Health Dept. Urges Precautions To Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
January 8, 2015
The Florida Department of Health urges Floridians to take precautions to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a year round threat, however as temperatures drop, the potential for CO poisonings rise. CO is a highly poisonous gas produced by burning fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, propane, kerosene, charcoal, and wood. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. The risk of illness or death increases with the level of CO in the air and the amount of time exposed. Dangerous CO levels can result when home appliances are not properly maintained or when used incorrectly.
“Carbon monoxide is a silent poisonous gas that can cause illness and death within minutes of exposure,” said Dr. Kendra Goff, state toxicologist for the Florida Department of Health. “It is invisible, tasteless, odorless and non-irritating, which is why taking precautions is vital and having sufficient working CO alarms in your home is critical. Proper use of generators, portable space heaters or gas grills can protect you and your family from the potential tragedy of an accidental poisoning.”
Since symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning, or other illnesses, you may not think CO poisoning is the cause. The common signs and symptoms include headache, nausea, weakness, abdominal discomfort/pain, dizziness, and confusion. Other signs and symptoms may include blurred vision, numbness and tingling, ataxia (loss or lack of muscular coordination), irritability, agitation, chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, seizures, and loss of consciousness.
Anyone who suspects symptoms of CO poisoning should go outside the home or building without delay and seek prompt medical attention. If a person has collapsed or is not breathing, call 911 for emergency medical assistance immediately from a safer location such as outside or from a neighbor’s home. Children, pregnant women, and individuals with heart conditions are most vulnerable.
Tips to help prevent CO poisoning:
- Never use a gas stove or oven to heat the home.
- Never burn charcoal inside a house, garage, vehicle, or tent, including in a fireplace.
- Avoid using unvented gas, propane, or kerosene heaters in enclosed spaces, especially sleeping areas.
- Install and use fuel-burning appliances according to manufacturer instructions, the Florida Building Code, and the Florida Fire Prevention Code.
- Inspect the exhaust system of each fuel burning appliance every year, including chimneys, flues, and vents. Check for blockage, holes, and disconnections.
- Have fuel-burning appliances inspected and serviced annually by a licensed contractor.
- Never leave an automobile running in a garage, even with the garage door open.
- Do not leave the rear window or tailgate of a vehicle open while driving. CO from the exhaust can be pulled inside the car, van, or camper.
- Never use a portable generator or a fuel-powered tool indoors or in other enclosed or partially enclosed areas.
- Always place portable generators outdoors on a dry surface far away from doors, windows, vents, and air conditioning equipment that could allow CO to enter. Orient the generator so that it is placed with the exhaust port pointing away from the home.
- Install battery operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery backup inside a house according to manufacturer’s installation instructions or NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 720: Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment.
- Install only CO alarms that meet the UL (Underwriter Laboratories) 2034 or the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) 6.19 standards.
- Replace CO alarm batteries once a year and test alarms frequently.
- Replace CO alarms every five years or as often as recommended by the alarm manufacturer.
International Paper Grant Application Deadline Near
January 8, 2015
International Paper (IP) Pensacola Mill will award $50,000 in Foundation Grants in 2015, and the deadline for all grant applications in Monday, January 12.
Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation in Memphis, TN, and will focus on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement and critical community needs. Applicants must be a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, school, or qualifying government entity to apply.
For more information about the Foundation, visit www.ipgiving.com. For more information about the grant process, contact Janice Cooper Holmes, communications manager, by email janice.holmes@ipaper.com or call (850) 968-4203.
Money Saving Cold Weather Tips
January 8, 2015
Gulf Power Company is offering some cold weather energy savings tips for everyone, including customers of other utilities. Gulf Power offers the following tips to stay warm, safe and conserve energy.
Things you can do right now to save money and energy
- Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower to conserve energy.
- Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans so they rotate clockwise as you look up at them. This will force warm air down from the ceiling.
- During the middle of the day, open blinds and curtains on the sunny side of the house. Also, where possible, reduce the traffic in and out of the house.
- Don’t use your oven to heat your home — it’s not efficient and most important, it’s not safe.
- A fireplace is not always an efficient heat source. If not used properly it can actually make the rest of the house cooler because airflow up the chimney removes the heated air. When using the fireplace, close all doors and warm air ducts to the room where the fireplace is located. Glass doors on a fireplace will reduce the outflow of warm air. And a fireplace with a blower system is ever better because it actually blows the warm air around the firebox back into the room.
- An electric blanket is more economical than heating the entire house all night long.
- Use a portable electric heater to heat only a small area. Buy models that are thermostatically controlled. Keep it at least three feet from items that could catch fire like curtains or furniture. Make sure you have working smoke detectors on every floor and in every sleeping room of your house.
- Make sure vents and return air registers are not blocked by furniture, draperies, doors or other obstacles.
- Use “draft stoppers” or towels/blankets to block drafts at foot of door.
- If you should lose power, go to your thermostat and turn off your heating system. Please wait 10 to 15 minutes after power has been restored before turning it back on. This prevents a power surge from shutting down electricity again.
- If you should lose power, please do not connect portable generators to your household electrical wiring. This can cause serious injury to you and to Gulf Power employees who are restoring electricity. Instead, plug appliances into the generator. Never use a generator in enclosed or partially-enclosed spaces because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Things you can do to prepare your home for the whole winter season
Temperature settings
- Heating a house makes up about half of your electricity bill so set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower in the winter. Did you know that you can decrease the amount of energy you buy for heating by three percent or more for every degree below 68 degrees you set your thermostat?
- Programmable thermostats are a good investment, or you can take advantage of Gulf Power’s Energy Select. Energy Select is Gulf Power’s advanced energy management program that offers a lower price for electricity 87 percent of the time. Energy Select features a programmable thermostat and a special rate of four price periods based upon time of day, day of week and season. Installation and meter-based surge protection are both free with Energy Select. Only $4.95 per month.
Heating and cooling equipment
- The system heating the home is extremely important. If it’s an older, less efficient unit, upgrading to a geothermal heating and cooling system — or a high efficiency air-source heat pump may be a wise choice. Contact Gulf Power at 1-877-655-4001 for a free Energy Check-Up.
Routine maintenance
- A well-maintained heating system runs more efficiently. A complete tune-up of the home heating system can cost anywhere from $50 to $100 and more, but this is a very worthwhile investment and can reduce your heating bill from 3 to 10 percent. Some companies offer regular service contracts, which are a convenience if you tend to forget system maintenance. Remember to replace the filter every month.
Ductwork
- Duct leakage can account for 20 percent of the heating and cooling cost. Getting ducts sealed up should be at the top of the list for making your home energy efficient.
Insulation
- Adding insulation to your attic is one of the most cost-effective energy saving measures. Different types of insulation material have different R-values. The recommended level is R-38 in the attic.
Weather-stripping and caulking
- Weather-strip door jambs and caulk any cracks around windows to prevent cool air from entering your home.
Window units
- If you have a window air conditioning unit, remove it for the winter months to prevent heat from escaping through and around the unit. If it can’t be moved, put a cover over it to prevent drafts.
Humidifier
- Use a humidifier to keep your home more comfortable. Adding moisture allows you to reduce the thermostat setting without feeling colder.
GED Classes Beginning At Molino Community Center
January 7, 2015
GED classes will being Monday, January 12 at the Molino Community Center from 6-8 p.m. each Monday and Thursday evening in Room 124.
New students will need to take the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) before registration for the GED classes. The test will be given free only at the Molino Community Center on Thursday, January 8 at 6 p.m. for new students 18 or over with a photo identification.
Students under 18 will need to take the TABE and get an age waiver in person at George Stone Technical Center. Returning students may register online at www.georgestonecenter.com. For more information, call George Stone at (850) 941-6200 or (850) 516-4451.
For more information on the Molino GED class, call the Molino Library at (850) 435-1760.
Peanut Butter Challenge Nets 1.5 Tons In Escambia, Santa Rosa
January 6, 2015
UF/IFAS Extension collected over 3,000 pounds of peanut butter for the needy during the recent “Peanut Butter Challenge” in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
There were 628 jars, or 806.5 pounds, of peanut butter collected in Escambia County, and 2,259 pounds were donated in Santa Rosa County. Local peanut farmers Rodney and Mike Helton also donated a pallet of peanut butter, as did Tri-County Peanut.
The Helton pallet at the collected peanut butter from Escambia County was distributed to local groups including the Manna Food Bank, the Salvation Army, the Ashford-Washburn Center, the Carver Community Center in Century, the First Baptist Church of Flomaton, the First Baptist Church of Bratt, Gonzalez United Methodist Church, Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino, Allen Memorial United Methodist in Cantonment, Brentwood Assembly of God, Myrtle Grove Methodist, Liberty Church North Campus and St. James Missionary.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Top 14 North Escambia Stories Of 2014
January 5, 2015
Here are our picks for the Top 14 Stories of 2014 on NorthEscambia.com :
14. Tate’s Showband Of The South Heads To Philly
The Tate High School Showband of the South marched in the 2014 Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia. As part of tours of Philadelphia and Washington, the students visited Arlington National Cemetery where Showband members placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
13. West Florida Jaguars State Softball Championship
The West Florida Lady Jaguars won the 4A state championship in almost impossible grand style. The Lady Jags were down 5-1 with two outs in the seventh, before coming back to beat P. K. Yonge 6-5 in Vero Beach.
12. Good Folks, Good Grades
It was nothing short of another great year at Molino Park Elementary School. Principal Alice Woodward was named Escambia County’s Principal of the Year. Sara Calhoun was named the state’s elementary school Reading Teacher of the Year. Monsanto presented the school with a $25,000 technology grant. Molino Park’s school grade from the Florida Department of Education jumped from a “C” to an “A”. At Molino Park Elementary School, 95 percent of third graders were proficient in math on the FCAT, the highest level in Escambia County and better than all but less than a dozen schools in the state.
11. Northview’s FFA One Of The Nation’s Best
The honors just kept pouring in during 2014 for the Northview High School FFA — Outstanding FFA Chapter, State Superior Chapter, State FFA Gold Chapter Rating for hosting the top “Food for America” program in Florida. Then at the National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY, the Northview FFA was awarded the Three Star Chapter designation — the highest status at the national level — on live national television for the second straight year.
10. Train Derailment
During January’s rare ice storm, 23 cars from a CSX train derailed behind the McDavid Sawmill on Champion Drive. Four cars containing a 96 percent concentration phosphoric acid derailed into Fletcher Creek which feeds into Cotton Lake and the Escambia River. Three of the cars were breached, one catastrophically. Officials reported as much as 30,000 gallons of corrosive acid spilled into the creek. Cleanup was declared complete in March,with a long-term monitoring program put into place.
9. New 4-H Facilities
In 2012, the children and teens on the 4-H County Council voted to sell their 240 acre Langley Bell 4-H Center to Navy Federal Credit Union. In 2014, progress began on two new 4-H facilities — one at the Extension Service on Stefani Road and the other off Chalker Road in Molino.
8. Century’s Gas Leak Repaired
Major work came to a close in late 2014 on repairs to a leaking section of natural gas pipe under Highway 29 in Century, three and a half years since the leak was publicly revealed as a “major public safety issue”.
7. Crime And Punishment
The headlines in 2014 were full of crimes — and punishments. From 19 murders across Escambia County, to burglaries in our neighborhoods and street level drugs and associated crimes – the headlines ran the gamut of arrests and sentences from the bench.
6. Century’s Big Plan
Using grant money from the state, Century partnered with the University of West Florida’s Haas Center to develop an economic strategic plan. Already honored by the Florida Chamber Foundation and recognized by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s Competitive Florida Partnership, the plan will be implemented in 2015 with the hope of jump starting Century’s economy.
5. LOST Renewal
Voters renewed the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) for Escambia County and schools during 2014. Project after project has been funded over the previous years of LOST, including the ongoing construction of a new Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill.
4. Highway 29, Highway 97 Intersection
Perhaps the most “famous” intersection in North Escambia, we reported wreck after wreck at the intersection in 2014, including an accident that claimed the life of a Northview High School student. After a traffic study, Escambia County agreed to foot the bill and the Florida Department of Transportation agreed to install a traffic signal. The year closed with no visible progress on the light’s installation.
3. Ice Storm
Escambia County literally froze in January — closed schools, widespread power outages, pretty much all transportation at a complete standstill — during a freak Florida ice storm.
2. Jail Explosion
As the flood waters filled the basement of the Escambia County Central Booking and Detention Center, rising water caused gas dryers to disconnect. That gas ignited, setting off an explosion that killed two inmates — 45-year old David Paul Weinstein and 54-year old Robert Earl Simmons of McDavid. A corrections officer, Christopher Hankinson, was left paralyzed from the waist down, while about 180 other inmates and corrections personnel were injured.
1. Spring Floods
Without a doubt, the top story of 2014 was the April flood, with an unbelievable 25 inches of rain falling in about 24 hours in parts of Escambia County. Bridges and roads collapsed or were simply swept away, perhaps hundreds of people were rescued from flooded cars and homes. Over 3,000 homes in Escambia County were damaged or destroyed, and the financial toll was well over $100 million. One person, 67-year-old Betty Faye Word, died when here vehicle was completely submerged on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
2014 In Photos: November
January 5, 2015
We are looking back at the top events of 2014 in photos. Today, we are featuring photos from November. For photos from earlier in 2014, click the corresponding month below.
NOVEMBER 2014 PHOTOS:
In one of our most talked about photos of the year, a firefighter pulls a line to begin the battle against a house fire on Highway 97 in Davisville on November 11.
Another photo of the Highway 97 house fire.
The Blue Angels were back in the skies in November over Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Northview High School held a baseball clinic with major leaguer Caleb Gindl of the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department honored members of the community and the department during a record-setting 45th annual fish fry.
Fire damaged the Cantonment Burger King.
Ernest Ward Middle School honored veterans.
A photo that went viral on a local scale on Facebook — our cameras caught a politician that sweeps around his own door — literally. Atmore Mayor Jim Staff is seen sweeping outside the main entrance to the Atmore City Hall.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue held live burn demonstrations.
The Tate High School’s playoff run came to an end as the Aggies lost to Niceville 35-0 in the Region 1-7A semifinal.
About 200 students from schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties worked in fields near Jay Monday to harvest turnips and bag sweet potatoes that fed hundreds of needy families for Thanksgiving.
A Georgia church reached out to Century and provided a Thanksgiving lunch.
The Tate High School Showband of the South marched in the 2014 Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia.
The Atmore Fire Department held a “Heroes For Christmas” toy drive.
It was the kind of traffic problem you only see in the country in Oak Grove — a 6,000 pound bale of cotton blocking part of an intersection.
he Northview High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) sponsored a student led worship event in the school gymnasium.
A home on Kathleen Avenue was destroyed by a November fire.
Molino Park Elementary School celebrated the receipt of a $25,000 technology grant from Monsanto.
Century worked toward completion on the repair of a leaking section of natural gas pipe under Highway 29 in Century, three and a half years since the leak was publicly revealed as a “major public safety issue”.
Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center held a Thanksgiving feast the children and their parents.
The BP in Davisville was robbed at gunpoint; the gunman arrested in Mississippi after another holdup.
Members of the Tate High School Showband of the South placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery.
Gas prices for Thanksgiving weekend were at their lowest level in five years.
A t-ball field at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill received some much needed attention from Eagle Scout candidate Benjamin Stott of Bratt.
The Escambia Academy Cougars won the AISA Class AAA state championship.
Sparks fly as a fireman cuts open the hood of a burning truck on Highway 4 in Davisville.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Senior Dining Program Offers Hope
January 4, 2015
The Council on Aging of West Florida’s senior dining site program offers more than a hot meal — it gives seniors an incentive to get up every day, according to Joyce Raney, manager of the Chumuckla senior dining site.
“Many of the participants can’t drive, and live alone,” Raney says. “The senior dining site program offers them fellowship and an opportunity to see their neighbors. They appreciate that they have this to come to every day.”
The senior dining site program is a neighborhood-based program offering nutritious meals, activities and socialization for seniors age 60 and older. Council on Aging operates nearly 20 dining sites in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties including sites in Cantonment, Century, Jay and Chumuckla.
Hours for each site vary, but most are open from 9 a.m. until noon, Monday through Friday. A donation of $2 or more per person is recommended, but it is not mandatory. Donations are returned to the senior dining site program to support the provision of meals and activities at the sites.
Each month, a calendar of the meals and activities is provided at each site. Meals are prepared fresh daily and typically include an entrée, two sides, fresh fruit and milk. Meals meet one-third of the minimum daily nutritional requirements for an adult, complying with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs Guidelines, and are approved by a certified dietician.
Seniors also engage in fun and mentally-stimulating activities at the sites. Common daily activities include puzzles, word games, field trips, guest speakers and bingo.
Deborah Williams, the Century site manager, says participants are dealing with difficult situations like sickness and the death of loved ones.
“Some are not ready to go home when it’s time to go,” Williams says. “Being around others brings them comfort.”
Individuals interested in participating in the senior dining site program or getting loved ones involved, should call Council on Aging of West Florida at (850) 432-1475 or visit
www.coawfla.org for more information.
Pictured top: Cantonment senior dining site participants enjoy lunch. Pictured top inset: A little entertainment at the Cantonment senior dining site. Pictured inset: Lura Thomas receives a donation at the Cantonment site. Pictured below: Participants at the Chumuckla site. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
2014 In Photos: September
January 4, 2015
We are looking back at the top events of 2014 in photos. Today, we are featuring photos from September.
A Walnut Hill woman returned home, two days after being bitten by a pygmy rattlesnake.
September was peanut harvest time in Escambia County…with enough peanuts harvested for 212 million peanut butter sandwiches.
Puppies in K-9 tracking training at Century Correctional Institution.
Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection was held at the school, with cadets undergoing face to face scrutiny with a retired Navy commander.
Hundreds of students gathered to pray at their schools in across the area during the annual See You at the Pole event.
About two months after repairs were completed to a collapsed shoulder on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill, the heavily traveled state roadway once again crumbled into a deep gully.
The Tate Aggies bounced bag for a 33-32 overtime win over Pine Forest.
Daisy Robinson, an Escambia County School District bus driver, received statewide recognition at the Florida capitol ifor saving a young boy found wandering along in the middle of Kingsfield Road.
The Tate High School Showband of the South was busy with fundraisers for a trip to Philadelphia’s Thanksgiving Day parade.
The Town of Century approved a budget for the next fiscal year that was up $2.2 million.
Firefighters practiced their skills in a training scenario in which a car rear-ended a school bus.
The Century Chamber of Commerce as named the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center as the winner of the September Community Pride Award.
The 1A Northview Chiefs practice for a road game against the Class 6A Choctaw Indians.
Prisoners worship in the chapel of the Century Correctional Institution.
Volleyball season was underway in September.
Ransom Middle School staff members responded to the ice bucket challenger for ALS.
The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension program celebrated 100 years.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
2014 In Photos: October
January 4, 2015
We are looking back at the top events of 2014 in photos. Today, we are featuring photos from October.
Northview High School officially dedicated its stadium as the Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in honor of the late Tommy Weaver, a beloved teacher and coach.
A fire destroyed an Atmore business and threatened an entire city block.
Hundreds of students from Bratt Elementary School took a virtual trip to Kenya, thanks to the Global Corner Learning Center.
The tradition of excellence continued for the Tate High School Showband at the Florida Bandmasters Association Music Performance Assessment at Ft. Walton Beach High School, receiving straight Superior ratings in all categories for the 44th consecutive year.
The Automation and Production Technology Academy at Northview High School is being used as a model for similar academies at middle and high schools across the region.
The Florida Chamber Foundation honored the Town of Century for their commitment to regional economic development.
Geometry students at Northview High School completed a really sweet project — scaling ordinary candy packages into supersized replicas.
IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, a local women’s philanthropy group, awarded 10 grants worth $102,500 each to community groups.
Work continued on a $1.8 million project to replace the Fannie Road Bridge outside Century.
The 1A Northview Chiefs battled to a 35-28 win over the 4A Walton Braves of Defuniak Springs.
An October tradition – the annual Allen Memorial United Methodist Church Men’s Pumpkin Patch was open on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
Northview took on Baker in volleyball action.
Kamryn Brock was name the 2014 Northview High School Homecoming Queen.
The annual Northview High School Homecoming Parade rolled through Bratt.
Community Helpers Day was held at Molino Park Elementary School.
The Ernest Ward Eagles defeated the Excel Panthers 44-20.
A Jay couple was found dead in murder-suicide.
The Tate Aggies beat Washington.
Over 1,230 volunteers from nearly 100 companies were hard at work across Escambia County as part of the United Way’s annual Day of Caring on 54 projects at nonprofit agencies and 30 schools, including painting a gazebo at Bratt Elementary School.
The Community Action Program celebrated the opening of their newest Head Start location in the Molino Community Complex on Highway 95A.
Hundreds attended the annual Molino Park Elementary School Fall Carnival.
The Cantonment Cowboys celebrated homecoming.
Tate High School presented “Saturday the 14th” — a parody of the “Friday the 13th movies”.
The Northview High School FFA chapter was awarded one of the highest national honors presented by the National FFA in Louisville, KY.
There were no injuries when a train slammed into a vehicle in Bogia.
NorthEscambia.com photos.