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News You Can Use November 16, 2007 Holiday Travel Tips The words "holiday travel" frequently bring visions of something other than sugar plum fairies dancing in our heads. Whether travelling by plane, train, or automobile, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is ready to help with the planning and packing to enhance our travel experience. Remember the 3-1-1 for carry-ons? That means when travelling by air, you are allowed to carry on a 3-ounce bottle or less (by volume) in a 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag with a 1 bag per passenger limit. The bag must be placed in the screening bin. Travelers should declare accepted liquids exceeding the 3-ounce limit. These include medications, baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice. Remember to consume all other drinks before entering the checkpoint. Get the 3-1-1 for Carry-ons here. Amtrak enforces a 2-baggage carry-on limit, each weighing no more than 50 pounds and not exceeding 28 x 22 x 14 inches in size. Personal items such as briefcases, purses, laptops, and infant gear such as strollers, diaper bags, and car seats are not included in the limits. Checked baggage is limited to 3 pieces. For a fee of $10 per piece, up to 3 additional pieces may be checked. Consult the website for additional Amtrak considerations and limits. Travelling by bus or motorcoach also requires some special considerations when packing. For example, protruding or unsecured articles including those in plastic or paper bags may be prohibited. The TSA recommends obtaining a list of prohibited items from the specific transportation provider or operator with which you will be travelling. The TSA offers a wide variety of related links to facilitate your holiday travel or if you will be taking a holiday cruise, the TSA Maritime link can connect you with cruise line travel tips and the International Council of Cruise Lines. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation recommends preparing your vehicle for winter driving and observing a few tips to make sure your holiday is a safe one. Download and print PennDOT's Winter Driving Guide or access TSA Highway Resources. Finding Fido a Kennel When Fido can't join the holiday festivities, travelers may be presented with the dilemma of finding a trusted kennel. According to the PA Department of Agriculture (PDA), kennels located in the Commonwealth are subject to the state's dog law and inspection results are available online to help you select a reputable business. Search the state's Kennel Inspection Database to obtain the address, license status, date of last issued license, license restrictions, and inspection results for 2006 and 2007. Search options for PDA Kennel Inspections are designed to allow you to choose a conveniently located kennel. Locate a kennel searching by:
Begin your search here or consult the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement and Frequently Asked Questions about new kennel laws and regulations. Safe Holiday Food Preparation & Storage Holidays bring together families, food, and fun. The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are among those serving up a few tips to keep you and yours well in the coming weeks. The countdown to the Thanksgiving holiday frequently begins weeks ahead of time with the selection of a fresh or frozen turkey. The USDA's Food Safety & Inspection Service recommends reflecting on space considerations. Will your freezer hold a frozen bird until thawing time arrives? If you prefer a fresh turkey, consider your refrigerators available space. Thanksgiving Day choices and preparations require attention to temperature and timing. For example, if you choose to stuff your turkey, fill loosely. The stuffing should be moist, not dry, since heat destroys bacteria more rapidly in a moist environment. Place a stuffed turkey in the oven immediately. Leftovers call for yet another set of considerations. Transfer hot leftovers to the refrigerator as soon as possible. Avoid putting hot food in large containers. For faster cooling, select containers no deeper than 4 inches and place them side by side instead of stacking them. Did you know it is oxygen that makes food turn sour and smelly? The PA Department of Health recommends minimizing how much air touches the food by filling containers to the top and sealing them tightly. Click on the following links for a host of holiday food safety tips from the USDA and the PA Department of Health. Access an array of seasonal food safety fact sheets from the USDA. Avoiding Holiday Shopping Headaches The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General is promoting a few tips for onsite and online holiday shopping, including preventing identity theft. Simple reminders include reviewing a store's return policy and maintaining all records and receipts. Among the less obvious of holiday shopping tips is a reminder about purchases from unfamiliar kiosks and stands. The Attorney General cautions that seasonal business may not be around to assist with returns and repairs. Online shopping requires purchasers to do a thorough job of researching the online business for a history of consumer problems and reading the details. Shipping costs, delivery times, refunds and returns, as well as privacy, anti-virus, and firewall considerations should be clear and acceptable. Access the AG's holiday shopping tips, including those on avoiding identity theft. Personal Safety Tips for Hunters Hunting-related shooting incidents during the 2005-06 deer hunting season involved 18 persons, including 2 fatalities, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC). Six of the shootings were self-inflicted. A further breakdown of the causes behind hunting-related shootings includes:
The PGC offers a series of tips for hunters beginning with the most obvious reminder -- always control the muzzle of your firearm. Point it in a safe direction and keep it under control at all times. Less obvious but equally important tips include never scoping anything but your intended target, relying on binoculars instead. Wear layers allowing you to adjust to temperature and weather fluctuations. Wearing too much could cause you to overheat and perspire; too little leaves you cold and shivering. Both will make you uncomfortable and can affect your judgment and accuracy. It is unlawful to hunt bear, elk and deer during the bear, elk and regular antlered and antlerless deer seasons without wearing at least 250 square inches of fluorescent orange material on the head, chest and back combined. A portion of the orange must appear on a cap and coat or vest to be visible 360 degrees. Camouflage fluorescent orange may satisfy this regulation if the total orange content is at least 250 square inches. Access PGC tips for safe hunting and general hunting regulations. Getting Outdoors -- Calendar of Events Pennsylvania State Parks offer year around activities for both outdoor enthusiasts and those who may prefer a little more shelter from the elements. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) provides an online Calendar of Events to help you select from a wide variety of activities at parks located throughout the state. Join in on a late autumn hike to an historical site, take in a little star gazing, or watch as waterfowl migrate. You will find opportunities to explore natural wonders; craft a holiday wreath; create herbal beverages; or view Native American artifacts. When snow falls, trek cross-country by snowmobile, skis, or sled. Consider learning to build your own snow shoes sturdy enough to use or pass on to future generations and beautiful enough to display on a wall. Bring the whole family to Little Buffalo State Park for a Christmas walk, carols and hot chocolate from December 17 through December 23 from 6 - 9 p.m. Santa will even be visiting. Access the DCNR Calendar of Events for these activities and much more. Welcome to PA State Parks. For general state park information call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, Monday - Saturday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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