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| This Week's Titles: |
| Helping
A Sick Landscape Get Well |
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Protect Your Body From
Summer Heat |
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| Know
The Warning Signs Of Heat Related Illnesses |
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| Be
Safe When Drinking Bottled Water |
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| Collecting
Rainwater As It Drains Off The Roof |
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| Helping
A Sick Landscape Get Well |
1:40 |
There are some things homeowners
can do to make a sick landscape well. |
Many people move into new
homes that look great on the outside and inside. But the landscape
is in terrible shape. Matthew Chappell, a horticulturist with
the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences says recent drought conditions and neglect are two
of the main reasons that lawns and landscapes look sick. He
adds the number one factor is poor soil quality. "Lets say someone
just recently purchased a home, then their number one issue
is going to be they have very poor soil. So they need to get
that soil test done and then they need to start at the proper
way with their planning, of what they're going to plant, and
planning on how to improve that soil." Matthew Chappell with
the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who
adds a soil test will let you know if the soil will require
adjustments to soil PH, or nutrient levels. To help that soil
deal with drought conditions, consider applying an organic soil
amendment. These will improve the water-holding capacity of
native soil, provide plants with a better rooting environment,
and allow water to seep into the soil surface faster, reducing
runoff. Some examples include household compost, composted yard
waste, and composted livestock manure. John Harrell, University
of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Protect
Your Body From Summer Heat |
1:35 |
The good ole summertime can
be dangerous if you overlook the dangers of summer heat. |
The summer of 2008 has already
turned into a scorcher. Temperatures have soared well into the
nineties, getting close to the century mark in parts of the
state. Connie Crawley, a nutrition and health specialist with
the University of Georgia's College of Family and Consumer Sciences
says since the searing heat arrived early, our bodies may not
be ready for the added stress. "What happened this year is we
really went from a fairly cool spring to a really hot summer.
And even though it's not summer yet it feels like summer. So
it really is hard on people to go from that relatively cool
time to a hot time." Connie Crawley with the College of Family
and Consumer Sciences, who adds heat exhaustion and heat stroke
are the most common heat related illnesses that people suffer
during the summer. Those that must work outside in the heat
should drink plenty of water and take periodic breaks in shaded
areas, and allow your body to cool down. If you sweat out yard
work around your home, plan to do it early in the morning or
late in the evening, when conditions are not quite as hot. When
working in hot weather, wear loose fitting clothes that will
help your body keep it's cool while the heat is on. John Harrell,
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Know
The Warning Signs Of Heat Related Illnesses |
1:44 |
During the summer months it's
important to listen to your body, when it warns you it's about
to overheat. |
Every summer heat related
illnesses send a lot of people to hospitals for treatment. In
some cases people die because they refused to slow down. Connie
Crawley, a nutrition and health specialist with the University
of Georgia's College of Family and Consumer Sciences says there
are warning signs of heat related illnesses. "Well of course
there is always the risk of heat stroke but there's all degrees
of heat problems, sometimes just even mild dehydration or being
out in the sun too much can really make a person feel pretty
bad even without going into heat stroke. So again you have to
be aware of yourself, are you starting to feel dizzy, lightheaded,
are you suddenly not sweating, that's a really bad sign, are
you getting really overheated where your face is red and you're
really looking like you're really suffering." Connie Crawley
with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, who adds summer
heat takes a higher toll on the elderly. Many senior citizens
live in homes that rely on fans for cooling. So keep a close
check on your elderly neighbors and relatives, and if necessary
move them to a home that's air-conditioned, so they won't lose
their cool during hot, humid conditions. John Harrell, University
of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Be Safe
When Drinking Bottled Water |
1:44 |
People that drink bottled water
to cool off should do it the safe way. |
During the summer, many
people chill out by drinking cool, clear bottled water they
purchased at the grocery store. But a food safety specialist
with the University of Georgia's College of Family and Consumer
Sciences says it's important to drink water from plastic water
bottles the right way. She adds the main concern is for those
that fill empty bottles with more water, and drink from them
several times. "There has been some concern about whether some
chemicals can leach out or come out of plastics that hold water
also. The plastics that are used for pre-filled water bottles
like we buy are not a concern. We're more concerned about the
hard plastics that are being used over and over as you fill
them yourself." That was Elizabeth Andress with the College
of Family and Consumer Sciences, who adds another concern is
bacteria and germs that are left behind after drinking the water.
If you plan to re-use a bottle for water, wash the bottle with
warm, soapy water before re-use. Use a clean bottle brush to
clean in and around the bottle neck. Use a bottle brush to scrub
the lids. After washing, rinse well and allow the bottle and
lid to air dry before filling it up with water for drinking.
John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Collecting
Rainwater As It Drains Off The Roof |
1:44 |
Rainwater that normally washes
down the drain can be put to good use. |
Most Georgian's are still
having to deal with water restrictions or bans, as drought conditions
continue. But a scientist with the University of Georgia's College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences say water that runs
off a roof can be stored, and used to water garden plants and
lawns. He adds storing rainwater off the roof has other advantages.
"Helping out your plants, so you've got this source of irrigation
water that's no longer regulated, you don't have to worry about
water bans, but then you're also helping to reduce runoff. So
you're reducing pollution that would enter the streams and you're
also helping to increase infiltration, so you're actually helping
to put a little bit more water back into the streams." That
was Frank Henning with the College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences, who adds enough rain water can be collected off a
roof to irrigate ornamental plants in most landscapes, even
in a drought year. If you want to collect your own rainwater,
you will need a down spout off the roof, and a tank or a barrel
to collect it in. In some cases you may have to cut the down
spout to a shorter length, so the water can easily drain off
the roof into the tank or rain barrel. John Harrell, University
of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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