Agriculture and Natural Resources s13

September 19, 2003 Exclusives

NOTE: We are sending individual exclusives to program area mailing lists on a permanent basis, because county agents favor receiving their exclusives in this matter. We also are sending the complete packet to the exclusives mailing list as an agent back up and archive.

Please do not delete this message. It is the only complete copy your office will receive of exclusives for Agricultural and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H/Youth Development.

AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Chemical Storage: Use Safety over Convenience

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES

Getting Ready for Cold Weather: Have Fuel-Burning Appliances Inspected

4-H/YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Kentucky Youth, Volunteers Celebrate National 4-H Week October 5 Through 11

*** Chemical Storage: Use Safety over Convenience

Sources: Lee Townsend, Extension entomologist, UK Center for Agricultural Health, and Injury Prevention Center

As you prepare to store leftover chemicals over the winter, it’s important to follow good storage procedures. Developing proper chemical-storage habits can prevent tragedies and keep pesticides from falling into the wrong hands. Container labels have instructions to help you properly store chemicals. This information includes temperature restrictions or warnings against temperature fluctuations, among other storage instructions. All chemicals should be stored tightly sealed in the original containers with original labels. Store chemicals by class. For example, keep combustible products away from flammable products. Also, separate chemicals with different purposes. For instance, store herbicides away from insecticides and do the same with fungicides. Remember to keep chemicals out of direct sunlight. It’s also important to avoid temperature extremes, especially with liquid chemicals because freezing temperatures can reduce their effectiveness. Most dry formulations are less sensitive to low temperatures than the liquids. Store chemicals in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location, preferably with an inward- slanting concrete floor. Putting chemicals on pallets or shelves reduces moisture accumulation that might lead to a spill from disintegrated bags or rusted cans. There are several reasons to store chemicals in one location. You can put product-use booklets and Material Safety Data Sheets in a notebook stored nearby so you will know what precautions to take with chemicals. Another advantage is that you can store protective gear, bagged or in a closable plastic bag, in the same location to avoid having to search for it later on. Having all chemicals in one location also makes it easier for you to take a regular inventory. An inventory is especially important to identify banned chemicals. Follow the manufacturer’s label instructions to immediately remove these products. In case of a fire, the inventory will have which chemicals and how much of each is in the storage facility. Keeping an inventory also helps you avoid buying duplicate products. Ideally, the chemical storage building should be separate from other farm uses to prevent cross contamination of fertilizers, seed, fuel and oil. Be sure the building is not close to ponds and streams or in an area prone to flooding. Check the concrete floor for cracks or breaks that could increase the risk of groundwater contamination from a spill or fire. Have cleanup equipment on hand for spills. The building also should be secure and easy to lock when you leave. This will keep it inaccessible to children, pets and livestock. Strictly enforce a no-smoking policy for people working around or entering the pesticide storage area. In case of accidents, put fire extinguishers in the storage location and nearby buildings. Also, keep a first-aid box, with lots of eye wash, in the storage building. Also, post the Poison Control Center telephone number (1-800-222-1222) in the storage area, along with all farm telephone numbers. You have several options to chemical storage. You can ask the dealer to accept an unopened container; read the label to see if the product is labeled for a different problem; or give the chemical to someone who can use it. For more information, contact the (County Name) Cooperative Extension Service. Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. -30- Getting Ready for Cold Weather: Have Fuel-Burning Appliances Inspected

Sources: Larry Piercy and Consumer Product Safety Commission

As cold weather approaches, it’s important to have a professional inspect all fuel- burning appliances to detect carbon monoxide (CO) leaks. Plus, an inspection may discover ways to improve fuel efficiency, thus lowering your heating bills. Any fuel-burning appliance – furnace, stove, fireplace, wood-burning stove, space heater, water heater and clothes dryer – is a potential source of CO. CO, a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning any fuel, reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Low blood oxygen levels can cause unconsciousness and death. CO poisoning produces flu-like symptoms such as headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness and confusion. Certain groups are more susceptible to CO poisoning, including people with heart disease, blood or circulatory system problems, fetuses, infants and the elderly. Each year, about 160 people are killed and more than 10,000 are treated at emergency rooms for CO poisoning associated with fuel-burning appliances. This is why everyone’s home should have at least one CO alarm that meets the most recent Underwriters Laboratories, Canadian Standards Association or International Approved Services standards. In addition to fuel-burning appliances, the annual professional inspection should include checking chimneys, flues and vents for leaks or blockages by creosote and debris. Also, check for loose or disconnected vents to furnaces, water heaters, boilers and other fuel-burning appliances. It’s also important to have appliances checked for gas leaks and to be sure they have adequate ventilation. A supply of fresh air is necessary for complete fuel combustion. Adequate ventilation also helps remove pollutants through chimneys, stovepipes and flues. Also, be sure you’re using the fuel each appliance is designed to burn. A professional must modify an appliance to switch between burning propane and natural gas fuels. Supplemental Heat To lower heating bills, many Kentuckians use supplementary heating appliances such as kerosene heaters, portable electric heaters, wood stoves and gas heaters. Most kerosene heater fires are “flare-up fires (uncontrolled flaming resulting from several factors including use of improper or contaminated fuels. To reduce the risk of a flare-up, use only 1-K kerosene; never use gasoline or non-kerosene fuels. Kerosene heaters can emit air pollutants during operation that can accumulate and become harmful in an enclosed room. A heater wick lower than the manufacturer’s recommended setting aggravates this situation. Therefore, set the wick at the recommended height and be sure your home has adequate ventilation. When installing a wood stove, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement on the type surface and distance from the wall and other combustible materials. To reduce the risk of fire, have an existing chimney inspected and repaired if necessary. Have a qualified chimney sweep inspect chimneys before and during the heating season to prevent creosote buildup that could cause a chimney fire. Also, be sure any factory-built chimney is the required distance from combustible materials. Portable electric heaters aren’t designed as a substitute for central heating or for extended use. Never use an extension cord with these heaters and don’t put them in high-traffic areas where children might tough them. When not installed or used properly, gas heating equipment could cause a fire and/or CO poisoning. All new unvented gas-fired space heaters have an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) that detects reduced oxygen level where the heater is operating and shuts off the heater to prevent production of dangerous CO levels. This new generation of heaters is specifically designed for indoor use. When indicated by the manufacturer, these heaters also can be safely used by campers in tents, cabins and camping vehicles. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for ventilation and use. Here are some general safety tips: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install, operate and maintain your heating appliance. Keep children and pets away from supplementary heating appliances. Never leave a space heater unattended, such as when you’re asleep overnight. Put heaters at least three feet away from combustible items such as bedding, furniture, draperies and the like. Keep properly maintained smoke alarms and a CO alarm on all levels of your home and close to sleeping areas. For more information, contact your (County Name) Cooperative Extension Service. Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. -30- Kentucky Youth, Volunteers Celebrate National 4-H Week October 5 Through 11

Sources: State 4-H Office and National 4-H Council

More than 270,000 Kentucky 4-H Youth Development members and volunteers will celebrate the “Power of YOUth” during National 4-H Week, October 5 through11. In (County Name) we will celebrate National 4-H Week with several activities. These will include (list activity, date, time and location). NOTE AGENTS: You also might want to include information about how your community has benefited from 4-H Youth Development’s “Power of YOUth” in the diversity of projects and activities, especially community service events, ways 4-H members have helped other individuals or groups, and other information to give people a better understanding of the value of the 4-H Youth Development program. This organization is organized around the notion of building community spirit and creating opportunities for youth to develop skills and confidence. Members gain knowledge and life skills and benefit from opportunities that promote positive youth development. A two-year study in New York revealed that young people who participate in 4-H clubs are motivated to help others, perform better in school, develop skills in leadership, public speaking, self-esteem and communication planning and make lasting friendships. We can see the “Power of YOUth” through the ideals represented in the H’s on the widely recognized 4-H Clover. Head, clearer thinking and decision making and knowledge useful throughout life; Heart, greater loyalty, strong personal values, positive self-concept and concern for others; Hands, larger service, workforce preparedness, useful skills, science and technology literacy; and Health, better living and healthy lifestyles. Through the citizenship, communication and leadership skills developed in 4-H, youth have the power to make significant contributions to their communities, create positive changes and imagine new possibilities and directions. The power for good increases as young people build on their skills and knowledge. NOTE AGENTS: You might want to put some quotes from 4-H members about how their 4-H experiences have empowered them. Caring adult and teenage volunteers are a guiding force behind the “Power of YOUth” in our 4-H program. Volunteers share knowledge and talents with youth, learn from young people, watch youth grow, gain more than they give to their communities, make new friends and have fun. NOTE AGENTS: Also, consider putting quotes from volunteers about how their experiences in 4-H. County, state and federal monies provide principal funding. However, private sector partners like Friends of Kentucky 4-H and (list others) make significant donations of money and time in our 4-H Youth Development Program. This program began in (year) when (how did it begin) with (number of members). Now, we have (number of members) and (number of volunteers.) Kentucky 4-H began in 1909 when some adults helped a group of boys form an agricultural club to increase corn yields. Each member grew an acre of corn and reported yields and costs. Soon the objective expanded to raising better pigs, poultry and beef and more clubs were formed. Girls soon formed tomato-canning clubs and joined the livestock clubs. These clubs were infant 4-H organizations. Nationally, 4-H Youth Development movement started through collective efforts in the early 1900s when youth learned by doing in community clubs organized outside schools. Parents and educators volunteered to assist these early clubs. A.B. Graham organized a boys’ and girls’ agriculture club in Springfield, Ohio in 1902. The first boys’ and girls’ demonstration clubs were started in 1907 in Holmes County, Mississippi under United States Department of Agriculture sponsorship. To become more involved in the “Power of YOUth” as a 4-H member or volunteer, contact the (County Name) Cooperative Extension Service. Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. -30-