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News You Can Use June 8, 2007 Pennsylvania Restaurant Inspections go Online Is your favorite restaurant maintaining a sanitary kitchen? End the guessing; food safety inspection results are now available online through the PA Department of Agriculture. Aside from some local municipalities, counties, and cities, the PA Department of Agriculture conducts annual inspections of all food establishments under its jurisdiction. Results from 2006 and 2007 food safety inspections are posted by the Bureau of Food Safety & Laboratory Services and will continually provide a 2-year snapshot of results. Searches can be conducted using the facility name, county, zip code, or compliance status. Once you have located the establishment, click on the inspection date to view all aspects of the actual inspection report. For questions and complaints regarding food safety and restaurant inspections, call toll-free at 1-866-366-3723. 2007 Hurricane Season Expected to Exceed Averages According to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is a 75 percent chance that the Atlantic Hurricane season debuting in June will be above normal in 2007. The average hurricane season usually brings 11 named storms, with 6 of those becoming hurricanes, including 2 major hurricanes. According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, the 2007 Atlantic Hurricane season is predicted to exceed those averages—with 13 to 17 named storms predicted. Of this number, 7 to 10 are expected to become hurricanes, with 3 to 5 of those becoming major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or above. As a result, the NOAA is recommending the initiation of personal protection plans for those in hurricane prone areas. The PA Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) is responding with recommendations for residents seeking to protect their families and municipal government leaders responsible for community safety. See the NOAA 2007 Hurricane Prediction and the potential role of the El Niño/La Niña cycle online. Safe Boating on PA Waterways Safe boating on PA waterways includes a life jacket and a working knowledge of the rules of the water, according to the PA Fish & Boat Commission (PF&BC). The Agency reports a nationwide average of 700 people dying annually in boating-related accidents, with 8 out of every 10 victims not wearing a life jacket. In Pennsylvania, during 2006, only 4 of the 25 boaters who died were wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident. The top causes of fatalities from PA boating accidents are capsizing boats and people falling overboard. The most common type of accident is collision caused by inattentiveness. Take a brief quiz designed to test your boating safety IQ. Access the PA Boating Handbook or call 1-888PAFISH-1 (1-888-723-4741) for the boating course hotline. Personal watercraft requirements: Boating safety education certificates are required for those who operate personal watercrafts, such as Jet Skis and Wave Runners. A boater born after January 1, 1982 who operates a motorboat equipped with an engine of 25 horsepower or greater needs a certificate. To get a certificate, a boater must take an approved course and pass a test. More safety tips from TakeMeFishing.org. Car Rental Do's & Don'ts Whether it is the flexibility of renting a car on vacation to take your family to a new destination or just to carry you through until your vehicle is out of the shop, the PA Attorney General (AG) offers a few tips for a smooth car rental experience. Start by comparison shopping online and following up with personal contact with the sites of interest. Inquire about any special promotions. Include associations such as auto clubs, frequent-fliers, professional, and senior organizations in your search for discounts. Once you have located the best deal to meet your needs, get a confirmation number and the name and title of those with whom you dealt. The AG's office cautions you to pay close attention to the fine print. Age restrictions, cancellation fees/penalties, and mileage limitations are just a few of the items that may be contained in the contract. Gas Saving Tips With gas prices and associated fluctuations taking a bite out of your wallet, the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is eager to help you save gas. Save 91 cents on every gallon of gas by observing a series of six tips promoted by DEP:
DEP offers another 6 tips to improve fuel consumption in the brochure "Pump Money into your Wallet – Increase Gas Efficiency and Help Improve the Environment." Hot Weather Safety Tips As temperatures heat up, the PA Department of Aging is issuing reminders and tips for a safe summer. While people of all ages are sensitive to extremes in temperature, an aging body is less able to respond to extremes. According to the Department, days of extreme heat require special attention to remain safe and comfortable, especially for our older citizens. Observe 9 tips on those hot summer days:
Heat-related health problems include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. It is important to recognize the symptoms for each and know the appropriate first aid.
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