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A team of University of Georgia family and consumer sciences experts has earned a national award for their efforts to create healthier and safer environments for children, both at home and in daycare settings. 

Hurricane Irma had slowed down by the time she reached Georgia, reducing the amount of expected structural damage to homes, but flood waters may have left behind a sneaky and dangerous after-effect: mold.

Hurricanes and tropical storms can cause structural damage, but flood waters can harm families by tainting water supplies. Cities and counties alert citizens with boil advisories when municipal water supplies are affected, but those who rely on wells for water have to monitor their water themselves.

Hurricane Irma strengthened to a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 175 mph as of Monday, Sept. 5. It’s moving west-northwest on its present track, but longer-term models project that it will make a sharp turn to the north later this week, which could threaten parts of the Southeast, including Georgia.

As Atlantic hurricane season peaks, Georgians may be uncertain about how to prepare for an emergency. The state may not be directly affected by a hurricane, floods or high winds from a storm this year, but it’s always good to be prepared. September is National Preparedness Month, and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency have resources available to help Georgians prepare for an emergency.

For the past 20 years, Spalding County has been without a University of Georgia Extension Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) agent. Sweda filled that gap last December when she joined the local Extension staff. Wade Hutcheson, coordinator of the Spalding County Extension office, said the position was eliminated during a time period when the state was undergoing drastic budget cuts.

Georgia homeowners have the information that they need to make sure their houses are safe and healthy thanks to University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and the Rural Georgia Healthy Homes Advisory Board. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development designated June as National Healthy Homes Month to encourage homeowners to inspect their homes for hidden hazards, like mold, radon and lead.

Three Georgia middle school students will meet Gov. Nathan Deal later this month in recognition of their work to alert Georgians to the dangers of radon.  

Whether you cut your tree down in the woods behind your house or buy a pre-bagged fir from the hardware store, a fresh Christmas tree helps fill the house with the spirit of the holidays.

You found a house that fits most, or maybe even all, of your requirements. Now it’s time to hire a home inspector to ensure the house is structurally sound and safe. Although this is not a required step in the homebuying process in Georgia, it is one that is highly recommended.