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Show Page 22 UINTAH BASIN STANDARD. November 6. 2(HH Free diabetes screenings in Vernal kill over 1,000 Utahns and cause between 10,000 and 20,000 to be hospitalized. Many of these hospitalizations and deaths could be avoided. Over the past few years, new technology and medicine have made it possible for a person with diabetes to five a long and healthy life," says Gayle Bums, area associate for the November is National Diabetes Month, and the American Diabetes Association and Utah Diabetes Control Program recommended that all Utahns with diabetes receive a diabetes complication screening if they havent already had one this year. Yearly diabetes complication screenings can help prevent many serious diabetes side effects such as blindness, kidney failure or early death. To help encourage screening free complication screenings are available in Uintah County during November at Ashley Valley Podiatry, 75 North 200 West, Suite 1, Vernal. 2 for an appointCall (435) ment. American Diabetes Association. With good diabetea control, up to 60 avoided or delayed. Guidelines for properly controlling diabetes include: visit your doctor two to four times a year, check your blood sugar daily, or more often as recommended byyour doctor, keep hemoglobin Ale at or below seven check your feet daily nd Eercent; doctor examine them at 789-206- The ( ir.icic Jell .mil Annette ( )sborn, volunteers at the Duchesne County HAVING FUN AND I Food Puntry, enjoy filling boxes w ith ;i v:mely nf staples. IimkI pantries in Duchesne, Uintuli and Daggett counties are counting on you for support. There is a grocery sack inserted in this week s Standard, please fill it with items to donate to the food pantry. Moisture and bugs can take a long term toll in your home Moisture and bugs or biological Li i it s i'.'i n I o found in e very iiome ami runnoL easily be eliminated, II a w ks says. I in wever, their growth and quantities can be controlled by kcepingsurfuces clean and moisture levels low. Many biological contaminants will increase indampor humid spaces like basementsand bathrooms without ventilation. Good maintenance practices can control moisture and reduce the need for chemical products like peaticidesund disinfectants- both of which could add other pollutants to tire air. Hawks explains that mold growing on surfaces can occasionally be seen (it is sometimes invisible) or smelled 'illinsnmustyndor.Ulshou Id be suspected wherever there are water slaiiui, standing water or moist su rfaccs. High humidity levels can be indicated by condensation on windows nr walls, water pooled in the basement and crnwlspace, rotting wood or other signs of water damage or use of humidifiers. Damp carpet, walls feeling cold to the touch and areas where there is poor ventilation (such as closets) may have mold growth. Cooking or bathingwithout using an exhaust fan and firewood stored in the home can also promote mold growth. Refrigerator drip pans, humidi- - Your house ii home to many organisms, some good, some not so good, says Leona K. Hawks, Utah State University professor und Extension housing specialist. Moisture and bugs, also called biological contaminants, come from living or once-livin- g organisms, Hawks says. They include aninuilhair, dandar, saliva, and feces; molds and other fungi; dust miles; cockroaches und insect residues; pollen; and These can cause odors, damage household materials, lead to allergic reactions, and cause infectious diseusca and respiratory problems. Allergic reactions arc the most common health prohtems associated with biological pollutants. People diiTer in how sensitive they are to such allergens. Some may have no symptoms, while others may suffer severe health problems. Common symptoms include watery gyes, runny nose and sneezing, nasal congest ion, itching, coughing, wlicezing, difficulty in breathing, lieaduche, dizziness and fatigue. Hawks says the most severe reaction to allergens is an asthma attack, which can be life threatening. Airborne biological pol lutants present a special risk to people with allergies and asthma. p ill tiers and dehumidifiers and the condensate pans in air condition units should all be inspected to insure they are not dirty and are not harboring biological pollutants, she says. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends regular cleaningof humidifiers and refilling with clean water. Humidifiers should also be treated with a disinfectant (such as chlorine bleach) regularly- - once a week forBmall humidifiers and every other week for larger ones. What this means is washing with a mixture ofwater andchlorinebleach and rinsing, says Hawks. Bugs are also called biological contaminants and come from living or g organisms. Many of the same conditions that promote mold growth also promote the growth of dust mites, Hawks says. Dust mites have no smell and cannot le seen. Bedding and other bo ft textiles are where dust mites thrive. Whenever pete are in the house, there will be animal dander. Rodents and other insects (such as cock roaches) can also be the source of allergens for sensitive people. Here are some tips from Hawks for controlling moisture.and mold in your home; Keep surfaces clean, disinfected and diy. once-livin- PrcventBtandingwater.suchasin basements or the drip pans of refrigerators and air conditioners. Fix leaks and seepage problems immediately. Make sure rainwater drainsaway from your house. Use a vapor proof ground cover mil plastic) in en(such as closed r row; spaces. Dispose r.( wet carpeting and other damp fabric fiimishingB. Use fans that exhaust to the outside when bathing showering or Educational Program in Technology Leadership For All Utah Superintendents and Principals cooking. Delivered online free of charge Vent all combustion appliances to the outside. Use dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture in warm, humid weather. Increase air circulation by doors and moving Aimiture away from walls. Raise the temperature of cold surfaces with insulation or storm Sign Up Now Free meeting via Kick-o- ff Diabetes each visit; get your cholesterol checked each year, and keep it in the range recommended by your doctor; receive a dilated eye exam each year, receive a dental exam each year, get a flu shot each year and have a pneumonia shot at least once in your lifetime; get diabetes Missing a tax refund? IRS may have a check for you check, they should call the IRS toll-fre- e assistance lineat All we need is a good address, Rossotti said. As soon as we get the correct address, well start the check on its way. But for the advance payments, we need that information before Dec. 5 so we have time to reprocess the checks. The added urgency for the advance refiind checks is because the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, which authorized the payments, says the checks cannot be issued alter Dec. 31. However, those eligible for an advance payment check who dont receive it before the end ofthe year can claim it aa a credit on their 2001 tax return Act before Dec. 6 Approximately 2,389 Utah taxpayers' advance payment checks have been returned to the IRS. In addition, there are 794 refiind checks for various tax years waiting to be claimed by Utah taxpayers. The advance payment checks returned total $718,151 and the income tax refluids total $449,405. The average Utah advance payment check returned is $301 and the average tax refund check is $566. The Internal Revenue Service is urging more than 390,000 Americana whose income tax refund or advance payment checks have been returned to the agency to act now so their checks can be processed and mailed to them by the end of December. The agencys list of undelivered checks this year includes more than 295,000 advance payment checks the IRS started issuing nationwide in July. There is extra urgency for taxpayers to reclaim these checks by December 5. After that day, taxpayers cant get an advance payment check and will have to claim it after Jan. 1 on their 2001 tax returns. The advance payment checks add a unique dimension this year, said IRS Commissioner Charles O. Rossotti. But our goal remains the same: We want this money back in the hands of the people as quickly as possible. Taxpayers who think they may bo missing a refiind or an advance payment check should first check their records or contact their tax preparer. If they believe they are missing a starting in January. Those who are eligible for a check will still get their payment, but theyll have to wait longer for it if we cant get their check to them before the end of this year, Rossotti said. Thera are many reasons that refund or advance payment checks might not reach taxpayers, but its often because a life change, such aa marriage or name change, causes an doore. Avoid oversized swamp coolers. Novemlxir M. 3:00 PM Courses start January 2002 1 1 435-722-42- 96 722-496- In bowling, a turkey la three strikes In a row. , Every effort must be made in childhood to teach the young to use their own mind. For one thing is sure: If they dont make up their own minds, someone will do it for them. Eleanor Roosevelt The Pondumin, and Redux may have caused serious heart and lung problems, even with very minimal use. You may have been damaged by these drugs without having and symptoms at all, or you may experience symptoms diet-dru- Fen-Phen- ." including fatigue, shortness or breath, andor heart palpitations. If you took any of these drugs, even for as short as two months, you may 'rave suffered heart or lung damage, and you need to take immediate action to protect your health and your legal The law firm of Driggs, Bills & Day is providing prompt free medical testing to determine if you may have potential heart damage. The test is painless, and takes only a few minutes. If you have taken one of these drugs, please call the numbers listed below. e, in: of years served: Please relate a war experience: Please return the above form to the center by Tuesday, November 6, 2001 Its no too MKhml late! Many people have been told that it is too late to protect their rights on this case. Although the time is limited, it is not too late to arrange a test and determine what steps, if any, you need to take. Billions of dollars have been set aside for settlements by the manufacturers of these drugs. Call now to beat the deadlines. Salt Lake area: Toll Free: 3BSBSKS3KE W . heatingprofessional.) 3.- ) Make sure blower doors are replaced properly. This keeps combustion byproducts such as carbon nionoxide separate from the warm airdrculated through the home. Free Medical Testing and Class Settlement Information Phone: Branch of the Service you served 832-949- 2.- ) Check the blower belt and oil the blower motor. Loose belts can increase flirnace opera ting time. Replace frayed or cracked belts. Two or three drops of oil in the motor will keep it running smoothly. (Sealed blower motors require no lubrication. For more information, refer to the flirnace owners manual or call a rights. Name: Address: also available from the Rocky Mountain Gas Association in Salt Lake City or outside Salt Lake by at 0 heat URGENT NOTICE The Crossroads Senior Center is going to honor all Veterans, over 50, on Novemeber 3, 2001 at 2:00 at the Crossroads Senior Center. We need to know who you are, so please fill out the form below and mail to the Crossroads Senior Center, 50 East 200 South, Roosevelt. Utah 84066 OR Call 3 or With winter just around the corner, Questar Gas reminds its customers that nows the time to make sure theirflimaces are ready forthe colder days ahead. Questar Gas recommends periodic fiirnace checkups by a licensed contractor or heating professional. Regular inspectionsand maintenance are essential to safe and efficient operation of the furnace, which is typically a homes largest user of natural gas. When properly maintained, it is more dependable and uses less energy, which can mean lower halting bills. Licensed heating contractors are listed in the Yellow Pages under Heating. To find licensed contractors in their area, customers can visit ,v.1;,ip'i FEN-PHE- N Attention Veterans!!! sure your furnace is ready for winter ce Limit the use of humidifiers LimithouscpIants(theyrelease moisture into the air and can get mold growth on them.) Keeping surfaces clean and dry is the most effective method of pre' venting and removing mold. FxlNet It's not too early to make calling toll-fre- e Questar Gas encourages customers to have their Airoacea checked now, before it turns cold. Once cold weather hits, contractors become addre88change.Ifan address changes, busier and customers may have to and neither the IRS nor the US. wait longer for service. Postal Service is notified, a check A professional furnace inspection sent to the last known address will be will ensure that thebumers are propreturned to the IRS. the combustion chamerly adjusted, To ensure the IRS has their cor- ber is in good condition and the fur-narect address, taxpayers who have and venting are property moved since filing their last tax re. turn Are urged to file a Form 8822, There are also some simple steps Change of Address, with the IRS. that customers can (and should) rouThe form can be downloaded from perform on their own prior to the IRS Web Site at www.ira.gDV or tinely winter can be requested by calling 1.- ) Clean or replace the filter. A cloggBd filter restricts the flow of heated air from the furnace, causing it to work harder and deliver less open-ingcloe- ct www.wgu.edutplus Toll American Associations (ADA) and Utah Diabetes Control Programs (UDCP) goal for National Diabetes Month is to help lower the amount of diabetes complications in Utah by increasing complication screenings and overall knowledge of diabetes control among those with diabetes. Each year diabetes complications education if you are newl' or not meeting the target levels set by you and your doctor. Utahns without diagnosed diab tee should also be concerned about diabetes complications. One of the main reasons diabetes goes uncontrolled is thatmany people dont know they have it. One in three Utahns with diabetes is undiagnosed, and may go as many as ten years before being diagnosed long after diabetes complications have begun to take effect. High risk factor for diabetes include being over 40; being African American, Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic or American Indian; obesity; having a relative who has diabetes; and or having a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth. However, no one knows exactly what causes diabetes and it can affect , anyone. High-ris- k populations or Utahns who want information about symptoms or how to reduce their risk of diabetes can call the Health Resource or the AmeriLine at can Diabetes Association at 801-363-99- 82 4.- ) Check to see that hot-ai- r vents in the house are unobstructed. The easier it is for warm air to blow into the home, the less time the fiirnace operates. 5.- ) Check to see that return-ai- r vents are unobstructed. Warm air in the home is drawn through these vents past the furnace's heat exchanger and circulated back into the home. A furnace works less when it can circulate air freely. 6.- ) Check to see that the exhaust flue to the outside is clear ofobstructions and in good condition from the furnace to the roof cap with all connections securely fastened. Check it by removing the flue cap near the furnace and water heater and looking through the flue to the outside. Replace the flue cap securely. 7.- ) Remove all flammable objects from around the furnace and water heater. Boxes, clothes, paints, aerosols, gasoline, motorized yard tools, and other flammable products should not be stored near the fiirnace or water heater. 8.- ) If the flirnace or water heater is in an enclosed room or closet, make rare there is plenty of air. These need ten cubic feetappliances of air for one cubic foot of natural gaa to operate properly. Furnace rooms or closets should have door louvers or vents, or a duct directly to the outside, to provide sufficient combustion air. 9.- ) If the flirnace has a pilot Thia light, keep it lit year-roun- ensures the flirnace will be ready to use ifthere's an unexpected cold spell. 10.- ) Check to make sure the furnace and water heat er have a green Appliance Input Setting sticker. This sticker indicates these appliances are properly adjusted to safely burn gassupplies now entering Questar Gass system. If theres no greenstickcr.askacontrectortocheck for proper adjustment and apply the sticker. Customers will receive more information about the green sticker in their September bills, or they can visit www.nuestar.fnm |