Article: Before working with the area that suffered a scratch, be sure that your hands are clean and disinfected. Wash your hands using soap and warm (or hot) water for at least 20 seconds. Be sure to clean between your fingers and under your fingernails. Then rinse your hands well with clean water. Use clean running water from your faucet to rinse the cat scratch and the area around it. Avoid overly hot water, which may worsen any bleeding that is present. Carefully wash the area of the scratch with a gentle soap. Try to wash areas near the wound as well as the scratch itself (for example, if the scratch is on your forearm, it may be helpful to wash your entire forearm, not the scratch alone.) After washing, rinse completely with clean water from the faucet. Do not scrub the wounded area during washing, as this could add further injury (bruising) to the injured tissues. You should treat the scratch with an antiseptic ointment. A triple antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin can be used; these ointments contain neomycin, an antibiotic that is very effective in allowing cut injuries to heal. Triple antibiotic ointment can be applied to the wound three times daily. Bacitracin is a good alternative for anyone who has an allergy to common triple antibiotic ointments. Oral antibiotics should not be necessary for a superficial scratch from a housecat. The scratch wound should be fairly superficial if you are treating it at home, so there should be no need to bandage the area. Keep the scratch clean while it heals, but allow it to be exposed to fresh air.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Wash your hands. Rinse the wound. Wash the scratched area. Apply ointment to the scratch. Leave the scratch uncovered.
Article: Use your trowel to spread a few slabs of mortar around the corner's base of the footing. Spread the mortar 1" deep and 8" wide in the marked area. Continue to spread the mortar to account for the distance of about three to four blocks. It is important to lay the corner block down first. Again, use a corner block if they're available. Setting the corner first will ensure an even dispersal of the rest of the blocks. Apply mortar to each side of the concrete block using your trowel. You'll need to apply at least an inch to each side. Once applied, position the stone in the desired location. Try to align the corner to the string set up earlier. Don't apply mortar to outer edge of the corner. Try not to leave any gaps when applying mortar, or it'll weaken the bond between the blocks. Start laying blocks from the corner or edge of the wall so you can work in one direction. Apply mortar at the end of the block before you place the block adjacent to it. Before stacking more concrete blocks on top of your initial foundation, check if everything is aligned. Use your mason's level by laying it on the first set of blocks. Check both the outside and center section of the bricks. Tap the blocks for any alignment adjustments while the mortar is still wet. Do not try to move a block after the concrete has set. Measure the length and height every two or three layers. Place the mortar 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep and use the same width as the width of the block. You can then spread the mortar so it covers the length of about 3 blocks in the direction that you are laying the bricks. Lay the block down on top so the edge of the top block aligns with the halfway mark of the bottom block. You'll recognize the pattern as a standard among the construction sites. The top block will fit in between two bottom blocks. If you built fairly high walls, consider adding reinforcements. You can also use reinforcements if the ground pressure on the site is not stable. Place the 1/4" reinforcement rods into the openings with the ends overlapping about 2" or 3".
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Spread the mortar along the corner. Set the corner block. Apply mortar to the side. Continue to lay the concrete blocks. Check the alignment. Apply mortar to the top. Stack the blocks. Add reinforcement.
Article: Talking for a long time can seem like a lecture to your teen, so try not to make lengthy comments or offer extensive advice to your teen. Instead, try to keep your comments short and to the point. For example, if your teen wants to know why they can't have a later curfew, you might say something like, "I know that you enjoy spending time with your friends, but 10pm is the curfew that we agreed on because you have obligations in the morning, and because I worry about you driving late at night. We can discuss a later curfew in a few months, but right now I think we should stick with the curfew that we agreed on." Finding ways to help your teen see themselves as part of a team may also help to improve communication. You can create a team narrative by telling stories about an injustice or major obstacle that someone in your family overcame, such as coming back from a job loss or standing up to someone. You can also use projects to get your teen to engage with the family. For example, you can involve your teen in redecorating the family room, putting together a scrapbook, or planning a family vacation. While it is not a good idea to follow your teen's every move on social media, you may be able to use social media to connect with your teen now and then. For example, you might share a news story that you know would be interesting to your teen on your teen's Facebook wall, or respond to an Instagram photo that your teen posted. Find out what social media outlets your teen uses most often and look for occasional opportunities to engage with your teen through these outlets. Don't involve yourself in online conversations that your teen is having with her friends. Don't use social media as a way to spy on your teen. Teens are in transition from childhood to adulthood and they require more privacy than they once did. When you talk with your teen, avoid prying into your teen's personal life, especially if your teen seems reluctant to share something. For example, if your teen goes on a date, don't request a play-by-play description of the evening. You might simply say something like, "They seemed like a nice person. I hope you had a fun evening."
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Keep comments brief. Create a team narrative. Use technology to engage your teen. Respect your teen's privacy.