Plan for weather emergency, physical activity and preventing disease, SeniorSSuperStoreS Keeping in Touch newlsetter

If you like the content of Keeping in Touch, please feel free to forward each copy on to as many folks as you wish. And, encourage your friends and family to visit with us at SeniorS SuperStoreS and sign up for their own subscriptions. Or, they may sign up for their own subscriptions by emailing us at "seniors-request@seniorssuperstores.com" and include the word "join" in the body of the email message.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This issue of Keeping in Touch deals with several matters of interest to Prime Time Surfers:

1.) Be prepared when severe weather strikes
2.) Physical activity fundamental to preventing disease
3.) Summer skin care
4.) Your subscription details

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1.) Plan For Weather Emergencies Before You Have An Emergency

This information for seniors is part of our series of safety resources dealing with emergencies, severe weather and hurricane safety. This resource deals with how to be prepared when severe weather strikes. Be sure to see other resources in this series in our Community Room.

Most all of us here in the US are subject to severe thunderstorms and /or tornados, and many of us are threatened by hurricanes during the late summer months. We need to be reminded occasionally of the risks and some precautions that we should take.

All too often, severe weather can disrupt electric, telephone and cable service. Here are some helpful hints that can help you and your family more safely weather the storm.

Keep your phone lines open

Your local phone company likely will remind you to limit use of your phone during periods of severe weather. Too many callers can jam telephone lines and leave emergency personnel with busy signals. By keeping the lines clear, emergency personnel can communicate quickly, clearly and safely. You should also refrain from calling 911 unless it is an actual emergency.

You can keep informed by staying tuned to local TV and radio broadcasts, cable coverage from the Weather Channel and CNN. All of these outlets normally interrupt normal broadcasting and give weather updates when necessary.

Keep the emergency phone numbers of your utility companies (electric, phone and cable) handy in the event you need to report an outage or a safety emergency. Also remember that cell phones often work when normal phone service is interrupted by severe weather.

Lightening can be very dangerous

Try to limit telephone use to emergency calls only during electrical storms. Strong storms often produce dangerous lightening that can strike and travel through phone lines, resulting in severe injuries to anyone on that line. If you still have electrical service during a thunderstorm, a cordless phone is safer to use than a phone that plugs directly into your phone wiring.

Hurricane safety:

When a hurricane watch is issued, take heed. While most people think that hurricanes are only a concern of coastal residents, actually hurricanes can be deadly hundreds of miles inland (remember Hugo in 1989?). And more hurricane victims die as a result of water than wind!

Here are some safety hints to help you if "the big one" is on the way:

Remain prepared. Check often for official bulletins on local TV and radio stations, the Weather Channel and CNN. Fuel your cars and make sure they're in good running condition. Remember, often roads are clogged with traffic and cars tend to overheat if not well maintained.

Get maps which show you how to get to the designated evacuation routes and recommended shelters near you. If time permits, make a "dry run"; practice driving to them, and be flexible. It's often impossible to tell in advance which roads may be closed.

If any member of your family has special health needs, make sure your local EMS has that information. If needed, they will help you evacuate.

If you live in a mobile home or have a storage building detached from your home, make sure they are tied down. Move boats to safe shelter.

Make sure you have the items for your "hurricane survival kit" (see Hurricane Survival Kit).

Secure lawn furniture and other loose material outdoors. Clear your yard of all loose objects. Shutter or board windows; if neither are available, tape windows. Remember, you are trying to prevent debris from blowing out your windows.

When a hurricane warning is issued:

Stay tuned to local TV and radio stations, the Weather Channel and CNN. Stay at home if it is sturdy and on high ground. Board up your garage and porch doors. Move valuables to upper floors or atop high furniture. Bring in your pets.

Fill containers with drinking water. Turn up the refrigerator to maximum cool; do not open the doors unless necessary. Use the phone only if necessary.

Clean containers and bath tubs and fill them with water to use in the event your normal water supply is contaminated by the storm.

If you want to leave or if an evacuation notice is given:

Shut off water and electricity at their main cut-offs. Leave early - in daylight, if possible.

Take small valuables, insurance papers and other important documents. Don't forget your medications and your Hurricane Survival Kit.

Leave plenty of food and water for pets; remember, most shelters will not take them. Perhaps your veterinarian, SPCA, or Humane Society can help you (but you'll need to make those arrangements well in advance).

Lock up your house and drive carefully to the nearest designated shelter. If you are leaving town, take along your maps and directions to the designated evacuation routes.

If you do not evacuate:

During the storm, get into a safe room away from windows. If the electricity goes out, use flashlights - candles can start fires.

Do not cook during the storm. A gust of wind could cause or spread a fire and the fire department would not be able to help you!

Beware the eye of the storm. Rain and wind may stop for a few minutes to a half hour. Don't be fooled: rain and wind can suddenly pick up again from the opposite direction, with little or no warning, and they will be just a fierce as they were before the eye arrived.

After the storm:

Stay tuned to local TV and radio stations, the Weather Channel and CNN for the latest information. Wait for "all clear" before venturing outdoors.

Stay away from dangling power lines, and report broken or damaged water, sewer, or electric lines to proper authorities.

Use only water that has been stored in bottles or declared safe by public officials. Don't eat food that has been or contaminated in any way by the storm.

Check the food in your refrigerator and freezer (see How Safe Is Your Food During and After A Hurricane?).

Make temporary repairs to your dwelling as soon as possible to keep further damage from occurring. Notify your insurance company immediately of property damage.

Be patient! Local, state and federal officials will work around the clock to help residents with cleanup and recovery.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2.) Physical Activity Fundamental to Preventing Disease

Regular physical activity, fitness and exercise are crucial to the health and well-being of people of all ages, especially seniors. Everyone can benefit from regular physical activity, whether it�s vigorous exercise or some type of moderate health-enhancing physical activity. Even among frail and very old adults, mobility and functioning can be improved through physical activity.

The Problem with Inactivity

Millions of Americans suffer from chronic illnesses that can be prevented or improved through regular physical activity. Recent studies found that 14 percent of all deaths in the United States were attributed to activity patterns and diet, and 23 percent of deaths from major chronic diseases were linked to sedentary lifestyles.

Physical activity has been shown to reduce the risk of developing or dying from heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer and high blood pressure. Despite these well-known facts, most adults and many children lead a relatively sedentary lifestyle and are not active. A sedentary lifestyle is defined as engaging in no leisure-time physical activity (exercises, sports, physically active hobbies) in a two-week period. Nearly 50 percent of adults reported no participation in leisure-time physical activity in a recent national survey.

Economic Consequences of Inactivity

Physically inactive people are at risk both medically and financially for many chronic diseases and conditions including heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis. The increasing prevalence of chronic medical conditions and diseases related to inactivity is associated with two types of costs.

First, there are health care costs such as physician visits, pharmaceuticals, ambulance services, rehabilitation services and hospital and nursing home care.

Second, there are other costs associated with the value of lost wages due to illness and disability as well as the value of future earnings lost by premature death. In 2000, the total cost of overweight and obesity was estimated to be $117 billion. The total estimated cost from chronic disease is substantial; the national cost for selected diseases is as follows:

Heart diseases $183 Billion
Cancer $157 Billion
Diabetes $100 Billion
Arthritis $65 Billion

A recent study demonstrated that obese individuals spend approximately 36 percent more than the general population on health services and 77 percent more on medications. Furthermore, the study found that the effects of obesity on health spending were significantly larger than effects of current or past smoking.

Physical Activity and Good Physical Health Participation in regular physical activity - at least 30 minutes of moderate activity five days per week or 20 minutes of vigorous activity three times per week - is critical to sustaining good health. Young people should strive for at least one hour of exercise a day. Regular physical activity is beneficial and helps prevent a broad range of health problems and diseases.

Employers can benefit too. Workplace physical activity programs can reduce short-term sick leave up to 32 percent, reduce health care costs between 20 and 55 percent, and increase productivity up to 52 percent. In 1998, 93 percent of employers had programs that promoted employee health, up from 76 percent in 1992. Such wellness programs typically offer help in smoking cessation, managing stress, prenatal care, nutrition and fitness.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at www.hhs.gov report dated June 20, 2002.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3.) Summer Skin Care

All winter you look forward to summer. You can�t wait for cold weather to disappear and long, lazy days in the sun to reappear. Everyone likes to be tan, but with the growing horror stories of skin cancer, it�s time to take real precautions.

According to the American Cancer Society, 32,000 new cases of melanoma are expected each year, causing nearly 9,400 deaths. There are 800,000 cases of basal cell and squamous cell cancer, directly related to sun exposure, each year.

To protect yourself from skin cancer, examine all of your sun-tanning habits and eliminate any danger you may be putting yourself in.

The first step for skin protection is choosing a sunscreen with the best protection. You should always read the product labels. Effective and non-irritating ingredients include Octyl Methoxycinnamate, Menthyl Antranilate, Octyl Salicylate, and Titanium Dioxide. Sunblocks should contain at least two of these ingredients to block unsafe UVA and UVB rays from the sun.

Avoid sunscreens with PABA or high levels of Benzophenone, Oxybenzone, and Padimate 0. These contents can cause stinging and allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin. High levels of sunblock can also irritate sensitive skin from the combination of all the ingredients. It�s best for those with highly sensitive skin to avoid using a product with a higher Sun Protection Factor (SPF) than 15 and to carefully limit exposure time in the sun.

Those who do not have sensitive skin should always use a sunblock with an SPF of 15 or more whenever planning outdoor activities in the sun, even mountain climbing and skiing. This is especially true if you are a high skin cancer risk, such as a person who works outdoors, is fair skinned, has a family history of skin cancer, or has already had skin cancer.

The Skin Cancer Foundation grants its Seal of Recommendation to products with SPF 15 or greater and sun protection devices which meet its criteria as "aids in the prevention of sun-induced damage to skin."

Even if your sunscreen is waterproof, you should put it on hourly when in direct sunlight, swimming, or perspiring. And don�t forget to protect your eyes and your lips with waterproof, non-irritating eye and lip balms. Unless you are swimming, you should protect your eyes with 100% UV protective sunglasses.

When spending time in the sun, take the following precautions:
* Apply sunscreen before every exposure to the sun and reapply frequently and liberally.
* Use back applicators to apply sunscreen to hard to reach areas.
* Avoid or minimize sun exposure during peak hours between 10 am. and 2 pm.
* Wear a hat for protection from the sun�s rays.
* Remember to use sunscreen on overcast days, the sun�s rays are just as damaging on cloudy and hazy days.
* If you are taking medication, consult your doctor about how it may affect your skin�s reaction to sun exposure.
* Beware of reflective surfaces. Shade does not guarantee protection from sunburn.

You must also recognize the importance of skin care for infants. Keep young infants out of the sun and consult with your physician about the appropriate age to begin applying sunscreen to young children. It is important to teach children sun protection at an early age. We are never too young to practice safe and healthy skin care.

By following expert advice and taking special care of your skin today, you can look healthy and vibrant tomorrow and for many years to come.

And, if you do happen to get too much sun and wind exposure, we carry the unique line of Olive Branch Olive Oil based products to replenish your skin's moisture and texture in our Skin Care department.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4.) Your Subscription Details

You are receiving this free newsletter because you subscribed to it or because someone thought you would enjoy it.

So, until next time, here's goodbye. Remember, if you want us to add any resources or items of interest, just drop us an email from the SeniorSSuperStoreS Contact Us page. Watch your email box for future newsletters!

To stop receiving messages from the SeniorS SuperStoreS Keeping in Touch newsletter list, just send us an email message to: "seniors-request@seniorssuperstores.com" and include the word "unsubscribe" or the word "leave" in the body of your message.

Until next time, happy Prime Time Surfing!