Now is the time to safely get rid of unwanted and expired medications for humans and pets. Do not flush any medication down the tiolet or sink. Instead, dispose of your unwanted and expired medications properly. For more information, visit:
Dr. Kurtland Ma found the young man lying on the stretcher in the quiet of the predawn night. He was surprised by how healthy the patient looked: he had learned over the first year of his residency training that those who came to the Jacobi Medical Center emergency room in the Bronx at that hour were often the very sickest patients.
The thin chart reported that the patient came to the E.R. because he was having trouble walking. He had a headache; he felt weak and dizzy, and yet his vitals and initial blood work were completely normal. He was a puzzle, the senior resident told him as she handed Dr. Ma the chart. “I have no idea what’s going on with this guy,” she told Dr. Ma. “But he is probably going to need a head CT.”
The patient was 28 and said he was healthy until three days ago, when he and his girlfriend went to the Bahamas to celebrate his birthday. After a long day of swimming and snorkeling, they decided to try a restaurant they had heard good things about. They both ordered seafood — she had the red snapper, he the barracuda — and then went out dancing. Out on the dance floor the patient doubled over, caught off guard by an intense pain that knifed through his gut and took away his breath. He stumbled to the bathroom. The abdominal cramps and diarrhea came in waves. He kept thinking it would pass, but it didn’t. Finally he decided to go back to the hotel.
As they walked through the streets crowded with other vacationers, his girlfriend teased him for letting a little bug ruin his birthday. But by then all he wanted was to lie down and go to sleep. Once in bed, sleep was elusive. His body ached with fever, and the cramping and diarrhea kept sending him to the bathroom. Finally he woke his girlfriend and told her he had to go to the hospital.
They were in the tiny emergency room in the Bahamian hospital when the vomiting started. Relentless heaves racked his body long after all he’d consumed had been eliminated. The rest of the night was a blur of tests and treatments punctuated by slowly diminishing waves of pain and nausea. The Bahamian doctors returned to the patient’s bedside frequently. He was feverish and even the lightest pressure on his abdomen was excruciating. Was this appendicitis? Hepatitis? Or just a bad case of food poisoning? The CT scan showed a normal appendix. The blood tests showed no signs of hepatitis or any other infection. The antinausea medication stopped the vomiting and slowed the diarrhea.
This was probably food poisoning, a doctor told the exhausted patient. Most food poisoning is caused by ingested bacteria — E. coli, salmonella or staphylococcus aureus. Seafood-related food poisoning is often linked to a less well-known bug — Vibrio parahaemolyticus, although that bacteria is usually killed by cooking. Had they eaten sushi? No, their food was well cooked, the girlfriend assured him. The doctor shrugged. Generally it doesn’t make sense to try to identify the bug because the treatment tends to be the same no matter what you’ve got, he told the couple. The most important thing was to avoid becoming dehydrated, and this patient was getting plenty of fluids.
By morning, the patient felt a little better. He was given a prescription for an antibiotic and something for the nausea and sent back to recover in his hotel. He slept for the next two days. Finally the patient felt well enough to venture out. As he dressed he noticed that his hands seemed clumsy. And his feet felt as if they were asleep, as if he were walking on a shifting carpet of tiny nails.
He wasn’t sure he could eat. His girlfriend bought him a smoothie from a juice stand. The fruit drink smelled delicious, and his stomach rumbled eagerly. He took a sip and immediately spit it out. The icy cold drink felt as if it had come straight off the stove — as if it were boiling hot rather than freezing cold. He took another sip. His mouth burned. It felt too hot to swallow. At this point, the patient decided he’d had enough, and the couple soon flew back to New York. The young man dropped off his girlfriend at home and continued on to the Jacobi emergency room.
Dr. Ma was taking notes as the patient told his story, but when he mentioned this strange reversal of hot and cold, the doctor gasped. “I know what this is!” he shouted, interrupting the patient’s story. “I know what this is!” And with that he ran down the crowded hallway to where the attending physician and senior resident were sitting. “He doesn’t need a head CT! He has ciguatera poisoning.”
Ciguatera poisoning comes from eating fish that has been contaminated with a toxin produced by an organism that grows on reef algae in some infested tropical waters. Because the toxin is stored in fat, its concentration increases as it moves up the food chain from the little fish who eat the tainted algae to the larger, predatory fish, like shark, snapper, grouper and barracuda, and from there to the human consumer. Unlike most other causes of food poisoning, this toxin is colorless and odorless and isn’t destroyed by cooking.
The illness was first described in 1774 by a surgeon’s mate on the crew of Captain Cook’s South Pacific exploration aboard the HMS Resolution. The crewman, John Anderson, documented the symptoms described by several shipmates who had eaten a large fish caught in the tropical waters. There was “a flushing heat and violent pains in the face and head, with a giddiness and increase in weakness; also a pain, or as they expressed it, a burning heat in the mouth and throat.” Many since then have described the rapid onset of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea — similar to other types of food poisoning — but followed by the kind of strange neurological symptoms this patient had. Alterations in sensation — like the numbness, tingling and the bizarre hot-cold reversal — are most common and most characteristic. The toxin can sometimes affect the heart — causing it to beat too slowly or irregularly. It is rarely fatal, but there is no effective treatment, and the symptoms can persist for weeks, sometimes months, occasionally years.
It was a great diagnosis, the senior doctor told Dr. Ma. But how did he know? It was easy, Dr. Ma told his doctor-teachers. He took care of a family with ciguatera poisoning several months earlier. A whole family had eaten barracuda for their Christmas dinner. They came to the hospital a few hours later, after the nausea, vomiting and diarrhea had given way to these strange neurological problems. He’d never forget them.
Dr. Ma went back to the patient’s room. He apologized for his unexpected exit and began to explain the illness and where it had come from. Although the pathology of this poison is still not well understood, current thinking is that the toxin damages the protective sheath covering the nerves, causing the sheath to swell and compress the delicate tissue it’s supposed to protect.
“Even before they told me, I knew it had to be the fish — the barracuda,” the patient told me sadly. Barracuda has recently been identified as a common source of the toxin, and the C.D.C. now advises against eating the fish, especially when it’s been caught in the Caribbean. These days ciguatera is not just a tropical threat. In the U.S., it has become one of the most common fish-related illnesses as the waters off the coasts of Florida, Texas, South Carolina and most recently North Carolina become warm enough to host these once tropical organisms.
It has been more than six months since the patient returned from the Caribbean, and he still has not fully recovered. He can eat again — he lost 20 pounds in the first few weeks of the illness. He still has occasional numbness and weakness. The patient sighed: “And it was such good fish too. I ate a lot of it.”
Lisa Sanders is the author of “Every Patient Tells a Story: Medical Mysteries and the Art of Diagnosis.”
If you have a solved case to share with Dr. Sanders, you can e-mail her at lisa.sandersmd@gmail.com. She is unable to respond to all e-mail messages.
Local events offer creative ways to bone up on nutrition
Local community health advocates are adding some spice to National Nutrition Month with three different events in March at the Venice Public Library, 300 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice.
Shopping for what is “healthy” can be a complicated and confusing adventure with hundreds of different products lining the aisles of your local market. Additionally, balancing healthy nutrition needs while staying within a budget can challenge the thriftiest, health-conscious shopper. In response to that challenge, local health advocates have developed some creative ways for residents to get accurate information on nutrition through a series of “hands on” programs.
The National Nutrition Month events are as follows:
Nutrition Bingo - 3 p.m., Wednesday, March 17. There will be prizes.
The featured activities include opportunities to build a cookbook, a healthy cooking demonstration, healthy eating story time and craft activity for kids, and the premier showing of the Healthy Shopping DVD developed by the Laurel/Osprey/Venice/Nokomis Community Health Action Team. Free copies of the DVD will be available at this event.
Nutrition Panel Discussion – “Eating Healthy on a Budget,” 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 30
These events are sponsored by members of the Laurel/Nokomis/Osprey/Venice Community Health Action Team (LOVN CHAT), Sarasota County Extension Office and Friends of the Venice Library.
For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 or visit www.CHIP4health.org.
SRQ Kids 4 Health
Every school day provides an invaluable opportunity for kids to learn about healthy lifestyles and the skills necessary to engage in healthy behaviors.
SRQKids4Health.org connects Sarasota County parents, students, teachers, and administrators to local resources, tools, ideas and best practices for creating a healthier school environment.
The Federal Reserve Board released new rules to protect consumers who use credit cards from a number of costly practices. Credit card issuers must comply with most aspects of the rules beginning on February 22, 2010.
It explains key changes consumers can expect from their credit card companies as a result of the new rules. We hope to have a pdf of this posted soon, but in the meantime you can print the html from your browser.
The IRS Free File service provides free federal income tax return preparation and electronic filing for all taxpayers. All you need is access to a computer and the Internet and you can prepare and e-file your federal tax return for free.
Free File is offered through a partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a group of private-sector tax software companies. Since Free File’s debut in 2003, more than 27 million returns have been prepared and e-filed through this program.
Free File offers two options. The first is Traditional Free File, which includes approximately 20 tax preparation software products from which to choose. Taxpayers with 2009 incomes of $57,000 or less are eligible for this service. The second option is Free File Fillable Forms, which is an electronic version of IRS paper forms. All taxpayers can use Free File Fillable Forms to prepare and file tax forms electronically.
Use the following steps to file your return through IRS Free File: Step 1. Get Started Access IRS.gov and click the Free File logo or go to www.irs.gov/freefile. You must access Free File companies through the official IRS Web site to qualify for the free service. Step 2.Determine Your Eligibility If your 2009 income was $57,000 or less, you’re eligible for Traditional Free File’s easy-to-use, step-by-step software. If your income was higher, you are eligible for Free File Fillable Forms. Step 3.Link to Free File Company Service If you opt for Traditional Free File, you can choose one of the approximate 20 offerings by reviewing which one fits your situation. You can click "I Will Choose A Free File Company" or "Help Me Find A Free File Company." To get started with Free File Fillable Forms, just click the "Choose Free File Fillable Forms" button. Step 4.Prepare and e-file your Federal Income Tax Return Either Traditional Free File or Free File Fillable Forms will allow you to file your return electronically, for free.
Both the fillable-forms option and the "full service" Free File offerings are only available through IRS.gov. Whether you are new to Free File or a returning taxpayer, you must access Free File through IRS.gov; otherwise, the provider may charge a fee.
Consumer Groups Offer Debt-Strapped Consumers Advice on Getting Real Relief.
As the holiday bills come due and jobs remain scarce, many families are struggling with their finances and looking for help, sometimes in the wrong places. New tips from Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, Consumer Action, and the National Consumer Law Center warn that using a debt settlement company could be a trap that will leave consumers deeper in debt instead of eliminating the debt.
In debt settlement, consumers are instructed to make monthly savings payments, usually to a special bank account, until there is enough to make a lump-sum settlement offer to their creditors. But while consumers are putting money into their accounts, the debt settlement companies are taking their fees out of them. Saving to try to settle one debt can take a year or more, and since consumers typically have multiple debts, the process can take three or four years. However, debt settlement companies usually take out all of their fees, ranging from 14 to 20 percent of the total debt, within the first half of the contract. For debts totaling $20,000, a consumer could pay fees of $2,800 to $4,000.
“Debt settlement companies usually collect most or all of their fees from consumers long before they have eliminated any of their debts, and consumers pay these high fees regardless of whether their debts are settled or not,” said Susan Grant, Consumer Federation of America’s Director of Consumer Protection.
“There is no guarantee that your debts will be settled,” said Gail Hillebrand, Financial Services Campaign Manager at Consumers Union. “The industry’s own statistics show that debt settlement doesn’t eliminate all of the debt for most consumers. The full fee can be deducted from your savings even if you are still stuck with your debts.”
The drop-out rate for debt settlement services is very high; a study of one company’s customers revealed that 60 percent had cancelled within 5 to 6 months after starting debt settlement. Claims for success rates can be very misleading because they often don’t take into consideration the cost of the fees consumer pay or the size of those debts that are never settled.
Using a debt settlement program doesn’t stop debt collection and could make a debt situation worse. “Debt settlement companies may not contact the creditors for months and some even tell consumers not to have any contact with their creditors,” said Linda Sherry, Consumer Action’s Director of National Priorities. “Consumers’ debts increase because of interest and penalties, and they may end up being hounded by debt collectors, sued by their creditors, having their wages garnished, and left with ruined credit ratings.”
The Federal Trade Commission has proposed rules that would stop companies that use telemarketing to sell debt settlement and other types of debt relief services from charging fees before they settle the debts. The FTC proposed rule would also require that debt relief services clearly disclose how long it will take to settle debts and reveal any negative impacts including the fact that not all creditors will make agreements.
Nineteen consumer and community organizations asked the FTC to go even farther and stop debt relief services from making claims about results, telling consumers not to pay their creditors, and interfering with communications between creditors and consumers. They also called for a 90-day “money back” cancellation period.
Tips for Consumers on How to Get Real Debt Relief
Try to resolve your debt problems with your creditors directly. You may be able to get your interest rate lowered, late charges forgiven, and your monthly payments reduced.
Contact a nonprofit credit counseling service for advice. It may be possible to work out a plan through the credit counseling service to pay off the debts over time. To find the nearest nonprofit credit counseling services, consumers can contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, www.nfcc.org, 1-800-388-2227 or the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies, www.aiccca.org, 1-866-703-8787
Know your rights. Ask your Attorney General’s Office if state law limits the amount or timing of debt settlement fees in your state. Find your state AG at www.naag.org.
Read the fine print. Walk away if the contract doesn’t contain the promises that were made to you, or if the contract contradicts what you were told.
Look for services that charge a fee only after the service actually settles your debts.
Take immediate action if you can’t make your mortgage or car payments. (Debt settlement services don’t usually address mortgage or car debt.) Contact your lender or mortgage servicer immediately to try to work out new payment arrangements. For help regarding your mortgage, call 1-800-569-4287 or go to http://nhl.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm to find a local housing counselor certified by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Some people who have too much debt need the fresh start that bankruptcy provides. Get legal advice to see if that is the right choice for you.
The complete tips on debt settlement in English and Spanish are available at:
The Consumer Federation of America is a non-profit association of more than 280 groups that, since 1968, has sought to advance the consumer interest through advocacy and education.
Consumers Union of United States, Inc., publisher of Consumer Reports, is a nonprofit membership organization chartered in 1936 to provide consumers with information, education, and counsel about goods, services, health and personal finance. CU's publications and services carry no outside advertising and receive no commercial support.
Consumer Action is a national non-profit education and advocacy organization that has served consumers since 1971. CA serves consumers nationwide by advancing consumer rights in the fields of credit, banking, housing, privacy, insurance and utilities.
The National Consumer Law Center is a nonprofit organization specializing in consumer issues on behalf of low-income people. NCLC works with thousands of legal services, government and private attorneys, as well as community groups and organizations, from all states that represent low-income and elderly individuals on consumer issues.
Energy Tax Credit Presentation Updated for 2009
Updated just in time for your 2009 Tax return preparation, here is the updated and expanded Energy Tax Credits Presentation Series by Betty Alpaugh; Green Yields Green aka Incentives for Home Energy Improvements - Federal, State, Local and Utility Rebates for Homeowners.
Internet Security: How to Protect Yourself from Existing Threats
In the past teenaged whiz kids often proved their computer skills by hacking into a large company’s computer or writing a virus that invaded millions of computers. Today malware (malicious software), hacking, and cyber attacks have become big business and a major threat.
The current perpetrators are organized, sophisticated, and dangerous.
According to security experts the number of unique malware products released has doubled every year since 2006. There are now websites that openly sell malware to the world and offer 24/7 tech support to go with it.
One of the greatest threats occurs when malware allows hundreds and even thousands of computers to be surreptitiously and remotely controlled.
The power of these computers is then harnessed to send waves of infected spam, or even to carry out cyber attacks against other computers, other companies, or even other countries! In the face of this mounting threat, what can an average user do to protect themselves?
Internet Security is a 2 hour presentation that explains the scope of
the problem and how computer users can protect themselves from the existing threats.
The first part of the presentation describes the scope of the threats that currently exist, both malware and beyond. It also explains the major
categories of threats such as Trojans, worms and viruses and how they
work. Security experts agree that no single tool can offer good protection
from the range of threats that exist today. They say a layered approach is much more effective.
The second part of this presentation begins by offering an overview of the
layered approach to Internet security along with the tools and techniques
currently available to implement it. In addition, the presentation offers
information on “best security practices,” performing backups to ensure that
data remains safe, and where to find help should problems occur.
The Federal Reserve wants to help you use your credit cards wisely as you shop for the holidays. A new 45-second video Public Service Announcement includes 5 tips for getting the most from your credit cards by:
- paying on time each month
- staying below your card's credit limit
- avoiding unnecessary fees (such as late payment and over-the-limit fees)
- making more than the minimum payment and
- watching for changes in your card's interest rate and other terms.
45 SCAT busses will now display posters featuring the University of Florida/IFAS Sarasota County Family Nutrition Program. The FNP grant began in May 2001 in Sarasota County and has now exceeded over $2.8 million in total funding. The FNP is a nutrition education program for families and individuals that are on a limited budget. FNP is funded by Florida Department of Children and Families and USDA Food and Nutrition Services, in collaboration with state, local and county agencies.
INTRODUCTION: Over the years we have all heard advice related to food safety. Some of this advice rings true, while other guidance is just plain wrong. To help you protect yourself and your family from foodborne illness, we will occasionally be debunking these food safety "myths". Brush up on safe food handling advice with Fight BAC!® MYTH: Food is safe once it's cooked, no matter how long you leave it out. FACT: Food - raw food and cooked food - may not be safe after sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours. Bacteria grow rapidly in the "danger zone" between 40° F and 140° F.
ADVICE: Follow the "two hour rule": toss perishable foods left out for more than 2 hours. And if left out in a room or outdoors where the temperature is 90° F or hotter, food should be discarded after just 1 hour.
Here are some links about Food and Canning Tips and Safety
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a regulation to help make eggs safer to eat. The regulation will reduce the number of illnesses caused by eggs contaminated with the bacterium Salmonella Enteritidis (SE).
The regulation, released to the public on July 7, 2009, requires the egg industry to take specific preventive measures to keep eggs safe during their production, storage and transport. Egg producers will also be required to register with FDA and to maintain a prevention plan and records to show they are following the regulation.
FDA took this action because SE is a major cause of foodborne illness in the United States. Eating raw or undercooked eggs is an important source of SE infections in people. FDA estimates that 142,000 illnesses each year are caused by consuming eggs contaminated with SE.
FDA first proposed the regulation on September 22, 2004. The agency has held three public meetings and opened two comment periods to ensure public participation in the rule-making process.
About Salmonella Enteritidis (SE)
SE infections can be very serious, even life-threatening, especially to the very young, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. Infected people may experience
diarrhea
fever
abdominal cramps
headache
nausea
vomiting
Some infected people may suffer from severe illness, arthritis, or even death.
Eggs can become contaminated on the farm because a laying hen can become infected with SE and pass the bacteria into the egg before it is laid. If the egg is not refrigerated, the bacteria can grow inside the uncracked, whole egg.
FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture carried out a series of egg safety efforts during the 1990s. These efforts focused on refrigeration to limit the growth of bacteria that may be inside an egg. Although these efforts made it harder for the bacteria to grow, they did not prevent the eggs from becoming contaminated initially on the farm. Through the measures spelled out in the new regulation, which address controlling the bacteria on the farm, SE will be reduced in the poultry house and consequently in the eggs themselves.
How Consumers Are Affected
The regulation means that eggs will be safer for people to eat.
The regulation will reduce the risk that eggs from an estimated 3,300 farms that produce most of the U.S. egg supply will be contaminated with SE. As a result, an estimated 79,000 illnesses and 30 deaths will be avoided each year—that’s a reduction of nearly 60 percent in egg-related illnesses from SE.
In addition to the new safety measures being taken by industry, consumers can reduce their risk of foodborne illness by following a few simple steps:
Only buy eggs if they are sold from a refrigerator or refrigerated case.
Open the carton and make sure that the eggs are clean and the shells are not cracked.
Refrigerate the eggs promptly after purchase.
Cook eggs until yolks are firm, and cook foods containing eggs thoroughly.
The regulation does not apply to producers with fewer than 3,000 laying hens. These producers account for less than 1 percent of U.S. eggs. The regulation also does not apply to producers who sell all of their eggs directly to consumers.
Producers who treat their eggs to destroy SE, such as by in-shell pasteurization, or who process their eggs into egg products, need to comply only with the parts of the regulation addressing refrigeration and registration. FDA requires all producers who must comply with the regulation to do so between 12 and 36 months after issuance of the regulation, depending on the size of the operation.
This article appears on FDA's Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.
Chinese Drywall Alert
Few Answers and Many Questions, Need for Research
LSU AgCenter offices can expect an increasing number of calls regarding Chinese drywall. Media, legal researchers and the general public want to know the facts. The problem is, questions far outnumber answers.
Here's what we know about Chinese drywall: sulfur compounds, including sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and carbon disulfide, can form and be released into the air from some imported wallboard installed across the humid South between 2004 and 2008, causing corrosion of copper, silver and other metals in home components such as air conditioners, exposed wiring, plumbing and electronics, thus raising serious safety, economic and health issues.
Homeowners are also complaining about the smell of rotten eggs. Some are attributing a variety of apparent respiratory and other health reactions to Chinese drywall.
Researchers in Florida, Louisiana and federal agencies are currently studying air quality in affected homes and testing drywall samples, but have yet to issue any specific health warnings. For now, we can offer no specific health recommendations other than to maintain adequate ventilation (for dilution) but, to avoid adding moisture to indoor air, because humidity and heat increase the release of sulfur compounds.
Chinese drywall was heavily imported due to shortages during the most recent housing boom and increased after the 2004 hurricane season. Since then, researchers say that enough drywall to build more than 60,000 homes was brought into the USA and used in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas. It is estimated that the amount of Chinese drywall brought into Louisiana post-Katrina could potentially affect approximately 7,000 homes.
Chinese drywall is identified by looking for the words "Made in China" on the back of the wallboard. Additionally, because these sulfur compounds corrode copper and silver, consumers and professionals can look for tell-tale signs, primarily a solid black patina on copper pipes, wires and air conditioner coils. Air conditioner evaporator coils are typically most affected because a large amount of air is drawn through them and they are wet.
Because of the lack of scientific research and data about exposure levels, it would be unwise for LSU AgCenter agents to comment regarding health hazards of Chinese drywall. We do know that once corrosion manifests itself, the process is expected to continue for a long time. Thus, replacing air conditioner coils or other damaged metals should not happen until the source of the corrosion is removed and replaced.
The bottom line is that we have limited information for homeowners who believe Chinese drywall was installed in their homes. However, until acceptable, independent research is made public, we can and should discourage people from buying it, and encourage people to evaluate their homes.
Consumers who suspect they have Chinese drywall in their homes or businesses are advised to use the following case definition to determine whether or not their home is affected. If their home meets this definition, they may contact the Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals at 888-293-7020 to report it, and should consider remedial action.
Beware Scams
At this time, there is no recommended air test or remedial treatment other than replacement of the Chinese drywall and any severely damaged equipment, exposed wires and metal components. Ozone generators and oxidizing (disinfectant) treatments are not recommended by EPA, since they cause chemical reactions that can have other harmful effects, or are not proven safe and effective. Homeowners should be cautious about the potential for scam artists selling expensive testing services or treatments. However, in the meantime, it may be helpful to take steps to keep conditions dry and cool, such as with air conditioning, dehumidification and exterior moisture control measures (good drainage, proper flashing, etc.)
Case Definition for Premature Copper Corrosion in Residences Possibly Associated with the Presence of Imported Drywall from China.
First, determine the date of construction.
To meet the current case definition (03-30-09) homes constructed after 2003 (2004 to present) must meet two or more conditions; and those built prior to 2004 must meet three or more of the conditions specified below.
There is presence of sulfur-like or other unusual odors
Confirmed presence of Chinese manufactured drywall in the home
Observed copper corrosion, indicated by black, sooty coating of Un-insulated copper pipe leading to the air handling unit present in the garage or mechanical closet of home
Documented failure of air conditioner evaporator coil (located inside the air handling unit)
Confirmation by an outside expert or professional for the presence of premature copper corrosion on Un-insulated copper wires and/or air conditioner evaporator coils (inside the air handling unit)
By
Steve Picou, Area Housing Agent, Crescent Region and
Claudette Reichel, Professor and Housing Specialist Sources:
Florida Department of Health
Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals
Florida Palm Beach Post
WWL TV Miami Herald
MSNBC
What You Should Know About Being Caught Outside Near a Thunderstorm
There is no safe place outside in a thunderstorm. Plan
ahead to avoid this dangerous situation! If you’re outside and
hear thunder, the only way to significantly reduce your risk
of becoming a lightning casualty is to get inside a substantial
building or hard-topped metal vehicle as fast as you can. In
addition, you should avoid the following situations which
could increase your risk of becoming a lightning casualty
Remember – there is no substitute for getting to a safe place.
Avoid open areas. Don’t be the tallest object in the area.
Stay away from isolated tall trees, towers or utility
poles. Lightning tends to strike the taller objects in an
area.
Stay away from metal conductors such as wires or
fences. Metal does not attract lightning, but lightning can
travel long distances through it.
If you are with a group of people, spread out. While this
actually increases the chance that someone might get struck,
it tends to prevent multiple casualties, and increases the chances that someone could help if a person is struck.
Act Fast If Someone Is Struck by Lightning!
Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge, are safe to touch, and need urgent medical attention. Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death for those who die. Some deaths can be prevented if the victim receives the proper first aid immediately.
Call for help. Call 9-1-1 or your local ambulance service. Give first aid. Do not delay CPR if the person is unresponsive or not breathing. Use an Automatic External Defibrillator if one is available. If possible, move the victim to a safer place. Lightning can strike twice. Don’t become a victim.
Avoid the Lightning Threat
Have a lightning safety plan. Know where you’ll go for
safety and how much time it will take to get there. Make
sure your plan allows enough time to reach safety.
Postpone activities. Before going outdoors, check
the forecast for thunderstorms. Consider postponing
activities to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation.
Monitor the weather. Look for signs of a developing
thunderstorm such as darkening skies, flashes of lightning
or increasing wind.
Get to a safe place. If you hear thunder, even a distant
rumble, immediately move to a safe place. Fully enclosed
buildings with wiring and plumbing provide the best
protection. Sheds, picnic shelters, tents or covered
porches do NOT protect you from lightning. If a sturdy
building is not nearby, get into a hard-topped metal
vehicle and close all the windows. Stay inside until
30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.
If you hear thunder, don’t use a corded phone except
in an emergency. Cordless phones and cell phones are
safe to use. Keep away from electrical equipment and wiring. Water pipes conduct electricity. Don’t take a bath or
shower or use other plumbing during a storm.
Save $28 On Your Driver's License Renewal
As of September 1, 2009, Florida driver license renewal is going up to $48. The present cost is $20. You may want to check your driver license and see if you can renew early before the increase date. You can renew up to 18 months in advance.
Also, there is a new law already in effect, "The Real ID" act that has been passed by 48 states already. When you go into to renew even now, you must bring documents as if a first time licensed driver. A website is provided for questions. If you don't have these documents, you may want to get your hands on them because you will eventually need them.
Keeping Students in School When the Mortgage Crisis Hits Home
A new brochure (PDF) from the National Center for Homeless Education gives much-needed information to families for whom the national mortgage crisis has hit home. Support for Students Whose Families Have Lost Their Homes to Foreclosure tells parents and caregivers about the basics of the Mckinny-Vento Act, which protects homeless young people’s right to go to school, and where to get assistance. The brochure can be distributed by service providers and is also available in Spanish (PDF). The local liason for our school district is Ellen McLaughlin at 941-951-1588.
Grocery Cart Makeover
Does your grocery cart need a makeover? Nutrition Director for
Prevention Magazine surprised real supermarket shoppers and taught
them how to buy the best items for their health in these videos.
More..
Free Antibiotics
There has recently been an announcement by Publix that they will
start providing the following antibiotics for free:
Customers must bring in a prescription to get up to a 14-day supply
for free.
This is great news, especially for low income families!
Heidi
Heidi Liss Radunovich, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Family, Youth and Community Sciences
University of Florida
Box 110310
Gainesville, FL 32611-0310
(352) 392-1778 x233
Para la traduccíon al español, escoja la bandera española arriba.
El servicio tradutor utilizado aqui puede hacerle publicidad a una variedad de bienes o servicios. La Universidad de
Florida y el Servicio de Extension de IFAS no tiene ningún control sobre aquel publicidad, ni aproba los bienes o
servicios así ofrecidos.
