News You Can Use

October 19, 2007

Hunters Sharing the Harvest

Hunters are being encouraged by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to consider making donations of venison to local food banks, soup kitchens and needy families.  Hunters Sharing the Harvest, started in 1991, contributes some 200,000 meals each year.

Hunters can take a deer to a participating meat processor and choose how much is to be donated.  Those choosing to donate the entire deer are asked to make a $15 tax-deductible co-payment, with HSH covering the remaining costs.

Familiarize yourself with the program and locate a participating meat processor in preparation for deer hunting season.  Non-hunters can support the program through tax-deductible donations:

• $25 will cover the processing fee for one-half of a deer and provides enough venison for 100 meals.
• $50 will cover the processing costs for an entire deer, which will provide 200 meals.
• $75 will help ensure 300 meals are provided to needy Pennsylvanians.
• $100 will cover the costs for 400 meals.

Checks should be made payable to: Hunters Sharing the Harvest.  Mail your check to HSH at: 6780 Hickory Lane, Harrisburg, PA 17112.  Direct questions to ShareDeer@aol.com.

Soap & Water Fight the Spread of MRSA

Good old fashioned soap and water are being promoted in schools and other community-based institutions across Pennsylvania.  Hand washing, practicing good hygiene, and seeking immediate attention if you have a skin infection can minimize the spread of staph.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH), normally present staph bacteria on the skin and in the nose of many healthy people occurs without causing problems.  However, if staph enters the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin, it can cause infection.

When methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or a MRSA infection is possible, the PA DOH recommends the following precautions:

• Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and warm water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until they are healed;
• Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages;
• Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, razors, or clothing; and
• Routinely clean commonly used items like athletic equipment.

Senate Bill 968 was passed by the General Assembly in July 2007 and signed into law as Act Number 52 of 2007.  The measure establishes a coordinated state and facility-based response for the purpose of monitoring and preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAI).

MRSA – Get the Facts

Do Not Call Reminder

If you forgot to re-register your phone number in September to avoid those pesky telemarketing calls, your phone may begin ringing once again on November 1.  However, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General is reminding you to register before the next deadline.

Phone numbers registered by December 15, 2007 will require 120 days or until February 1, 2008 for the Do Not Call list to take effect.  Registration should stop most telemarketing calls, with the following exceptions:

• Calls that you request 
• Calls made by businesses to existing customers or to consumers who have done business with the company in the past 12 months - for example: calls from banks with whom you have accounts or your credit card company 
• Debt collection calls 
• Calls from tax-exempt charitable or fraternal organizations 
• Calls from veterans organizations 
• Calls made on behalf of political groups or candidates

If you receive an unsolicited call, you should file a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection.   For additional assistance call 1-800-441-2555.  Consult the Do Not Call website for more details.

Clothes Dryers Contribute to Residential Fires

Clothes dryers account for 15,600 structure fires, 15 deaths and 400 injuries, annually.  According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a few simple steps can help your family prevent a dryer fire.  Failure to clean the vents is the number one cause; signaling the need to step up maintenance.  Inspect the lint filter and disconnect and clean the dryer duct and venting every couple of years.

Dryer vents cannot be longer than the equivalent of 25 feet (5 feet is added to the actual vent length for each 90-degree bend in the vent).  When lint must pass through an exhaust that is under a floor or through walls and is more than 6-feet long, it is almost impossible to propel all the lint out of the vent.  As a result, lint can accumulate in pockets along the vent where they are harder to reach and clean.

If your dryer is still sporting a white vinyl hose, it should be replaced with a UL-approved rigid aluminum or steel duct, or a spiral-wound aluminum flex hose.  The plastic can provide additional fuel for a fire.

The USFA stresses that fire extinguishers and smoke alarms should be kept in the laundry area.  Here is more on dryer safety.

Supply of Flu Vaccine No Problem in 2007

Record supplies of the influenza vaccine are anticipated this season.  Manufacturers are expected to make over 132 million doses of the flu vaccine available in the U.S., according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH).

Some 36,000 individuals die annually from flu-related illnesses and over 200,000 are hospitalized nationwide.  Rates of serious illness and death are highest among persons over the age of 65 and individuals of any age who have chronic medical conditions that place them at increased risk from flu-related complications.

The influenza vaccine is recommended for:

• All children 6-59 months of age;
• People over 50 years of age regardless of their medical history;
• Residents of long-term care facilities;
• People with underlying health conditions such as heart, respiratory, metabolic, and immune system problems;
• People with certain muscle or nerve disorders (such as cerebral palsy or seizure disorders) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems;
• People with weakened immune systems from:  HIV/AIDS, long-term treatment of steroids, and cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs;
• People 6 months to 18 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment;
• Women who will be pregnant anytime during the influenza season;
• Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children 0-59 months of age;
• Physicians, nurses, family members, or anyone else in close contacts with any of these groups at risk for influenza; and
• Anyone wishing to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill from influenza.

The 2006 flu season began in October and peaked mid-March.  A mild season last year should not be misconstrued to mean individuals will be protected this year.  Get the latest on influenza courtesy of the PA DOH.  Link to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention for weekly reports on influenza activity.  Access flu prevention and control information.

Football and Farm Fun This Fall

Head out for your favorite football game and take along a weekend bag.  The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) and VisitPA are teaming up to remind you of the bed and breakfast and farm stay options located across the state.

Huddle around a blazing fireplace and sip farm fresh apple cider after the game.  The next morning, start your day with a bountiful breakfast and set off for an unforgettable farm adventure.  Try your hand at milking a cow or gathering eggs.  Pursue a peaceful time in a petting pasture or hop on a horse and hit the trail.

For brochures showcasing farm stays, farmers' markets, fairs, and wineries, consult PDA's Agritourism page.