Oklahoma AgrAbility Newsletter
January/February 2003 • Volume 2 • Issue 1
Winter is Not Over Yet
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NOTE: Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product or firm in text or figures does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Oklahoma State University, Langston University or the National AgrAbility Project and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.
In This Issue
Be Prepared... Before the Storm Strikes
Low Vision Assistive Technology Solutions
Winter is Not Over Yet
In the heart of an Oklahoma winter, one can expect days ranging from 25 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The winter also brings shorter days and long cold nights. Being prepared and understanding winter advisories is essential for a safe and healthy season. In this issue there are some helpful hints and useful tables to help you and your family stay safe. And remember, winter is the most fun when we are safe.
Also included is information on glaucoma and low vision, recognizing that January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month and February is Low Vision Awareness Month.
Enjoy the season,
Rachael Kircher, AgrAbility Project Coordinator
Be Prepared... Before the Storm Strikes
On the Farm
- Move animals to sheltered areas. Shelter belts, properly laid out and oriented, are better protection for cattle than confining shelters, such as sheds.
- Haul extra feed to nearby feeding areas.
- Have a water supply available. Most animal deaths in winter storms are from dehydration.
Dress to Fit the Season
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing in several layers. Trapped air insulates. Layers can be removed to avoid perspiration and subsequent chill. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded. Wear a hat. Half of you body heat loss can be from the head. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves. Try to stay dry.
Information from: Winter Storms ... the Deceptive Killers, A Guide to Survival, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, Warning and Forecast Branch, November 1991.
Current Forecast
For current conditions around the state, visit the Oklahoma Mesonet at http://agweather.mesonet.ou.edu
Winter Travel Survival Kits
- Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Booster cables
- Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type)
- First aid kit and manual
- Bottled water and non-perishable high-energy foods, such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter.
- Compass and road maps
- Shovel
- Tire repair kit and pump
- Flares
- Extra clothing to keep dry
- Sack of sand or cat litter (for tire tractions)
- Tow rope
- Knife
Source: American Red Cross, http://www.redcross.org/news/hs/holidaysafety/021126wintersafety.html
Words of Warning
The National Weather Service issues watches and warnings for hazardous winter weather events.
Winter Storm Watch: severe winter weather conditions may affect your area. Freezing rain, sleet, and heavy snow may occur separately or in combination.
Winter Storm Warning: severe winter weather conditions are imminent or occurring, and are expected to meet or exceed selected criteria.
High Wind Warning: sustained winds of at least 40 miles per hour or gusts of at least 58 miles per hour or greater are expected to last for at least 1 hour. (In some areas, this means strong gusty winds occurring in shorter time periods.)
Wind Chill Warning: used with wind chills of 25 degrees below zero or colder due to brisk winds and very cold temperatures.
Source: National Weather Service, http://www.crh.noaa.gov/gld/winter.htm
Winter Chills
In addition to exposure, cold weather also presents risk of hypothermia. This serious medical condition develops when the core body temperature drops below 96ºF. Most susceptible are elderly persons and children. However, other people can develop hypothermia even in relatively mild conditions if they are not dressed for the weather, get wet, or caught in strong wind. Alcohol, illness, and certain medical conditions can also decrease body temperature. Hypothermia can lead to serious problems, so seek Emergency Medical Treatment immediately.
The mechanism to address these barriers is through an on-farm site assessment of the farmer/rancher as well as the farmstead. OkAT is responsible for the on-farm site assessment which is conducted by the On-Farm Assistive Technology Specialist for the Oklahoma AgrAbility project. This assessment will help determine the farm family’s assistive technology needs; make recommendations for adapting and modifying the farm/home environment; assist in identifying funding sources for equipment modifications; and provide follow-up to the farm families to ensure implementation of the recommendations.
Signs of hypothermia:
- Confusion and clumsiness
- Drowsiness
- Slurred speech
- Shallow breathing
- Uncontrollable shivering
What to do:
- Avoid outdoor work during winter storms and severe cold.
- Dress in layers. Cotton socks under wool socks help keep feet warm.
- Cover all exposed areas.
- Wear a hat.
Source: Iowa Cooperative Extension, Safe Farm Severe Weather Tips
Wind Chill Chart
Frostbite occurs in 15 minutes or less at wind chills of -18 or lower.
Source: National Weather Service, http://weather.gov/om/windchill/index.shtml
The 'Eyes' Have It
The ability to see well is often over-looked in American society. Glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are two diseases that catch Americans unaware. Regular eye examinations can help deter these problems when detected early.
According to Prevent Blindness America, more than 2.2 million Americans age 40 and older, or .19 percent of that population, have glaucoma.
“One of the most important things is to make people aware of the disease,” said Daniel Garrett, Prevent Blindness America spokesperson. “The disease is quite manageable if detected early.”
With glaucoma, a fluid called aqueous humor doesn’t drain correctly through channels in the front of the eye. The fluid build-up leads to increased intraocular pressure, which damages the optic nerve. Untreated, glaucoma can permanently damage the nerve, leading to reduced vision or even blindness.
Glaucoma is usually treated by prescription drugs that decrease the pressure in the eye.
“The sneak thief of sight” has no symptoms – no noticeable vision loss or pain. Damage occurs before it is detected, but dilated eye exams usually help uncover it.
Medicare pays for glaucoma detection exams in recipients age 60 and older and at high risk, or those with family history of the disease.
Age influences vision, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects more than 13 million Americans over the age of 40. AMD is a leading cause of blindness in people over age 65. It is a growing health concern as the number of people with AMD and other age-related eye diseases is expected to double by 2030.
Regular eye exams are the best way to ensure healthy eye sight. The National Eye Institute released a study that suggests pharmacological-level doses of zinc, vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene reduce the risk of progression of moderate and advanced stages of the disease. This treatment did not have an effect in early cases of AMD.
According to Phyllis Diller, comedian and AMD sufferer, regular, professional eye exams are the best way to ensure that your vision is healthy and to keep it that way. In addition, wearing 99%-100% UV-blocking sunglasses, quitting smoking, wearing safety eye protection in hazardous situations, and a healthy lifestyle are proactive ways to help reduce your risk of vision loss.
Many overlook the importance of regular eye exams, but AMD and glaucoma can both be detected early and treated to make healthy vision a permanent part of life.
For more information or a free brochure on AMD and glaucoma, call 1-800-331-2020 or on the web at www.preventblindness.org.
To contact the Oklahoma office of Prevent Blindnes America, call 405-848-7123.
Source: Prevent Blindness America
Glaucoma Risk Factors
Risk factors for glaucoma include:
- Age: Those age 40 and older are more likely to develop glaucoma. The older you are, the greater your risk.
- Race: People of African or Afro-Caribbean heritage have glaucoma four to five times more often than the rest of the population. They are also likely to develop glaucoma at a younger age.
- Family History: If you have a parent or sibling who has glaucoma, you are more likely to develop the disease.
- Diabetes: People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing glaucoma.
- Nearsightedness: People who are very nearsighted are at greater risk.
- Steroid Medication: Steroids may increase the risk of glaucoma when used for extended periods of time.
Source: Prevent Blindness America, http://www.preventblindness.org
Low Vision Assistive Technology Solutions
On the Farm
- When planting, follow the side of the furrow with the deeper cut as it will be a more visible guide.
- Put a wheel on the end of the harrow to leave a guide track.
- Attach a large lettered scales to your feeder wagon.
- Farm at times other than between the hours of 12:00 and 2:00 p.m.; shadows created by the slanting sun’s rays will help you see.
- Use fence line bunks for feeding cattle so you can feed from outside the corral.
- Attach a radar device on your tractor to alert you to oncoming traffic.
- Protect yourself from being hit and kicked by cattle by using a half circle crowding tub with swing gates.
- Ask the County Department of Transportation to erect signs to alert other drivers to your potential presence.
- Wear prescription sunglasses to keep out ultra violet rays.
- Hang an old feed sack or burlap bag a couple of feet away from an immovable dangerous object, such as a beam. (You hit the sack before the dangerous object).
- Use lengths of board as measuring devices.
- Place tools on a board attached to the wall behind your work bench, making it easier to separate and find specific items, remember to put heavier items on the bottom.
- Use old sections of garden hoses as guards around items that may tear clothes or scratch skin.
- Paint and clearly mark danger zones.
- Always use safety glasses or face shields when using power tools.
Around the House
- Enhance computer usage with voice activated programs.
- Use a talking calculator.
- Hear newspapers read with the NFB_NEWSLINE (this is the National Federation of the Bind phone service for those who cannot read conventional newspaper print).
- Enlarge reading material with a video magnifier or scanner.
- Use wind chimes as an alarm, put them in places to mark the major point of return.
- Place tennis balls or ping pong balls on a string to provide a marker to stop a vehicle.
- Add landmarks such as trees and shrubbery. These never move and if strategically placed can enhance mobility around the outside of the house.
- Haul extra feed to nearby feeding areas.
- Use colored duct tape or rubber bands to color code items, such as metric and standard wrenches.
- Place old air hose or small hoses around nails, they will still hold a coat, but will not tear your clothes.
Oklahoma Resources
Oklahoma Agrability
405-744-2398
Oklahoma ABLE Tech
888-885-5588
OK Library for the Blind an Physically Handicapped
800-523-0288
Oklahoma Dept. of Rehabilitation Services, Division of Visual Services
800-845-8476
Source: Iowa AgrAbility Project and Assistive Technology Partners
This newsletter was supported in part by USDA-CSREES grant award number 2002-41590-01370.