Welcome to the August 29, 2006 edition of the Federal Citizen Information Center's FEDINFO E-letter! These subscription e-letters from Pueblo are sent 6-8 times a year with helpful updates, practical information, and special offers to make your life a little easier. You can always find the latest information on our family of websites: Pueblo.gsa.gov, FirstGov.gov, ConsumerAction.gov, and Kids.gov.
This issue includes:
- End of Summer Travel Tips
- End of Summer Food Safety
- It’s Back-to-School Time
- A Special Free Offer for FEDINFO Subscribers
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END OF SUMMER TRAVEL TIPS
With the Labor Day weekend approaching, many people will be flying the friendly skies. But before you head off to the airport, please be aware that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has changed security screening procedures at all U.S. airports, banning liquids and gels at security checkpoints and aboard flights. You will not be permitted to bring any liquids or gels past the screening checkpoint or on board, with a few exceptions. In addition, the TSA is now requiring that all passengers are to remove their shoes so they may be X-rayed with their carry-on bags.
Click here to find out the latest security procedures.
Check out the full list of permitted and prohibited items.
Click here for other key travel tips.
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The upcoming Labor Day weekend is prime time for outdoor eating at backyard barbecues, picnics, and family reunions. It’s also prime time for getting lazy about handling food safely.
Check out “Food Safety at Home” for tips on safely handling food at home. For instance, keeping raw foods like burgers and ribs and their juices away from other foods will keep bacteria and germs from spreading. And wash your hands, food prep areas, dishes, and utensils after working with each food item.
These handy suggestions will also help you prevent food from spoiling, whether it's on your counter or the picnic table. Store foods at safe temperatures. Keep foods cold until you're ready to cook them, and don't thaw food on the countertop so bacteria won't grow. When you cook on the stove or the grill, use a meat thermometer to make sure food gets hot enough to kill bacteria and germs.
Don't let down your guard when you get takeout or eat out. The safest way to eat meat, poultry, eggs, and fish is to order them fully cooked. And when you take leftovers home, refrigerate them within two hours or throw them out. Make sure to reheat your food until it's hot and steaming to get rid of cold spots where germs can live. More details can be found by reading “Restaurant and Takeout Safety.”
Check out “Preventing Food-Borne Illness” to learn food safety rules. Following the rules can do more than keep food from going bad, it can head off serious illnesses. The bacteria, viruses, and parasites that grow in food can cause some nasty and serious symptoms, especially for infants, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
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As summer vacations come to an end, students are readying themselves for the start of a new school year. As you prepare to send your child to school arm yourself with some helpful health and safety information. Check out FCIC’s Consumer Focus to get information on such topics as:
- Top 5 Causes of Missed School
- Check-Ups and Immunizations
- Healthy Sleep
- Nutrition Points
- Get Moving
- Travel to and from School
- Backpack Safety
- and more!
Also check out FirstGov.gov’s Back-to-School page for more resources on heading back-to-school.
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A SPECIAL FREE OFFER FOR FEDINFO SUBSCRIBERS
FCIC is the help desk for everyday life--and we'd like to help you! Here's your chance to get a FREE package of great information about preparing for natural disasters and emergencies as well as recovering from that disaster of a purchase you recently made. You’ll find out how to put together an emergency supply kit and develop a family plan for all kinds of emergencies. The Consumer Action Handbook features general advice and information on how to solve consumer problems, as well as addresses, telephone numbers, and websites where you can file consumer complaints.
To get your FREE package and a FREE Consumer Information Catalog listing more than 200 valuable consumer publications, just fill in your name and address on our special order form.
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Many consumers are now using SPAM-blocking software or junk-mail filters offered by their email providers. These filters may also prevent you from receiving e-letters that you have subscribed to like FEDINFO. If you are using these filters, you may want to consider adding the following e-mail address to your "safe list:" cic.info@gsa.gov
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We hope that you have found this e-letter valuable. If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please contact us at: http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/emailus.htm. PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE.
Click here for previous issues of the FEDINFO E-letter.
This e-mail was sent to you because you signed up to receive updates, notifications of new information, and special offers from the Federal Citizen Information Center. You may leave the list at any time by visiting http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/maillist.htm.
Issue 2006-5