News You Can Use

February 23, 2007

Hiring Contractors in PA

If tackling home improvements is not for you but your home needs a little attention, the PA Office of Attorney General offers a few tips for ensuring you hire a reputable contractor:

• Never enter into a repair or improvement project without a written contract that includes a start and finish date and a three-day, right-to-cancel notice.

• Never sign a blank contract, or one that does not include all the costs and supplies.
• Never hire a contractor who does not have a business card or local phone number and address.  The business should have an actual physical address, not just a P.O. Box.
• Never hire a contractor who refuses to give you names and phone numbers of references.
• Never make final payment until you are completely satisfied with the work.
• Never feel pressured by contractors who make special or limited price offers.

Executing a clear, written agreement is a key element to getting your home improvements done in a timely fashion, on schedule, and at a previously agreed to cost.  Become familiar with recommended contractual contents and some of the elements of a home improvement scam, courtesy of the PA Office of the Attorney General.

"Home Sweet Home Improvement," Facts for Consumers prepared by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), offers tips on interviewing a contractor, checking references, payment options, loan scams, record keeping and more.

Daylight Saving Time – Starts Early, Ends Late

The recently enacted Energy Policy Act of 2005 has extended Day Light Saving Time (DST) by a total of 4 weeks – 3 weeks in the spring and 1 week in the fall.  The new federal law directs the observance of Daylight Saving Time (DST) to begin the second Sunday in March, instead of the first Sunday of April.  The Act extends DST to the first Sunday of November instead of the normal last Sunday of October.  Mark your 2007 calendar for Sunday, March 11 to "spring forward" and Sunday, November 4 to "fall back" with regard to changing the time on your clock by one hour.

Congress intends to reduce the nation's energy consumption by the equivalent of 100,000 barrels of oil for each day of the extension.  The Energy Policy Act of 2005 is also expected to lower crime, reduce traffic fatalities, promote more recreation and increase economic activity.  Find out more on the comprehensive Energy Policy Act of 2005 (DST—bottom of page 1).

History of DST

Moving an hour of daylight from the morning to the afternoon is a concept that dates to 1784 and was the brainchild of the man who discovered electricity.  Benjamin Franklin, then 78 years of age, was privy to an oil lamp demonstration while serving as an American delegate in Paris.

Franklin reacted to the demonstration with "An Economical Project," examining the amount of oil used in relation to the quantity of light produced.

Conservation debates surrounding the concept of daylight saving time (DST) continue in the 21st Century.  Trace the history of DST from the August 8, 2005 enactment by President George W. Bush to the musings of Franklin on natural versus artificial lighting. See Franklin in Paris.

"Through With Chew" Week Spawns Renewed Attention

In conjunction with National "Through With Chew Week" and in light of recent research, the PA Department of Health is renewing the state's anti-chewing tobacco campaign.  One third of the nation's 12-14 million smokeless tobacco users are under the age of 21 and more than half of them developed the habit before age 13, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).  A 2005 Pennsylvania Youth Survey reveals more than 11 percent of the state's high school students used chewing tobacco compared to 7 percent of adults.

Smokeless tobacco is responsible for cancer, mouth sores, bleeding and receding gums, and tooth decay.  Oral cancer is the sixth-leading cancer in men, with 30,000 cases every year.  One of the most difficult cancers to diagnose, treat and cure, oral cancer is responsible for nearly 8,000 deaths annually.

Pennsylvania's campaign to stop and prevent smokeless tobacco use by children, teens and parents will spread out across schools, communities and the Internet. 

Resources to increase awareness of the serious health risks of using smokeless tobacco include:

Where is Pete?

• http://www.whereispete.org/
• http://www.myspace.com/whereispete
• http://www.youtube.com/4whereispete

Link to the PA Department of Health Tobacco Prevention & Control Program for costs, statistics, and cessation assistance.

Amber Alert System Fifth Anniversary Recognized in PA

The Amber Alert System's effectiveness lies in its ability to quickly transmit an accurate description of a child abduction and details about the young victim.  Studies reveal that of the children who die following an abduction, 44% are murdered in the first hour and only 1% live more than a day. 

Pennsylvania's Amber Alert System, implemented on February 20, 2002, has issued 39 alerts involving 61 children and has directly contributed to the safe recovery of 21 children.  With 10 immediate nonprofit and government agencies participating, alerts are carried on radio and TV, through lottery system retail terminals, highway advisory signs, personal emails and cellular text messages.

On the occasion of the System's fifth anniversary, the PA Senate is recognizing the contributions of the Amber Alerts in saving the lives of children.  View Senate Resolution #34 and for a list of Amber Alert partners.

• Amber Alert Frequently Asked Questions
• See Amber Alert Overview & Stats
• Amber Alert Success Stories

Anyone with information concerning a case posted as an Amber Alert should contact local police or dial 911.

4th Annual Great Pennsylvania Cleanup

Litter-Free School Zones are the goal of the fourth annual Great PA Cleanup to be conducted from March 1 to May 31, 2007.  The 2007 "Let's Pick It Up PA" campaign extends from March 1 to May 31 with a featured one-day, statewide cleanup event set for April 21, Earth Day.

During 2005, 140,000 volunteers were responsible for approximately 6,302,000 pounds, or 3,150 tons, of litter collected.  Cleanup stats include: 

• 11,000 Miles of Roadway Cleaned
• 12,000 Acres of Parkland Cleaned
• 3,500 Miles of Streams Cleaned
• Thousands of Trees and Flowers Planted
• 315,100 bags of Litter Collected

Find an event or organize and register your community event with the Great PA Cleanup website.

LIHEAP Deadline Quickly Approaching

With the application deadline for Pennsylvania's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) set for March 22, 2007, the PA Department of Public Welfare is urging low-income households struggling to meet their home heating needs to act without delay.

Download and print the LIHEAP brochure with the phone number and address of your local County Assistance Office and eligibility details/