News You Can Use

October 13, 2006

SADD Conference Marks 16 Years in PA

Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) marks 25 years of exercising a direct positive influence on youth and the American culture. In PA, SADD's message is being spread for the 16th year at dual conferences set for November 15 and 17, 2006 to be held at the Seven Springs Resort in Western PA and the Lancaster Host Resort in Eastern PA, respectively.

Conference workshops will impart messages to build self esteem and discipline, profile drowsy driving and related crashes, and provide hands-on experiences with traffic safety programs. Attendees will find up-to-date information on such topics as underage drinking, illicit drug use, eating disorders, violence prevention, suicide, and more.

Visit the website for conference details and registration. 

Prevent Cooking Fires: Watch What You Heat

Fire Prevention Week and associated campaigns have brought us the life saving phrase "Stop, Drop and Roll." The theme for the 2006 fire prevention effort is aimed at averting kitchen fires – "Prevent Cooking Fires: Watch What You Heat."

According to the Office of the PA State Fire Commissioner, cooking equipment is involved in more than 100,000 home fires annually. The Fire Commissioner is reminding us to pay attention in the kitchen to prevent cooking fires from quickly getting out of control and causing serious damage. During 2005, there were 3,675 fire fatalities and nearly 18,000 fire-related injuries in the United States. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 179 civilian fire deaths, not including seven firefighters who died in the line of duty.

Individuals, schools, businesses and civic organizations are encouraged to participate in fire prevention activities focused on safe cooking and to make sure homes, workplaces and schools are equipped with smoke detectors and fire suppression systems.

The Office of the State Fire Commissioner offers these tips for safer cooking:

Stand by your pan:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling or boiling food.
• If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that the stove or oven is on.
• Keep in mind that you should avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.  Loose clothing can catch fire if it comes in contact with a gas flame or electric burner.

No kids allowed:

• Keep kids away from cooking areas by enforcing a "kid-free zone" of three feet (one meter) around the stove.
• If you have young children, use the stove's back burners whenever possible, and turn pot handles inward to reduce the risk that pots with hot contents will be knocked over.
• Never hold a small child while cooking.

Keep it clean:

• Keep anything that can catch fire -- pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains away from your stove top.
• Clean up food and grease from burners and the stovetop.

For more on fire prevention: 

• The Office of the PA State Fire Commissioner
• The National Fire Protection Association  

Historic Preservation Grants

Colleges and universities, conservancies, historic preservation organizations, historical societies and local governments with pending projects directly related to the identification, preservation, promotion and protection of the historic and archaeological resources of Pennsylvania may compete for Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) Historic Preservation Project Grants.

Following a three-year information gathering campaign, built around responses to thousands of questionnaires, interviews with state leaders and regional forums, an Agenda for Action is guiding the education of Pennsylvanians about our heritage and its value, building better communities through preservation, and providing strong leadership at the state level.

The 2007 Historic Preservation Certified Local Government Grants are designed to help municipalities preserve their local history and may be used for staffing, training and administration. Grants for projects involving cultural resource surveys, National Register nominations and other areas may qualify for PHMC Historic Preservation Project Grants.

PHMC grant applications must be submitted online, excepting applicants without Internet access.  Link to details, including the deadline for electronic grant applications.  You may obtain additional information about the Commission's grant programs by calling 1-800-201-3231.

Lower Residential Heating Fuel Prices Predicted

As cold Canadian airs prepares to dip across the U.S. this week, experts are saying for the first time since the winter of 2001-02, residential heating fuel prices for many Americans are projected to be either lower than or close to prices prevailing during the previous winter. Both price and weather changes are expected to contribute to energy savings.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects families using natural gas can expect to pay an average of $119 less during the upcoming winter compared to last year. That's a drop of 13%. Households heating primarily with heating oil can expect to pay, on average, $91 (6%) more this winter. Households heating primarily with propane can expect to pay, on average, $15 (1%) less this winter.  Households heating primarily with electricity can expect, on average, to pay $58 (7%) more in heating expenditures.

Check out the highlights and facts in the EIA's Short-Term Energy and Winter Fuels Outlook: . The page offers consumers a concise snapshot of global markets, U.S. petroleum markets, and those relating to natural gas, electricity and coal.

See how your choices in appliances, landscaping, lighting, windows and doors can save you money. Tips for design and remodeling projects can enhance your savings for years to come.

Visit the U.S. Department of Energy's Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to increase your energy savings.

Pumpkin Patch Problems in PA

Pumpkin patches across PA are experiencing a devastating loss due to a variety of factors, including a period of intense summer heat and a particularly rainy September. Early ripening of pumpkins and gourds, failed pollination, and fungus are expected to reduce the number available for both jack-o-lanterns and processing or cooking pumpkins.

Pumpkins are big business in PA, according to the PA Department of Agriculture. Last year, there were 8,500 acres of pumpkins in the state, and sales reached $18.9 million. Before you set out for the perfect PA pumpkin take advantage of the 2006 Consumer's Guide to PA's Farm Markets, locating convenient vendors by region and county. Phone numbers are provided to ensure availability of listed products and hours of operation. Check out the publication online.

For more on the  2006 pumpkin crop from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences go to: 

Pumpkin problems and media coverage:

• ABC Local News (WPVI)
• Philly Burbs
• USA Today

Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day

A staggering number of individuals lost their lives on Pennsylvania's roadways in 2005. Looking back over the last eleven years, 16,885 people were killed in traffic crashes in PA.

Traffic safety advocates have compiled a set of tips for pedestrians and drivers to help everyone arrive safely at their destination.

Car Drivers:

• Cutting in front can cut your life short! Avoid cutting in front of other vehicles as you may create an emergency braking situation for others around you, especially in heavy traffic.
• Buckle your seat belt! ALWAYS!
• Watch your blind spots and the "No Zones" around trucks and buses.
• Inattentive drivers. While driving, please focus only on the road. If you need to attend to another matter while driving (cell phones, kids, application of cosmetics, etc.) safely pull over in a parking lot or rest stop.
• Avoid aggressive drivers and driving aggressively. Speeding, running red lights and stop signs, making frequent lane changes and tailgating can create dangerous and potentially fatal situations on the road.
• Avoid squeeze play. Be careful of trucks and buses making wide right turns. If you try to get in between the truck and the curb, you could be caught in a squeeze and suffer a serious accident.
• Never drink and drive!

Pedestrians:

• Watch your walkways. Walk on sidewalks and in crosswalks whenever possible. Pay attention to walk signals and keep a safe distance when standing on corners.
• Know your "No Zones." Be aware of blind spots around trucks, buses and cars when walking near and around them.
• Stopping Distances. Use caution when crossing intersections and streets. You may think vehicles will stop for you, but they may not see you or even be able to stop. Never take a chance with a truck, even if the driver sees you, they may not be able to stop. Truck brakes and gears are notorious for sticking.
• Make Yourself Visible. Wear bright or reflective clothing.
• Watch out for wide loads. Trucks with wide loads may have very limited visibility as well as difficulty maneuvering.

Promote the reduction of fatalities every day; consult the "Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day" website for specific tips for motorcycle, truck and bus drivers, as well as bicyclists: