September is Fruit and Veggies - More Matters Month

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Published on Tuesday, 01 September 2015 16:07

Fruits & Veggies - More Matters is here to help you focus your attention on eating MORE fruits and vegetables! Add one more. Try something new. Educate yourself. Teach the kids. Try a new recipe. 

The Facts

More than 90 percent of both adults and children do not eat the amount of fruits and vegetables recommended by the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the MyPlate nutrition guide. But just remember two (2) things . . . fill half your plate with fruits & veggies at every eating occasion (including snacks) AND all forms . . . fresh frozen canned, dried and 100% juice . . . count toward your daily intake!

What You Can Do

America's More Matters Pledge to Fight Obesity

The obesity rate in American children has tripled over the past 30 years, and their expected lifespan is now less than their parents! There are things you can do at home . . . and at school . . . to help change this! Take the PLEDGE - Let Us Help You Stop this Trend!

Fruits & Veggie Happenings in Your Local Community

Things are happening in your local schools and grocery stores to help increase fruit and vegetable consumption and address childhood obesity and public health in general. Search by Zip to see what's happening in your local community OR Add Your Own Program.

Fruit & Vegetable News

Check out the latest in fruit & veggie news. Read about everything from headliners and rumors . . . to research and policies that could affect you and your family. We're your 'go to' source for fruit and vegetable information and news. Go to In the News

Ways to Add More Fruits and Veggies to Your Day

Everyone can benefit from eating just one more serving of fruits and veggies.

Learn more here.

Help your kids succeed in School

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Published on Tuesday, 01 September 2015 15:19

Helping your kids succeed in school can mean asking the right questions - of their teachers, principals and counselors. This new parent checklist from the Department of Education recommends "key questions" to set the stage for:

• high learning standards
• effective parent-educator communications
• a safe, engaging environment for the kids

It also has tips from teachers and other places to seek help.

Reduce the Risk of Fire

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Published on Tuesday, 01 September 2015 15:11

A Message from your American Red Cross, Andrew County Health Department and the Savannah Fire Department

The American Red Cross of Northwest Missouri, the Andrew County Health Department and the Savannah Fire Department are teaming up to reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by home fires by ensuring all homes in Andrew County have working smoke alarms. 

On average 36 people suffer injuries as a result of home fires every day. Last year, in Northwest Missouri, the Red Cross responded to more than 100 fires. 

Families are encouraged to take these three steps to help minimize their risk:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of the home and check them monthly by pressing the test button
• Create a fire escape plan identifying two escape routes from every room of the home and identifying a meeting place a short distance from the home where family members can meet after escaping
• Practice the escape plan at least twice a year, paying particular attention to children or older adults who many require extra time and care

If you are in a need of a smoke alarm, one will be installed for you free of charge by calling the American Red Cross at 816-232-8439. Installation will be done by members of the Savannah Fire Department.

Heatstroke deaths are 100 percent preventable

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Published on Tuesday, 01 September 2015 12:00

With temperatures soaring across the country, the NHTSA urges everyone to remember that heatstroke can be deadly to kids left in hot cars. Heatstroke is the leading cause of death for children under 14 in motor vehicle incidents  (other than crashes) . There have already been 10 deaths in 2015. Follow these tips to prevent heatstroke:

• Never leave an infant or child unattended in a vehicle, even if the windows are partly open, or the engine is running and the air conditioning is on.
• Don't let children play in an unattended vehicle.
• Make a habit of looking in the vehicle before locking the door and walking away.
• Take steps to remember not to leave a child in a vehicle by leaving a note or placing a purse or briefcase in the back seat.
• If you see a child alone in a vehicle, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. If they are in distress due to heat, get them out as quickly as possible.