(KFVS) - The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is launching a statewide roundup to rid homes of mercury by sponsoring nearly 50 mercury drop-off locations throughout the state, including nine in Southeast Missouri.

The department says they are working with fire department and county health offices throughout the state to provide drop-off locations where private citizens or nonprofit agencies can leave mercury-containing instruments like thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, thermostats or switches.

According to the department, if you would like to drop off these items at a site, you should first secure the item in two zip-top plastic bags and then place it in a crush-proof sealed container, such as a coffee can, plastic butter bowl or plastic beverage bottle.

A person who is uncomfortable with transporting mercury instruments, or who has large quantities of mercury, can contact the department's spill line at 573-634-2436 to arrange a pick-up.

(KFVS) - The American Cancer Society says January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

The society says this is the perfect time to remind the women you love to schedule their pap test, a simple procedure that can help detect abnormalities before they might develop into cancer. According to ACS, the cervical cancer survival rate has increased to 70 percent because of this test.

ACS says because the HPV vaccine doesn't protect against all of the HPV types that can cause cancer of the cervix, it cannot prevent all cases of cervical cancer. They say this is why it is very important that women continue to have Pap tests, even after they've been vaccinated. Most invasive cervical cancers are found in women who have not had regular Pap tests.

The ACS recommends the following guidelines for early detection:

EAST PRAIRIE, MO (KFVS) - The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive a East Prairie on Thursday, Nov. 10.

You can give blood from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church located at 205 Pearl Street.

For more information or to find a blood drive near you, you can call the Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit them online at www.RedCrossBlood.org.

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