Flies, germs and Tippy Taps !!

One of the things we learned about in the previously mentioned post about LWI Health and Hygiene class (you know, the one about flies and all the nasty germs they carry)

is the importance of keeping the water safe from contaminants. Germs, germs, germs-those nasty invisible things that wreak havoc with digestive systems, and very often in the elderly and small children can lead to death.

Simple measures such as washing hands before cooking or eating can prevent deaths.

LWI taught us how to make a simple contraption called a "Tippy Tap" out of twine and a empty plastic milk jug. You fill the milk jug with clean water, make a strategically placed pencil hole, and tie the Tap between two trees and then tie a footpiece or loop to the jug.

When you push down on the footpiece, the jug tips and a stream of clean water flows out.

Ta-da !! Now those nasty 'ol flies can't get in your water and make you sick! And for the deluxe version, they have a method of attaching a bar of soap in a plastic cup using an old nylon and then tie it to the Tippy Tap. Ingenious !! My husband Tom, being an engineer who used high-tech solutions for most of his career, is really enjoying finding low-tech solutions to comman problems! Wait until you see how he makes us a high-speed internet center using solar energy, a couple of sticks.......and maybe a little duct tape too!! (move over, McGyver!)