June 2011
48 posts
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Stay Safe in the Water This Summer
Spending time in the pool is one of the most popular ways to stay cool each summer. Although it seems like all fun and games, remember that water safety is critical. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 3,000 people die from unintended drowning each year.
Use these tips from poolsafety.gov to make sure your day by the pool doesn’t end in tragedy:
Learn CPR
Actively supervise...
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If you're going on a road trip this summer, take a... →
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1.USA.gov Open Data and Hack Day
In March, we announced a new URL shortening service called 1.USA.gov. 1.USA.gov automatically creates .gov URLs whenever you use bitly to shorten a URL that ends in .gov or .mil. We created this service to make it easy for people to know when a short URL will lead to official, and trustworthy, government information.
Data is created every time someone clicks on a 1.USA.gov link, which happens...
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Keep Kids Safe Online
While the internet is a great place for kids to learn, watch funny videos and catch up with friends, it can also be dangerous because of child predators. The FBI offers guidelines on what to look out for if you think your child might be at risk for a child predator’s unwanted advances:
Monitor the amount of time your child spends on the computer. Staying up late after school or on the weekends...
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New Crib Safety Standards
Starting today, all cribs manufactured and sold in the United States must follow new federal safety regulations. It is now illegal to manufacture or sell traditional drop-side rail cribs. All cribs must have more durable mattress support, slats, and hardware and manufacturers must go through a more rigorous testing process.
There is not a new recall on drop-side rail cribs because of these new...
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Read the actual copy of the treaty of Versailles →
The treaty of Versailles was signed on this day in 1919, officially ending WWI.
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Stay Safe During a Lightning Storm
Thunder and lightning storms happen frequently during the summer months, so it’s important to know what you should do if a storm catches you by surprise.
As part of National Lightning Awareness Week, FEMA offers these tips for how to avoid injury during a lightning storm:
Avoid contact with corded phones.
Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. If you plan to unplug any...
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Today is National HIV Testing Day →
Learn why and where to get tested.
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Are you moving soon? →
Make sure you continue to receive mail and any government benefits at your new location.
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Avoid Cell Phone Radiation Scams
There is no scientific proof that cell phone radiation shields significantly reduce exposure from cell phone emissions, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
A “shield” is any product that claims to block radiation from harming someone using a cell phone.
But scam artists might still try to sell the so-called “shields.” Products that only block one part of the phone...
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Fireworks: Hot as a Blow Torch!
By The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Sparklers burn at 2000° F or even hotter.
That’s as hot as a blow torch.
It’s as hot as the charcoal fire in a grill.
2000 degrees is so hot it can melt copper.
Fireworks like bottle rockets and small firecrackers may appear harmless because of their small size, but they sent 1,900 people to emergency rooms last year during the 30 days...
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Today is the summer solstice! →
It’s the longest, but not the warmest, day of the year. Learn why.
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New Cigarette Labels Released
Today the FDA released new warning labels that will start to appear on cigarette packaging and advertising in September 2012.
The new labels are the first change in cigarette warnings in more than 25 years.
View all the new labels.
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Prevention Makes Sense
Dr. Don Berwick, M.D., Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
“Prevention” is a word we use a lot in health care – June is “National Prevention and Wellness Month” – but I want to take a minute to think about what it really means.
Intuitively, prevention makes sense: as the saying goes, you can either pay now or you can pay later. But oddly enough, our health care...
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Are You Eligible for Mortgage Help?
Through the Making Home Affordable program you might be able to get help if you’re facing foreclosure, struggling with your mortgage payment, or trying to avoid mortgage troubles. With Making Home Affordable modifications, you might be able to lower your mortgage payment by more than $500 each month. You might also be able to refinance your mortgage to make it more affordable or get help if...
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Happy Father's Day! →
Learn about the history of the holiday and find ideas to celebrate dad.
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New Sunscreen Labels Help You Get Best Protection
Image description: An example of what the new sunscreen labels will look like from the FDA.
The Food and Drug Administration is changing sunscreen labels to make it easier for you to pick a product that offers the protection level you want.
The changes will require sunscreens labeled “broad spectrum” - those that protect against both UVA and UVB rays — to pass a standardized...
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Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of HIV/AIDS
Thirty years ago this month, HIV/AIDS was identified as what we know it as today. During this time over 25 million people worldwide have died from HIV/AIDS. Even today, the only “cure” is prevention.
Currently, more than one million people in the United States live with HIV; 21% of those with HIV have yet to be diagnosed and are unaware of their infection. But great strides have been made in HIV...
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Improve the Air Quality This Summer
Frequently, you will hear meteorologists mention the air quality index (AQI) during the weather report. The AQI is a tool used to express the local air quality on a daily basis and help you determine if there are any health risks.
The AQI is expressed on a scale from 0 to 500; higher scores indicate greater levels of air pollution and health concerns. There are six AQI categories, ranging from...
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New Fuel Economy Labels for Fuel Efficient Cars
If you’re in the market for a new car, then you may be familiar with fuel economy labels. These labels list the gas mileage estimates for city and highway driving.
Starting with 2013 model year vehicles, you will be able to easily see how much you will save on gasoline with a more efficient vehicle, such as a hybrid, electric, or alternative fuel vehicle. The labels will show the...
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Summer Weather Dangers
From extreme heat and wildfires to hurricanes and tornadoes, summer weather can be dangerous. These threats can occur with little warning, so do what you can to prepare by assembling an emergency kit and forming a plan of action.
Learn about specific types of weather dangers and what you should do if they occur:
Earthquakes – If an earthquake occurs while you’re indoors, stay away from...
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Celebrate the Flag
Image description: The sun shining through the American flag. Photographed by Bin Lee.
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress approved the design of a national flag. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation declaring June 14th National Flag Day. In 1949, Congress officially declared June 14th as National Flag Day, acknowledging President Wilson’s proclamation.
American...
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Pentagon Papers →
From the National Archives:
The Pentagon Papers, officially titled “Report of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Vietnam Task Force”, was leaked to the press and widely distributed in June of 1971. On the 40th anniversary of the leak to the press, the National Archives, along with the Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon Presidential Libraries, has released the complete report. There are 48 boxes...
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Cancer and Men
From the CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
Every year, cancer claims the lives of nearly 300,000 men in America. Men can reduce their risk for some of the most common types of cancer.
Lung Cancer
More men in the U.S. die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer. The most important thing you can do to prevent lung cancer is to quit smoking or not start smoking, and...
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Get Outside During National Great Outdoors Month
Tomorrow is National Get Outdoors Day, part of Great Outdoors month. The month highlights fun activities you can do to enjoy the world around you and helps you lead a healthier lifestyle at the same time.
Explore a National Park:
Enjoy the warmer weather by fishing, hiking, or visiting a National Park. Not only will these activities get you up and off the couch, they are educational for your...
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Plan Ahead for Hurricane Season
Hurricane season started this month, and it is important to be ready for the worst if you live in an area that can be affected by hurricanes. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is predicting six to ten hurricanes this season and half of them are predicted to be a Category 3 or above. Make sure you and your family are ready with these tips from FEMA:
Create an Emergency Kit:
Look around your house...
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Ask an Archivist on June 9
June 9 is Ask Archivists Day, and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is participating in the event on Twitter.
Archivists collect, preserve, and protect our historical records and documents. This could be anything from old letters to photographs to emails. An archivist might be able to help you find information about your family using historical military records, land...
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How to Avoid Mistakes When Applying for...
The naturalization ceremony is one of the most memorable moments in the life of many immigrants. In this formal ceremony, a person pledges allegiance to the United States and becomes a naturalized citizen.
But getting there is not easy. There are appointments to keep and tests to take. The process can be long and it’s easy to forget a document or signature, which can lead to delays. Some...
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The 5 Most Common Mistakes People Make When...
Watch an accessible version of this video.
Video transcript:
VOICE: Becoming a naturalized citizen can be one of the most important milestones in an immigrant’s life. But it’s not always easy. There’s lots of paperwork to fill out, appointments to keep and tests to pass.
The following are the five most common mistakes people make when applying for citizenship. By avoiding...
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Summer Is an Ideal Time for Community Service
Summer camps and summer school are not the only stimulating activities young people can do to have a productive summer. Another attractive option is to do volunteer work.
There’s no shortage of opportunities nationwide to do charitable work, from food banks and clothing drives, to community emergency preparedness and health events. No matter what you choose, it’s relatively easy to...
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How does E. coli get into meat?
Yesterday we blogged about how to kill E. Coli and other bacteria when cooking meat. Arloue on Facebook asked us, “How does E. coli get into the meat?” That’s a good question.
E. coli is a type of bacteria that lives in your intestines. Most strains of E. coli are harmless, but certain types can make you sick. E. coli also lives in the intestines of animals, especially cows, and...
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MyPlate Replaces Food Pyramid
Yesterday the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) replaced the food pyramid with MyPlate. MyPlate is a visual reminder to make half of your plate fruits and vegetables. It also shows the other food groups that make a well-balanced meal: whole grains, lean proteins, and low fat dairy. MyPlate is based on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
ChooseMyPlate.gov has information on healthy...
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Summer Travel Tips from TSA
By Blogger Bob, a member of the TSA blog team
Summertime isn’t officially here yet, but with a heat index yesterday of 104°, you could have fooled me! The weather is definitely a reminder that summer is right around the corner. It’s time to figure out where you put all of your summer clothes and summery type outdoor thingamabobs. Now is also the time of year when your summer travel is quickly...
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How to Kill E. Coli and Other Bacteria when...
Image description: Cooking barbecue at the Festival of American Folklife: Washington, D.C. Photo from State Library and Archives of Florida on Flickr.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released new recommended cooking temperatures for meats. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your meat is free of harmful bacteria such as E. coli:
Cooking Whole Cuts of Pork: USDA has...
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Planning a summer trip to the beach? Check the... →
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2011 Hurricane Names Released
June 1 marks the first day of the Atlantic hurricane season, and the National Hurricane Center has released the list of names for potential 2011 storms:
Arlene
Bret
Cindy
Don
Emily
Franklin
Gert
Harvey
Irene
Jose
Katia
Lee
Maria
Nate
Ophelia
Philippe
Rina
Sean
Tammy
Vince
Whitney
There are six different lists of storm names that are rotated from year to year. This...
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Rare Midnight Eclipse Tonight
Image description: A “midnight Sun” eclipse photographed by Oddleiv Skilbrei in northern Sweden on July 31, 2000.
NASA reports that a partial solar eclipse will occur at around midnight tonight:
“It might sound like a contradiction to have a solar eclipse in the middle of the night, but this is what we will see in northern Norway, Sweden and Finland on June 1st,” says...
