Kansas Senior Press Service News ArticlesKansas Senior Press Service News ArticlesBy Kansas Senior Press Service
A recent report from the National Fire Protection Association says that almost two-thirds of home fire deaths occurred in homes without working smoke alarms — even though 96 percent of all homes have a least one smoke alarm. Fire safety professionals recommend checking the working status of your home’s smoke alarm by pushing the test button every Tuesday.
The best type of smoke alarm is one that works! Working smoke alarms provide an early warning and critical extra seconds to escape during a fire. This is particularly important for those most at risk of dying in a home fire, such as children and older adults.
To save lives and prevent needless injuries, the Olathe, Kan., Fire Department urges everyone to adopt this simple lifesaving habit: Change smoke alarm batteries regularly, perhaps on a personal date such as a birthday or when you change your clocks to enter or exit daylight saving time. (This year, daylight time began March 8 and ends Nov. 1).
Source: The Olathe, Kan., Fire Department
By Kansas Senior Press Service
Mobility is a vital ingredient of the independence that is cherished by people as they age. So our feet are especially vital — and problems with feet can lead to knee, hip and lower back pain that undermine mobility.
Many older people believe that it is normal for their feet to hurt, and simply resign themselves to enduring foot problems that could be treated.
Preventive foot care has many benefits. It can increase comfort, limit the possibility of additional medical problems, reduce the chances of hospitalization because of infection and lessen requirements for other institutional care.
Foot health tips
Source: American Podiatric Medical Association
By Kansas Senior Press Service
March is poison prevention month.
If you think someone has been poisoned from a medicine or household chemical, call 800-222-1222 for your nearest poison control center. This new national toll-free number works from anyplace in the United States, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Keep the number near your phone.
There currently are 64 regional poison control centers in the United States that maintain information for physicians and the public on recommended treatments for the ingestion of household products and medicines. The centers are familiar with the toxicity of most substances found in the home (how poisonous they are) or know how to find this information.
Source: www.poisonprevention.org
By Kansas Senior Press Service
By choosing nutrient-rich foods that provide the most nutrients per calorie, we can build healthier diets and start down a path of health and wellness. The nutrient-rich-foods way of eating emphasizes choosing foods based on their total nutrient package, including vitamins and minerals, instead of choosing sugar and salt. It offers a positive foundation to help you build overall healthier eating habits and meet personal nutrition needs over a lifetime.
Choosing nutrient-rich foods first is a positive and realistic way to think about eating, and focuses on enjoying food instead of avoiding it. Because nutrient-rich foods are familiar, easy to find, and represent the five basic food groups, achieving balance and building a healthier diet is simple and stress-free. Selecting nutrient-rich foods and beverages first is a way to make better choices within your daily eating plan. Choose first among the basic food groups:
For more information about healthful eating habits, contact your local health department or nutrition professional.
Source: The American Dietetic Association, www.eatright.org
These articles are also available electronically at the Center on Aging Website: http://www2.kumc.edu/coa/Senior_Press_Article/Topic_Index.htm