What to do if you are in an automobile accident!

• Stop immediately!
• Remain as calm as possible.
• If are outside the city limits of KCMO, then contact the local law enforcement agency.
• If the accident occurred within the Kansas City, Missouri city limits then do the following:
  
• If the accident involves injury, then call 911.
• If the accident does not involve injuries ... and all of the vehicles are drive-able ... and the drivers do not appear to be intoxicated,

Then:

• Agree to exchange information. Consider collecting the information listed at the bottom of this page. You might consider making a copy of this list to have in your glove box to be proactive).
  
• Move the vehicles and people off the roadway.
  
• Stay out of the lanes of traffic if possible.
  
• Call your insurance company.
  
• One or both parties respond to a KCMO Police Division Station with the information to make a report because accidents can't be handled with phone-in reports.
  
• Exchange Case Report Numbers given by police personnel to all parties involved.
  

If any of the above items cannot be met, then call the police non-emergency number (816.234.5111) and report the incident. The call taker will instruct how best to handle the situation from there.

NON-INJURY VEHICLE ACCIDENT INFORMATION FORM

Date of Occurrence:
Time of Occurrence:
Location:

For ALL vehicles involved, collect the following information:

• Color
• Year
• Make
• Model
• License Plate Number
• State of Issuance
• Driver's Name
• Sex
• Date of Birth
• Drivers License Number
• Address
• Phone Number
• insurance Carrier
• Policy Number

Collect the following information for ALL occupants of EACH vehicle:

• Name
• Address
• Phone Number
• Where Seated in the Vehicle
  

Collect the names, phone numbers, and addresses of all of the witnesses to the accident (other than the occupants or drivers)
Write a statement detailing the accident. Include each vehicle's direction of travel.
Make a detailed list of the damages to each vehicle.

Did you know that 67 million Americans have high blood pressure?

Did you know that 77% of those who have a first stroke have high blood pressure?

There are a few simple changes that you can make to lower your risk of both. Start by trying to lower your blood pressure naturally. If yours is creeping up or has reached the "uh-oh" levels, try these drug-free ways to bring it down.

Exercise:
Raise your pulse: lower your BP by taking a walk, by jogging, or by engaging in another aerobic activity. Aim for 30 minutes or more of pulse-raising and respiration-raising exercise on most days.

Strength training using free weights, machines, or resistance bands can lower your BP a few points. Aim for 2-3 times a week ... at a level where you can manage 3 sets of 10 reps.

Adding yoga to your exercise repertoire can help lower your BP. Shoot for 2-3 times a week, and you may strike a few points from your score.

Food:
The mineral Potassium relaxes blood vessels, lowering BP and countering the constricting action of sodium. The ideal amount is 4,700 mg/day, but 750-1,000 mg above your usual intake can lower BP 2-3 points. That's 2 bananas or 1 cup of cooked spinach.

According to Good Housekeeping 2013, too many break-ins are preventable. 

Quiz Question #1: When are intruders most likely to break into your home?
A. July and August
B. April and May
C. December and January

Answer: (A) thieves like to strike in the summer when most people go on vacation. Home burglaries go up a bit in July and August. That doesn't mean you can be careless during the other months ... especially in December ... when electronics boxes by the curbside are signaling new, expensive toys. Hold the packaging in your garage until pickup day ... or take the packaging to a neighborhood recycling center or drop off.

Quiz Question #2: Keeping a light on for the entire time you are out of town will deter burglars.
A. True
B. False

Answer: (B) leaving the lights on can actually alert them to the fact that you are not at home. Instead, use timers on different lamps or even on a TV to make it look as if someone is inside the house. Another tip is to not allow your mail or newspapers to pile up on your porch. Putting a hold on your mail is simple. You can either go to the post office or you can register online at www.usps.com. Also avoid letting your garbage sit out for a few days awaiting pickup after you have left.

Quiz Question #3: a deadbolt is the best type of lock that you can have on your doors.
A. True
B. False

Answer: (A) a deadbolt is usually the safest option; but if you didn't change the lock when you moved in, spare keys could be floating around. Also the standard screws that secure the strike plate (the part of the doorframe that the deadbolt slides into) are only about 1-inch long, making the door vulnerable to being kicked in. Replace them with 3-inch screws to help ensure a better defense.

Quiz Question #4: What height should shrubs be to deter intruders?
A. 3-4 feet high
B. 5-6 feet high
C. 7-8 feet high

Answer: (A) that is the perfect height: tall enough to make getting close to the house difficult for a burglar but short enough so he can't hide behind them. Neighbors can also see over these shrubs into your house or yard ... which is a bonus deterrent. For extra intimidation, plant thorny bushes.

Quiz Question #5: You definitely need a home alarm system ...
A. ... if you live in a high-crime area.
B. ... in any kind of neighborhood.
C. ... never! They're just not worth the money.

Answer: (B) police say having a loud alarm (even if it's not connected to your local precinct) is a good idea. It attracts attention ... exactly what burglars don't want. Home-improvement stores typically carry inexpensive options ($10 and up per window) that sound when windows are jostled.