Three easy steps for getting safe drinking water
MARHSFIELD, Mo. – In the aftermath of a disaster, the safety of your water supply might be in doubt. Bob Schultheis, a natural resource engineering specialist with University of Missouri Extension, says drinking water can be disinfected by ONE of the following methods:1. Boil water for three minutes in a clean container. Water must be at a rolling or vigorous boil for the three minutes.
Saving your food when the power goes off
Reviewed June 2019LAMAR, Mo. – When the power goes off, there is a simple rule of thumb for saving refrigerated food: The colder the foods, the longer they will keep, said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition specialist.
Follow state law when disposing of dead animals
MT. VERNON, Mo. –Rural landowners in southwest Missouri have begun cleanup after the severe tornadoes and thunderstorms on May 22. Many agricultural producers are left to also deal with the remains of livestock that were killed during the series of storms that passed through the area.
Vacationing on a budget
The summer is almost here and that usually means families hit the road. But with high gas prices and a sluggish economy, many are having second thoughts about this year's vacation. Yet family fun doesn't have to break the bank. Learn how in this video news story.
Take care using chain saws during storm recovery work
MARSHFIELD, Mo. — Homeowners and disaster-recovery volunteers who use chain saws should use extreme caution to prevent injuries. “In the hands of a careless, inexperienced or tired operator, a chain saw can be very hazardous. Injuries from a chain saw are usually ragged and traumatic,” said Bob Schultheis, natural resource engineering specialist, University of Missouri Extension.
How to replace lost documents after a disaster or loss
CARTHAGE, Mo. –Replacing important family documents after a tornado or flood can be a time consuming and costly exercise in frustration, according to Janet LaFon, family financial education specialist for University of Missouri Extension.“If a disaster recently destroyed your important papers there are ways to get new documents. The process can take a while, and there may be fees involved, but obtaining replacement copies is possible…
Avoiding injury during post-disaster cleanup
SEDALIA, Mo.– Megan Webb, nutrition and health education specialist for University of Missouri Extension, advises homeowners and disaster-recovery volunteers to be safe during the cleanup process in this video news story.
A safe room of one's own
JOPLIN, Mo. – Harold Noirfalise used to curse the big steel box in the garage of his Joplin home. It was there when he and his wife, Brenda, bought the house a couple years ago. The box shared space with a pickup, a car and a workshop where he built radio-controlled model airplanes, making for a crowded garage.
Renters rights following a disaster
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Renters forced to leave homes damaged by floods or other natural disasters do not have to continue paying rent, notes a University of Missouri Extension family financial planning specialist. “Under Missouri law, if the house or apartment you rent becomes uninhabitable through no fault of your own, you are released from the remainder of your lease,” said Brenda Procter.
To Iraq and Back
FAYETTE, Mo. – It’s not exactly beating swords into ploughshares, but a University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist spent 18 months in Iraq helping promote peace through farming.
Make a splash but don't get sick
OSCEOLA, Mo. –The chance of a swimmer in the U.S. being attacked by a shark is close to zero. But dangerous creatures do lurk in our waters, including lakes, ponds and even concrete swimming pools.Microbes such as cryptosporidium, shigella, giardia and E. coli frequently live in public swimming areas. All three cause diarrhea if ingested.
Freezing summer's bounty
LAMAR, Mo. – During the gray, cold days of winter, your garden’s bounty can be as close as your freezer. Freezing fresh fruits and vegetables now lets you enjoy them long after the growing season.
Tips for watering your lawn during a drought
GALENA, Mo. –Hot, dry weather has put lawns to the test this summer. As a result, many homeowners are attempting to keep their lawns active and alive by irrigating.It’s normal for cool-season grasses such as fescue and bluegrass to go dormant in mid-summer, said Tim Schnakenberg, agronomy specialist, University of Missouri Extension.
Time flies, so don't waste it
CARTHAGE, Mo. – Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day. However, the way you use those hours can mean the difference between getting important things done and just doing tasks.Saving time is often a balancing act between efficiency and effectiveness. Important projects should take priority over checking smaller items off your list said Janet LaFon, consumer and family economic specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
Taking the cellphone to school
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–Should parents let kids take their cellphones to school? A University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development specialist looks at the pros and cons.First, parents should check with school officials about policies on cellphone usage, said Alan J. Mundey. “Most school administrations tend to regard cellphones as disruptive and distracting, so they may prohibit their use on school grounds.”The pros
Fall gardening feeds body and spirit
COLUMBIA, Mo. — August and early September offer a reprieve from the scorching heat of summer and an opportunity to put vegetables on the dinner table well into fall.Fall planting, sometime called succession planting, takes advantage of garden plots after summer crops are harvested and removed. Falling temperatures on the horizon means a fall crop often ends up higher in quality than produce grown in the spring and summer.
Dry weather can lead to a lethal lunch
Most people don’t think of grass as poison, but dry weather and drought can turn a pasture dangerous.Nitrates and prussic acid built to lethal levels in the stems and leaves of some plants as the hot days of July and August slowed forage growth to a halt. To protect your herd, University of Missouri Extension experts recommend a simple test to ensure cows aren’t chewing their way to disaster.
Success in school is a family affair
OZARK, Mo. — Teachers have children in the classroom for about seven hours a day, but what happens during the other 17 hours can make or break your child’s success in school.Attitude can make all the difference, says a University of Missouri Extension human development specialist.
Aerospace Camp teaches rocket science
ROLLA, Mo.— “It’s not rocket science.” The phrase is often used to assure people that something is simple and easy to understand. At the same time, it pushes the idea that actual rocket science is really hard—and certainly not for kids.
Fun ideas for after-school snacks
COLUMBIA, Mo. —Learning is hungry work. Schoolchildren typically eat lunch around 11:30 and then have classes all afternoon. Add an after-school activity or two and by the time they get home they’re running on empty. It’s small wonder that many kids head straight to the kitchen to devour whatever they can get their hands on.How can you make sure that they’re choosing snacks that are good for them? Just think “inside the box.”
Preparing for disasters: Take it one step at a time
COLUMBIA, Mo. – This year Missouri has seen flooding, severe winter weather and devastating tornadoes. Meanwhile, two earthquakes struck in the U.S. within hours of each other even as a major hurricane moved toward the East Coast. In September, as the nation marks the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and partners are observing the eighth annual National Preparedness Month.
Eat more fruits and vegetables by adding them to your favorite recipes
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Parents might complain about getting kids to eat their vegetables, but even adults often find getting their recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables a challenge.Lynda Johnson, a registered dietitian and University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist, offers some simple suggestions to get more fruits and veggies into your diet:-Add fresh berries, dried cranberries or raisins to…
Are you a skip-breakfast sinner?
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If hitting the snooze button three times is more appealing than having a bowl of cereal, you might be a skip-breakfast sinner.While 93 percent of Americans know that breakfast is important, only 44 percent regularly eat something before walking out the door in the morning, according to a 2009 survey by the International Food Information Council Foundation.