May 2012
82 posts
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'Button' Batteries Pose Dangers to Children
Visits to emergency rooms by kids who have swallowed batteries have doubled over the last twenty years, according to a study of ER data.
Eighty percent of these trips are now because of “button” batteries, those little coin-shaped batteries found in greeting cards, remote controls, toys, hearing aids and more. It’s important for parents to check products and keep these away from...
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Find Summer Volunteer Opportunities →
Day camp and summer school are not the only activities young people can do this summer. Find volunteer opportunities on Serve.gov.
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Latest Reports on Human Rights Released
The U.S. Department of State has released its latest Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.
Mandated by Congress to help guide its decisions on foreign military and economic aid, the reports are also used by journalists, scholars, activists, governments, and intergovernmental organizations.
With the announcement of the release, we saw a spike in related searches on USA.gov. Our users have...
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Learn What To Do If Someone Steals Your Social... →
Someone illegally using your Social Security number causes a lot of problems. Learn what to do if this happens to you.
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25 New Recordings Added to National Recording...
Donna Summer’s ground breaking all-electronic 1977 hit, the creative wordplay of the Sugarhill Gang, the sounds of Native American culture and the voices of former slaves are among the sound recordings selected for induction into the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress. The Registry annually adds recordings that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”...
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Post Office Temporarily Bans Overseas Shipping of...
Starting May 16, 2012, the U.S. Post Office will stop international shipping of lithium batteries and devices containing lithium batteries because they are a fire hazard. Many electronic devices, such as cell phones and cameras, use these types of batteries.
The ban includes international shipping to military addresses.
However, you can continue to ship lithium battery devices from overseas to...
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It's Hurricane Preparedness Week →
Are you ready? Learn how to make a plan and build a kit so you and your family can be ready if a hurricane hits.
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Wishing You and Your Family a Safe and Pleasant... →
Learn more about the holiday.
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Join in a Memorial Day Moment of Silence at 3 p.m....
Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed in honor and memory of all the men and women who have died during military service for our country.
On May 5, 1866, a ceremony in Waterloo, NY honored local veterans who had fought in the Civil War. In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo the “birthplace” of Memorial Day.
Pay tribute to the U.S. men and women who died during...
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Learn How to Stay Safe in Extreme Heat →
Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States. Learn more for Heat Safety Awareness Day.
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Anonymous asked: What help can one get for my wife with parkinson desease?
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Heading to the Beach This Weekend? Check the Water... →
As the summer beach season begins this Memorial Day weekend, the National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) offers a nationwide map of coastal water temperatures. Simply click on your region to see the current water temperature.
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Grill Safely This Weekend →
Have a great Memorial Day weekend! If you’re barbecuing this weekend, make sure you know how to cook safely.
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Social Security Statements Now Available Online
You can now get your Social Security Statement online. The online option is the only way to receive your statement unless you are 60 or older or turning 25 this year.
The statement provides estimates of the retirement and disability benefits you or your family may receive, making it important to have when financial planning. You can also use it to make sure your earnings are being accurately...
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Click It or Ticket: Avoid Fines by Wearing Your...
This week is the start of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s two week national “Click It or Ticket” campaign to increase seat belt usage in cars.
During the Memorial Day holiday weekend, when many people are traveling, law enforcement agencies across the country will heavily enforce the message of Click It or Ticket. If you are caught not wearing your seat belt, you could be...
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Learn the Symptoms of Lupus →
Lupus can be very difficult to diagnose so it’s important to know the symptoms. Find symptoms, resources and other information about lupus.
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Learn to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of...
Image description: This poster explains the signs and symptoms of concussions and is available for download and printing from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
Concussions are brain injuries caused by a blow to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. They can occur in any sport and without loss of consciousness. Even mild bumps or blows to the head...
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Learn How To Prevent and Manage High Blood... →
High blood pressure is dangerous and often without symptoms, and increases in blood pressure can put you at risk for heart disease. Use these tips to avoid health complications as a result of high blood pressure.
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May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month →
Learn about what you can to do prevent these attacks in your home.
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Find Out If You're Eligible for an Independent...
You may be eligible for an independent foreclose review if you believe you were financially harmed in the foreclosure process in 2009 or 2010, and your mortgage was serviced by one of the following companies or its subsidiaries:
GMAC Mortgage
HSBC Finance Corporation
SunTrust Mortgage, and
EMC Mortgage Corporation.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, there is no cost for an independent...
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Get Help Finding a Summer Job
The Department of Labor has started a new initiative, called “Summer Jobs +” to help youth find summer jobs.
The current recession has not only affected full-time workers, but students and youth who depend on part-time and summer jobs to help support their family. According to the Department of Labor, “48.8 percent of youth between the ages of 16-24 were employed in July, the month when youth...
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Anonymous asked: how do i check a doctors work history.
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Find a Local Farmers Market →
It’s a great time to visit your local farmers market and see what’s growing near you.
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Take Care of Your Mental Well-Being This Month
Mental health is just as important to your overall health as your physical well-being. Good mental health leads to a productive and well-balanced life.
May is Mental Health Month, an annual observance to remind people to take the time to take care for themselves mentally, not just physically.
Emotional stress can cause negative feelings and behavior, and in the long term, can have serious...
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Where to Watch This Weekend's Solar Eclipse →
The 1st solar eclipse in the U.S. in 18 years will take place this Sunday, May 20. Find out where you can see it.
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Refunds Available for Sketchers Toning Shoes
From the Federal Trade Commission:
The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, charged Skechers with making unfounded claims that its Shape-ups and other “toning shoes” would help people lose weight and tone their buttocks, legs, and abdominal muscles.
To settle the case, Skechers USA has agreed to pay $40 million to provide refunds to people who...
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Get Your Free Healthy Women's Action Kit
For National Women’s Health Week, we partnered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Women’s Health to create the Healthy Women’s Action Kit. This kit provides the information you need to:
Manage your cholesterol, blood pressure and risk for diabetes
Stay safe using cosmetics and getting tattoos
Recognize and avoid online health scams
Confidently talk to your...
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Safety Rules for Riding a Bicycle
Riding a bicycle is more than a fun and healthy family activity. Besides being great way to exercise, many people also use bicycles to commute to work, go to the grocery store, or to visit friends and family. Some people use them as their primary mode of transportation.
With summer fast approaching, it’s a good idea to review some of the basic safety rules of riding a bicycle. That way, you can...
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Anonymous asked: My high school has a bank in it, and up until this year the people working at the bank were more than willing to make change for students who needed to, for example, break a twenty. Last month, though, the rules suddenly changed, and we can't make change at the bank anymore. When asked, the lady behind the counter said that "making change for people who aren't members of the bank is...
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Youth Exchange Scholarships for High School...
The U.S. Department of State offers a number of exchange programs and scholarships for American high school students to study abroad.
If you’re interested in studying abroad, one of these programs could help cover expenses for your trip:
The National Security Language Initiative for Youth offers merit-based scholarships for overseas study of these foreign languages: Arabic, Chinese...
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Have You Had Your Child's Vision Checked? →
May is Healthy Vision Month. Celebrate by learning about eye exams for kids.
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Most Popular Baby Names of 2011
Jacob and Sophia are America’s most popular baby names for 2011, according to the Social Security Administration.
This is the thirteenth year that Jacob has been the most popular boys name. Sophia was number two in 2010 and beat out Isabella for the top spot in 2011.
Mason is the only new name in the top ten on either list this year. It pushed Anthony off the list of boys names.
Here are the...
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Improve Your Health During National Women's Health... →
National Women’s Health Week starts today. Take control of your health by scheduling preventive screenings, eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise.
Find more tips for living a healthy, balanced life from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Women’s Health.
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Happy Mother's Day!
The second Sunday in May has been Mother’s Day in the U.S. since 1914. Give a little extra love to the moms around you today!
