Portable appliance testing commonly known as PAT is used to describe the examination of electrical appliance checking that they are still safe to use. These tests include visual examination and then on to testing which may discover possible faults that cannot be identified by just simply looking at the appliance. The methods of testing are dependent on the type of appliance being used and the environment in which it is used.
Portable appliances are appliances that can be moved. They can be connected or disconnected from a power supply. They will generally have a lead and plug. A plug is a constant source of problems for electrical appliances and needs to be visually checked and tested along with the appliance itself. Examples of portable appliances are kettles, vacuum cleaners, fans, heaters, irons and toasters. It can also include larger items such as fridges, photocopiers, fax machines and desktop computers. Mains leads and extension leads are sometimes overlooked but these also fall into the portable appliance category.
It’s interesting to see how styles have changed over the years from the meat and two vegetables of 30 years ago to today’s recommendations that we eat less protein (especially as red meat), a greater intake of fruit and vegetables, much less fat and refined sugars. This reflects not only our change in lifestyle but also changes in the levels of 
The humble cardboard box; they have been around since the early 1800s. They have changed the world we live in completely. Almost all of us will use one in the next year or two. But for most people they are something easily overlooked and underutilised.
Although this needs to begin as a good practice from childhood, it becomes even more essential as we get older. So many of the illnesses that can otherwise ravage our lives, can be prevented or halted if detected early enough. If you have risk factors such as a family member who has had heart disease or breast cancer, if you’re post-menopausal or live a particularly stressful life, please add a regular appointment with your GP to your diary. There are well-persons’ clinics where you can have your blood pressure checked along with other non-invasive investigations. 
No matter what your age, from 8 to 80, exercise will improve your life. But if you’re not used to exercise, then do add it to your regime gently, taking precautions to protect your muscles by keeping them warm, and your heart by building up slowly and having a cool-down period when you’re ending.