The recent ice storms in the state have left a significant number of Oklahomans without power for hours and even days. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) reminds those affected by a power outage to be mindful of safe practices to prevent illness and injury.
Food Safety
OSDH recommends the following guidelines for refrigerated and frozen foods to citizens or food establishments which have been without power for more than four hours: · Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. · Discard any potentially hazardous foods such as meats, eggs, dairy products and leftovers when the power has been off for more than four hours. When in doubt, throw it out. · Frozen foods in a freezer can normally be kept up to 48 hours without power. A frozen product that has thawed should not be refrozen—it should be used immediately or thrown away.
Water Safety: Residents in rural areas may also be without water during a power outage. If the safety of the water is not known, it is recommended to vigorously boil the water for at least one minute to prevent potential waterborne illnesses. Safe water would include store-bought bottled water, or uninterrupted city water. Untreated water should not be used to prepare foods, wash hands or brush teeth.
Heat Safety: It’s important to use caution when heating a home with a fireplace, space heater or wood stove, using them only when they are properly vented. Never use generators, grills, camp stoves, or similar devices inside the house, in basements, in garages or near windows. Don’t use gas appliances such as an oven, range or clothes dryer to heat your home. Improper use of such devices can lead to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Christmas is less than two weeks away, and the stores and malls will be filled with last-minute shoppers. About 44 percent of people will do their holiday shopping in December or later, according to one annual survey. While all the spending is good for retailers, it can also be irresistible to thieves. But there are ways to discourage crooks from targeting you whether you shop at a local store or online.
With 40 percent of households expected to do their holiday shopping on a computer, consider these tips to fight cyber criminals:
· Only shop on secure websites.
There are two ways to tell if a website is secure. First, check the web page URL. On a secure connection, the web address should start with “https.” The “s” at the end stands for secure. Second, check for the “Lock” icon. Depending on which web browser you use, the “Lock” could be in lower right or lower left corner.
· Designate one credit card for online shopping only.
By only using one card for your online purchases, you can easily monitor that particular card if there is any suspicious activity.
If you are a victim of identity theft, it can be expensive to reestablish your credit and identity. Identity theft insurance can cost between $25 and $60 per year. It does not cover direct monetary losses incurred as result of identity theft. Instead, identity theft insurance provides coverage for the cost of reclaiming your financial identity, such as the costs of making phone calls, making copies, mailing documents, taking time off from work without pay and hiring an attorney.
Your current homeowner’s policy may include identity theft insurance. If not, you may be able to add identity theft insurance to your current policy or purchase a stand-alone policy.
If you prefer to shop at local stores for your holiday gifts, use these common sense tips to protect yourself:
· Don’t tempt a crook. Don’t flash cash or credit cards when making a purchase.
Take time to put your money away properly after you checkout.
· Limit the number of packages and bags you carry.
Struggling to carry several shopping bags makes it easy for a crook to steal your wallet or take one of your packages.
· Protect your identity
Take only the credit cards you plan to use, and guard them carefully. Crooks can memorize credit card numbers over someone’s shoulder. Also, make sure the cashier hands you back your card. Mistakes can be made in the hustle and bustle of shopping. And finally, safeguard your receipts. Thieves often look for discarded papers to steal credit card information.
If you are the victim of a crime, report it to the police immediately and ask for a police report. This will help you decide if you want to file an insurance claim. Theft of personal possessions is generally covered by homeowners and renters insurance policies. There is also limited coverage for stolen credit cards – usually up to $500. For any other insurance information contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 1-800-522-0071 or visit our website at www.oid.ok.gov.

The Oklahoma Insurance Department, an agency of the State of Oklahoma, is responsible for the education and protection of the insurance-buying public and for oversight of the insurance industry in the state.

Sunbeam Family Services and Catholic Charities Oklahoma City are partnering to bring A Very Giving Christmas, a Christmas store, for local families in need, December 16-20, 2015.
The store, St. Nick’s Shoppe, will be located at Catholic Charities, 1501 N. Classen Boulevard, directly across the street from Sunbeam Family Services. Individuals selected through Sunbeam Family Services and Catholic Charities will have the opportunity to shop for new items for their families at no cost. Donors and volunteers will create a warm shopping experience and extend the season’s joy and excitement to more than 500 families, families who otherwise would not be able buy presents for their children.
“We are thrilled to be partnering alongside Catholic Charities to provide hundreds of Oklahoma City families a holiday season filled with joy, lightening the financial burden often placed on them during the gift-giving season,” said Jim Priest, CEO of Sunbeam Family Services. “We can accomplish so much more when we work together as a community, and we’re thankful for the support of our volunteers and donors who will make St. Nick’s Shoppe come to life.”
Patrick J. Raglow, Catholic Charities Executive Director said, “Our partnership with Sunbeam Family Services reflects the partnership we foster among our donors, volunteers and clients. A Very Giving Christmas is about relationship and participating fully in the spirit of the season. Working with Sunbeam Family Services expands the impact and reach of this program across the board. It’s a great partnership for a great cause.”
The community can help by stocking the store by making a donation or by purchasing new gift items for children of all ages and their parents and delivering them unwrapped and with tags attached to Catholic Charities December 6-8. Visit the wish list at www.AVeryGivingChristmas.org or call 405.609.8994.
Volunteer opportunities for individuals, families and groups are also available and will include decorating St. Nick’s Shoppe, greeting families, helping families select their gifts or wrapping gifts. Visit www.AVeryGivingChristimas.org to sign up to volunteer, or call 405.609.1755.

Increase in Immunizations, Decrease in Smoking Rates Highlight Report

Oklahoma improved in America’s Health Rankings, a report issued by United Health Foundation, to 45th overall. The state has improved since ranking 49th in the nation in 2009. The report highlights progress on immunization rates, preventable hospitalizations and a reduction in the adult smoking rate.
The most dramatic achievement in the report was Oklahoma’s more than 10 percent increase in the number of children immunized, from 62.7 percent in 2014 to 73.3 percent this year. That rate is almost two percent higher than the national rate of 71.6 percent and will effectively prevent children from contracting dangerous diseases.
“It’s rewarding to see the progress our immunization staff and county health departments have made in providing access to life-saving vaccines for our state’s children,” said Dr. Terry Cline, Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) Commissioner. “Even more rewarding is the knowledge that increasing vaccine coverage saves lives, particularly among our youngest and most vulnerable residents.”
America’s Health Rankings 2015 report also highlights Oklahoma’s lowest ever smoking rate at 21.1 percent. While still three percent above the national smoking rate, Oklahoma has continued to make dramatic improvements in the number of people who smoke.
“The success we have seen in smoking rates is due to the commitment of organizations like TSET, health policy leaders such as Governor Mary Fallin and scores of community partners who have rallied to combat this health threat.” Dr. Cline said. “While we celebrate this progress together there is still work to be done. We have 88,000 kids alive in Oklahoma today who will die prematurely from smoking. That is just not right.”
Oklahoma was recognized for accomplishments in other areas important to public health. In the past five years, preventable hospitalizations have declined by 29 percent for Medicare beneficiaries. Prevalence of physical inactivity was almost five percent lower than the previous year, with 28.3 percent of state residents reporting that they were not physically active. Oklahoma was also cited for strengths in low prevalence of excessive drinking and small disparity in health status by education level.
While rates of obesity, diabetes and drug deaths rose in the state, those categories followed a similar national trend. The report also cites challenges in the state due to limited availability of primary care physicians and the continuing high rate of cardiovascular deaths.

Dear Savvy Senior,

Is pill splitting safe? I have several friends who cut their pills in half in order to save money, but I have some concerns. What can you tell me? Cautious Kim

Dear Kim,
Pill splitting – literally cutting them in half – has become a popular way to save on pharmaceutical costs but you need to talk to your doctor or pharmacist first, because not all pills can be split.
The reason pill splitting is such a money saver is because of a quirk in the way drugs are manufactured and priced. A pill that’s twice as strong as another may not be twice the price. In fact, it’s usually about the same price. So, buying a double-strength dose and cutting it in half may allow you to get two months worth of medicine for the price of one. But is it safe? As long as your doctor agrees that splitting your pills is OK for you, you learn how to do it properly, and you split only pills that can be split, there’s really no danger.
Ask Your Doctor
If you’re interested in splitting your pills, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find out if any of the medicines you use can be safely split. It’s also important to find out whether splitting them will save you enough money to justify the hassle.
The pills that are easiest to split are those with a score down the middle. However, not every pill that’s scored is meant to be split. Pills that are most commonly split include:
· Cholesterol lowering drugs, like Crestor, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol and Zocor.
· Antidepressants, like Lexapro, Celexa, Serzone, Paxil, and Zoloft.
· High blood pressure medicines such as, Accupril, Zestril, Diovan, Avapro, Norvasc, Tenormin, Toprol and Cardura.
· Erectile dysfunction pills, like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.
Use a Splitter
Having the right equipment is very important too. Don’t use a knife or scissors to cut your pills in half. It can cause you to split them unevenly resulting in two pieces with very different dosages, which can be dangerous. Purchase a proper pill cutter that has a cover and a V-shaped pill grip that holds the pill securely in place. You can find them at most pharmacies for $3 to $10.
For convenience, you might be tempted to split the whole bottle of pills at once. But it’s best to do the splitting on the day you take the first half, and then take the other half on the second day or whenever you are scheduled to take your next dose. That will help keep the drugs from deteriorating due to exposure to heat, moisture, or air. It will also help ensure that any deviation in the size of one dose is compensated in the next. It’s also important to know that pills are only safely split in half, and never into smaller portions such as into thirds or quarters.
Don’t Split These
Some pills should never be split. Drugs that are time-released or long-lasting and tablets that contain a combination of drugs probably shouldn’t be split, because it’s difficult to ensure a proper amount of active ingredient in each half. Pills with a coating to protect your stomach, and pills that crumble easily or irritate your mouth shouldn’t be split either, along with chemotherapy drugs, anti-seizure medicines, birth control pills and capsules containing powders or gels.
Again, your doctor or pharmacist will know which drugs can and cannot be split. If you’re taking a medicine that can be split, you’ll need to get a prescription from your doctor for twice the dosage you need. Then you can start splitting safely, and saving.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Whodunit Dinner Theater’s original format presents
‘Showdown! At Madam Yahoo’s Saloon!”
This hilarious western written by Oklahoma’s playwright Earline Cottet is a crowd favorite! Dates include:
Friday December 4th & 11th; January 15th at Cattlemen’s Steakhouse 1309 S. Agnew okc- you can not access tickets by calling the restaurant, you must call Whodunit’s number at 405-420-3222 or go to www.whodunit.net.
Tuesday December 8th & Friday January 22nd at Teds Escondido North 6900 N. May you can not access tickets by calling the restaurant, you must call Whodunit’s number at 405-420-3222 or go to www.whodunit.net.
Whodunit Part YOU is our newest format where the audience actually plays a part! Six audience members receive a script & costume accessories and join in on the mystery! They may even be the one ‘Whodunit’!!
We’ve teamed up with Oklahomas historical Grandison Inn for this show, we present, ‘Murder At The Grandison Inn!’
This brand new comedy mystery written by Oklahoma playwright Terri Myers will give you fond memories for years to come!
Dates include: Saturday January 30 & our ‘sweethearts show’ on February 19th at The Grandison Inn 1200 N. Shartel Ave Okc get tickets by calling 405-232-8778.
Ticket prices for all Whodunit shows are $48 and include dinner & show! Arrival times for all Whodunit shows is 6:15pm.

Supplements May Help Keep Sniffling, Sneezing Symptoms at Bay

by Naum Burman

Cold and flu season has arrived, which means the potential could be high for lots of sniffling co-workers and children who need to stay home from school.
Vaccinations help many people stave off the flu, but a number of Americans also try an alternative approach, using nutritional supplements in their efforts to stay healthy.
“Certain herbs, mushroom extracts and other natural compounds contain powerful antiviral properties,” says Naum Burman, the founder and researcher for BioLab Rx (www.biolabrx.com), a dietary supplement company.
“Combine them together and you can get a natural boost to your immune system.”
Such over-the-counter products as BioLab Rx’s Immune Super Plus do that by increasing the body’s natural defense cells, which are crucial to the body’s defense against bacterial and viral infection.
“The body’s own immune system is probably our best defense,” Burman says. “But illness, stress, medical therapies, diet and lack of sleep can all compromise our immune system. That’s why it can help to give the immune system a boost.”
He notes that it’s always important to check the ingredients, instructions and warnings for any over-the-counter supplement. Immune Super Plus, for example, is only for adults 18 and older and shouldn’t be taken by pregnant or nursing women.
The flu season routinely takes a toll on Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control:
• The timing of flu is unpredictable and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season. Most seasonal flu activity typically occurs between October and May. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the United States between December and February.
• It’s estimated that each year an average of 5 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related complications.
• Estimating the number of flu-related deaths can be difficult because death certificates don’t always specify flu as the cause. But there’s little doubt that flu seasons can be severe. The CDC, for example, reported that over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States ranged from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people. Some people, such as older people, young children, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.
In addition to vaccines, the CDC suggests several preventive measures, such as washing your hands frequently, keeping a distance from those who are ill and staying home yourself if possible when you are sick.
Burman says that supplements also provide an extra measure of prevention, and plenty of people apparently agree. The Nutrition Business Journal has reported that Americans spend well over $1 billion a year on supplements to help boost immunity and ward off cold and flu.
Burman, originally from Europe, essentially was born into his interest in maintaining health through nature. He grew up in a family where herbs and natural cures were common and knowledge of herbs and their use was the norm.
As an adult, Burman continued his research, traveling through Asian, European and Middle Eastern countries so he could gather herbal knowledge from cultures around the world.
Armed with that knowledge, he founded BioLab Rx, which also produces natural products for hair loss, joint pain, migraine headaches and other conditions or ailments.
“I thought this would be a good way to combine the wisdom of the ages with today’s newest technology,” he says.

Naum Burman is founder of and researcher for BioLab Rx (www.biolabrx.com), a dietary supplement company. Burman, originally from Europe, grew up in a family where herbs and natural cures were usual and knowledge of herbs and their use was the norm. He also spent years traveling through Asian, European and Middle Eastern countries, gathering herbal knowledge.