Family and home education : article
PERRYVILLE, Mo.—Homeowners who made repairs after last year’s floods and windstorms may now be finding ghostly shadows—dirty patches of mold and mildew—in parts of the home that got wet. This is a health hazard for people living in the home.
MEXICO, Mo. – Don’t let an identity thief steal the sparkle out of your holiday season.
During Mental Health Awareness Month, two MU Extension specialists offer tips to help lighten the load for others.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – National Pet Poison Prevention Month in March is a good time to review how household items can endanger pets, says University of Missouri Extension veterinary toxicologist Tim Evans.
Evans lists a few things to check in your home:
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…
PLATTSBURG, Mo. – In February, MU Extension in Clinton County offered local teens a hands-on preview of basic skills they’ll need to navigate adulthood.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Identity thieves thrive during tax filing season.
Take steps to prevent those electronic criminals from lining their pockets with your refund and personal information, says University of Missouri Extension personal finance specialist Andrew Zumwalt.
Prepare your child for school with routines, checklists, and stress-reducing strategies. Build excitement and confidence for the new school year.
Safeguard household items before flooding: clean, wrap, inventory valuables; use plastic or climate-controlled storage to prevent damage.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Increasing use of social media creates opportunities for thieves to rob you during the post-holiday season, says University of Missouri Extension Law Enforcement Training Institute director John Worden.
“Birth order and it’s effects on the person has been fascinating scientists and the general public for at least one hundred years,” says Janice Weddle, County Engagement Specialist in Youth Development for the University of Missouri Extension. There have been several studies to try to…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Many Americans believe that bottled water is safer than household tap water, but that isn’t necessarily the case.
MOBERLY, Mo. – Spending few hours now on spring home maintenance can save you many hours and dollars later, says a University of Missouri Extension housing specialist.
Tom Fuhrman says it’s time to take care of any problems caused by winter weather and spring storms to protect your investment.
Packets from MU Extension in Perry County keep homebound kids busy and learning.
PERRYVILLE, Mo. – When Bethany Bachmann saw Perry County parents fretting online about how to keep their homebound kids busy and learning, she knew just what to do.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Exercise caution if you pay someone to do your taxes, says University of Missouri Extension personal finance specialist Andrew Zumwalt.
Most tax return preparers are professional and honest, but not all, he says.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - The damage from recent flooding reinforces the importance of having an up-to-date household inventory. Imagine trying to compile a detailed list of property for an insurance claim just after a natural disaster.
This fall, Osher@Mizzou will offer more than two dozen noncredit courses for adults age 50 and up. Topics include Victorian thrillers, Missouri ghost stories and Broadway composers as well as explorations of current issues such as censorship, authoritarianism and the intersection of science and…
Learn how MyPlate can help older adults maintain a balanced diet, improve health, and reduce chronic disease risks with tailored nutrition recommendations.
Falls can have serious health consequences, but they are not an inevitable part of aging. Taking simple steps now—such as removing trip hazards at home, practicing balance and strength exercises or joining a community program—can reduce risk.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension personal finance specialist Andrew Zumwalt offers three reasons why you should file a tax return even if it is not required.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If your basement sprung a leak during recent intense rainfalls, you’re not alone.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missourians in crisis can take advantage of a free 24-hour hotline for stress counseling as well as information and referrals on legal, financial, crisis/disaster and personal health topics. Individuals can seek help by phone or live online chat.
MARSHFIELD, Mo. – Water has a unique property: It expands as it freezes. This puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the strength of the container, expanding water can cause pipes to break.
SHELBYVILLE, Mo. – ’Tis the season to be jolly. And in debt.
Plan your seasonal shopping purchases to avoid overspending, says University of Missouri Extension family financial education specialist Wendy Brumbaugh.
We know that eating to meet our nutritional needs promotes physical wellness. But consuming a meal should focus not just on the nutritional value but also the social and emotional value, writes MU Extension human development specialist Maria Calvert.
Research in northeastern Missouri explores high firearm suicide rates and offers resources to support rural families and mental health awareness.
KIRKWOOD, Mo. – When holidays approach, many will face the daunting task of keeping up family traditions without breaking their budget.
Ensure holiday food gifts arrive safe and fresh with tips on packing, shipping, and storing homemade or mail-order treats.
Learn how to replace lost or destroyed documents like IDs, deeds, and certificates after a disaster or personal loss.
MARSHFIELD, Mo. – Unwanted icicles hanging from the roof overhang are a warning sign of ice dams, which can inflict considerable interior and exterior damage to your home.
According to Bob Schultheis, retired University of Missouri Extension natural resource engineering specialist, nonuniform roof…
Health and Human Sciences is the new name for the unit that oversees MU Extension programs in
Seal your home to save energy but test for radon to protect against harmful exposure and lung cancer risk.
Learn how to pick a fresh Christmas tree, care for it with water, and keep it safe and vibrant through the holiday season.
Educational kits deliver hands-on STEM, nutrition, gardening, and arts & crafts activities to youths without internet access in rural communities.
Colorful laundry pods can poison children. Store them safely and childproof laundry areas to prevent accidents.
Ensure flood-damaged homes dry fully before replacing coverings to prevent mold, mildew, and long-term damage.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri saw abundant rainfall in 2015. That’s often good news for crops but can be bad news for homes.
Even if your home escaped serious flood damage, moisture seeping into your basement or condensing from humid air can create ideal sites for mold growth.
Missouri faces the largest shortage of behavioral health care providers in the U.S. Each of Missouri’s 99 rural counties is a designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area, with just 3.7% of the recommended supply filled, says University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For five generations, the James O’Donnell Funeral Home has held the hands and hearts of grieving northeastern Missouri families as they said their goodbyes.Fifth-generation owner Jimmy O’Donnell says no time in history challenged him and other rural funeral directors more than the…
It is important to take care of our mental health through daily and weekly self-care. There are times in life when we are going to feel overwhelmed whether it’s impending deadlines, a long to-do list, tension with a family member or friend, everyone experiences stress. The response to that stress…
Whether it’s through interactive exhibitions, educational programming or support for young leaders, Mizzou plays a proud role in helping the fair fulfill its mission to champion Missouri agriculture and inspire future generations.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Temperatures hovering near zero could mean problems with frozen water lines. Homeowners should take precautions to prevent pipes from freezing and know to how to thaw frozen pipes safely, according to University of Missouri Extension experts.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Even if you regularly check the batteries and test your home smoke detectors, you may not be alerted if a fire breaks out.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new classroom on wheels is designed to help Missourians better understand home energy efficiency.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A recently completed assessment of University of Missouri Extension found that with an annual investment of $86 million (2016), MU Extension generated dividends totaling nearly $950 million.
MONTGOMERY CITY, Mo. – In a crowded kitchen in a church basement, nine elementary school kids are cooking lunch.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Amid mounting pressures — floods, bankruptcies, consolidation and a credit squeeze — rural Missourians struggle to access mental health services.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – There’s nothing better on a spring day than opening the windows and letting out the stale winter air.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Many students have the desire to go to college, but not the funds to pay for it. Fortunately, there are options available to help students afford higher education.
Related video: Coping with disaster, youtube.com/watch?v=q6_ugKGvd_MCOLUMBIA, Mo.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – When storms, floods and other disasters leave damaged homes in their path, local contractors often get more business than they can handle. In many cases, out-of-town contractors will arrive in force to pick up the slack.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Recent news may have some consumers confused about the status of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Smishing, a combination of “SMS” and “phishing,” is a type of cyberattack that targets individuals through SMS or other forms of text messages.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It’s the most wonderful time of the year, or so they say. Picture-perfect families with perfectly coiffed hair and pearly white smiles appear in matching holiday attire in countless holiday television commercials. Perfectly wrapped gifts wait under perfectly decorated trees. How…
TRENTON, Mo.– University of Missouri Extension has prepared a checklist of measures people can take to reduce the impact of floodwater on their homes.
FARMINGTON, Mo.– Renters as well as homeowners can save money by using less energy at home.
A lot of simple practices can cut renters’ energy costs every month, says Rebecca Blocker, University of Missouri Extension housing and environmental design specialist.
One practice is to minimize “vampire…
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.
CARTHAGE, Mo. – People can become victims twice in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Dishonest businesses, questionable charities and others looking to make a quick buck try to take advantage of both disaster survivors and those wishing to help.
“To be an effective caregiver, you have to be able to take care of yourself,” says Naomi Meinertz, University of Missouri Extension state specialist in aging. MU Extension offers a six-week program that helps caregivers do just that. MU Extension specialists began offering the course, "Powerful…
On Nov. 17 cars lined up around the block near the North East Community Action Corp. (NECAC) office in Paris, Mo., filled with families thankful for the assistance they were about to receive.
Use your slow cooker to prepare hearty, budget-friendly winter meals with these helpful tips for easy cooking and cleanup.
CARTHAGE, Mo. – Smart consumers know money isn’t earned accidentally, so they don’t spend it carelessly. One useful tool for shrewd shoppers is the Rule of Three.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The busy time of the year is upon us – prom, graduation, spring sports and end-of-school banquets. This flurry of activities can bring stress, especially in rural communities, where these activities may coincide with spring planting, says Jeremiah Terrell, a University of Missouri…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Financial insecurity, housing conditions and other social factors can have a significant impact on health. Community health workers (CHWs)—front-line public health workers who are trusted members of the communities they serve—are positioned to address social determinants of health…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Brown marmorated stink bugs are hunting homes for the winter.
Strengthening Families helps preteens and parents build communication skills, reduce stress, and foster resilience for healthier youth and communities.
MARSHFIELD, Mo. –Buyers trying to reduce winter heating costs should closely examine claims by manufacturers of infrared space heaters, said a University of Missouri Extension natural resource engineering specialist.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For many, the peace and quiet of country living is the American dream. But that dream can turn to a nightmare for those who become isolated and disconnected from their communities, says University of Missouri Extension safety and health specialist Karen Funkenbusch.
University of Missouri Extension Wright County Engagement Specialist Janice Weddle and University of Missouri Extension Douglas County Engagement Specialist Dr.
In the Lake of the Ozarks region, there is a shortage of accessible, affordable and high-quality child care. To address this concern, local leaders, educators, employers and residents are invited to Crisis to Collaboration: Tackling the Childcare Challenge, a public panel and workshop on Nov. 12.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Income tax refunds are ready to roll out. You might want to hold on to some of that cash.
Refunds are wages you earn throughout the year and should be thought of as hard-earned money rather than found money, says Andrew Zumwalt, personal finance specialist with University of…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Lawn mowing is often one of the first jobs young people have.It is also one of the most dangerous spring activities, says University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch.
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.
MARSHFIELD, Mo. – Before you grab that snow shovel to clear your sidewalk or driveway, stop to go over some safety tips, said a University of Missouri Extension natural resource engineering specialist.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Before investing in a solar-power system, look at the energy efficiency of your home, says a University of Missouri Extension energy specialist.
MARSHFIELD, Mo. – Holiday decorating season is here, and that means hauling out ladders to place holiday cheer throughout the home and yard.
A ladder seems like such a simple tool, but ladder accidents are far too common and can happen in the blink of an eye.
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.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Moisture and rising temperatures can turn parts of your home into ideal sites for mold growth, said a University of Missouri Extension housing and environmental design specialist.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Winter can wear on cars and trucks, but a little preparation will keep vehicles running well throughout its coldest days.
MARSHFIELD, Mo. – Winter weather is hard on cars and trucks, but a little preparation will keep vehicles running well throughout winter’s coldest days.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Severe winter weather can bring widespread power outages, which means many Missouri families might be firing up their generators. University of Missouri Extension emergency management specialist Eric Evans urges people to use common sense when using a generator.
MARSHALL, Mo. – Medical insurance identity theft is a twist on financial identity theft. Thieves steal your personal and health information and use it to get medical treatment, prescriptions and even surgical procedures.