Educational programs of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age or national origin.The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service-Lubbock County * PO Box 10536 * Lubbock, TX 79408 916 Main, Suite 201 Lubbock, TX 79401* 775-1680 * Fax 775-1658 * http://lubbock-tx.tamu.edu

June / July 2013

AgriLife Extension challenges Texans to save 40 gallons of water daily

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service isstrengthening its challenge to Texans to save millions ofgallons of water annually as well as money on their monthlywater bills.

The 40 Gallon Challenge is a program that calls on residentsand businesses to reduce their average water use by 40gallons per day, according to Dr. Diane Boellstorff,AgriLife Extension water resources specialist in CollegeStation. Boellstorff became involved in the voluntarynational program in 2011, serving as the Texasrepresentative.

After one year, she and AgriLife Extension economist DeanMcCorkle in College Station completed an economic impactstudy in November, which showed that Texas participants,based on average municipal rates, were saving an estimated$299,000 a year, in addition to the water savings.

“At the time that we did the impact statement, we were ableto count 80 programs from 89 counties, and participationcontinues to increase,” she said. “For example, the impactstatement mentions 1,050 participating households saving71 million gallons of water annually, but today’s numbersare 1,152 participating households saving 80 million gallonsannually.”

That change has come in only three months. Boellstorff saidmany AgriLife Extension agents are beginning to deliverthe program in their local counties. She is also makingpresentations to spread the program across the state.

This water resource conservation tool is one of manyprograms initiated and supported through the SouthernRegion Water Resource Project, funded through the U.S.Department of Agriculture – National Institute for Foodand Agriculture. Dr. Mark McFarland, AgriLife Extensionstate soil fertility specialist in College Station, is theproject director.

The 40-Gallon Challenge allows Texans to competeagainst other Americans who are taking the challenge inthei r s ta tes . At the program’s websi te ,www.40gallonchallenge.org, Texans can pledge to adoptwater-saving practices and see how many gallons of waterthey can expect to save.

The website also shows the most popular practices beingpledged, the practices that are saving the most water daily,and counties and states that are pledging the most dailysavings, Boellstorff said.

Currently, the top water savers in Texas are “reduceirrigation station runtimes by two minutes,” “use a broominstead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks,” and“fix a leaky toilet.” In Texas, the three counties registeredto save the most gallons are Collin, Ellis and Dallas.

Boellstorff credited the higher rate of participation in theseareas to work done by Susan Ballabina, AgriLifeExtension regional program director for family andconsumer sciences, and Clint Wolfe, urban water programmanager at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research andExtension Center at Dallas.

To start saving water and take the challenge, go to thewebsite and complete the checklist of water-savingpractices, Boellstorff said. The checklist includes bothindoor and outdoor water-saving tips.

Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu Contact: E. Kay Davis, 806-775-1680, ek-davis@tamu.edu

Preparing for the Unexpected: Tornados

Get InformedTornadoes can occur any time of theyear and any time of the day. Thedirection of movement is not alwayspredictable. Learn surrounding countynames. Weather reports will givecounty names when trackingmovement of a storm.

Tornado watches and warnings are issued by the NationalWeather Service as soon as the conditions are identified.Know the difference.

Tornado Watch: Weather conditions are right for theformation of tornadoes. Remain alert for approachingstorms. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or commercialradio, or watch television for weather information.

Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicatedby weather radar. If you are in the path of the storm, moveto a previously designated safe area.

! Identify where you will go for shelter if you are athome.

! If you live in a mobile home, plan to take shelter inanother building with a strong foundation.

! If you are outdoors or in a car, get inside a strongbuilding, shelter, or a ditch. Never try to out-drive atornado. Tornadoes can change direction quickly andcan lift up a car or truck and toss it through the air.

! If you are at work or at school, go to the basement or toan inside hallway at the lowest level.

Be Prepared

Prepare a home tornado plan. Pick a place in your homeas a shelter, and practice having family members go thereduring practice drill sessions. A basement, storm cellar,center hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest level ofyou home is best. Or build a “safe room” (see theAdditional Resources list) for protection. Take your petsand your emergency kit with you.

Have emergency supplies in a portable kit:! flashlight, portable battery-operated radio, and extra

batteries! first-aid kit and manual, and essential medicines! at least three gallons of water per person! protective clothing, bedding, and sturdy shoes! emergency food, cooking equipment, can opener! special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family

members! written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas,

and water if authorities advise you to do so! cash and credit cards! emergency kit for your pets

Develop an emergency family communication plan.Select an out-of-town friend or relative for everyone tocheck in with if family members are in different locationsduring a disaster. Make sure everyone in the family knowsthe name, address, and phone number of this contactperson.

RespondWhen a tornado warning is issued, go at once to the shelteryou have selected (below ground level is safest). Stayaway from windows. Get under a piece of sturdy furniture.Use your arms to protect your head and neck. Avoid widerooms at work or school, such as cafeterias andauditoriums.During the tornado, stay in the shelter or area of protectionuntil the all clear is announced. Exit with caution.

After the tornado passes:! Listen to the radio for information and instructions.! In you home, check for the smell of gas. If you smell

gas, leave immediately and call the gas company. Anyspark could cause an explosive fire if there is a leak.Do not turn on any light switches.

! Watch out for damaged power lines and appliances. Ifelectrical wiring appears damaged, turn off the currentat the main circuit breaker. Stay away from downedpower lines.

! If your home appears to have structural damage, watchfor falling debris and the possibility of collapse.

! If the water system is damaged, do not use water fromthe tap. Damaged sewer systems should be serviced assoon as possible – they are health hazards.

! Wear protective clothing, gloves, and sturdy shoes ifyou need to assist with the clean-up.

ReferencesReady.govAmerican Red Cross

Additional ResourcesTaking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe RoomInside Your Househttp://www.fema.gov/mit/saferoom/faq.shtm

Keeping Food Safe during an Emergencyhttp://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/pubs/pofeature.htm

Safeguard Your Neighborhoodhttp://www.texashomelandsecurity.com/beprepared.html#neighbor

Emergency Food and Water Supplieshttp://www.fema.gov/library/emfdwtr.shtm

Citizen Preparedness Publicationshttp://www.citizencorps.gov/ready/cc_pubs.shtm

Create a Disaster Supplies Kit

A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic necessitiesthat members of a household will need during andimmediately after a disaster. Every family should assemblea disaster supplies kit and keep it up to date. Individualdisaster kits can be packaged in backpacks. A family-sizedisaster supply kit can be stored in a portable trunk orsealable plastic trash can.

Why is a disaster supplies kit important? If you are forcedto evacuate from your home or shelter-in-place, you will nothave time to gather the necessary supplies. Assembling adisaster supplies kit will help your family stay safe and bemore comfortable after a disaster.

What does a disaster supplies kit contain? Every disaster kitshould contain enough supplies to enable you and yourfamily to take care of yourselves without outside help for atleast 3 days.

Store your kits in a portable, airtight plastic container orrubber trash can and make sure they are easy to reach. Oneplace to keep an individual supply kit is in your vehicle.

Not all family kits are the same. The size of your family kitwill be determined by the number of people in your familyand any special needs they might have. A basic disastersupplies kit will contain:

• Water: Pack enough bottled water to last for 3days. Each person requires 1 gallon of water eachday.

• Food: Choose foods that you know your familywill eat and that require no refrigeration,preparation or cooking. Examples include proteinor fruit bars, dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter,crackers and canned juices. Also pack a hand-operated can opener and disposable eatingutensils.

• Clean air items: If there is an explosion, you mayneed to create a barrier between yourself and theairborne contaimation. Pack nose and mouthprotection masks (N-95 rating), plastic sheetingand duct tape.

• Extra clothing: Gather one complete change ofclothes, a pair of shoes and a blanket per person.

• First aid kit: Include two pairs of sterile gloves,sterile gauze, soap, antibiotic towelettes, antibioticointment, burn ointment, adhesive bandages,thermometer, prescription medications andprescribed medical supplies.

• Emergency items: Pack a battery-powered radio,flashlights, extra batteries, a whistle, shovel, basictools, baby wipes, garbage bags, toilet paper anda state map.

• Special needs items: If there is a baby in thefamily, you will need to pack formula, diapers,bottles, powdered milk, medications, baby wipesand diaper rash ointment.

For adults with special needs, consult with the doctor aboutstoring prescription medications such as heart and highblood pressure meds, insulin and other prescription drugs.

Also include supplies for dentures and contact lenses.

Maintain your kit! Replace flashlight and radio batteriesevery 6 months and replace foods according to expirationdates.

Emergency pet supply kitYou may need these items to take care of your pet duringa disaster:• Medical and current vaccination records• Pet medications• First aid kit• Leash and carrier/crate• 3-day supply of food and water• Current photos incase you are separated• Pet beds and toys

• Hand-operated can opener• Cat litter and box• Paper towels, plastic bags and bleach to properly handle

pet waste

For more information on family disaster plans, see the GetPrepared section at www.ready.gov/index.html

Recipe Corner

Cabbage-Fruit Salad2 cups shredded cabbage2 oranges, sectioned and seeded2 medium apples, chopped1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained2 tablespoons raisins (optional)4 tablespoons plain low-fat yogurt1 teaspoon honey (optional)

Wash and chop cabbage. Wash and scrub orangesand apples with a vegetable brush or with yourhand. Cut as directed.Mix cabbage, oranges, apples and pineappletogether in a mixing bowl.Add raisins, yogurt and honey.Chill until ready to serve.

Nutrition Facts: Serving Size 1 cup; Servings Per Container6 Calories: 90, Total Fat 0g, Saturated Fat 0g, Trans Fat 0g, Cholesterol0mg, Sodium 15mg, Total Carbohydrate 22g, Dietary Fiber 3g, Sugars1g, Protein 2g

Strawberry Surprise Smoothie1 cup low fat vanilla yogurt1 cup orange juice concentrate1 cup frozen strawberries1 cup pineapple chunks1 banana, frozen (cut into chunks and peel before freezing)

Add yogurt, juice concentrate, and fruit to blender.Blend ingredients in blender until smooth.Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts: Serving Size ¾ cup, Servings Per Container 6Calories 160, Total Fat 0.5g, Saturated Fat 0g, Trans Fat 0g, Cholesterol5mg, Sodium 25mg, Total Carbohydrate 37g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars32g, Protein 3g

E. Kay Davis, M.S., L.D., C.F.C.SCounty Extension Agent -Family and Consumer ScienceLubbock County

Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid, service oraccommodation in order to participate in Extension sponsored meetings are encouraged to contact the County Extension Office at 775-1680 todetermine how reasonable accommodations can be made. Theinformation given herein is for educational purposes only. Referencesto commercial products or trade names is made with understanding thatno discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas AgriLifeExtension Service is implied.

Water conservation is an ever-growing concern for everyone on our planet. Make a difference. Pledge to save 40 gallons of water each day.

www.40GallonChallenge.org

Americans join forces to save water across the nation. Take the 40 Gallon Challenge today and pledge to save water at www.40GallonChallenge.org.

For more information, contact your local Extension office.

Run dishwasher only when full

Take shorter showers

Turn off water while brushing teeth

Fix leaky faucets and toilets

Install low-flow toilets and showerheads

Outdoors Collect precipitation in a rain barrel

Sweep, don’t wash, driveways and sidewalks

Water lawn after midnight and before 10 a.m.

Repair leaky pipes and sprinkler heads

Add mulch to trees and plants

Indoors

GALLONCHALLENGE40