foundation.


Kidney problems can have serious consequences for your health, so it’s important to work with your doctor to make sure they’re treated properly. If you think you may have kidney disease or a kidney infection, don’t try to treat it on your own. Visit your doctor as often as recommended for checkups and take any medications exactly as prescribed.  If your doctor diagnoses you with kidney disease, they may recommend treating it with a combination of medications, diet, and lifestyle changes.  Let your doctor know before trying any supplements or making major lifestyle or dietary changes on your own. They can tell you which approaches are likely to be safe and effective for you.

Summary: Follow your doctor’s instructions for managing any kidney problems.


Move the bookcase out of the way. Use a yardstick to mark the center of the stud with a vertical line. If this is impossible, you can attach your brackets at the top, into a center stud. For tall shelves, this is the best place to secure a bookcase into a stud because it is the least noticeable place. You can also use door chain latches in place of L brackets if you want to move the shelf regularly. Install the chain on the wall and the slide on the top of the shelf.  Drill the other side of the L bracket into the wall with washers and three-inch wood screws. Drill until the screw head is almost even with the bracket, but avoid stripping the screw. If you can’t find a stud, you should install wall anchors before you drive screws into drywall or masonry. Drill a pilot hole into the wall and push the wall anchor in. Then, align the brackets and drill with three-inch screws. Place an L bracket between the wall and the side of your shelf, where it will hit a stud. Repeat the same procedure on either side of the shelf.
Summary: Remove the books. Use a stud finder to locate studs in your wall. Replace your bookcase, positioning it at a point right between the wall studs. Use a stepladder to gain access to the top of the shelf. Place an “L” bracket so that it is flush with the wall and the shelf. Drill the L bracket into the top of the shelf with your cordless screwdriver using screws that will go all the way through the top of the shelf. Ask a friend to hold the bookcase flush with the wall if it is tipping forward. Repeat on either side of the shelf.