Useful tips

[missy]

OK, probably there is a thread around regarding this topic but I cannot find it so here is one awesome trick my dh just shared with me that was so great I had to share with you guys!

I was trying to get a new mustard open so I could make my dh's sandwiches for tomorrow (he is going to the beach house for continued clean up etc. ugh) and I could.not.open. it. Grrrrr. Made me so frustrated! My hands are not as strong as they used to be (arthritis) but man, they make these jars so difficult to open anyway. So I called him at work and he told me to take some saran wrap and twist it up and then use it as a gripper on the lid and turn. SUCCESS!!!!!!

I might be more excited than you guys but when you cannot open simple jars anymore it really can be aggravating and just to have this little trick in my repertoire now makes me very very pleased! No more knocking on neighbors doors or asking the doormen to open stuff for me. (jk)

Another trick (not as awesome) is if you need to open the back of a watch and are having difficulty take some masking tape and ball it up and then put it on the back and turn. Voila.

 

[JewelFreak]

Cool, Missy, I'll have to try the Saran Wrap idea. I'm getting arthritis in my hands too; jars have always driven me crazy but more so now. Nice not to have to call DH downstairs to use his brawn. Now to come up with a trick for all those blister-packs, grrrrrr.

Here's mine: For burns -- Vitamin E is better than anything else. Prick a gel-cap, squeeze it on the burn & spread it around. Leave it on; it will absorb eventually. I keep a little bottle of Vitamin E by the stove. It keeps blisters from forming & heals burns (& cuts, actually) faster than any other method.

--- Laurie

 

[JaneSmith]

Here's mine: For burns -- Vitamin E is better than anything else. Prick a gel-cap, squeeze it on the burn & spread it around. Leave it on; it will absorb eventually. I keep a little bottle of Vitamin E by the stove. It keeps blisters from forming & heals burns (& cuts, actually) faster than any other method.

--- Laurie

Please don't do this to a burn. Run it under cold water and cover with a sterile bandage. Putting oils on it does nothing to stop the burn's progression, and can cause infection.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-burns/FA00022

Someone I know with fingers deformed from arthritis uses a blunt tipped knife to open her medication blister packs. She also has a jar opener that is a big handle with a rubber band circle on the end that slips over the jar, tightens with a large knob, then she opens it with the handle. You can also buy some slip on rubber covers for knives, forks, and spoons to make the handles bigger and easier to grip.

That plastic wrap idea is a good one. I also run the lid under hot water for a moment and try again, it often works.

 

[purplesparklies]

Ooohhhh.....cool jar idea. I usually try knocking the lid firmly against my countertop a time or two to break the vacuum. Works frequently.