Senator Gib Armstrong - Pennsylvania's 13th District-News You Can Use

News You Can Use

December 15, 2006

Responsible Hosting Tips

Hosting a holiday event requires more than decorating and preparing food. Responsible hosting requires careful consideration when choosing the liquid refreshment to serve friends and family. Supplying sufficient drinks for your guests takes on special importance if alcohol is to be served.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) offers guidelines for safe and successful entertaining during the holidays, including:

Focus on activities that engage all guests.
Offer an adequate supply of assorted foods, especially dishes high in carbohydrates.
Limit salt.
Offer alcohol-free beverages.
Set limits on alcohol consumption.

The presence of minors while alcohol is being served requires special care to prevent illegal consumption and to avoid violating the PA Crimes Code, Title 18, Section 6310.1. Intentionally serving, furnishing or selling any liquor, or malt or brewed beverage to anyone under 21 years of age is punishable by a fine ranging from $100-$2,500 and up to a year in jail. Second and subsequent offenses call for a fine of $2,500 and up to one year in jail. Multiple minors illegally consuming alcohol, may yield multiple charges filed against the offending adult. Review this and other alcohol-related offenses.

Consult additional tips to ensure a safe and responsible holiday for your family and friends.

Healthy Holidays Tips from the Department of Health

Holiday hustle and bustle may interfere with having a healthy holiday, according to the PA Department of Health. Proper nutrition balanced with regular physical activity is especially important during the holidays.

The time crunch, the rush of shopping, and the increased social activities may interfere with eating healthy meals. Eat lean cuts of meats, avoid smothering vegetables with creamy sauces and butter, and leave the skin on those potatoes you intend to mash. Add cranberries, raisins or apricots to your stuffing to cram more healthy foods into your diet.

Establish a routine of regular exercises you can do regardless of the weather to maintain a healthy body weight throughout the holidays. Take advantage of weather conditions to get a bonus workout, try cross country or down hill skiing, ice skating, walking, or whatever strikes your fancy and draws you outside for some fresh air. If conditions do not permit outdoor activities, consider an early morning stroll around your local mall to get your day started. Adopting a new recreational activity may require an investment in the proper equipment. Bikes, skates, scooters, sleds, skis and skateboards call for helmets and other protective gear like elbow, knee, and wrist pads.

Holiday decorating calls for special attention to details to avoid accidents. Faulty holiday lights, dried out Christmas trees and other holiday decorations are responsible for thousands of emergency room visits for treatments. Christmas trees cause 300 fires annually, resulting in 10 deaths, 30 injuries and an average of about $10 million in property damage and loss. More than 13,000 candle-related fires occur annually, resulting in 140 deaths and $205 million in property loss.

The PA State Fire Commissioner offers the following safety tips:

Select a fresh, green-cut Christmas tree or buy a live tree to plant after the holiday.
Determine if the tree has dried out by bouncing it on the ground to see if many needles fall off, signaling the tree has been cut too long, is drying out and creates a fire hazard.
Avoid placing the tree in close proximity to heat sources (fireplaces, stoves, heaters, and heat vents) hastening the tree's drying out process. Heat, flames or sparks may ignite the tree.
Do not smoke near a tree.
Use lights inside and out that have been safety tested by a nationally-recognized lab, such as UL or ETL/ITSNA, and carry thicker wiring and the required safety fuses that prevent overheating wires.
Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house, preventing shorted lights from starting a fire.
Place lighted candles away from flammable items, including trees, other evergreens, decorations, curtains and furniture.
Do not leave candles unattended and extinguish all candles after use.
Do not burn wrapping paper to prevent the release of chemicals into your home and precipitating flash fires.

The Pa Department of Health and CPSC offer nutrition, activity, and safety tips to allow you to make the most of a hectic holiday schedule.

Office of the PA State Fire Commissioner

Holiday Decoration Safety Tips:

Farm Show to Headline Country Artist

With the eight-day PA Farm Show just weeks away, regulars and newbies are planning to attend the 2007 Farm Show on Wednesday, January 10. Michael Peterson, recognized as country music's top-selling, new, male artist in 1997, will perform at 7:30 p.m. His record-breaking European concert appearances have earned him international recognition.

Purchase his award-winning CD, "Down on the Farm" during the concert and the proceeds benefit the Future Farmers of America. Peterson will greet fans after the show for autographs and photos. The free event is sponsored by New Holland and Messick's Farm Equipment.

The PA Farm Show Complex is home to the largest agricultural event in the nation. Six thousand animals, 8,000 exhibits, and hundreds of shows and events will entertain and educate more than 400,000 visitors. More on the 2007 Farm Show. Explore "What's New for 2007".

CO Poisoning

Preventing carbon monoxide poisoning is of particular concern in the winter months. Carelessness and the misuse of vehicles, heating systems and other machinery may result in exposure to dangerous levels of CO. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed a set of prevention guidelines for keeping your family safe in the coming months.

Hire a qualified technician annually to service your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances.
Install a battery-operated CO detector in your home; being sure to check and replace the battery regularly.
Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect CO poisoning and are feeling dizzy, light-headed, or nauseous.
Restrict use of generators, charcoal grills, camp stoves, and other gasoline or charcoal-burning devices to outside your home, basement and garage and away from windows.
Run cars and trucks outside a garage attached to your home, even if you leave the door open.
Refrain from burning anything in a stove or fireplace that is not vented.
Avoid heating your home with a gas oven.

The CDC's carbon monoxide poisoning fact sheet includes the symptoms of CO poisoning. Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion are the most common symptoms of CO poisoning. Loss of consciousness and death occur with high levels of CO ingestion. Symptoms of CO poisoning mimic other illnesses, making diagnosis difficult. Exposure while sleeping or intoxicated may result in death prior to experiencing any symptoms. Consult the CDC fact sheet and prevention guidelines.

Assistance with Heating Bills from LIHEAP

Do you or someone you know need help paying heating bills and taking simple cost saving measures to conserve future energy use? Pennsylvania's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low income people pay their heating bills. An unpaid bill is not necessary to receive energy assistance.

Payments for eligible energy users are generally sent directly to the utility or fuel dealer and then credited on the person's bill. Consult the official PA LIHEAP brochure for income eligibility and required information to apply for a grant.

Information on other energy assistance programs is offered by the PA Public Utility Commission. Programs include utility company budget billing, customer assistance programs, the customer assistance referral and evaluation program and the low-income usage reduction program.

Higher than usual late autumn and early winter temperatures, are giving us more time to winterize our homes. If you have yet to take steps to seal home energy leaks and prepare for winter's cold temperatures, consult: Stay Warm in PA and 16 easy to follow tips to lower your utility bills.

Conservation, home weatherization, and energy assistance programs are among the frequently asked questions addressed on the Stay Warm PA website.

http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/LowInc/HeatAssistance/003670277.htm

Download the LIHEAP application and instructions.

Toy Safety

While toy safety has made great strides in the last two decades, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S.PIRG) and the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) continue to advocate for toy safety and to educate consumers. The 2006 Executive Summary of the 21st Annual Toy Safety Survey hones in on 4 key concerns:

Choking hazards – Between 1990 and 2004, at least 157 children died after choking or asphyxiating on a toy or toy part, seven children died in 2004 alone.
Magnetic toys – In 2005, one child died and several others were gravely injured after swallowing tiny but powerful magnets commonly used in magnetic building toys and magnetic jewelry.
Loud toys – Almost 15% of children ages 6 – 17 show signs of hearing loss, yet toys are manufactured and sold that exceed a safe decibel level.
Toxic chemicals in toys – Lead, toluene, xylene, and phthalates pose hidden hazards, exposing children to dangerous chemicals linked to serious health problems.

Consult the Executive Summary and the list of toy hazards and potentially dangerous toys.

Consult recalls.gov for unsafe, hazardous or defective products. Search by product name or description, or look for recalls involving a specific company.