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5 tips to keep your dog happy when indoors

The cooler months are well and truly here and the dreary weather is enough to make anyone a little sad, including our furry friends. According to a study by veterinary charity People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, one in three dogs experience a downturn in mood during winter months. If the rain is preventing you getting out and about, here are five tips to keep your pooch happy and healthy when indoors. 1. Stair work/treadmill/indoor pool Use what you have in your home. If you live in a multi-storey place, playing fetch up or down the stairs is a fun way for your pooch to get a workout. Alternatively, if you have a treadmill at home, use it to walk your dog on a rainy day. Swimming is also a great physical activity, particularly if dogs have joint problems. 2. Obedience training Dust off the training books and work with your pooch to improve their obedience skills. It will keep your furry friend mentally active and dispel any boredom. 3. Hide and seek Dogs need their senses stimulated – it’s why when they’re outside they will listen, sniff and dig out anything that’s out of the ordinary. Keep your furry friend entertained with a game of hide and seek. Place healthy treats around the house to get your pooch curious and exploring old surrounds. 4. Rotation diet Rotating proteins (meats, fish, and poultry) and mixing in different forms of food (wet, dry and raw) will keep your dog interested in food and eating. Consult your vet about the type of diet your dog should be on for optimal health. 5. Play time Interactive toys are a great way to pass time, stimulate and entertain your pooch inside. Puzzle toys, Kong balls with treats stuffed inside or just some one-on-one indoor play time will keep your four-legged friend happy. Image credits: Getty Images

Family & Pets

6 reasons cats need some indoor rules

Kitty cat behaviours Cat behaviour is both wildly entertaining and, at times, perplexing. Even the most in-tune owner has to wonder why cats knock things over, why cats love boxes or why cats meow at people but chirp at birds and squirrels. What cat lovers do know is that kitties crave spaces with bird’s-eye views to observe their world – you know, like kitchen counters. But if you’re trying to keep foods toxic to cats away from your little lion, or you’re just fed up with constantly cleaning your kitchen to get rid of cat hair and little pieces of cat litter, here’s how to keep cats off counters for good. Why do cats like to climb on counters? It’s a curious conundrum: Why do cats hate water yet jump on kitchen counters to play with a dripping faucet? An even more puzzling question: Why do cats like to hang out on our countertops in the first place? “Cats are both predators and prey, so being able to survey their territory from above keeps them safe from predators and allows them to spot prey to catch,” says Samantha Bell, a cat expert with Best Friends Animal Society. That’s understandable, but domestic cats don’t have to catch their food, and they certainly don’t have to worry about predators, so why do they like to be up on the counter so much? “Counters are so attractive to cats because they’re up high, sturdy, right in the middle of the action and full of food,” Bell says. (Which may be one reason your cat licks you when you’re making a meal – it smells food on your hands.) Your actions can reinforce this counter-jumping habit. If you pet and talk to your cat while it’s on the counter, it’ll quickly learn that this is a place where it can get attention, says Dr Ragen T.S. McGowan, an animal behaviour scientist with Purina. “Many cats will jump up on the counter just to be close to human family members,” she says. Can you train a cat to not be on your counters? Absolutely, but there are two vital cat facts you should know when it comes to how to keep cats off counters, Bell says. To start, you can’t extinguish instinctive behaviours, like climbing high to be near the action. Furthermore – and this is a biggie – punishment doesn’t work. In fact, it can even cause cat anxiety and destructive behaviours. Here are a few ways you can teach your kitty to stay off your counters for good. Remove the reward You can train a cat to do a lot of things, and yes, staying off the counters is one of them. Here’s a critical question to ask when figuring out how to keep cats off counters: What is your cat’s reward for counter surfing? We know our feline friends hop on countertops to get food and attention and to socialise with humans. Maybe your cat is motivated by one or all of those factors. Or maybe it loves watching birds out the kitchen window. Whatever the case may be, you can train a cat to stay off the counters by removing rewards and positive reinforcement, McGowan says. Let’s say your cat is curious about the water dripping from the sink tap, likes to watch birds out the window or wants to nibble on food left on the counter. “Remove the reward by drawing the shades, fixing the tap or removing food from the countertops when possible,” says McGowan. And don’t fall into the trap of rewarding this bad behaviour. “For many cats, even the act of picking them up off the counter is rewarding and thus reinforces the behaviour,” says McGowan. Think about it: Your cat may rub against you while it’s on the counter and purr when you pick it up – both ways cats show affection. When you pick it up, you’re giving affection and attention and essentially telling your cat that climbing on the counter is a good way to get cuddles. Redirect the cat's attention Your cat may be climbing to get your attention, but before you give in and pet it, redirect its attention from the counter. “If their motivation is touch [being picked up or petted], then tossing a treat or toy and petting them only after they are on the floor can help to redirect them,” says McGowan. As tempting as it is, don’t pet your cat when it’s on the counter, as this can inadvertently reward the behaviour. Instead, call your cat to another part of the kitchen before giving it a treat or toy. Otherwise, McGowan says, it might learn a new trick: “If I get on the counter, Mum or Dad will throw a treat.” Consistently provide the rewards when your cat is not on the counter, and it’ll learn that being in other places gets it a reward, according to McGowan. Teach it that counters are boring It’s the old switcheroo! With this technique, you’re training your cat to choose a new place to hang out, one that’s still at the height level it prefers. Place a tall chair or stool near the counter, then reward your four-legged friend each time it sits there. We know what you’re thinking: This sounds counterintuitive. Won’t the cat use the barstool to jump onto the counter? “Yes, but they were getting on the counter anyway. The point is that you only reward them when they’re on the stool,” says Bell. “When you catch your cat on the stool, reward them with something of great value to them.” Don’t place the cat on the stool yourself. But you can lure it up to the stool by putting treats on it. If your cat jumps up on the counter during this training phase, play it cool. Remember, some cats have learned that being picked up from the counter means they’re going to get affection and cuddles. “Don’t say anything. Don’t look at them. Just quickly and gently set them on the ground,” says Bell. The goal is to show your cat there is nothing exciting about being on the counter. It only gets rewarded when it’s on the stool or high chair. “They learn quickly which location gets rewarded,” Bell adds. Granted, training takes some time and patience, but once cats realise rewards come when they’re on the barstool, you’ll have cat-free counters, Bell says. Once your pet nails the behaviour, you can stop giving it treats every time it gets on the stool. “That could cause a slot machine behaviour effect of ‘I’ll keep trying until I win,’” she says. Set up cat-climbing alternatives You’ve probably heard the saying “location, location, location.” It tops the wish list of most hopeful home buyers. For cats, that location is vertical. “Cats are drawn to high places to perch and survey the world, as they feel more secure from a high vantage point,” McGowan says. You can satisfy their desire for elevated living without sacrificing your clean countertops. For a simple and free option, Bell suggests putting a nightstand close to a dresser so your cat can easily jump to the dresser. Make it extra comfy and put a cosy blanket or cat bed on top of the dresser. You can give your cat a bird’s-eye view with products that put it at eye level with the action – wall shelves and bridges, window seats perfect for cat naps and cat trees with built-in scratching posts, toys and plush hideaways. Next, find the answer to a question every cat-parent has had once in their life – do cats know their names? Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/pets/6-reasons-cats-need-some-indoor-rules" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Family & Pets

How to decorate with indoor plants

If you want to add colour and freshness to your home, why not bring the outdoors in with some strategically placed indoor plants. Not sure where to start? Follow our tips to make the task simple and stylish. <ul> <li>Buy the best pot you can afford – it really does add the wow factor when you see a plant inside in a fabulous pot. In the same way, a great plant will lose its pizzazz if it is housed in a dull or cheap looking pot.</li> <li>Stay in fashion – always choose plants that won’t go out of fashion, even if you change your décor. Your local garden centre is a good source of information on the best plants for your climate.</li> <li>Keep your options open – there’s actually no need to pot your plant into your new pot. Just sit the plant inside and cover the top with stones or coconut fibre. This means you can easily move it around if you find it’s not working in its current home.</li> <li>Liven up your space – choose a plant that is an unusual colour or has an interesting leaf shape. </li> <li>Don’t go overboard – it’s best not to put too many plants in one area. Keep it simple.</li> <li>If in doubt, throw it out – if your plant starts to look a bit tired or sick it’s best to remove it from the indoors and try to revive it outside. You can easily replace it with a new plant for inside – after all it’s still cheaper than a bunch of flowers.</li> </ul> Related links: <a href="../lifestyle/at-home/2015/07/fragrant-plants-for-home/">5 plants that will keep your home smelling lovely</a> <a href="../lifestyle/at-home/2015/08/coat-hanger-hacks/">Genius things you didn’t know you could do with coat hangers</a> <a href="../lifestyle/at-home/2015/07/bathroom-storage-solutions/">7 creative storage solutions for your bathroom</a> Image credit: Shutterstock

Home Hints & Tips

Attention plant killers: new research shows your plants could be silently screaming at you

If you’re like me, you’ve managed to kill even the hardiest of indoor plants (yes, despite a doctorate in plant biology). But imagine a world where your plants actually told you exactly when they needed watering. This thought, as it turns out, may not be so silly after all. You might be familiar with the growing body of work that <a href="https://theconversation.com/heard-it-on-the-grapevine-the-mysterious-chatter-of-plants-6292">provides evidence for</a> plants being able to sense sounds around them. Now, new research suggests they can also generate airborne sounds in response to stress (such as from drought, or being cut). A team led by experts at Tel Aviv University has shown tomato and tobacco plants, among others, not only make sounds, but do so loudly enough for other creatures to hear. Their findings, <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(23)00262-3">published today</a> in the journal Cell, are helping us tune into the rich acoustic world of plants – one that plays out all round us, yet never quite within human earshot. <h2>Plants can listen, but now they can talk!</h2> Plants are “sessile” organisms. They can’t run away from stressors such as herbivores or drought. Instead, they’ve evolved complex biochemical responses and the ability to dynamically alter their growth (and regrow body parts) in response to environmental signals including light, gravity, temperature, touch, and volatile chemicals produced by surrounding organisms. These signals help them maximise their growth and reproductive success, prepare for and resist stress, and form mutually beneficial relationships with other organisms such as fungi and bacteria. In 2019, <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/flowers-can-hear-bees-and-make-their-nectar-sweeter">researchers showed</a> the buzzing of bees can cause plants to produce sweeter nectar. Others <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15592324.2017.1368938">have shown</a> white noise played to Arabidopsis, a flowering plant in the mustard family, can trigger a drought response. Now, a team led by Lilach Hadany, who also led the aforementioned bee-nectar study, has recorded airborne sounds produced by tomato and tobacco plants, and five other species (grapevine, henbit deadnettle, pincushion cactus, maize and wheat). These sounds were ultrasonic, in the range of 20-100 kilohertz, and therefore can’t be detected <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10924/">by human ears</a>. <h2>Stressed plants chatter more</h2> To carry out their research, the team placed microphones 10cm from plant stems that were either exposed to drought (less than 5% soil moisture) or had been severed near the soil. They then compared the recorded sounds to those of unstressed plants, as well as empty pots, and found stressed plants emitted significantly more sounds than unstressed plants. In a cool addition to their paper, they also included a soundbite of a recording, downsampled to an audible range and sped up. The result is a distinguishable “pop” sound. The number of pops increased as drought stress increased (before starting to decline as the plant dried up). Moreover, the sounds could be detected from a distance of 3-5 metres – suggesting potential for long-range communication. <h2>But what actually causes these sounds?</h2> While this remains unconfirmed, the team’s findings suggest that “cavitation” may be at least partially responsible for the sounds. Cavitation is the process through which air bubbles expand and burst inside a plant’s water-conducting tissue, or “xylem”. This explanation makes sense if we consider that drought stress and cutting will both alter the water dynamics in a plant stem. Regardless of the mechanism, it seems the sounds produced by stressed plants were informative. Using machine learning algorithms, the researchers could distinguish not only which species produced the sound, but also what type of stress it was suffering from. It remains to be seen whether and how these sound signals might be involved in plant-to-plant communication or plant-to-environment communication. The research has so far failed to detect any sounds from the woody stems of woody species (which includes many tree species), although they could detect sounds from non-woody parts of a grapevine (a woody species). <h2>What could it mean for ecology, and us?</h2> It’s temping to speculate these airborne sounds could help plants communicate their stress more widely. Could this form of communication help plants, and perhaps wider ecosystems, adapt better to change? Or perhaps the sounds are used by other organisms to detect a plant’s health status. Moths, for example, hear within the ultrasonic range and lay their eggs on leaves, as the researchers point out. Then there’s the question of whether such findings could help with future food production. The <a href="https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/sitecollectiondocuments/abares/publications/Outlook2012FoodDemand2050.pdf">global demand</a> for food will only rise. Tailoring water use to target individual plants or sections of field making the most “noise” could help us more sustainably intensify production and minimise waste. For me personally, if someone could give a microphone to my neglected veggie patch and have the notifications sent to my phone, that would be much appreciated! Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/attention-plant-killers-new-research-shows-your-plants-could-be-silently-screaming-at-you-202833" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Home & Garden

Heat yourself, not your house: how to survive winter with a 15℃ indoor temperature

How high should you put the heating up over winter? If you don’t mind the bills and ecological impact, you have the encouragement of the World Health Organization to keep the house warm. They recommend an indoor temperature of <a href="https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/275839/WHO-CED-PHE-18.03-eng.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at least 18°</a>, declaring that you face health risks at lower temperatures. This advice is echoed by the <a href="https://www.energy.gov.au/households/household-guides/seasonal-advice/winter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian government</a>. The tone of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535294" target="_blank" rel="noopener">some reports</a> is monitory and severe. Based on these instructions, anyone would feel a reflex to bump up the thermostat. But before you brace for the bill-shock amid soaring energy prices, consider a different approach. Some people cope positively with the freeze and others face deep winter with panic. Given the range of psychological responses, I can only imagine there would be a difference in how people’s health would fare. If I’m full of dread at the prospect of feeling chilly, this stress could aggravate existing health issues. It is entirely possible to avoid heating your entire house to 18℃ to stay warm. If you view your cold house as a project, you can take pleasure in the power of staying warm in your modern cave, while remembering that we evolved to withstand the cold with fewer options than we have today. Staying warm in a cold house Over the last couple of winters, I’ve discovered many strategies for comfortable living at lower room temperatures. To add to traditional methods such as multiple layers of clothing and physical activity, there are now excellent appliances to fend off the chill. Personal heating devices have become rightly popular, such as electrical heated throw rugs to <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/90022948" target="_blank" rel="noopener">warm your clothing</a> rather than ambient air. These new devices – think a more flexible electric blanket – are extremely efficient. Canberra energy efficiency enthusiast David Southgate found using these devices rather than heating the air <a href="https://southgateaviation.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/2019-annual-report-v2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cut his heating bill</a> by 95%. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/472222/original/file-20220704-18-sz6rcn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/472222/original/file-20220704-18-sz6rcn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/472222/original/file-20220704-18-sz6rcn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472222/original/file-20220704-18-sz6rcn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472222/original/file-20220704-18-sz6rcn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472222/original/file-20220704-18-sz6rcn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472222/original/file-20220704-18-sz6rcn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/472222/original/file-20220704-18-sz6rcn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="electric throw" /></a><figcaption>Electric throw rugs and other personal heating devices are gaining popularity. Shutterstock</figcaption></figure> Personally, I have found adequate clothing makes a temperature of 15℃ acceptable. In fact, dressing warmly poses more risk of overheating with low levels of activity. It’s satisfying to create your own warmth rather than rely on artificially supplied warmth. You start to notice thermodynamic properties of clothing that you’d never appreciate by relying on a thermostat. If you wear a hooded gown, you’ll find not only that your ears are warm from being covered, but your uncovered face becomes flushed. That’s because warmth generated by your body wafts upward to escape through the aperture of the hood. As a result, the air that you breathe is also warm. When it comes to clothing, we can equate warmth simply with insulation. In turn, we assess the insulating qualities of textiles with their thickness or <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/warmest-materials-fabrics-winter-clothing/101155486" target="_blank" rel="noopener">air-trapping abilities</a>. We often tend to overlook the design of the clothing, which plays a key role in funnelling body warmth to exposed skin. The archetype of the hood was known two millennia before thermostats in both Greece (the garments μαφόρτης and κάλυμμα) and Rome (the garments cucullus, lacerna and tunica palliolata). They’re just as effective today. Wearing a cowl won’t warm up your hands; but if the rest of you is warm – especially your feet – your exposed hands will benefit by the circulation. For anyone unconvinced by this assurance, fingerless gloves are a backstop. The way medical science has catastrophised indoor temperatures lower than 18℃ wouldn’t be so bad if it were only incurious and unimaginative. Alas, there are alarming ecological consequences of a population believing that they’ll automatically get sick in the cold. Carbon emissions from domestic heating are significant. You get a picture from gas bills in Queensland, which go up 1.4 times from summer to winter. In colder states, the figure is <a href="https://www.energycouncil.com.au/analysis/winter-energy-bills-avoid-a-shock" target="_blank" rel="noopener">much higher</a>: 3.5 times in Victoria and 5.2 times in nippy Tasmania. We have to scrutinise if we really need our thermostats pegged at 18℃. Before we accept recommendations on indoor temperatures by medical authorities, we need to know if the science has grappled with different experiences of cold. Future research must distinguish between people in a cool room who feel cold and miserable or feel protected against cold by a range of practical measures. Understanding the effect of these variables is urgent, because current authoritative guidance pushes us into heating our houses more than we have to. For most of the world, that means burning fossil fuel.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/185587/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/robert-nelson-1355694" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Robert Nelson</a>, Honorary Principal Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The University of Melbourne</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/heat-yourself-not-your-house-how-to-survive-winter-with-a-15-indoor-temperature-185587" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>. Image: Getty Images

Home Hints & Tips

Wearing shoes in the house is just plain gross, says the verdict from scientists who study indoor contaminants

You probably clean your shoes if you step in something muddy or disgusting (please pick up after your dog!). But when you get home, do you always de-shoe at the door? Plenty of Australians don’t. For many, what you <a href="https://sfamjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jam.13250">drag in on the bottom of your shoes</a> is the last thing on the mind as one gets home. We are environmental chemists who have spent a decade examining the indoor environment and the contaminants people are exposed to in their own homes. Although our examination of the indoor environment, via our <a href="https://www.360dustanalysis.com/">DustSafe program</a>, is far from complete, on the question of whether to shoe or de-shoe in the home, the science leans toward the latter. It is best to leave your filth outside the door. <h2>What contaminants are in your home, and how did they get there?</h2> People spend up to 90% of their time indoors, so the question of whether or not to wear shoes in the house is not a trivial one. The policy focus is typically on the outdoor environment for soil, air quality and environmental public health risks. However, there is growing regulatory interest in the question of <a href="https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/sites/default/files/resources/2021/Handbook-Indoor-Air-Quality.pdf">indoor</a> <a href="https://www.euro.who.int/en/media-centre/sections/press-releases/2021/new-who-global-air-quality-guidelines-aim-to-save-millions-of-lives-from-air-pollution">air quality</a>. The matter <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09603123.2018.1457141?journalCode=cije2">building up</a> inside your home includes not just dust and dirt from people and pets shedding hair and skin. About a third of it is <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/es9003735">from outside</a>, either blown in or <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/how-the-dust-in-your-home-may-affect-your-health/2019/07/19/9f716068-a351-11e9-bd56-eac6bb02d01d_story.html">tramped</a> in on those offensive shoe bottoms. Some of the microorganisms present on shoes and floors are <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/epidemiology-and-infection/article/mechanisms-for-floor-surfaces-or-environmental-ground-contamination-to-cause-human-infection-a-systematic-review/37BF6318BD1473C4918A23C843B25D05">drug-resistant pathogens</a>, including hospital-associated infectious agents (germs) that are very difficult to treat. Add in cancer-causing toxins from <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10408444.2018.1528208">asphalt road residue</a> and endocrine-disrupting <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23273747.2016.1148803">lawn chemicals</a>, and you might view the filth on your shoes in a new light. <h2>A roll-call of indoor nasties</h2> Our work has involved the measurement and assessment of exposure to a range of harmful substances found inside homes including: <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2231210-antibiotic-resistance-genes-can-be-passed-around-by-bacteria-in-dust/">antibiotic-resistant genes</a> (genes that make bacteria resistant to antibiotics) </li> <li> <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00587">disinfectant chemicals in the home environment</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117064">microplastics</a> </li> <li> the <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e044833.citation-tools">perfluorinated chemicals</a> (also known as PFAS or “forever chemicals” because of their tendency to remain in the body and not break down) used ubiquitously in a multitude of industrial, domestic and food packaging products </li> <li> <a href="http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/1276977">radioactive elements</a>. </li> </ul> A strong focus of our work has involved assessing levels of <a href="https://theconversation.com/house-dust-from-35-countries-reveals-our-global-toxic-contaminant-exposure-and-health-risk-172499">potentially toxic metals (such as arsenic, cadmium and lead)</a> inside homes across <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c04494">35 nations (including Australia)</a>. These contaminants – and most importantly the dangerous neurotoxin lead – are odourless and colourless. So there is no way of knowing whether the dangers of lead exposure are only in your <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106582">soils</a> or your <a href="https://www.abcb.gov.au/sites/default/files/resources/2020/Lead_in_Plumbing_Products_and_Materials.pdf">water pipes</a>, or if they are also on your <a href="https://theconversation.com/house-dust-from-35-countries-reveals-our-global-toxic-contaminant-exposure-and-health-risk-172499">living room floor</a>. The <a href="https://theconversation.com/house-dust-from-35-countries-reveals-our-global-toxic-contaminant-exposure-and-health-risk-172499">science</a> suggests a very strong connection between the lead inside your <a href="https://www.mapmyenvironment.com/">home and that in your yard soil</a>. The most likely reason for this connection is dirt blown in from your yard or trodden in on your shoes, and on the furry paws of your adorable pets. This connection speaks to the priority of making sure matter from your outdoor environment stays exactly there (we have tips <a href="https://www.360dustanalysis.com/pages/interpreting-your-results">here</a>). A recent Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/heres-why-ill-be-keeping-my-shoes-on-in-your-shoeless-home-11644503227">article</a> argued shoes in the home aren’t so bad. The author made the point that E. coli – dangerous bacteria that develop in the intestines of many mammals, including humans – is so widely distributed that it’s pretty much everywhere. So it should be no surprise it can be swabbed on shoe bottoms (96% of shoe bottoms, as the article pointed out). But let’s be clear. Although it’s nice to be scientific and stick with the term E. coli, this stuff is, put more simply, the bacteria associated with poo. Whether it is ours or Fido’s, it has the potential to make us very sick if we are exposed at high levels. And let’s face it – it is just plain gross. Why walk it around inside your house if you have a very simple alternative – to take your shoes off at the door? <h2>On balance, shoeless wins</h2> So are there disadvantages to having a shoe-free household? Beyond the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/feet-toes-broken-pain-covid/2021/01/11/470d2efa-4a05-11eb-a9f4-0e668b9772ba_story.html">occasional stubbed toe</a>, from an environmental health standpoint there aren’t many downsides to having a shoe-free house. Leaving your shoes at the entry mat also leaves potentially harmful pathogens there as well. We all know prevention is far better than treatment and taking shoes off at the door is a basic and easy prevention activity for many of us. Need shoes for foot support? Easy – just have some “indoor shoes” that never get worn outside. There remains the issue of the “sterile house syndrome,” which refers to increased rates of allergies among children. Some argue it’s related to overly sterile households. Indeed, some dirt is probably beneficial as <a href="https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(10)00907-3/fulltext">studies</a> have indicated it helps develop your immune system and reduce allergy risk. But there are better and less gross ways to do that than walking around inside with your filthy shoes on. Get outside, go for a bushwalk, enjoy the great outdoors. Just don’t bring the muckier parts of it inside to build up and contaminate our homes. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared in <a href="https://theconversation.com/wearing-shoes-in-the-house-is-just-plain-gross-the-verdict-from-scientists-who-study-indoor-contaminants-177542" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Home & Garden

5 pet-friendly indoor plants

Picking up a few indoor plants can be an easy way to spruce up your home while making it a little bit greener. Though finding a low-maintenance plant to spruce up your home can be hard enough, pet owners also need to consider whether their latest addition will harm their furry friends. Here are <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bhg.com.au/pet-friendly-plants?category=garden" target="_blank">five plants</a> that are both easy to care for and safe for your pets. Spider plant With thin, ribbon-like leaves, the spider plant is adaptable, easy to grow, and thrives indoors. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845004/indoor-plant1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b897a87e318c443cb4d0c2d044424698" /> Image: @nekogreeen / Instagram These plants prefer cooler temperatures and soil that is moist but not soaking wet. Birds nest fern A native of eastern Australia, this fern prefers moist environments - such as the bathroom - and a large weekly drink of water. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845005/indoor-plant2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5724c2059f4642d5a0ecc9328329d3a4" /> Image: @the_foliage_fanatic / Instagram The nest-shaped fern can have leaves that grow up to five feet long, though the leaves of indoor plants tend to reach a maximum of two feet. Bamboo palm This mini tropical plant will grow in low light or bright conditions, and prefers soil that is moist but not wet. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845006/indoor-plant3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f48055414594432d8d79276ca9a2c7b1" /> Image: @luluandvines / Instagram The bamboo palm grows taller when it gets more light, and enjoys an occasional sunny day. Rubber plant Having seen a surge in popularity over the last few years, rubber plants are loved for their large, glossy leaves and minimal care requirements. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845007/indoor-plant4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8b45c45dacc1417f80731c68e40f23e2" /> Image: @interior_jungle / Instagram To help your rubber plant thrive, place it in an area where it will get plenty of indirect light, ensure it can drain well, and keep it moist during summer. Blue Echeveria Another popular choice, the blue echeveria is a fleshy evergreen succulent that flourishes in full sunlight. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845008/indoor-plant5.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/805206de9c5c44ad8dea9c92c170ca13" /> Image: @_shuttertastic_ / Instagram As for watering, it’s best to let the soil dry completely then wet it thoroughly, and make sure it has good drainage. Image: @tils_plant_therapy / Instagram

Home & Garden

Five steps to make your own terrarium

Terrariums have become a popular way to display plants and add a little greenery to your different spaces. Though they may seem complicated, terrariums are quite easy to make, don’t require too much upkeep, and can be made in all sorts of shapes and sizes. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_c3wSip_DL/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_c3wSip_DL/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Terrarium Dreams (@terrariumdreams)</a> </div> </blockquote> Here are the supplies you need and steps to follow in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/care/make-a-terrarium/?slide=slide_beeb0402-ca09-4fbc-8f81-e6b770a5c9f9#slide_beeb0402-ca09-4fbc-8f81-e6b770a5c9f9" target="_blank">creating your own</a> DIY terrarium. Supplies you need Most of your supplies can be found at your local garden centre, with the exception of the container your terrarium will be created in, which you can find at a craft store. The choice of container can also influence the kinds of plants you can include. Open terrariums being better-suited to dry climate plants, and closed terrariums working best for plants that thrive on moisture and humidity. Aside from a container to house your terrarium, you will need: <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Activated charcoal</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Potting soil</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sheet moss</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Trowel</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Plants</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Gloves</li> </ul> Once you have your supplies, it’s time to start assembling your new terrarium by following these five steps. 1. Build the base To start with, cover the base of your container with 3-5 centimetres of activated charcoal. This layer helps to both remove odours from the terrarium and drainage to ensure that your plant roots don’t sit in soil that is too wet. 2. Mix soils Once the base is done, mix some of the remaining charcoal with the potting soil. Mixing the two, either with your hands or a trowel, also assists with drainage. 3. Next layer Next, add the mixed soil and charcoal to the container until it is between a quarter and one third full. To remove large air pockets in the soil, gently pack the soil as you add it. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CA5-cKSHLoE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CA5-cKSHLoE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Terrarium Dreams (@terrariumdreams)</a> </div> </blockquote> 4. Add plants After removing the plants from their containers, position them on top of the soil with enough space between them for additional soil. Some top picks for terrarium plants include starfish plants, air plants, and nerve plants. For a healthy terrarium, it’s best to choose plants with similar watering and light needs. 5. Dress and water Once the additional soil has been packed in and around the plants so that the roots are covered, position moss on top of the soil and around the plants. Then, give the terrarium a water and place it in a well-lit area with indirect light. Further care Once the plants have established themselves in the terrarium, little upkeep is needed. As they grow, you may want to trim branches that grow outside of the container, or trim the moss to control its thickness. Image: @terrariumdreams / Instagram

Home & Garden

Why clean indoor air is so important

It's a fact that clean indoor air is every bit as important as the air quality outside of your home - in fact, it can be more important according to a recent study of air pollution, published by <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution#tab=tab_1" target="_blank">The World Health Organisation</a> (WHO). An important finding of this study was that clean indoor air, or rather lack of it, is associated with air pollution, and it needs be addressed in both first and third world countries. This covers everything from how we prepare our food, to how we heat our homes and the products we use on our clothes or in our cleaning. It also cover something we rarely think about unless it’s in plain sight – and that's mould. Can mould in your home affect your health? <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/43325/E92645.pdf" target="_blank">The Who Guidelines for indoor air quality: dampness and mould</a> (2009) state that one of the leading factors in poor indoor air quality is mould. Often, people are not aware of how quickly mould can grow in the home and the harmful health effects it then causes for those who are living with mould in their environment. Sometimes you can’t even see that it’s there. However, its spores can be everywhere. If you have any kind of water damage in your home, such as a drip, flood or a leaking pipe, this can lead to mould growth in as little as 24-48 hours. Mould grows very quickly in wet or moist environments, so it’s important to clean up any leaking water and prevent it from growing or spreading as soon as possible. Mould’s a bit of a scourge, to say the least. Did you know that each year, mould destroys more wood around the world than all the fires and termites combined? Mould contamination is far more common than we think It’s estimated at least 45 million buildings in the US have unhealthy levels of mould. Well, with Australia’s humid and tropical climate in our highly-populated coastal areas, we are particularly susceptible to mould growth as well. <img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/VI0_azQv6N8/hqdefault.jpg" alt="" /> Even if your home is safe, who knows if you’re breathing in mould spores at your office or gym? Mould is often hard to find and can remain hidden behind a wall, in the ceiling or under carpet for years. Getting rid of mould by professionals can often often expensive and the price can soar into the tens of thousands if the problem is severe. While mould removal is difficult and expensive, it’s worth it because the long-term health consequences can be even more costly. What is mould illness like? <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://moldprollc.com/10-common-symptoms-of-mold-biotoxin-illness/" target="_blank">Biotoxin illness</a>, or mould illness, is quite common. If you’re living in a home with a mould infestation, mycotoxins from the mould usually spread to other parts of your home, as well especially any textiles you have such as curtains, lounges, beds and clothes. These mycotoxins can affect your immune system severely and lead to health conditions like allergies, hypersensitivity, respiratory problems (asthma, wheezing, coughing) and some other serious conditions such as memory loss, depression, anxiety and reproductive problems. Mould can impact more than just our respiratory system – it can even cause serious psychological issues like memory loss and depression. What are we doing about mould illness? In Australia, the identification and indeed diagnosis of mould illness seems to be slower than other parts of the world, simply as many of our doctors and medical profession don’t have the necessary training yet to identify this condition. A 2019 <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Health_Aged_Care_and_Sport/BiotoxinIllnesses/Report" target="_blank">Parliamentary Inquiry</a> into biotoxin illness recognised the disease, but the training and expertise to handle this illness is still developing. However globally, the lack of recognition of mould illness still occurs. Dr Scott McMahon MD from Roswell in New Mexico specialises in mould related illness. He said in 2017: “Possibly every doctor in the United States is treating mould illness and they just don’t realise it.” Clean indoor air is vital for improving your air quality If you can smell a musty or mouldy smell in your home or work environment, it can signify mould. <ul> <li>Have a professional mould company visit and assess it You may think you can’t see any mould but if you can smell it, there’s every chance there’s some it’s hiding somewhere.</li> <li>Reach for natural solutions</li> <li>There are many products you can use to clean your home of mould. One Australian company making a more natural solution is called <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://san-air.com.au/" target="_blank">San Air.</a> The products are plant-based but they help control bacteria – including mould – in the air. It helps to provide clean indoor air. It was created by the ex-head of a pharmaceutical company, using only plant-based ingredients. San-Air is blended to produce microbial reduction properties at low dosage. In other words, you won’t know it’s working, but you’ll enjoy the clean indoor air!</li> </ul> <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">Photo: Getty Images</div>

Home & Garden

9 surprising ways to cut down indoor air pollution

Many people assume pollution is just an outdoor problem but your home can also be polluted with mould and dust mites, making it an unhealthy environment. As Susan Olesik, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Ohio State University says: “As a society, we make sure that our houses are well-insulated, but we don’t think enough about exposure to all the things we place in our homes.” The air quality in and around buildings has a big effect on our health, and while you can feel the symptoms – shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea – right away, other health effects can come on years after exposure, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Clear out old cigarette and e-cigarette smoke Pulmonologist Dr Sumita Khatri notes that one of the most common indoor air pollutants is cigarette smoke, though newer e-cigarettes are another source. The vapour emitted when someone smokes e-cigarettes releases chemicals linked to lung disease. This rule also applies to the previous occupants of your home who may have smoked. “We have all heard of second-hand smoke but this is called third-hand smoke,” says Dr Khatri. “If you have a room that has been exposed to residual smoke, make sure to change the fabric or carpet, which can be a risk to children or people with chronic heart and lung problems,” she adds. Don’t overwater indoor plants Overwatering your plants can contribute to the growth of mould, and any water that leaks on to the floor invites mould growth as well, says Olesik. Put pebbles on top of the soil to discourage mould spores from getting into and polluting the air, walls and floor. Clean under your fridge The tray under your fridge is a veritable mould magnet. Adding salt reduces the growth of mould and bacteria. Clean under the refrigerator occasionally to get rid of dust and mould, and make sure your cleaning products are environmentally friendly, advises Dr Khatri. “Cleaning products can also be harmful, so consider green and natural cleaning products which release less harmful chemicals and fumes,” she says. Freshen air naturally Air fresheners and scented candles contain trace amounts of hazardous chemicals, though in amounts lower than most guidelines, so it’s OK to use them on occasion, says Oleski. But she warns against overdoing either approach to fresher air. “It’s better to open the window if the weather allows.” If not, turn on the AC. Air conditioners remove mould-friendly moisture and filter allergens entering the house. Just make sure to clean or change the filters often or you’ll just make things worse. Give stuffed toys the deep freeze That teddy bear could be riddled with dust mites! Regularly slip stuffed toys into a freezer bag and let them chill for three to five hours. The cold will kill any dust mites that could contribute to indoor air pollution, according to a 2017 report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Declutter Regularly throw out or give away coats and other clothing you haven’t worn in ages. Put sports equipment in the garage where it belongs. When you’ve finished, you should be able to see all your closet floors and back walls. “Minimising clutter is a great way to improve air quality because it allows you to see dust and other contaminants that might be invisible,” says Dr Khatri. Now give everything a good vacuum and you’ll have significantly reduced the amount of dust in your house and cut down on your indoor air pollution. Leave shoes at the door Mud isn’t the only thing you track into your home, notes Oleski. Parking your shoes by the door keeps your floors clean and reduces indoor air pollution, especially pesticides tracked in from outdoors. “You know those signs that say ‘keep dogs off lawn?’” They should also apply to people,” she says. Keep your pets clean Just like you take off your shoes, always make sure to wipe off your pet’s paws when they come in from being outdoors. Towelling off their coat can also help prevent the spread of pollen indoors. And bathe them frequently to help dissolve the natural, allergy-causing substances in their sweat and skin that spread to their fur. Photo: Getty Images

Home & Garden

How nature might respond as coronavirus keeps humans indoors

Intriguing things sometimes happen in places deserted by people. Plants creep back, animals return and, slowly, birdsong fills the air. The coronavirus pandemic means public spaces the world over have been temporarily abandoned. Major roads are all but empty and public squares are eerily quiet. In response, nature is in some cases “<a href="https://www.traveller.com.au/coronavirus-and-tourism-without-tourists-animals-take-over-towns-in-japan-thailand-and-chile-h1mu4q">taking over towns</a>”. Some reports – such as dolphins spotted in Venice – are <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-27/coronacheck-coronavirus-misinformation-debunked/12088960">fake news</a>. But <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/22/animals-cities-coronavirus-lockdowns-deer-raccoons">others</a> are legitimate. A <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/world/americas/coronavirus-wild-puma-captured-in-deserted-chile-capital">puma has been spotted</a> roaming the streets of Santiago and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/22/animals-cities-coronavirus-lockdowns-deer-raccoons">wild turkeys are gallivanting</a> in Oakland, California. Monkeys have reclaimed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2020/mar/13/hungry-monkeys-brawl-over-food-as-coronavirus-hits-tourism-in-thailand-video">city streets in Thailand</a> and <a href="https://www.traveller.com.au/coronavirus-and-tourism-without-tourists-animals-take-over-towns-in-japan-thailand-and-chile-h1mu4q">deer are wandering</a> through train stations and down roads in Japan. Of course, COVID-19 has taken a devastating toll on humanity, and this is nothing to be celebrated. But as Australians stay at home and our streets fall quiet, let’s consider how wildlife might respond. The resilience of nature Throughout history, nature has shown a propensity for reclaiming land once humans have departed. At <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/04/060418-chernobyl-wildlife-thirty-year-anniversary-science/">Chernobyl</a>, for instance, radiation has <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/04/060418-chernobyl-wildlife-thirty-year-anniversary-science/">not been enough</a> to suppress populations of <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/fee.1227">gray wolves, raccoon dogs, Eurasian boar and red fox</a>. Likewise the <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=SV2RAAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=wildlife+Korean+demilitarization&ots=H-fjw63Lk3&sig=XIuVLvOcNYoCyQaPKxBQs_PcOKg&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=wildlife%20Korean%20demilitarization&f=false">Korean demilitarised zone</a> has become a refugia for numerous threatened species, including <a href="https://sinonk.com/2012/09/01/returning-cranes-to-north-korea-grus-japonensis/">red-crowned cranes</a>. <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F3-540-26859-6_9">Ecological succession</a> can occur when humans abandon cities. This is where short-lived “pioneer” species initially occupy sites and are replaced over time by shrubs and trees, ultimately supporting more diverse wildlife. It’s hard to predict exactly how healthy and biodiverse these systems can become, but they will almost certainly be examples of “<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169534709002018">novel ecosystems</a>”, having crossed irreversible thresholds due to human impact, such as vegetation reclaiming an abandoned building. Quieter, darker, greener cities Cities can be hostile places for urban wildlife due to fragmented habitat, pollution, road collisions and disturbance from and conflict with people. But under a coronavirus lockdown, these threats are greatly reduced. For example, decreases in economic activity in Europe and China have led to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-52065140">improvements in air pollution</a>, which is known to <a href="https://ca.audubon.org/news/birds-suffer-air-pollution-just-we-do">badly affect urban birds</a>. However, this effect might not last long enough to allow for recovery of sensitive bird species; emissions in China <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-03/satellite-pollution-data-shows-china-is-getting-back-to-work">are already rising again</a>. <a href="https://theconversation.com/getting-smarter-about-city-lights-is-good-for-us-and-nature-too-69556">Light pollution</a> may also fall in cities as a result of coronavirus – such as if office buildings turn off overnight lighting and sportsgrounds are empty. This would benefit nocturnal species such as moths and bats. Artificial light can interfere with reproduction, predator and prey interactions, and <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1890/1540-9295%282004%29002%5B0191%3AELP%5D2.0.CO%3B2">migration</a>. At the end of March, traffic congestion in Sydney and Melbourne was <a href="https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/the-six-charts-showing-an-economy-going-into-hibernation-20200326-p54e4h">reportedly down</a> more than 30% on last year. Fewer <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/sydney-at-20-per-cent-of-normal-activity-as-other-cities-grind-to-a-halt-20200326-p54e85.html">cars</a> and <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/crisis-talks-as-melbourne-s-train-tram-passenger-numbers-slump-by-90-percent-20200327-p54elv.html">trams</a> would benefit species that communicate acoustically (such as <a href="https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113717563?storyId=113717563">frogs</a> and <a href="https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/birds-live-near-human-noise-sing-louder-shorter-songs">birds</a>). Fewer people actively using city spaces may mean less disturbance of urban bird nesting sites, especially those that are routinely removed from <a href="https://www.cleanlink.com/news/article/Five-Steps-to-Safely-and-Humanely-Remove-Birds-from-Commercial-Properties--19180">commercial properties</a>. Depending on whether authorities see weed control as an “essential service”, streets may soon look a bit greener. Weeds often get a bad rap for taking over gardens and roadsides. However, some, such as dandelions, provide excellent <a href="http://biodiversitylab.ncbs.res.in/sites/default/files/images/website/JainEtal_ButterflyFlowerSpecialization_2016_BiolCons.pdf">flowering resources</a> for native bees, butterflies and birds. Deserted roads could potentially add to existing wildlife “corridors” or strips of vegetation along rivers and streams. This would allow species to move from one place to another – potentially recolonising areas. What next? Once traffic returns to levels observed before the pandemic, we should preserve observed animal movements using <a href="https://theconversation.com/safe-passage-we-can-help-save-koalas-through-urban-design-63123">safe passage strategies</a> such as vegetated overpasses that connect bisected habitat or adequately sized underpasses to allow wildlife to safely cross under large, busy roads. In the longer term, this crisis may bring innovation in business communication and human behavioural change – including reduced work travel. This could influence land-use changes in cities, potentially giving space back to nature. The current need for people to stay at home might be triggering a <a href="http://kevingaston.com/research-2/extinction-of-experience/">human disconnection from nature</a>. In some cases, this can lead people to become emotionally distanced from what happens to their natural environment. This could be ameliorated by exercising in local parks or other natural environments. You can also use your time at home to positively contribute to wildlife in your urban area. If you’re looking to keep kids entertained, try developing a “renaturing” plan that aims to care for, or bring back, a species or ecosystems. There are also <a href="https://renew.org.au/sanctuary-magazine/ideas-advice/nurturing-nature">many ways</a> to retrofit your home, garden or balcony to help plants and animals. Or discover the incredible species living alongside us by simply <a href="https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2020/03/birdingathome-is-officially-a-thing-and-its-never-been-a-better-time-to-become-a-birder/">paying attention</a> to nature near your home. <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-bekessy-94860">Sarah Bekessy</a>, Professor in Sustainability and Urban Planning, Leader, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group (ICON Science), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alex-kusmanoff-262169">Alex Kusmanoff</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Inter-disciplinary Conservation (ICON) Science Research Group, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brendan-wintle-414767">Brendan Wintle</a>, Professor in Conservation Ecology, School of BioSciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-melbourne-722">University of Melbourne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/casey-visintin-968876">Casey Visintin</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of BioSciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-melbourne-722">University of Melbourne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/freya-thomas-738532">Freya Thomas</a>, Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/georgia-garrard-30">Georgia Garrard</a>, Senior Research Fellow, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katherine-berthon-738516">Katherine Berthon</a>, PhD Candidate, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lee-harrison-1012027">Lee Harrison</a>, Honorary Associate, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-melbourne-722">University of Melbourne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-selinske-386548">Matthew Selinske</a>, Postdoctoral research associate conservation science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/thami-croeser-729067">Thami Croeser</a>, Research Officer, Centre for Urban Research, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/where-the-wild-things-are-how-nature-might-respond-as-coronavirus-keeps-humans-indoors-134543">original article</a>.

International Travel

Morrison government bans indoor gatherings of 100 people, and tells Australians “don’t go overseas”

The federal government’s new sweeping measures in the coronavirus crisis include a ban on non-essential indoor gatherings of 100 people or more, advice that no Australian should travel abroad, and strict restrictions on visitor access to aged care facilities. The measures, announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison early Wednesday, take the battle to contain the spread of the virus to a new level but do not include the closure of the nation’s schools, or foreshadow a general community shutdown. Morrison said the second stage economic package the government is now working on would be to “cushion” the impact of the measures put in place - it would focus on strengthening the “safety net” for individuals and small businesses. He said there had been a big “gear change” at the weekend “when we were moving to far more widespread social distancing and bans on gatherings”. Morrison berated hoarders in the strongest language. “Stop doing it. It’s ridiculous. It’s un-Australian[…]also, do not abuse staff. We’re all in this together. People are doing their jobs.” “They are doing their best, whether they are at a testing clinic this morning, whether they are at a shopping centre.” The new measures, which were approved late Tuesday night by the federal-state “national cabinet”, also include the cancellation of ANZAC Day events, which was mostly an endorsement of action already taken by the RSL. There will be a national service, but without a crowd. Small streamed ceremonies involving officials at state level may be held “Life is changing in Australia, as it is changing all around the world,” Morrison told a Canberra news conference in which he and Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy stood the required social distance apart. “Life is going to continue to change,” he said, but he also stressed the need to keep the country operating. Morrison emphasised that measures had to be for the long term because the crisis was set to last at least six months. Murphy said “a short-term two to four week shut down of society is not recommended by any of our experts. It does not achieve anything.” On the sensitive issue of the schools, on which there’s been a lot of pressure for closure, Morrison highlighted his own family. “I am telling you that, as a father, I’m happy for my kids to go to school. There is only one reason your kids shouldn’t be going to school and that is if they are unwell.” The advice from health experts, and the view of the premiers and chief ministers has been that schools should be kept open. Morrison said that closure would mean a “30% impact on the availability of health workers.” The government has also decided that 20,000 international student nurses who are in Australia will be able to stay to help with the local crisis. Aged cared facilities will not ban visits but will put in place restrictions to protect residents, who form the most high risk portion of the population. Morrison, who recently lost his own father, said he knew these would be difficult for families. Visits will be restricted to a maximum of two people at any one time a day and no large group visits or social activities will be allowed There will be special arrangements for the families of end-of-life patients. The human biosecurity emergency provision of the Biosecurity Act was put into force early Wednesday. This gives draconian powers to the federal government, and the action matches the state governments’ emergency declarations. Morrison said the advice was that plane travel within the country did not present a high risk - the risk was where people had come from and were going to. People are told not to visit remote communities, to protect vulnerable indigenous citizens. The ban on non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 excludes a range of places such as shopping centres; public transport; medical and healthcare facilities; office buildings; factories; construction sites, and mining sites. States and territories are looking at rules for non-essential indoor gatherings of fewer than 100 people, such as cinemas, restaurants, clubs, weddings, and funerals. This will be considered when the national cabinet meets on Friday. There may be significant changes to the operation of these facilities, such as decreasing maximum capacity, or increasing space available. The beleaguered aviation industry is being promised relief, with a waiver of fees and charges. Both Morrison and Murphy strongly reinforced the need for “social distancing” Murphy said “it is every individual Australian’s responsibility to practice good social distancing. Keep away from each other where possible. Practice really good hand hygiene.” “No more handshaking. No more hugging - except in your family.” So far, 80,000 tests have been conducted, and the government is sourcing further testing kits. Full press release from The Prime Minister’s office can be read below The focus for the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments is the health and wellbeing of Australians and their livelihoods, ensuring that Australia is positioned to emerge strong and resilient from this global pandemic crisis. Leaders met last night for the second National Cabinet meeting and agreed to further actions to protect the Australian community from the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). General Population - Indoor Gatherings As part of our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Australia, the National Cabinet has accepted further restrictions on gatherings. The National Cabinet has accepted the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) advice that non-essential indoor gatherings of greater than 100 people (including staff) will no longer be permitted from Wednesday 18 March 2020. An indoor gathering refers to a gathering within a single enclosed area (i.e. an area, room or premises that is or are substantially enclosed by a roof and walls, regardless of whether the roof or walls or any part of them are permanent, temporary, open or closed). This does not apply to essential activities such as public transportation facilities, medical and health care facilities, pharmacies, emergency service facilities, correctional facilities, youth justice centres or other places of custody, courts or tribunals, Parliaments, food markets, supermarkets and grocery stores, shopping centres, office buildings, factories, construction sites, and mining sites, where it is necessary for their normal operation (although other social distancing and hygiene practices may be required in these settings). The states and territories will give further consideration to practical guidance and rules for non-essential indoor gatherings of fewer than 100 people (including staff) such as cinemas, theatres, restaurants/cafes, pubs, clubs, weddings and funerals. This will be considered at the next National Cabinet meeting on Friday 20 March 2020. In the meantime these venues should continue to apply social distancing and hygiene practices. This includes being able to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres between patrons. Hand hygiene products and suitable waste receptacles need to be available, with frequent cleaning and waste disposal. This may require significant changes to the operation of some venues, such as reducing the maximum capacity or increasing the space available. Settings like gyms, indoor fitness centres and swimming pools are not required to close at this time providing they meet these requirements for social distancing and hand hygiene. Such venues should take actions to ensure regular high standards of environmental cleaning take place. General Population - Outdoor Gatherings Outdoor events of fewer than 500 attendees may proceed. There are general measures that all events should follow, including: In a given occupied space, there must be no more than one person per four square metres of ground space. Availability of hand hygiene products and suitable waste receptacles, with frequent cleaning and waste disposal. Food markets are exempt from the 500 person limit, however must undertake additional measures, such as control of patronage level numbers or stall density reduction to decrease the risk of COVID-19 transmission. There may be other gatherings that are considered essential and it is at the discretion of the individual state and territory Chief Medical Officers or equivalent to assess each on their merits, and determine whether they can continue if mitigated by social distancing measures. Domestic Transport National Cabinet agreed that all Australians should only consider travelling when it is essential. If unwell, people must stay at home, unless seeking medical care. National Cabinet agreed that public transport is essential and that AHPPC advice should apply in relation to public transport (trains, trams, buses, ferries), taxi and ride share vehicles and transport of vulnerable populations, with particular attention given to cleaning and hygiene. National Cabinet agreed that domestic air travel is low risk. The issue of where people are travelling to and sensitive locations where travel should be restricted, will be developed with advice of states and territories. The National Cabinet will further consider social distancing arrangements for domestic transport at its next meeting on Friday 20 March 2020. In all cases, appropriate social distancing and hygiene practices should be applied. Anzac Day Anzac Day is an important commemoration where we demonstrate our respect and admiration for Anzacs past and present. But the way we commemorate Anzac Day this year will need to change. The National Cabinet has agreed that Anzac Day ceremonies and events should be cancelled due to the high proportion of older Australians who attend such events and the increased risk posed to such individuals. A small streamed/filmed ceremony involving officials at a state level may be acceptable. There should be no marches. All Australian-led international Anzac Day Services will be cancelled for 2020 given international travel restrictions and restrictions on public gatherings. The Australian War Memorial will aim to conduct a national televised Dawn Service with no general public attendance. State and Territory Governments and the RSLs will work together on local community arrangements to commemorate Anzac Day. Recommendation on bulk purchase of supplies The National Cabinet has strongly endorsed the AHPPC advice against the bulk purchase of foods, medicines and other goods. We strongly discourage the panic purchase of food and other supplies. While some advice has been provided to have a small addition of long shelf life products in the case of illness there are a range of mechanisms in place to support people in self-isolation, including food and other deliveries. AHPPC notes that the risk of individual Australians being asked to quarantine in coming weeks is low, and encourages individuals to plan with friends and family in the event of the need to isolate. We recognise the importance of supply lines to remote communities. Aged Care and Older Australians As the transmission of COVID-19 increases rapidly, it is our priority to protect and support elderly and vulnerable Australians. Aged care is a critical sector that faces staffing challenges as existing staff are either subject to self-isolation requirements due to COVID-19 or are unable to attend work. The National Cabinet has agreed to the recommendations by the AHPPC to enhanced arrangements to protect older Australians in Residential Aged Care Facilities and in the community Restrictions on entry into aged care facilities The following visitors and staff (including visiting workers) should not be permitted to enter the facility: Those who have returned from overseas in the last 14 days; Those who have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days; Those with fever or symptoms of acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath); and Those who have not been vaccinated against influenza (after 1 May) Visitors Aged care facilities should implement the following measures for restricting visits and visitors to reduce the risk of transmission to residents, including: Limiting visits to a short duration; Limiting visits to a maximum of two immediate social supports (family members, close friends) or professional service or advocacy at one time, per day; Visits should be conducted in a resident’s room, outdoors, or in a specific area designated by the aged care facility, rather than communal areas where the risk of transmission to residents is greater; No large group visits or gatherings, including social activities or entertainment, should be permitted at this time; No school groups of any size should be allowed to visit aged care facilities. Visitors should also be encouraged to practise social distancing practices where possible, including maintaining a distance of 1.5 metres. Children aged 16 years or less must be permitted only by exception, as they are generally unable to comply with hygiene measures. Exemptions can be assessed on a case-by-case basis, for example, where the resident is in a palliative care scenario. Measures such as phone or video calls must be accessible to all residents to enable more regular communication with family members. Family and friends should be encouraged to maintain contact with residents by phone and other social communication apps, as appropriate. Managing illness in visitors and staff Aged care facilities should advise all regular visitors and staff to be vigilant for illness and use hygiene measures including social distancing, and to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, specifically fever and acute respiratory illness. They should be instructed to stay away when unwell, for their own and residents’ protection. Given the high vulnerability of this particular group, aged care facilities should request that staff and visitors provide details on their current health status, particularly presentation of symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Screening for fever could also be considered upon entry. These additional measures should be implemented in order to better protect residents and prompt individuals entering the aged care facility to consider their current state of health prior to entry. Both individuals and management need to take responsibility for the health of visitors and staff at facilities to protect our most vulnerable community members. These are the recommendations of the AHPPC, individual facilities may choose to implement additional measures as they see fit for their circumstances. Symptomatic staff Staff should be made aware of early signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Any staff with fever or symptoms of acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath) should be excluded from the workplace and tested for COVID-19. Staff must report their symptoms to the aged care facility. Further information is available at: https://www.health.gov.au/committees-and-groups/australian-health-protection-principal-committee-ahppc Schools The National Cabinet has accepted the advice of the AHPPC that schools should remain open at this time. Specifically the National Cabinet has agreed that “pre-emptive closures are not proportionate or effective as a public health intervention to prevent community transmission of COVID-19 at this time.” National Cabinet also noted AHPPC advice that “More than 70 countries around the world have implemented either nationwide or localised school closures, at different times in the evolution of the local COVID-19 epidemic, however it should be noted the majority of these have not been successful in controlling the outbreak. Some of these countries are now considering their position in relation to re-opening schools.” Boarding schools The National Cabinet noted that boarding schools are “at high risk of transmission” and encouraged boarding schools and parents to “consider the risks versus the benefits of a student remaining in boarding school”. Universities and other higher education centres _The National Cabinet accepted the advice that university and higher education “should continue at this time” with risk mitigation measures, including working from home arrangements where effective. As with boarding schools, group student accommodation “presents a higher risk” that warrants consideration of “closing or reducing accommodation densities” if risk mitigation is not possible. _ Community Sport The National Cabinet accepted advice from the AHPPC that community sporting activities could continue with involvement from essential participants (players, coaches, match officials, staff and volunteers involved in operations, and parents and guardians of participants). This advice follows ongoing consultation with sporting organisations which has resulted in guidelines being prepared for community sporting organisations. The guidelines provide relevant advice on change room access, physical contact, travel, and social distancing and hygiene practices. Furthermore, it has been acknowledged that contact sports have a greater risk of transmission than other sports, and as such, should be considered on a case-by-case basis. All sporting codes should seek public health advice applicable to their codes, and take into account outdoor mass gathering issues. Further work on Indigenous and NDIS Australia Further work will be progressed by Friday 20 March 2020 and will include additional support for vulnerable Australians including indigenous communities and NDIS participants. The Department of Social Services (DSS), National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) are working together in preparation to respond to COVID-19 and its impact on the NDIS. Additional measures Commonwealth emergency powers The National Cabinet noted that Commonwealth, States and Territories were implementing emergency powers under respective legislation in order to be able to deal with the spread of COVID-19 as quickly and flexibly as possible. The Governor-General has accepted the Commonwealth Government’s recommendation that he declare a “human biosecurity emergency” under the Biosecurity Act 2015 given the risks COVID-19 poses to human health and the need to control its spread in Australia. That declaration would allow the Health Minister to issue targeted, legally enforceable directions and requirements to combat the virus. The declaration was recommended by the Chief Medical Officer in his capacity as the Director of Human Biosecurity. The first emergency requirement that will be made under the declaration is to formally prohibit international cruise ships from entering Australian ports for an initial 30 days, which provides additional legal support for the decision announced on Sunday 15 March 2020. Additional Support for International Student Nurses The Commonwealth Government will relax international student nurse visa work conditions to provide workforce continuity for aged care facilities, home care providers and other health care workers. This will allow international student nurses and other aged care workers to work more than the 40 hours a fortnight that they are currently. This measure will be examined on an ongoing basis. There are currently around 900 approved providers of residential aged care employers and around 1,000 approved providers of Home Care Packages. There are currently around 20,000 international student nurses studying in Australia. Level 4 Travel restrictions - Do Not Travel The National Security Committee of Cabinet has decided to raise the advice for all overseas travel to the highest level. Our advice to all Australians - regardless of your destination, age or health - is do not travel overseas at this time. This our highest travel advice setting – Level 4 of 4. The decision reflects the gravity of the international situation arising from the COVID-19 outbreak, the risks to health and the high likelihood of major travel disruptions. We also now advise Australians who are overseas who wish to return to Australia, to do so as soon as possible by commercial means. Commercial options may quickly become limited. Anyone arriving in Australia from overseas, including Australians citizens and permanent residents, will be required to self-isolate for 14 days from the date of arrival. We have issued this advice for several reasons: There may be a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 overseas. Health care systems in some countries may come under strain and may not be as well-equipped as Australia’s or have the capacity to support foreigners. Overseas travel has become complex and unpredictable. Many countries are introducing entry or movement restrictions. These are changing often and quickly, and your travel plans could be disrupted. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will do what it can to provide consular advice and assistance, but DFAT’s capacity to do so may be limited by local restrictions on movement, and the scale of the challenges posed by COVID-19. These challenges vary and the situation is changing rapidly. Australians who cannot, or do not want to, return home should follow the advice of local authorities and minimise their risk of COVID-19 exposure by self-isolating. Aviation Industry Support The Commonwealth Government has announced an aviation package for the refunding and ongoing waiving of a range Government charges on the industry including aviation fuel excise, Airservices charges on domestic airline operations and domestic and regional aviation security charges. These measures are in response to unprecedented and likely sustained period of falling international and domestic aviation demand related to the impact of COVID-19. The total cost of the measures are estimated to be $715 million, with an upfront estimated benefit of $159 million to our airlines for reimbursement of applicable charges paid by domestic airlines since 1 February 2020. The National Cabinet expressed their thanks to Australia’s world-class health professionals for their continued efforts in restricting the spread of the virus and saving lives. Leaders also thanked all Australians for playing their part in following the health guidance and complying with the strong measures in place to respond to COVID-19. Leaders called on the community to remain calm. While there have been some temporary, localised food and grocery distribution delays, there are sufficient stocks in Australia. Violent or anti-social behaviour would not be tolerated. As a National Cabinet, we will continue to come together as a united team to ensure our collective response remains proactive and targeted, but we all have a responsibility to each other in protecting our community. All Australians must continue to be vigilant and play their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect vulnerable members of our community, including the elderly. The National Cabinet urged Australians to continue to adhere to the health guidance on hygiene and personal social distancing, including avoiding any non-essential travel. Leaders also acknowledged the many businesses that have stepped up and allowed staff to work from home where practical. These early actions are critical in delaying the peak of the outbreak and ensuring our health system response remains strong. The Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy, provided the National Cabinet with an overview of the current situation in Australia and overseas. The National Cabinet noted the continued development of international responses. Australia, like many other nations, is seeing an increase in community transmission. We are one of the best prepared nations and we remain united, focussed and ready to respond to any sustained escalation. The National Cabinet also considered the Chief Medical Officer’s advice on rates of community testing. More than 80,000 tests have already been undertaken in Australia. Further testing stocks have been secured and the Doherty Institute in Melbourne has developed an alternative testing process. This ensures Australia has a diverse range of tests and can protect supply of testing in the event there is a shortage in materials or components of some testing kits. All Australians should continue to closely follow the expert medical advice – and ensure testing is only sought for COVID-19 where it meets the relevant clinical criteria. As we enter the colder months there may be a number of other viruses that enter our community, so there is a need to prioritise testing of people. The National Cabinet noted that in order to protect older Australians and vulnerable communities in the weeks and months ahead, Australia may see even more restrictions put on social movements. We need all Australians to please look out for each other and to follow the medical advice. The National Cabinet will be meeting again on Friday 20 March 2020 to discuss implementation arrangements for indoor gatherings and domestic transport. Written by Michelle Grattan. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/morrison-government-bans-indoor-gatherings-of-100-people-and-tells-australians-dont-go-overseas-134018">The Conversation.</a>

Caring

How to keep your cat happy indoors according to science

By 2030, 60% of the world’s population <a href="https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/urbanization/the_worlds_cities_in_2016_data_booklet.pdf">will live in cities</a>, while one in three will share their city with at least half a million other inhabitants. With more and more people living in dense urban settings, what does the future hold for pets? High-rise living <a href="https://www.purina.co.uk/cats/getting-a-new-cat/finding-the-right-cat-for-me/dog-or-cat-how-to-choose-the-right-pet-for-you">might not be ideal for most pets</a>, as outdoor access can be difficult and there may be limited space indoors. For cats in particular, a trend towards indoor lifestyles might restrict how much they’re able to behave normally. As the domesticated descendants of the African wild cat, cats are obligate carnivores – they need to have a meat-based diet. Naturally, this requires them to <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-there-a-killer-in-your-kennel-billions-of-wild-animals-fall-victim-to-pet-cats-and-dogs-33199">hunt</a>. A study <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2380">in the US</a> found that pet cats could be killing up to four billion birds and up to 21 billion mammals every year. So housebound cats may be good for wildlife, but how can people ensure their pets thrive indoors? Sadly, scientific research is pretty light on this question. Despite so many of us inviting them into our homes, we know relatively little about <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159119301054">how cats handle living inside</a>. <a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/cat-waiting-on-top-birdhouse-kitten-776578606?src=7fce4dc1-901e-4090-9867-0213b0542040-1-0" class="source"></a>Choosing the right cat We know that some cats are more suited to being house cats than others, although we need to be careful not to generalise. All cats have <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1098612X13477537">individual needs</a>, <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/The_Cat_Personality_Test.html?id=v0iIDwAAQBAJ&source=kp_book_description&redir_esc=y">personalities and preferences</a>. High energy and hyperactive cats, rescued strays with little indoor experience or those that aren’t very friendly towards people aren’t good choices for a life lived entirely indoors. It’s often assumed that older cats may be a better choice because they’re more sedentary and cats with a previous history of living indoors may also adjust more easily to a new indoor home. Some cats have diseases, such as feline immunodeficiency virus, that keep them housebound. But this doesn’t mean these groups of cats will all have the right temperament to cope with indoor living. House cats are prone to obesity and may spend large amounts of time inactive, both physically and mentally. Providing a <a href="https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/cat-care-advice/enriching-your-garden-or-outside-space">safe</a> outdoor space for cats could be <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0211862">beneficial for their wellbeing</a>. <a href="https://protectapet.com">Cat proofing</a> gardens, for example, so they can’t escape, could ensure pets can benefit from the outdoors in a more controlled way. But if this isn’t possible, there’s still much that can be done to improve a cat’s life indoors. Personal space Because cats are only considered semi-social, indoor environments may present several situations that they would <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1098612X13477537">usually choose to avoid</a>. This can be anything from too much attention and unexpected guests to toddlers and other animals that don’t understand the concept of <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-stroke-a-cat-according-to-science-116025">mutual respect and personal space</a>. <hr /> Read more: <a href="http://theconversation.com/how-to-stroke-a-cat-according-to-science-116025">How to stroke a cat, according to science</a> <hr /> We know cats like boxes, but you can also give them high vantage points to climb to. To do this, you can use a “cat tree”, although an accessible shelf or the top of a wardrobe would work well too. Cats also need access to quiet rooms and spaces to hide under so they can remove themselves from situations they find stressful. Be mindful though – if your cat spends most of its time hiding, your house may be less cat-friendly than you think. Uncontrolled stress in a cat’s life can lead to <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1748-5827.2004.tb00216.x.">illnesses such as idiopathic cystitis</a>. Predatory behaviour But what about their need to hunt? Allowing this behaviour is vital, and that includes them being able to look for food as well as finding and eating it. Searching for food usually involves short bursts of activity and long periods of waiting in cats, while the feeding part is also complex, as the cat decides how and where is best to eat. To recreate this, you can scatter food on the floor or hide it in <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1098612X16643753">puzzle feeders</a>. You can even vary where you feed your cat and encourage it to explore and manipulate objects. Getting a cat to move more and eat regular, smaller amounts of food can help reduce the risk of obesity. Play can also be used to mimic hunting without the need for food. It’s always best to keep bouts of play short, encouraging pouncing and chasing, and using toys which mimic the shape, texture and movement of live prey. You should always end on a positive note and while the cat is enjoying itself, so that future playtimes will be anticipated rather than endured. <a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/graywhite-tabby-cat-plays-feather-toy-676360354?src=055d4fd6-441f-4202-88dd-bb46a21b7535-1-3" class="source"></a>Brushing up Like humans, cats like to maintain themselves. Sharp claws are a must for effective climbing and defence, so make sure to provide scratching posts, especially if you want to protect your furniture. In the wild, cats use trees and other objects, not just to maintain their claws but also to leave marks for other cats to follow. Make sure your cat can comfortably go to the toilet. Use unscented litter that is changed regularly and put the toilet in a discreet place, away from their food and water. For cats, as for us, it’s not a public activity. If your cat is going to the toilet somewhere inappropriate, it may be that they’re unhappy with their toilet arrangements or they may need to be checked by a vet. Cats are as complex and each individual has unique needs. Before you decide whether to have an indoor cat, make sure that it’s a decision the cat would be likely to make too.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/126726/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mark-farnworth-887019">Mark Farnworth</a>, Associate Professor of Animal Behaviour, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/nottingham-trent-university-1338">Nottingham Trent University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-finka-727070">Lauren Finka</a>, Postdoctoral Research Associate, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/nottingham-trent-university-1338">Nottingham Trent University</a> This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/keeping-cats-indoors-how-to-ensure-your-pet-is-happy-according-to-science-126726">original article</a>.

Family & Pets

10 tips on how to help your indoor garden thrive

<div class="slide-title"> <div id="page1" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> Plants bring life and colour into the home and require little in the way of maintenance. Follow these simple tips and your plants should flourish. <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/gardening-tips/how-help-your-indoor-garden-thrive"> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/gardening-tips/how-help-your-indoor-garden-thrive">1. Position plants carefully</div> Look for the best place in the house for each plant, and don’t be afraid to try different locations until you find the best spot. 2. Re-create a forest floor If a room seems too dark to sustain a healthy plant, don’t be fooled. Most indoor plants originate in tropical and subtropical regions, in particular equatorial forests, and they thrive in dim environments and filtered light. The ideal spot is in front of a large window facing east or west, filtered if necessary through a net scrim curtain. 3. Sun-lovers face north If you have a plant that thrives on lots of sun, place it on a windowsill facing north or north-east. Check soil moisture levels regularly and inspect the leaves to check they are not being burned. At the slightest sign of withering, move the plant towards the middle of the room. 4. Plants for the bathroom Ferns and other moisture-loving plants do best in vaporous rooms like bathrooms where they can lap up regular doses of mist. 5. Water from the bottom <div id="page6" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> Water poured directly onto the soil may flood, or not reach the pot plant’s roots. Instead, water plants bottom up by standing them in a dish and filling the dish with water. Delicate plants such as fuchsias thrive on this method. For this method to work, all pots should have holes in the bottom through which the water is absorbed. 6. Keep away from drafts <div id="page7" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> If you don’t want your plant to die of heat or cold, avoid placing it in draughty areas or near ducted heat or air-conditioning outlets. 7. Do not over water <div id="page8" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> Water your plants only when the potting mix feels dry to the touch – over watering is often the cause of indoor plant death. Check by pushing your finger into the soil; if it comes out without any trace of soil on it, start watering. Remember that plants may need more frequent watering in summer. <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/gardening-tips/how-help-your-indoor-garden-thrive">8. Remember, plants like to be misted</div> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/gardening-tips/how-help-your-indoor-garden-thrive"> <div id="page9" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> Most indoor plants benefit from an occasional misting of water. Make sure the water is at room temperature and use an atomizer or spray bottle. Misting is particularly beneficial if you live in a centrally heated or air-conditioned house as the air can become very dry. 9. Apply some fertiliser Feed your plants with small amounts of fertiliser. The fastest and simplest solution is complete liquid fertiliser in the recommended dose, usually every two to four weeks – check the label. 10. Use ice cubes An efficient way to water your plants directly at a steady rate is to use ice cubes. Put a couple on top of the pot soil and leave them to melt. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="page6" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> <div id="page7" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> <div id="page8" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/gardening-tips/how-help-your-indoor-garden-thrive"> <div id="page9" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> <div id="page11" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> Written by Brenda Schmerl. This article first appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/gardening-tips/how-help-your-indoor-garden-thrive" target="_blank">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA93V">here’s our best subscription offer</a>. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Home & Garden

How to help your indoor garden thrive

Plants bring life and colour into the home and require little in the way of maintenance. Follow these simple tips and your plants should flourish. Position plants carefully Look for the best place in the house for each plant, and don’t be afraid to try different locations until you find the best spot Re-create a forest floor If a room seems too dark to sustain a healthy plant, don’t be fooled. Most indoor plants originate in tropical and subtropical regions, in particular equatorial forests, and they thrive in dim environments and filtered light. The ideal spot is in front of a large window facing east or west, filtered if necessary through a net scrim curtain. Sun-lovers face north If you have a plant that thrives on lots of sun, place it on a windowsill facing north or north-east. Check soil moisture levels regularly and inspect the leaves to check they are not being burned. At the slightest sign of withering, move the plant towards the middle of the room. Plants for the bathroom Ferns and other moisture-loving plants do best in vaporous rooms like bathrooms where they can lap up regular doses of mist. Water from the bottom Water poured directly onto the soil may flood, or not reach the pot plant’s roots. Instead, water plants bottom up by standing them in a dish and filling the dish with water. Delicate plants such as fuchsias thrive on this method. For this method to work, all pots should have holes in the bottom through which the water is absorbed Keep away from drafts If you don’t want your plant to die of heat or cold, avoid placing it in draughty areas or near ducted heat or air-conditioning outlets. Written by Brenda Schmerl. This article first appeared in <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/gardening-tips/how-help-your-indoor-garden-thrive">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA93V">here’s our best subscription offer</a>. <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Home & Garden

The best plants for indoors

The best plants to use indoors are hardy, versatile and do not require regular watering. In this infographic, we give you a rundown of the top plants to use in the home. Choose plants based on room size, light exposure and the amount of care you are willing to provide. Note that some plants are poisonous or have poisonous aspects so avoid selecting these options if you have children or pets. The best plants for indoor include: <ul> <li>Peace Lilies</li> <li>Boston Ferns</li> <li>Cast Iron Plants</li> <li>Dracaena</li> <li>Zanzibar Gem</li> <li>Fig</li> <li>Ponytail Palm</li> <li>Devil's Ivy</li> <li>Mother-In-Law's Tongue</li> </ul> <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7825751/untitled-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/aa199dbfeeb349d5bddb068d6c9eea2b" /> Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.handyman.net.au/best-plants-indoors">Handyman.net.au.</a>

Art

Ultimate ALDI sale you don't want to miss

ALDI is catering to all the plant lovers out there by releasing its very own range of indoor plants this Wednesday. Customers can expect to see succulents, ferns and orchids alongside seeds and a number of types of gardening equipment in this week's Special Buys sale. “The Aldi plant sale you don't want to miss. Prices start at a bonkers $3.99, succulents from $4.99 and the ever coveted string of pearls for $9.99,” wrote one excited customer. For just $3.99, plant lovers can have ferns, fruit and citrus spray in their hands – or if you’re willing to spend a few extra dollars for this rare launch, you can splurge on an orchid for $14.99. A windowsill garden kit is also going on sale for $9.99 and the three ‘flavours’ include Classic Herbs, Dwarf Sweet Pea Mix or Strawberry Temptation. For those looking to get creative with their gardening, customers can buy an assorted package of bulbs for $7.99 or a mixed packet of seeds for just 99 cents. Fans of the German supermarket are extremely excited to get their hands on the new gardening items. “First truffle brie, now succulents and miscellaneous plants! I feel so connected with Aldi right now,” one excited customer wrote. “Cannot WAIT!!!” another added. Scroll through the gallery above to see some of the Special Buys items in ALDI's plant sale. Will you be getting your hands on any of these items? Let us know in the comments below.

Retirement Income

What’s it like to go indoor skydiving?

Indoor skydiving is a fun way to experience what it is like to fly through the air with the greatest of ease. Q. What is Indoor skydiving exactly? Indoor skydiving is where you simply lean forward inside a giant glass tunnel into a column of air and float effortlessly into flight guided by qualified instructors. There's no parachute, no jumping, and nothing attaching you to planet earth! It's just you, 'flying' in the air and getting an incredible adrenaline rush. Q. Is indoor skydiving safe? Yes. Every aspect of the wind tunnel design has been carefully considered to create a fully controlled environment that provides total safety. Certified and highly-trained instructors are with you at all times during your flight, to give guidance and reassurance. Q. Is it hard to breathe during the flight? Not at all. It’s a similar sensation to sticking your head out of a car window when it’s moving. You’ll feel the wind rush over your whole body as it lifts you effortlessly upwards. Just breathe normally and enjoy the ride. Q. How long is a flight? Each flight within the wind tunnel lasts for almost 1 minute. That’s actually more freefall time than a skydive from 14,000 feet. Standard flight packages includes 2 flights, with an instructor helping you make the most of your time. You can also choose to add additional flights to your packages. The whole experience normally takes approximately 1.5 hours, however this will be dependent on your group size and how many flights you are doing. Q. Is indoor skydiving scary? It’s really exciting and challenging, but indoor skydiving isn't what we call scary. You don’t have to leap off anything and there’s no sensation of falling or anything that could make you feel motion sickness. Anyone can try it. Q. Do I jump in from the top? No, you just step into the flight chamber at ground level with your flight instructor. First time flyers generally only fly a couple of metres above the net with your instructor beside you all the way. Q. Who can fly? There’s no experience required, so beginners, intermediates and experts can all fly. Of course, you need to be in good health and physical condition. If you’ve had a prior shoulder dislocation or back or neck problems, you need to contact the company before booking to discuss your suitability. Anyone with a hard plaster cast, who is pregnant or under the influence of alcohol or non-prescriptive drugs is also unable to fly. Facilities are wheelchair accessible and can fly people with certain physical disabilities, including amputation and paraplegia. Q. How old do you have to be? Flyers can be as young as 3 years old, with no upper age limit. Children under 18 years of age need to have a parent or guardian’s signature on their waiver. As indoor skydiving has taken off, there's bound to be a venue near you! Have you gone indoor skydiving before? What was it like? Let us know in the comments. Written by Editor. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/lifestyle/wyza-life/whats-it-like-to-go-indoor-skydiving.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a>

Technology

Hay fever alert: Experts advise to stay indoors as pollen hits 'extreme levels'

Brace yourselves, hay fever sufferers! Pollen in the air is set to reach extreme levels over the weekend. The areas which are considered to be hit with the highest amount of pollen are Sydney, Perth, Bendigo and Adelaide, as experts advise people to avoid those locations. Peak period for hay fever is said to begin in November, but those who suffer from the allergy can start to feel irritated as early as September. According to Weatherzone, pollen levels are at its highest during hot days and days where there is dry wind present. Sydney-siders are going to be affected the most as winds are set to reach 17km/h on Friday and Sunday, with pollen levels set at “very high". Weatherzone has advised those who are sensitive to pollen to remain indoors, saying “most sufferers of pollen allergies will experience symptoms on very high pollen level days". Temperatures in Perth are set to soar, as the city will experience 30 degrees on Friday combined with winds of 20km/h. The pollen forecast is predicted to be high. Adelaide will have a warm Sunday as the weather is forecasted to be 33 degrees with four days of high-level pollen. Those in Melbourne are also expected to face high pollen levels by Monday but the weekend is set to be quite clear. But those in Bendigo, Victoria, are advised to stay indoors as pollen levels are set to reach extreme. Dr Connie Katelaris, head of the immunology and allergy unit at Campbelltown Hospital, spoke to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6390783/Pollen-reach-extreme-levels-weekend-experts-warn-horror-season.html" target="_blank">Daily Mail</a> and advised those who suffer from the allergy to remain cautious. “If you know you have regular problems, you should be starting up one of the preventative sprays, the nasal sprays, so that you can block the reaction before it gets going.” Close to 15 per cent of Australian’s suffer from hay fever, and speaking to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6390783/Pollen-reach-extreme-levels-weekend-experts-warn-horror-season.html" target="_blank">Daily Mail</a>, professor Simon Haberle, from the Australian National University who specialises in pollen, said the worst is yet to come. “Most of the pollen comes from trees in August and September, and now we’re moving into the grass pollen season, which starts around late October and November,” he said. “If you’re suffering from hay fever and asthma at the moment and feeling the effects of it, it’s probably relating to tree pollen because it’s quite prominent.” Do you suffer from hay fever or asthma? Tell us in the comments below.

Caring

Stay indoors: Huge dust storm could hit this city tomorrow

A huge dust storm hit Sydney in September 2009. The Double Bay marina is covered in a red haze on September 23, 2009. Sydney could be hit with dust storms from Wednesday as winds pick up and temperatures rise ahead of a cold front. Parts of south-western NSW was “sand blasted” by swirling winds and conditions are so dry that most of the winter crop has failed to grow, reports <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/sand-blasted-large-dust-storm-may-hit-sydney-ahead-of-cold-front-20180813-p4zx8d.html">Sydney Morning Herald.</a> A strengthening cold weather front this week means the dust could be carried to the NSW coast, possibly creating a similar dust storm to 2009 when Sydney’s skyline turned red. David Wilke, duty forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology, said although it was more likely that areas in western NSW hit will be hit by dust storms, it was possible the storm could hit Sydney. “The next strong cold front will likely come at the end of this week but there is a weaker front at the moment and we do have very dry conditions,” Mr Wilke said. Cold front often lead to dust storms as warm columns of air lift and carry particles from dry areas, Mr Wilke explained. Most of the dust in NSW is from south-western Queensland and South Australia, both of which are particularly dry. All of NSW was declared in drought last week. Australia has experienced its driest July since 2002, and the driest autumn since 1902.

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Hay fever alert: Experts advise to stay indoors as pollen hits 'extreme levels'

Stay indoors: Huge dust storm could hit this city tomorrow

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