Callaway County

Living Safe

Paying attention to your safety is an important part of taking care of your health.  Be aware of your surroundings and take steps to prevent falls, car accidents, fires and crime.  When it comes to your personal safety, the first step toward prevention is recognizing that you are a potential crime victim.  Protecting yourself from crime not only means protecting yourself but protecting your home as well.  Here are a few ideas:

·        Carry a cellular phone in your vehicle.  When you can, call ahead and let someone know when you expect to arrive.

·        Carry money, credit cards and valuables in an inside pocket. Don’t carry a purse if you don’t have to.  If you must carry a purse, carry it close to your body, not dangling by the straps.

·        Put lights and a radio on timers to create the impression that someone is at home while you’re away.  Leave shades, blinds, and curtains in normal positions.  Stop mail and deliveries, or ask a neighbor to pick up mail and newspapers.

·        Stick to well-lighted, well-traveled streets.  Avoid shortcuts through vacant lots, wooded areas, parking lots, or alleys.

·        Don’t give your name or phone number to callers who have the wrong number.  Tell them to look up the number again.

In spite of our fears, few of us will ever become crime victims.  We are at much greater risk of being harmed in an accident.  Nevertheless, assaults and personal attacks can happen to anyone.  Taking precautions and staying alert can further reduce your risk.

Safe Driving Tips For Senior Citizens

When a person passes age 55, physical changes -- including slower reaction times, reduced muscle strength and decreased range of motion -- make driving more challenging.  Aging also affects our vision. That means it becomes harder to change focus for near and distant objects and we have less ability to see to the side when looking ahead.  Older adults also need more light to see clearly and we are more easily bothered by glare from the sun and headlights.

Try these tips to ensure you continue to be a safe driver:

• ·      Check to see if local groups such as AARP, the Automobile Association of America (AAA) or the National Safety Council offer “refresher” driving courses for older drivers.

• ·     Give driving your full attention.  If you find your mind being pulled away to other thoughts, quickly and firmly bring your focus back to the task at hand.  Eliminate anything that distracts you, such as a cellular phone or tape player.

• ·     If glare and night vision is a problem, limit your driving to daylight hours.  Avoid driving during twilight hours of evening and morning.

• ·     To give yourself more time and space to react, leave a greater distance than usual between you and the car in front of you.

• ·     As a general rule, drive at roughly the same speed as the drivers around you.

• ·     Plan ahead so that you know your route and do not feel rushed; stick to familiar roads.

• ·     Drive in situations that are less demanding, such as lighter traffic times and uncomplicated intersections.

Source: University of Missouri Extension Southwest Regional News Service

Coffee Facts and the Caffeine BUZZZZZ

Americans are consuming more caffeine than ever before.  Health professionals, especially mental health experts, are become increasingly concerned about problems that may be brewing as a result of these caffeinated beverages.

•       Nearly all American adults – 80 percent – drink coffee.  In the US, occasional coffee consumption rose 6 percent during 1999.  By one estimate, 450 million cups of coffee are consumed in the US every day.  Source: http://www.webMD.com/

•       Caffeine is the most widely used drug in the world.  Average US intake is about 250 milligrams per day (equal to 2-3 cups of coffee).   Source: http://www.thecaffeinepage.com/

•       Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance found in the leaves, seeds and fruits of more than 60 plants.  Coffee and cocoa beans, kola nuts, and tea leaves are used to make beverages (coffee, tea, cola drinks, and chocolate) and over 1000 over-the-counter and prescription medications.  Source: http://ificinfo.health.org

•       Individuals differ greatly in their sensitivity to caffeine.  Intakes of 1000 milligrams may result in physical and mental symptoms, including: nervousness, excitement, insomnia, flushed face, and rapid heartbeat.  Source: http://www.thecaffeinepage.com/

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	Callaway County Extension callawayco@missouri.edu Last update: 03/16/12