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MissouriFamilies eNewsletter
http://missourifamilies.org
University of Missouri Extension
January 5, 2009
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK
Action may not always bring happiness; but there is
no happiness without action.
Benjamin Disraeli
(1804-1881, British Statesman, Prime Minister)
January is Radon Action Month – Resolve to Test
Bobbi Hauptmann & Barb Buffaloe, Environmental Design, College of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri
Families spend most of their time
indoors during the winter months. According to Greg
Crable of the US EPA, radon levels will change depending
on weather, not necessarily temperature - but anytime of
the year is a good time to think about testing your
home. Along with your other New Year resolutions, why
not add “Test my home for radon”? Testing your home is
simple and convenient with kits that can be purchased at
most home improvement and retail stores for
approximately $15.
Why would you want to test your home?
You cannot see, smell, or even taste the cancer-causing,
radioactive gas, but it may be a problem within your
home. However, radon is the second leading cause of lung
cancer in the United States. Testing is the only way to
determine if you are at risk. Before calling the
professionals in, certified radon contractor, J. P.
Miller suggests buying two home tests kits, to use
simultaneously to help rule out error. Activated
charcoal tests take two to three days, and then the
packets are sent to the manufacturer for your results.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions
specifically to ensure accurate results.
The EPA recommends that homes with
levels of 4 picocuries or more should be fixed to
prevent the gas from accumulating indoors. If your test
results are at this level, it is recommended that you
hire a qualified tester for further analysis and
recommendations on ways to reduce the radon levels in
your home. Radon levels can be reduced by up to 99% with
proven methods that can be as simple as sealing cracks
in your foundation and other openings. Radon contractors
can help with the correct system, depending upon the
design of your home.
Testing is the only way to know if you and your family and your family are safe. It is easy, inexpensive, and should only take a few minutes of your time.
Protect yourself by testing your home for radon today. For more information about radon, visit the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) website at: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Radon/. Free radon test kits are available through DHSS at: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Radon/FreeTestKit_Registration.html.
For more information, see
http://missourifamilies.org/features/housingarticles/radon.htm
Tips for your New Year’s Resolutions
Tammy
Roberts, MS, RD, LD, Nutrition and Health Education
Specialist, Barton County University of Missouri
Extension
It’s that time of year when we all think about
changes we want to make in our lives. For many people,
those resolutions include a vow to eat more healthfully,
exercise or lose weight.
Before you start thinking about how to make your
change and assure it happens, you have to figure out
what changes you want to make. Be realistic about
changes you will be able to make. People who set a
specific goal (I will walk 30 minutes most days) have a
much better chance at being successful than people who
set a more general goal (I’m going to get in shape.)
People who make one or two changes at a time are also
more likely to be successful than those who try to
change everything all at once.
Some suggestions for habits that can make a
positive impact on your health in 2009 include eating
breakfast, drinking three cups of low-fat or fat-free
milk every day, decreasing sodium to no more than 2400
milligrams per day, decreasing fat to no more than 30%
of your total calories (around 67 milligrams), drinking
6-8 cups of water per day, or eliminating or decreasing
soda.
One reason it is good to have a New Year’s
resolution is because the name itself sets a date for
change for you. It is actually good to have a date in
mind for changing a habit because that commitment
actually helps you follow through with your change.
It takes at least 21 days to change a habit. Some
things that will help you stay on target with making
positive changes in your life include writing down your
goal and listing reasons why you want to meet your goal.
Encouragement from others also helps us to reach our
goals. Tell relatives and close friends about your goals
so they can offer encouragement.
It may take as little as 21 days to establish a
new habit but it can take much longer to assure that you
will sustain that new habit. Prepare yourself now for
that time in late January or mid-February that your
motivation wanes. Things that you can do when that
happens include having a reward in mind for establishing
your goal. Knowing there is a reward in sight can get
you through rough times. Think about how it will be when
you establish your goal. If your goal is walking 30
minutes per day, think about how much more energy you
will have and how much better you will consistently feel
because you have been active.
There are very few people who can say making
these types of changes is easy. One very important thing
to remember is that if the day comes when you have been
unable to sustain your new habit, don’t count it as a
failure. Just know some days are better than others and
vow to re-establish your desired habit.
Have a healthy 2009!
For more information, see
http://missourifamilies.org/features/nutritionarticles/nut246.htm
_______________________________________________________________
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information about health, nutrition, human
development, finances, and housing see:
http://missourifamilies.org or contact your local
University of Missouri Extension center. You can find
the nearest Extension Center at:
http://extension.missouri.edu/regions/.
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Last update: Tuesday, May 05, 2009
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