Strengthening Oklahoma Families
Kathy Enyart, County Extension Director & Extension Educator, FCS/4-H Youth Development
Ottawa County OSU Cooperative Extension Service
December 2015
Inside this
issue:
Take The
Chill out of
Winter
Heating Bills
Teen Identity
Theft is on the
Rise
Using Electric
Space Heaters
Understandin
g Dates on
Food
Packaging
Knowing you
Winter
Weather Terms
Part of Bracing
for the Cold
Season
Co-Parenting
Class Offered
Monitor Your
Money
Take the Chill out of Winter Heating Bills
With the official start of winter just a few
days away, Oklahomans are sure to have felt
the chill in the air. While many people enjoy
the briskness of cooler weather, they may not
enjoy the cost of staying warm.
Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University
Cooperative Extension housing and consumer
specialist, said there are eight simple tips
homeowners can use to help cut down on
household heating bills while staying cozy at
the same time.
1. Take advantage of heat from the sun. Next
to your mortgage payment, home heating and
cooling bills often take up the biggest chunk
of the household budget. The easiest free way
to help heat your home is to open the curtains
on your south- and west-facing windows
during the day to allow sunlight to naturally
heat your home. Close at night to reduce chill
from the windows.
2: Cover drafty windows. Cover windows
with a heavy duty, clear plastic sheet on a
frame, or tape clear plastic film to the inside
of your window frames. Install heavy or
insulated drapes or shades on windows that
feel drafty.
3: Adjust the temperature. Adjusting the
temperature on your thermostat is another
easy way to keep your bills under control.
The Department of Energy suggests setting
your thermostat at 68 degrees when you are
home. Turn the thermostat back about 10
degrees during the day when you are not at
home, or at night when everyone is asleep.
Using a programmable thermostat will help
homeowners adjust the temperature in the
home.
4: Find and seal leaks. Open your cabinet
doors and check for gaps around pipes
leading into your home. Also check for gapes
around your chimney and any recessed
lighting you have. If a homeowner feels a
draft around windows and doors, install
weather stripping. Sealing these openings will
cut down on cold air getting into your home.
5: Maintain your heating systems. If you have
not already done so, schedule a service for
your heating system to ensure it is operating
properly. Be sure to change the filters
monthly on your air handling system to help
ensure the unit is running properly. For those
with a wood- or pellet-burning heater, clean
the flue vent regularly and periodically clean
the inside of the unit with a wire brush to help
ensure it burns as efficiently as possible.
6: Reduce heat loss from the fireplace. If you
have a fireplace, keep the damper closed
when you do not have a fire burning. An open
damper is much like an open window that
allows cold air to come in and hot air to
escape. Make sure the seal on the damper is
as snug as possible. If your fireplace features
tempered glass doors, try to keep them closed
when the fireplace is not in use as this will
help cut down on drafts, too. To help make
your fireplace even more efficient, install a
heat-air exchange system.
7: Lower your water heating costs.
Consumers can save money by setting the
temperature of the water heater at 120
degrees.
8: Lower your holiday lighting costs. To help
reduce the cost of festive holiday lighting, use
light-emitting diode, or LED, light strings
when decorating your home.
“With the holiday season in full swing,
your household budget is probably taking a
bigger hit than it typically does at other times
of the year,” Peek said. “Following these
suggestions will help you keep a little bit
more of your money in your pocket.”
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Teen Identity Theft is on the Rise
Identity theft has long been a nationally growing
concern. It can take months, even years, to sort out the
financial mess of having your identity stolen. While
news reports typically tell the woes of adults dealing
with this issue, identity theft is a rising concern among
the country’s youth, and one they may not discover for
a long time.
A Carnegie Mellon study of 40,000 children under
the age of 18 revealed this age group was twice as
likely as their parents to be victims of identity theft.
Unfortunately, identity theft among the younger set can
be particularly difficult to straighten out because it may
have been going on for years since parents do not
routinely check their children’s credit reports. Parents
and children likely will not have any idea this has gone
on until the child tries to get a driver’s license or applies
for a loan or credit card.
Parents should talk to their children about identity
theft and how they can help protect themselves. We
live in a very social world and kids today are growing
up sharing a lot of information on Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram and other social media outlets. While it’s OK
for them to share their thoughts on the latest hit at the
movie theater, talk to your kids about the importance of
not sharing personal information such as phone
numbers, their full address, and definitely steer away
from listing birthdate in a public place. This
information is golden for identity thieves, who can then
use it to gain other data about your child.
Many teens have bank accounts and it is important
they keep account and PIN information private.
Encourage your teen not to divulge information
inadvertently. If your teen needs to get cash, but is in
the passenger seat with a vehicle full of friends, it is not
a good idea to go to a drive-up ATM and simply hand
the card over and tell the driver what the PIN is.
It is not likely the friends will steal your child’s
identity, but it is best to get cash ahead of time or go to
a walk-up ATM and have the teen complete the
transaction.
While adults are used to receiving multiple credit
card offers in the mail on a weekly basis, it appears
more and more teens are being targeted by credit card
companies. This is especially true when the teen takes
out a student loan or a secured credit card in an effort to
build credit.
When sorting out the mail, do not throw away those
offers. Many of those offers contain important
information that could make it easy for an identity thief
to open an account. Be sure to run those offers through
a shredder. Better yet, get your teen to do this so they
will get in the habit of shredding.
Finally, make sure that your teen knows how to pull
a copy of their credit report. Everyone can receive three
free copies a year by visiting annualcreditreport.com.
This is a good habit throughout life. Sit down with your
child and look at the child’s credit report. This will help
them understand how to monitor for any suspicious
activity. If you find something suspicious, such as a
bank account you didn’t open or a department store
account, contact the bank or store immediately. Starting
good protection services now will help get any issues
shut down quickly.
Using Electric Space Heaters
As the winter months make their chilly presence
known, electric space heaters may be an option when
you want to heat a specific area in your house. Space
heaters aren’t designed to replace a home’s heating
system, but, when used safely and properly, they can
provide plenty of supplemental heat for contained
spaces in your home.
For those who already own an electric heater,
inspect it thoroughly, including checking the cord and
plug for damage, before turning it on. Do not use the
appliance if it is damaged in any way.
If you are in the market for a new electric heater,
look for a product with the UL (Underwriters
Laboratories) certification mark. Also, to ensure the
appliance includes the most up-to-date safety standards,
consider only the most recent models.
While the heater is in use, make sure it’s on a level,
hard, nonflammable surface such as a ceramic tile floor
and avoid placing it on top of other furniture where it
could fall. Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away
from the heater. Bedding, drapes, furniture or other
flammable materials also should be kept the same
distance away from the appliance.
Do not use space heaters in damp, wet areas such as
outdoors or in bathrooms unless the appliance is
designed to operate in such conditions. Heaters should
be plugged directly into the wall. If the heater’s plug
gets hot, it could be a sign the outlet may need to be
replaced. Contact a qualified electrician for assistance.
Do not operate the heater when you are not in the
immediate area, while you are asleep or if you are away
from the house. Electric heaters can do a great job of
keeping small areas warm and toasty. Following a few
safety precautions will help you take advantage of that
warmth without worrying about fire, electrocution or
other hazards.
Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating. Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and
other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in
any of its policies, practices, or procedures.
Understanding Dates on Food Packaging
While consumers are studying the ingredients and
nutritional information on the labels of the items on
their grocery lists, there is another detail they also
should check. Knowing the meaning of the “sell-by,”
“best-if-used-by,” and “use-by” dates stamped on
packaging, including perishables, will help ensure
shoppers are purchasing and consuming food at their
peak freshness. Understanding common terms will help
cut the risk of eating potentially spoiled foods, as well
as limit the amount of food you throw away.
“Sell-by” dates tell the store how long to display the
product for sale. Products with sell-by dates should be
purchased before the date expires.
A “best-if-used-by” date is a recommendation for
best flavor or quality, while the “use-by” date is the last
day recommended for the use of the product while at
peak quality. The product’s manufacturer sets the “bestif-used-by” and “use-by” dates. Only “use-by” dates
extend to home storage and use after that product has
been purchased.
Usually all these dates refer to best quality, not food
safety. A product should be perfectly safe for use even
if the date has expired while at home on your shelf or in
your refrigerator, as long as it is handled and stored
properly. As a general rule, refrigerated foods should
be kept at 40 F or below. Consumers should follow
“use-by” dates. Fresh or uncooked food items with
“sell-by” dates or no date should be cooked or frozen
using the following guidelines:
 Poultry: Within one or two days
 Beef, veal, pork and lamb: Three to five days
 Ground meat and poultry: One or two days
 Cooked, cured ham: Five to seven days
 Sausage from pork, beef or turkey: One or two days
 Eggs: Three to five weeks
When it comes to eggs, cartons stamped with the
USDA grade shield must display the “pack date,” a
three-digit code representing the consecutive day of the
year starting with January 1 as 001 and ending with
December 31 as 365. The code date may not exceed 45
days from the date of packing shown on cartons
stamped with “sell-by” dates and the USDA grade
shield. Always purchase eggs before the sell-by or
expiration date. Refrigerate them in their original
carton and store them in the coldest part of the
refrigerator. For best quality, use them within three to
five weeks of the date you purchased them.
Finally, most canned goods display calendar dates.
These dates usually are considered best-if-used-by dates
to help ensure peak quality. Generally, high-acid foods
such as tomatoes and pineapple will retain best quality
on the shelf for 12 months to 18 months, while low-acid
foods will retain best quality on the shelf for two years
to five years.
Whether we’re talking fresh foods or canned goods,
the importance of food safety can’t be overlooked.
Proper handling and storage make all the difference.
Knowing your Winter Weather Terms
Part of Bracing for the Cold Season
As you shake, shiver, slip and slide through the
winter months, reduce your exposure to cold-weather
hazards by learning common weather terms and
preparing ahead of possible storms or other
emergencies. There’s a reason the National Weather
Service describes winter storms as ‘deceptive killers.’
The severe weather doesn’t directly cause injury and
death, but it can cause accidents on icy roads or
hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold.
Knowing ahead of time what to expect can cut your risk
of exposure to many cold-weather hazards.
Start by becoming familiar with common weatherrelated terms such as winter storm watch, winter storm
warning, blizzard, sleet and freezing rain. Winter storm
watches signal storms are possible locally, while winter
storm warnings mean storms are occurring or will soon
occur. Meanwhile, freezing rain is rain that freezes
when it hits the ground. By contrast, sleet is rain that is
frozen before it hits the ground. Both can cause slippery
roads and walkways. A blizzard warning means
sustained or frequent winds of 35 miles per hour or
more with lots of falling or blowing snow expected for
three or more hours.
Use today’s technology to your advantage by
downloading to your phone or tablet helpful weather
apps for up-to-date forecasts and alerts. Other apps,
such as those offered by FEMA and the American Red
Cross, provide information on shelters, first aid and
recovery assistance.
In the event a storm does hit, make sure you are
prepared with enough supplies, food, water and shelter
for at least five days. Do not forget to include pets and
other animals in your preparations. Do you have rock
salt, sand and a shovel or other snow removal
equipment? Check to be sure there’s sufficient heating
fuel, and be ready to layer on hats, gloves and scarves
for warmth if the power goes out and there is no heat.
Families should have a communications plan. Know
the emergency plans at public schools and where you
work. Each family member also should be familiar
with what to do if a storm hits when they are home
alone. For more information on preparing for winter
weather, visit www.ready.gov.
Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating. Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and
other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in
any of its policies, practices, or procedures.
Co-Parenting Class Offered
Monitor Your Money
Ottawa County Extension is offering Co-Parenting
for Resilience class for divorcing parents with minor
children. Parents who attend the class will gain a better
idea of how their children are dealing with the divorce.
They will learn strategies and skills to help them work
with their co-parent for the wellbeing of their children.
“Divorce is life-changing for everyone in the family,
including the children, and how the parents handle the
divorce can make the experience better or worse for
them,” said Kathy Enyart, Ottawa County Extension
Educator. The class, based on the most up-todate research in the marriage and family field, is taught
by Enyart, who is specially trained to work with
divorcing couples. According to Oklahoma House Bill
2249, parents with children 18 or younger are required
to attend a co-parenting class that relates to the impact
of divorce on children.
Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension’s
Co-Parenting for Resilience has been taught for more
than 20 years, meets all the requirements of the new
state law and has a long, strong track record of
effectiveness. Developed by a multidisciplinary team
of researchers at OSU, the class uses a combination of
lecture, discussion, video and interactive activities
to help parents figure out the best ways to help their
children adjust to the divorce.
Enyart began teaching the class in early 2015.
Recent class evaluations show more than 90 percent of
participants reported learning new ways to effectively
parent their children during and after the divorce. Of
those who took the Ottawa County Class, 100% said
they would recommend the program to a friend.
The class will be offered once a month throughout
2016 at the Ottawa County Courthouse Annex
Conference Room. The cost to attend is $30. Classes
are scheduled from 1:00-5:00 pm. Participants are
asked to register at least 3 days prior to the scheduled
class. Class Schedule for 2016:
January 21
July 21
February 25
August 25
March 24
September 8
April 15
October 13
May 19
November 15
June 16
December 15
To register for Co-Parenting for Resilience or for
more information about the class, contact the Ottawa
County Extension office at 918-542-1688 or go to
www.coparenting.okstate.edu.
While you are out hunting for the perfect gifts,
beware of those who could be taking advantage of the
season of giving by stalking your money.
Unfortunately, thieves and fraudsters are just as much a
part of the holidays as decorations and family
gatherings.
New technologies are constantly being developed to
steal sensitive information from consumers, including
during the holidays. The only way to really protect
ourselves is to understand how thieves operate, stay
alert and put some common sense precautions in place.
Some of those common sense precautions involve
memorizing the PIN to your debit card, shielding others
from watching as you input your PIN and making a
habit of putting away your debit or credit card
immediately after every transaction. If you prefer to
shop with cash, be sure to get a receipt for all your
purchases. Also avoid flashing bills openly while
you’re in public.
When it comes to shopping online, make sure you
are operating on a secure site. The web addresses for
secure sites usually begin with https and sites with
secure portals will more than likely advertise that
feature. As an added layer of protection, you can stick
with better-known online outlets to increase your
chances of a safe and authentic shopping experience.
Consumers also have the option of using websites such
as www.resellerratings.com, which allow users to verify
online retailers, even if they have changed names, and
search for the best prices for products across multiple
online outlets.
A few other easy safeguards include checking your
wallet each evening for your debit and credit cards,
reviewing your bank statement online to verify all
purchases are yours and scrambling the passwords to
important accounts to make them more difficult to
decipher. Stay away from using family or pet names or
other easily identifiable information as passwords. In
reviewing your account statements, dispute any charges
you believe are not yours. If you lose your debit or
credit card, report it immediately. In the case of credit
cards, your liability is $50 if you report it as soon as
you know it’s missing.
Finally, after the holidays, check your credit report.
Everyone is entitled to one free report each year from
each of the three major credit agencies.
Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to request a report
and download it.
Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating. Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and
other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in
any of its policies, practices, or procedures.