EXTENSION REPORT

I cringe every time I hear the eerie, spine-chilling siren coming from a fire truck.  It usually indicates a nearby house has gone up in flames.  And with good reason…with temperatures continuing to drop and sometime dip into the teens, during these colder months, firemen are concerned that attempts to keep warm will lead to an increase in house fires.

            Flomaton Fire Chief, Steve Stanton, along with Flomaton Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Ronald Coburn, said “most fires caused during the winter are due to faulty heating mechanism”.   “At the top of the list are space heaters, whether electric or gas”.  Help has arrived!

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) is offering a free heater safety brochure available at www.heatersafety.org and a toll free hotline, 888-785-7233, where you, the consumer, can call and order copies of the brochure in English and Spanish -FREE.  You can also get these in bulk to share with different groups.  Help us spread the word about heater safety. Some important tips from the “Stay Safe: Top tips for Using Your Electric Heater Safely” brochure include:

1.      Always read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels before 

         using your portable electric heater.

2.       DO NOT use your heater with a power strip or extension cord.   

          Overheating of a power strip or extension cord could result in a fire.

3.       String  or run cords on top of area rugs or carpeting (never

          underneath).  

          Placing anything, including furniture, on top of the cord may damage it.

4.      Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, pillows, bedding,  

         papers, clothes and curtains at least three feet from the front of the

         heater and away from the sides and rear. DO NOT block heater’s air

         intake or exhaust source.

5.       Unless the heater is designed for outdoor use or in bathrooms, DO NOT 

         use in damp or wet areas. Parts in the heater may be damaged by   

         moisture.

6.       Unplug the heater when not in use by pulling the plug straight out from 

         the outlet. Inspect the heater’s cord periodically. DO NOT use a heater   

         with a damaged cord.

          These were just a few of the important tips listed.  Be sure to order the brochure to get other great tips.  Stay Warm, Be Smart & Stay Safe.  This campaign has been endorsed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) and the New York Fire Department (FDNY).  - Source: Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) 

Upcoming Programs:

You are invited to attend the 14th Annual FitFest Program, Wednesday, February 20 from 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at D. W. McMillan Hospital’s Education Center in Brewton, Alabama.  Free Health Screenings (cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, lung capacity and oximetry – fasting is recommended for accurate screening) will begin at 7:30 a.m.  The Educational Program will begin at 9:00 a.m. Amelia McGrew, Regional Extension Agent, will present Food Safety for Seniors; Debbie Hardee, Bank Trust Representative, will present a program on Senior Finances; and Brewton Area YMCA, Personal Trainer, will present a program on “Strength Building for Seniors”.  Refreshments and door prizes will be offered.

            For more information, call Carolyn Bivins at 251-867-7760 or 251-363-0163 bivincf@aces.edu

Small Business Workshop

            Small Business Workshops will be held at the Fairhope Public Library on February 7th, 14th 21st & 28th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. For more information, call Rick Zapata at 251-937-7176 or 334-703-2276.

Guide to Selling Timber & Future Timber Markets

            The Baldwin County Forestry Planning Committee invites the public to attend a seminar on selling timber. The meeting will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on February 12 at the Baldwin County Annex Building on 22251 Palmer Street in Robertsdale. The topics will include: Understanding the Process of Selling Timber, Getting a Good Price and Quality Logging, and Gauging Future Timber Markets. There will be 1.5 Continued Forestry Education (CFE) points offered for this program.

Email address: cbivins@aces.edu
Phone: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.