FED INFO E-Newsletter
July/August 2009
From the Federal Citizen Information Center
This issue includes:
- Acetaminophen Q&A
- Beware Fraudulent Business Opportunities
- Prepare for Hurricanes with Direct Deposit
- Keep Your Kids Safe Around Water
- Return of the Mars Hoax
- America the Beautiful, and Budget-Friendly
- GreenCycle Your Yard Wastes
- Summer Reading Fun
- New PSA!
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Worried about the reports of possible liver damage from acetaminophen? Get the facts from this FDA Q & A for Consumers.
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Beware Fraudulent Business Opportunities
The Federal Trade Commission has a new video designed to help people recognize business opportunity scams. It features real people who’ve lost thousands of dollars on scams, and gives classic tell-tale signs to watch out for.
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Prepare for Hurricanes with Direct Deposit
Forecasters predict a near-normal hurricane season this year, which still means one to three major hurricanes. In addition to assembling supplies, protecting your property and taking other preparedness measures, Uncle Sam is urging Social Security recipients to switch to Direct Deposit now to avoid interruptions in their receipt of benefits.
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Keep Your Kids Safe Around Water
Don’t let your kids become statistics this summer. Follow these water safety tips to keep them safe in, on and around the water. Learn about the hidden dangers from broken or missing pool drain covers and the new law aimed at reducing them.
And watch out for Recreational Water Illnesses, spread by swallowing or swimming in contaminated water from swimming pools, spas, lakes, rivers, or oceans.
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There's an email going around claiming that Mars will look as big as a full Moon on August 27th. Could this possibly be true? Find out in this story from Science@NASA.
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America the Beautiful, and Budget-Friendly
Need some ideas for an inexpensive summer vacation? Check these out:
- Explore rural America!
- Skip the entrance fees at 100 national parks during fee-free weekends, July 18-19 and August 15-16.
- Find out about special summertime events and activities at a park near you.
- Enjoy spectacular waterfalls along America’s Byways.
- Reserve camp sites and cabins at Recreation.gov.
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GreenCycle Your Yard WastesIt’s a great time to start a backyard compost pile, using your grass clippings now and adding leaves in the fall. Or start a worm bin for your kitchen wastes − a fun project for your kids.
Don’t miss our latest Consumer Focus article,“Going Green: What Can You Do?” It’s packed with tips to help you buy green and recycle what you've already got.
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Summer Reading FunKeep your kids reading happily this summer. Find ideas for summer learning at America Reads! And don’t forget Kids.gov for loads of fun and educational games, art projects and much more.
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Check out our new TV Public Service Announcement, “For the People.” The ad features a cast representing government employees like judges, police, airport screeners, members of the military and Secret Service agents, singing their hearts out about the government benefits, services and information you can find through USA.gov and 1 (800) FED-INFO.
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