Montgomery County. Family and Consumer Sciences Extension News. February Inside this Issue: Take Prevention on Ice: Prevent Falls

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1 Montgomery County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension News February 2018 extension.ca.uky.edu Cooperative Extension Service Montgomery County 106 East Locust Street Mt. Sterling, KY (859) Fax: (859) Take Prevention on Ice: Prevent Falls During the snowy and icy months, a person s risk of falling increases. Typical injuries include broken ankle, hip, arms and shoulders as well as head and back injuries. LIM College recommends the following safety steps to help you be careful in the winter: Walk like a penguin flat footed and take short steps Wear footwear that provides traction, such as flat and waffled rubber soles versus heals or leather Step down, not out from curbs so that your foot does not slide Be extra careful transitioning from one type of surface to another Keep your arms free so that they can be used for balance Avoid talking on cell phones so that you can pay attention Use handrails going up and down stairs Be aware of black ice thin layer of ice that is difficult to see Avoid jogging outdoors Wear brightly colored clothes so that cars can see you Wear hats and mittens to keep you warm Reference: LIM College. (2015). Preventing slips and falls on ice. Retrieved from Source: Amy Kostelic, Extension Specialist for Family Life, University of Inside this Issue: Ways to Save on Winter Heating Costs Try This Easter Basket Twist Homemaker Council Keep Your Sewing Machine Healthy and Out of the Shop HBM Workshop Flyer February Health Bulletin February MoneyWi$e Newsletter Hannah Mayrand Montgomery County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences Education

2 Ways to Save on winter heating costs Source: Alex Elswick, extension associate for family resource management With the winter we have had thus far, chances are you ve seen at least one or two high heating bills. While home heating costs can put a strain on your wallet during the winter, you can do certain things to save money on these expenses while still keeping your home warm. Sunlight, even in the winter, is a great way to add natural, free warmth to your home. Open your blinds and curtains during the day, particularly on south-facing walls as they get the most exposure to the sun. As the sun sets, close them to help trap in the warmth. Leaks in your windows and doors can allow warm air to escape and cold air to come inside. Check your home for air leaks, and fill gaps and cracks with caulk or insulation. Air can also escape through your chimney. When you are not using it for warmth, close your fireplace s damper to keep in warmth. Use area rugs on tile, wood or laminate floors to help trap in heat. Turn your thermostat down when you leave the house for work or other extended periods of time. This keeps you from paying for heat you are not using. When you return, set the thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting. For every degree you lower the thermostat, you can save about 3 percent on your heating costs. Wear layers of clothing inside, and add extra blankets to your bed or to help you stay warmer at a lower temperature. For more money-saving tips, contact the Montgomery County office of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.

3 Try This Easter Basket Twist Homemaker Council Meeting This year for Easter why not try non-candy alternatives in your child s Easter basket. I m not saying not to give any candy at all just cut back quite a bit. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kentucky has the fifth highest obesity rate in the nation. An estimated 17 percent of children and adolescents ages 2-19 are obese. It begs the question, Do we really need all those candy filled eggs on Easter? Some children still have candy leftover from Valentine s Day, Christmas and even Halloween. Health officials and dietitians tell us that moderation is the key, and this applies to candy too. Easter baskets can be filled with special treats that are not sugar filled or coated with chocolate. Parents can choose gifts that promote the spirit of the holiday or follow a theme. How about a basket centered on cooking, painting, game night or physical activity? Whatever you choose, here are some alternatives to candy that kids will love. Both boys and girls will enjoy side walk chalk, play dough, stickers, bubbles, keychains, books and bath toys. Girls may prefer lip balm, pretty paper and pencils, jeweled pens, hair accessories and scented lotion. Boys may prefer toy cars, trading cards, Pokémon, Legos and action figures. But in the end, you know your child s interests. Fill their baskets with less candy and little more imagination this year. Wednesday February 7th at 10:00am Source: Annhall Norris, Extension Associate for Food Safety and Preservation; University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the Extension office Light refreshments will be provided Keep Your Sewing Machine Healthy and Out of the Shop (for beginners to advanced level) When: March 22nd 8:30am to 4:30pm Cost: $5 per person (lunch included) Instructor: Aggie Fink Anyone interested in taking this class, must call the Extension office at (859) to register by February 28th. Space is limited! Enrolled participants will be given a supply list to bring to the class.

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