Marketing Extension: Resources

Public Service Announcements
Flooding

HELP YOUR TURF SURVIVE THE FLOOD

IF YOUR LAWN WAS FLOODED IN THE RECENT RAINS, TAKE ACTION NOW TO SAVE YOUR TURF.

TOO MUCH RAINFALL CAN DEPLETE GRASS OF VITAL OXYGEN AND DESTROY PLANT ROOTS. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SPECIALISTS SAY WATER-LOGGED TURFGRASS WILL BEGIN TO LOOK BROWN AND PUT OFF A RAW SEWAGE-LIKE ODOR JUST A FEW DAYS AFTER THE FLOOD WATERS RECEDE.

BERMUDA AND BAHIA GRASSES WILL TOLERATE FLOODS BEST. CENTIPEDE SUFFERS THE MOST. TO HELP YOUR LAWN RECOVER, UGA EXPERTS SAY FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

1. LIGHTLY RAKE BROWN TURF TO SEE IF IT HAS SURVIVED.
2. CLEAN DRAINS OR DIG TEMPORARY ONES TO CLEAR AWAY WATER.
3. RAKE TO REMOVE ANY SOIL AND ORGANIC DEBRIS. MOW OFF DEAD LEAVES.
4. APPLY A HALF POUND OF NITROGEN PER 1,000 SQUARE FEET TO ENCOURAGE RECOVERY.

FOR MORE INFO ON CARING FOR YOUR LAWN, CALL YOUR LOCAL UGA EXTENSION AGENT AT 1-800-ASK-UGA-1 OR VISIT WWW.GEORGIATURF.COM OR WWW.UGAEXTENSION.COM.

• Link to audio file (60 sec) :: mp3

TACKLE MOLD AND MILDEW WITH AIR

IF YOUR HOME WAS INVADED BY THE RECENT FLOOD WATERS, MOLD AND MILDEW MAY THREATEN YOUR HOME.

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SPECIALISTS SAY FLOOD WATERS COMBINED WITH HIGH HUMIDITY WILL LIKELY CREATE MOLD AND MILDEW PROBLEMS.

HOMEOWNERS IN FLOODED AREAS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR MOLD AND MILDEW. THE SIGNS ARE A MUSTY, EARTHY SMELL AND DISCOLORATION, STAIN OR FUZZY GROWTH.

EXTENSION EXPERTS RECOMMEND RUNNING YOUR AIR CONDITIONER, FANS AND DEHUMIDIFIERS AND KEEPING WINDOWS CLOSED. THIS WILL HELP KEEP INDOOR HUMIDITY BELOW 60 PERCENT. USE THE EXHAUST FAN WHEN TAKING SHOWERS AND THE KITCHEN FAN WHEN COOKING.

CLOSETS ARE A PROBLEM AREA AS THEY ARE TIGHT PLACES WITH LITTLE AIR CIRCULATION. OPEN CLOSET DOORS TO ALLOW AIR TO CIRCULATE. MOLD AND MILDEW ALSO GROW IN CRAWL SPACES.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO PREVENT AND REMOVE MOLD AND MILDEW, CALL YOUR LOCAL UGA EXTENSION AGENT AT 1-800-ASK-UGA1 OR VISIT WWW.UGAEXTENSION.COM.

• Link to audio file (60 sec) :: mp3

REMOVE MILDEW WHILE FLOOD MEMORIES ARE FRESH

IF THE RECENT FLOODING MADE ITS WAY INTO YOUR HOME, YOU MAY SOON BE FIGHTING MOLD AND MILDEW ON YOUR FURNITURE. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SPECIALISTS OFFER THESE TIPS FOR REMOVING MOLD AND MILDEW:

1. CARRY FURNITURE OUTDOORS AND BRUSH IT WITH A BROOM TO REMOVE LOOSE MOLD.
2. VACUUM THE SURFACE IN ORDER TO DRAW MOLD OUT.
3. BE SURE TO DISPOSE OF VACUUM CLEANER BAGS OUTSIDE TO KEEP FROM SCATTERING MOLD SPORES INSIDE.
4. IF MILDEW PERSISTS AND FABRIC IS WASHABLE — USING AS LITTLE WATER AS POSSIBLE, SPONGE LIGHTLY WITH THICK SOAP SUDS THEN WIPE WITH A CLEAN, DAMP CLOTH.
5. IF STAINS PERSIST, TRY THIS NEXT STEP: ON A HIDDEN AREA OF THE FURNITURE. WIPE THE AREA WITH A DAMP CLOTH DIPPED IN A SOLUTION OF 1 CUP RUBBING ALCOHOL TO ONE CUP WATER. DRY THOROUGHLY.

FOR MORE FLOOD RECOVERY INFORMATION, CALL YOUR LOCAL UGA EXTENSION AGENT AT 1-800-ASK-UGA1 OR VISIT WWW.UGAEXTENSION.COM.

• Link to audio file (60 sec) :: mp3

THROW FLOODED FOOD AWAY

IF YOUR HOME WAS FLOODED BY THE RECENT RAINFALL, YOUR FURNITURE MAY BE SALVAGABLE BUT MOST FOOD IS NOT.

FLOOD WATERS CONTAMINATE THE SURFACES THEY TOUCH. UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SPECIALSIT SAY IF YOUR HOME WAS FLOODED:

1. THROW OUT ALL FOOD EXCEPT THOSE IN SEALED, METAL, AIRTIGHT CANS OR AIRTIGHT GLASS JARS.
2. THROW AWAY ALL FLOODED MEATS, FISH AND EGGS.
3. THROW AWAY ALL FLOODED PRODUCE, HOME CANNED FOODS AND PRESERVES AND ALL OPENED CONTAINERS OF FOOD.
4. GET RID OF ALL FOOD IN FLOODED CARDBOARD BOXES, PAPER, FOIL OR PLASTIC WRAP.
5. THROW OUT ALL FLOODED STAPLES LIKE FLOUR, SUGAR, GRAIN AND COFFEE.
6. GET RID OF ALL DENTED, LEAKING, BULGING OR RUSTED CANS AND UNOPENED JARS WITH WAXED CARDBOARD SEALS, SUCH AS MAYONNAISE.

UGA EXPERTS SAY, WHEN IN DOUBT THROW IT OUT.

FOR MORE FLOOD RECOVERY INFORMATION, CALL YOUR LOCAL UGA EXTENSION AGENT AT 1-800-ASK-UGA1 OR VISIT WWW.UGAEXTENSION.COM.

• Link to audio file (60 sec) :: mp3

DURING FLOOD, USE BOTTLED WATER

IF YOU WERE AFFECTED BY THE RECENT FLOODING AND YOU AREN'T SURE YOUR WATER SUPPLY IS SAFE, DON'T DRINK IT.

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION EXPERTS SAY ALL WATER SOURCES IN FLOODED AREAS, BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, SHOULD BE CONSIDERED UNSAFE FOR DRINKING UNTIL CERTIFIED OTHERWISE. UNLESS YOUR WATER SOURCE HAS BEEN DEEMED SAFE, DRINK ONLY COMMERCIALLY BOTTLED WATER OR WATER YOU PURIFY YOURSELF BY BOILING FOR TEN MINUTES.

UGA EXPERTS SAY WATER CAN BE PURIFIED BY ADDING 8 DROPS OF HOUSEHOLD CHLORINE BLEACH TO ONE GALLON OF WATER. IF THE WATER REMAINS CLOUDY OR COLORED AFTER 30 MINUTES, ADD 8 MORE DROPS OF BLEACH FOR A TOTAL OF 16 DROPS PER GALLON OF WATER.

WATER PURIFYING TABLETS CAN ALSO BE PURCHASED AT DRUG STORES AND SPORTING GOODS STORES.

FOR MORE FLOOD RECOVERY INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL UGA EXTENSION AGENT AT 1-800-ASK-UGA1 OR VISIT WWW.UGAEXTENSION.COM.

• Link to audio file (60 sec) :: mp3

top