As part of a contest conducted by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension’s Radon Education Program, students from across the state created posters highlighting the dangers of radon, an odorless, colorless and flavorless gas that is present in some Georgia soils.

January is National Radon Action Month and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension urges homeowners to take action and test their home. Delaying testing can cause you and your loved ones to continue to breathe dangerous levels of radon.

I always feel festive when I see trees decorated this time of year. If you decide to put a tree up in your home or office, follow these safety tips from University of Georgia Cooperative Extension to keep you, your family members and friends safe.

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.