Fluorescent Lightbulbs

If you use fluorescent lightbulbs, you need to read this article for the safety of the people in your home, especially if you are pregnant or have young children.

Here's an excerpt:

The study recommended that if a compact fluorescent breaks, get children and pets out of the room. Ventilate the room. Never use a vacuum, even on a rug, to clean up a broken compact fluorescent lamps. Instead, use stiff paper such as index cards and tape to pick up pieces, and then wipe the area with a wet wipe or damp paper towel. If there are young children or pregnant woman in the house, consider cutting out the piece of carpet where the lamp broke as a precaution. Place the shards and cleanup debris in a glass jar with a screw top and remove the jar from the house.

After reading the article, Hubby and I have decided not to use fluorescent bulbs in freestanding lamps that could tip over or other places where the bulbs might easily be broken.