Although you may think of your home as a safe haven from the outside world, even the most commonplace, seemingly harmless household items may pose safety risks to your family. I'm not calling your house a death trap-but danger can lurk in unexpected places. So if you want to make your home a safer place, you can start by checking these potential everyday hazards:

1. Your houseplants might be toxic

Granted, toxic plants will pose little danger to anyone who knows not to eat or touch them, but children and pets may do just that. If you think your crawling baby might want to taste your houseplant, try to avoid any that could be poisonous, or at least keep them out of reach.

2. Garbage lids can crush little fingers

Look for trash cans with locking lids, both to prevent kids and pets from making gross messes, and to protect against crushed fingers or cuts from anything in the trash with sharp edges.

3. Old mattresses are more flammable

Any mattress made before 2007 met lower flame resistance standards than more recently manufactured ones. In fact, newer mattresses can offer up to 30 extra minutes to escape a bedroom in case of a fire.

4. Windows without blinds allow unobstructed views for burglars

Would-be thieves sometimes like to scope out floor plans, valuables and other pertinent information before choosing a target. If you block their view with window shades or curtains, you'll hamper their ability to make a plan, and thus discourage them from targeting your home.

5. Kitchen ranges can tip over

Getting burned might be the first danger that comes to mind when you think of stovetop hazards, but don't neglect to secure your oven in case children lean on it and cause it to topple. Check other furniture as well, such as dressers or bookcases that your child might try to climb on.

At the end of the day, you can't protect against every danger that your loved ones face in the world. But you can do your best to make your home a safer place by removing these surprising hazards.

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While you can't control outside forces on your health, one thing you can influence is how you situate yourself for bed. Choose your preferred sleeping position below, and we'll tell you a few things about your overall health.

Back

You're the picture of health. Okay, so maybe that's an exaggeration, but sleeping face up prevents acid reflux as well as head, neck and spine pain. This position might also help you stay wrinkle-free.

Although lying on your back is ideal, no sleep position is without possible complications. When you do sleep in this position, be sure to use a supportive pillow under your head to keep your stomach lower than your esophagus. Don't sleep on your back, though, if you suffer from sleep apnea or are in your second or third trimester of pregnancy.

Side

You're doing just fine. This sleep position offers many of the same health benefits as sleeping on your back, such as reducing both acid reflux and back pain, just to a lesser degree. You also tend to snore less while on your side. However, sleeping on your side is more likely to cause wrinkles.

Fetal Position

You should think about trying a new sleep position. If you're pregnant or you're a chronic snorer, the fetal position is your best bet. But for anyone else, sleeping hunched like this might exacerbate any chronic pain or soreness- and it will also restrict your breathing. Try to adjust your curled-up fetal position into a straighter side-lying position. Situating yourself this way may save you from those unnecessary aches and pains.

Stomach

Let me guess: you often wake up feeling sore or unrested. If you sleep on your stomach, you stretch your spine in an unnatural way for long periods of time. You also have to keep your head to one side at all times, which can aggravate your neck and complicate your breathing. As hard as it may seem to change your sleep position, try to break this bad habit by switching either to your side or your back. Consciously practicing your new position during your waking hours, as well as finding the right head and neck support, will ease the transition.

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Food makes the world go round. And these hilarious memes help too.

It's like finding 20 bucks in your pant pocket!

Make awkward eye contact and then look away.

In pizza trees maybe?

Can't. Say. No.

Life is so hard for five-year-olds.

WHO am I to judge?

Potato chips, fries, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, tater tots ...

A matter of semantics.

They're much cuter when they're not screaming.

Et tu, Brute?

Deductive reasoning for the win!

You secretly watch everyone's every move, hoping to get a slice.

Here, Honey. Have a Snickers.

We all have slip-ups, Cat.

Punny and true.

The post 15 pictures that perfectly summarize your relationship to food appeared first on FamilyToday.

Never underestimate the little things-namely, the awful little things that make you die a tiny bit inside.

1. When you're belting along to a song on the radio but someone changes the station while you're mid-note

2. When you go for a high five and your friend goes for a fist bump

3. When you spend all afternoon planning to eat last night's leftovers for dinner only to find that someone else has eaten them already

4. When you forget to save a link someone shared on Facebook ... and then the news feed refreshes before you can click on it

5. When you wake up 4 minutes before your alarm goes off

6. When you've just picked up your shirt from the dry cleaners and you spill something on it

7. When you're pulling dinner out of the oven and you drop the pan

8. When you turn a page in a book only to rip it straight down the middle

9. When you sit down with popcorn to watch a movie on Netflix but too many people are using the account at one time

10. When you make it all the way to the checkout line in the grocery store before realizing you've left your wallet at home

11. When you finally get something in the mail but it turns out to be an appointment reminder from your dentist

12. When you step into a puddle of water while you're wearing socks

13. When you stand up and get your pants' pocket stuck on the arm of a chair

14. When it starts to rain right after you get back from the car wash

15. When you spot a typo in your email the second after pressing send

16. When the water goes from hot to glacially cold in your shower

17. When you forget to silence your phone before an important meeting and someone decides to give you a call

18. When you take a big swig of soda only to discover it's gone flat

19. When it's payday ... but then you pay your outstanding bills and have $13.67 left over

20. When you pull the ice tray out of the freezer and find that whoever used it last never refilled it

21. When you drop your phone and can't do anything but watch as the screen shatters

22. When you call your friend's name from across a room, multiple times, and everyone hears you but that friend

23. When you are walking down a staircase and think that you've reached the bottom but you actually have one more step

Yeah, it's the little things that kill you bit by bit.

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Some Super Bowl advertisements try for sentimental, and some try for awe-inspiring. But we think the most effective ads go straight for the funny bone. In no particular order, here's a list of the 10 most hilarious Super Bowl commercials from 2000 to the present year:

1. Snickers-Super Bowl 2015

If you don't like The Brady Bunch, you're wrong. And if you don't like this commercial, you're also wrong.

2. Ameriquest-Super Bowl 2005

Just like they say at the end of this ad, don't judge too quickly. You might think this commercial is going to be sweet and sappy, but right at the end it takes a hilariously unexpected turn.

3. FedEx-Super Bowl 2004

The alien suit, the photo taped to the face-nothing about it makes sense, and that's why we love it.

4. Nationwide-Super Bowl 2015

One of Mindy Kaling's most charming qualities is her willingness to poke fun at herself. How many of us would shoot a commercial that features us gorging on ice cream or running through a car wash? Then again, if we were invisible, maybe we would.

5. Dannon Oikos-Super Bowl 2012

This ad has it all: John Stamos, picture-perfect yogurt, lovey-dovey eyes and a violent head-butt.

6. Planters Peanuts-Super Bowl 2008

Maybe she was born with it-or maybe it's Planters Peanuts?

7. Doritos-Super Bowl 2015

Been there, done that. (Well, to be clear, I have attempted to deter fellow passengers from sitting beside me on an airplane. I have never attempted to lure anyone with Doritos.)

8. Bridgestone Tires-Super Bowl 2008

What's funnier than talking animals? Animals screaming bloody murder. Don't worry; no squirrels were harmed in the making of this advertisement.

9. Tide-to-Go-Super Bowl 2008

The great thing about this commercial is how incredibly obnoxious it is. Because you know what? It works.

10. Old Spice-Super Bowl 2010

Okay, so admittedly this ad never ran during the 2010 Super Bowl broadcast. But Old Spice released the commercial around the same time as the Super Bowl that year, and many of us (including me) assumed that it was one of the Super Bowl ads. And let's face it-this one is gold.

What was this year's showstopper commercial?

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Thanks to inventions like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime, now we have thousands of great TV shows at our fingertips. But that also means we have the potential to get addicted to all these shows.

If you can relate to the items on this list, you may be watching a little too much TV.

1. You regularly have to click the Continue Playing button on Netflix to confirm that yes, you are indeed

still watching that show.

2. You measure time by how many episodes you can fit in before going to work and other commitments.

3. You have begun setting the coffee table for dinner instead of the dining table.

4. You have taught yourself to harmonize with your favorite show's theme song.

5. When you do bother to stand up, you can see a clear indentation on the couch cushion.

6. At night you have dreams about the characters or actors on a show.

7. You've regulated your bowel movements to coincide with the end of an episode.

8. You consider yourself an expert on all subjects related to the show-criminal justice, the practice of medicine, etc.

9. About 10 episodes before a show's finale, you start worrying about which show to watch next.

10. When new guest stars appear, you recognize them from 5 TV shows ago.

11. You've learned to gather everything you will possibly need for the next 5 hours and place it strategically around your seat on the couch before starting a binge.

Please, put down the remote, step away from the screen and go read a book.

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These are all the thoughts you know you've had on Valentine's Day, both sweet and sour:

1. When your friend's boyfriend went a little bit overboard on the gifts this year

2. When you're single but you keep seeing lovey-dovey couples wherever you go

3. When it's your first time ever NOT being single on Valentine's Day

4. When you've got a date on Valentine's Day but the goodbye kiss disappoints

5. When you're too in love to care how obnoxious you're being

6. When you feel like you will be forever alone

7. When you see a couple and wonder how THEY found each other while YOU'RE still single

8. When you're single but you don't even care

9. When you forgot to get your husband anything for Valentine's Day

10. Or when you actually remembered and you can't wait to surprise your wife

11. When you witness a Valentine's Day proposal that doesn't go so well

12. When you're single and ready to mingle

13. When you get a valentine from a coworker whose name you don't know

14. When you and your valentine are actually going to Netflix and chill

But let's not forget what Valentine's Day is really all about

The post 14 thoughts you’ve had on Valentine’s Day appeared first on FamilyToday.

When the doctor says, "It looks like this pregnancy has failed," your first thought probably isn't about what happens next.

If anything you will be looking backward-wondering if you could have prevented this miscarriage, wondering if you should have known that something was wrong. But miscarriage occurs in 1 out of every 5 pregnancies, most often due to a chromosomal abnormality. There was nothing you could do and no way you could have known.

Not every miscarriage involves bleeding or an immediate loss of tissue. When my first pregnancy failed, I had no inkling of a problem until the initial ultrasound. Turns out, even after learning that you've lost the baby, there's still the matter of actually losing the baby.

Depending on your circumstances, you usually have a few options for removing the fetal tissue after a miscarriage:

1. Let nature take its course

You can wait for your body to expel the fetus on its own, potentially avoiding any surgical or medicinal options. But sometimes the waiting process takes too long, and many women end up choosing another route.

2. Induce with medication

Take a medication that essentially puts your body into early labor. You can do this at home, but the process might last hours. This option is often painful and messy.

3. Undergo a medical procedure

Dilation and curettage (D&C) happens in a hospital setting, with general anesthesia to put you to sleep. Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) is essentially the same process, but in a clinic setting, without general anesthesia. Instead of putting you to sleep, the clinic might give you local anesthesia to numb the cervix area, as well as some other medications to make you drowsy.

I opted for an MVA.

Plenty of resources online explain the MVA from a scientific perspective. But here's a description of what you can expect from the procedure on a more personal level:

Environment

MVAs tend to take place in a clinic rather than in a hospital. My own procedure occurred in a room like any other normal exam room, except a bit larger and with more surgical instruments. They dimmed the lights, closed the blinds, and turned on soothing music to help me relax.

Awareness levels

Your level of awareness will depend largely on what kind of medications the clinic uses. In my case, I took a few pills that put me into a haze but kept me semi-functional and semi-aware-I felt more lucid than I actually was, though I do remember bits and pieces of the procedure.

Pain and discomfort

Despite the local anesthetic, you might experience some sharp cramping throughout the MVA. And on top of the pain, you will likely feel disoriented.

While I certainly felt strong discomfort and intense cramping, it was comforting to have my husband present, holding my hand. A sweet nurse also stood by to rub my stomach and offer support. Consider bringing a loved one-or asking a nurse-to sit with you during the experience.

Recovery

Your physician will probably prescribe antibiotics, and maybe a strong painkiller. But in the days following my procedure, I was able to manage the pain just fine with over-the-counter medications.

You will want to relax for a few days, and you should expect some bleeding. Again, consider asking someone you trust to stay with you for a short time after the procedure, for moral support and for help around the house.

Of course, each individual will experience varying amounts of pain and varying side effects during medical procedures. If you ever have to make this difficult choice, consider your personal needs before settling on a specific route.

The post What no one tells you about miscarriage appeared first on FamilyToday.

Whatever your age, your relationship with your siblings will always stay the same-and you're bound to have some weird moments together through the years.

1. When your parents still go through every sibling's name, and the pets' names, before getting to yours.

2. When a stranger mistakes you and your brother for husband and wife.

3. When you start comparing notes and realize that your curfew was later than your sister's curfew.

4. When you realize that the book you thought you lost years ago has actually been sitting on your brother's shelf all this time.

5. When your husband tries to surprise you with a hug and a kiss-only to discover that it's actually your sister.

6. When you all start confessing teenage transgressions, and you learn things that you never knew about your brother.

7. When you and your siblings start reminiscing about family memories, while the in-laws have to sit by and listen.

8. When you can't watch Netflix because you all share one account and are using it at the same time.

9. When you walk in on someone changing during a family vacation.

10. When your siblings nominate you to ask your parents for something.

The great thing about siblings, though, is that even after all these weird moments you can still hug it out and move on.

The post 10 super awkward moments only siblings will understand appeared first on FamilyToday.

Yoga enriches the body and the soul — or so they say. One thing's for sure, though: Looking at these poses gone wrong will enrich your soul - through laughter.

1. Yoga: relationship bonding in a very literal way

2. Did anyone see that?

3. Wet bum, no fun

4. I admire the persistence

5. At least she avoided the baby!

6. No, dog. You cannot yoga

7. Long legs and long johns

8. He came down with a splash

9. Ain't gonna happen

10. Friends that stretch together fall together

11. Jelly legs

12. Who needs Twister when you have yoga?

13. A bonding experience for dogs and their humans

14. It's not for everyone

15. "Hey, babe, that wasn't so - ouch."

16. Nope nope nope

17. Showing off never pays

18. Falling with style

19. Never take yourself too seriously

We're glad these yogis continue to smile, even when the world is crashing down around them - or maybe vice versa.

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