-
New Sunscreen Labels to Help you Get the Best Protection
Beginning next summer the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is changing sunscreen labels to make it easier for you to pick a product that offers the protection level you want. The labels will clearly tell whether a sunscreen protects against sunburn, skin cancer and signs of premature skin aging; and whether it is a broad spectrum product.
Broad spectrum sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher will protect against all three. Anything less than 15 SPF will only protect against sunburn and soon will be labeled with a warning that reads "Skin cancer/skin aging alert: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging". Future labels will also include information on how much time a user can expect to get the declared SPF level of protection while swimming or sweating.
Spending time in the sun increases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. To reduce this risk, consumers should regularly use sun protection measures including:
- Use sunscreens with broad spectrum SPF values of 15 or higher regularly and as directed.
- Limit time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are most intense.
- Wear clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun; for example, long-sleeved shirts, pants, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats.
- Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, more often if you’re sweating or jumping in and out of the water.
-
Grants funds allocated for Lacoochee Community Center
After many years of wishing and hoping, the Lacoochee-Trilby communty received news that grant funds are being set aside for a communtiy center in Stanely Park. Many individuals across the county have been working to bring services to the Lacoochee-Trilby area and are pleased that a significant step has been taken toward building a communty center. The Pasco County Library, with grants funds, has offered a variety of programs to citizens in the Lacoochee-Trilby area. The Library has brought laptops with aircards to the Boys and Girls Club, Trilby Community Center, and other locations to provide citizens with access to Access Florida (food stamps/medicaid), employment assistance, as well as other programs. Once the communtiy center is built, the Pasco County Library is hoping to offer an array of library services there. For more informaiton regarding the funding for the new community center read the article in the St. Petersbrug Times - $300,000 grant set aside for community center in Lacoochee
more -
Preparing Your Pets For Emergencies
Protecting Your Pets
Whether you decide to stay put or evacuate to a safer location, you will need to make plans in advance for your pets in the event of an emergency. If you evacuate your home, your pets should not be left behind. Pets most likely cannot survive on their own; and if by some remote chance they do, you may not be able to find them when you return.
If possible, take your pets with you if have to evacuate. However, if you are going to a public shelter, it is important to note that animals may not be allowed inside. Unfortunately, many disaster evacuation centers (and specifically Red Cross evacuation centers) cannot accept pets because of states' health and safety regulations. In fact, service animals that assist people with disabilities are currently the only animals allowed in some evacuation centers. Plan in advance for shelter alternatives that will work for both you and your pets.
Plan for Pet Disaster Needs:
- Find out which motels and hotels in the area you plan to evacuate to allow pets well in advance of needing them. There are also a number of guides that list hotels/motels that permit pets and could serve as a starting point. Include your local animal shelter's number in your list of emergency numbers, they might be able to provide information concerning pets during a disaster.
- Take pet food, bottled water, medications, veterinary records, cat litter/pan, can opener, food dishes, first aid kit and other supplies with you in case they're not available later. Consider packing a "pet survival" kit which could be easily deployed if disaster hits.
During a Disaster
- Bring your pets inside immediately.
- Have newspapers on hand for sanitary purposes. Feed the animals moist or canned food so they will need less water to drink.
- Animals have instincts about severe weather changes and will often isolate themselves if they are afraid. Bringing them inside early can stop them from running away. Never leave a pet outside or tied up during a storm.
- Separate dogs and cats. Even if your dogs and cats normally get along, the anxiety of an emergency situation can cause pets to act irrationally. Keep small pets away from cats and dogs.
- In an emergency, you may have to take your birds with you. Talk with your veterinarian or local pet store about special food dispensers that regulate the amount of food a bird is given. Make sure that the bird is caged and the cage is covered by a thin cloth or sheet to provide security and filtered light.
After a Disaster
- If after a disaster you have to leave town, take your pets with you. Pets are unlikely to survive on their own.
- In the first few days after the disaster, leash your pets when they go outside. Always maintain close contact. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and your pet may become confused and lost. Also, snakes and other dangerous animals may be brought into the area with flood areas. Downed power lines are a hazard.
- The behavior of your pets may change after an emergency. Normally quiet and friendly pets may become aggressive or defensive. Watch animals closely. Leash dogs and place them in a fenced yard with access to shelter and water.
Sources:
http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/animals.shtm
http://blog.usa.gov/post/5395146652/plan-care-for-your-pets-during-emergencies
Resources:
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/petprotect.asp more - Find out which motels and hotels in the area you plan to evacuate to allow pets well in advance of needing them. There are also a number of guides that list hotels/motels that permit pets and could serve as a starting point. Include your local animal shelter's number in your list of emergency numbers, they might be able to provide information concerning pets during a disaster.
-
Foreclosure Help in Florida
Are you behind in your mortgage payments and need help? The Florida Hardest Hit service may be able to help you. The program is funded by the U.S. Treasury. To qualify for assistance you must meet the following criteria:
An eligible homeowner:
- Must be a Florida resident;
- Must occupy property as primary residence (the property cannot be vacant, abandoned or rented);
- Borrower/co-borrower must be unemployed or underemployed through no fault of his/her own, which makes the first mortgage unaffordable;
- Must have documented total household income at or below 140% of the area median income (AMI), adjusted for household size;***
- Must have an active checking/savings account that can be debited by the ACH method of funds transfer;
- May not have unencumbered assets of $5,000 or more, or three times the current monthly mortgage payment (whichever is greater);
- Cannot have a bankruptcy that has not been discharged or dismissed; and
- Cannot have been convicted of a mortgage-related felony in the last 10 years.
- Must be serviced by a participating lender, who agrees to accept payments on behalf of the homeowner;
- Must not be more than 180 days past due at the time of application;
- Must have been originated on or before January 1, 2009; and
- Must have an existing principal balance of less than $400,000.
***Based on information from huduser.org, 140% of the estimated Average Median Income in 2010 for Pasco residents are listed below:
more1 Person Household $58,200.00 2 Person Household $66,550.00 3 Person Household $74,850.00 4 Person Household $83,150.00 5 Person Household $89,800.00 6 Person Household $96,450.00 7 Person Household $103,100.00 8 Person Household $109,750.00 -
Free SCORE Workshops
Need Help for your Small Business?
SCORE is a non-profit organization that provides free services dedicated to the success of small businesses nationwide. SCORE offers hands-on help to new or existing businesses including entrepreneur education, mentoring, and funding assistance.
SCORE Counselors are volunteers made up of businessmen and women who have been successful entrepreneurs, small business owners, senior corporate executives, and experienced professionals. Their experience and expertise will offer hands-on help geared toward your situation and needs.
SCORE Workshops available through September at Pasco County Libraries:
Starting a Home Business 101:
Tuesday, April 5th, 2011 from 5:30p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Centennial Park Branch Library
***
Introduction to QuickBooks:
Tuesday, April 12th, 2011 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Land O'Lakes Library***
How to Successfully Obtain a Business Loan:
Wed., April 13th, 2011 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
South Holiday Library***Using the Internet in Your Business:
Thursday, April 14th, 2011 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Regency Park Library***
SCORE is sponsored by the US Small Business Associationmore
Source: Pasco County Public Library Cooperative: E-Government Services
*** -
Plan for Retirement
The average American spends
20 years in retirement.
The three major elements of your retirement portfolio are Social Security benefits, savings and investments, and benefits from pensions. Financial security in retirement takes planning, commitment and, yes, money.
To help you plan for retirement each year the Social Security Administration sends you your personal Social Security Statement. Your Statement gives you an estimate of the monthly benefit amounts you and your family may qualify for now and in the future; benefits, on average, are equal to about 40 percent of what you earned before retirement. Once you've reviewed your Statement, you may want to explore a variety of retirement scenarios using a range of assumptions about your future earnings or when you stop working. You can do that with the Retirement Planner. The Planner not only tells you how to qualify for Social Security benefits, but it also includes a Retirement Estimator and Benefit Calculators that help you calculate your own benefit estimates. Follow this link to learn more about full retirement age, how to apply for retirement benefits or Medicare, what documents will be needed, and more.
Top 10 Ways to Prepare for Retirement (as provided by the U. S. Department of Labor:)
1. Start saving, keep saving, make it a priority, and stick to your goals. The sooner you start saving, the more time your money has to grow...it's never too early, or too late, to start.
2. Know your retirement needs. Experts estimate that you will need at least 70% of your preretirement income to maintain your standard of living once you stop working. You can request the Savings Fitness Guide to help with your financial future.
3. Contribute to your employer's retirement plan whenever offered. Your taxes will be lower, your company may kick in more, and automatic deductions make it easy. Over time compound interest and tax deferrals make a big difference in the amount you will accumulate.
4. Learn about your employer's pension plan. Find out what benefits you may be entitled to from your spouse. For more information, request What you should know about your retirement plan.
5. Consider basic investment principles. How you save can be as important as how much you save. Know how your savings or pension plan is invested, and remember to diversify to reduce risk and improve return.
6. Don't touch your retirement savings...you'll lose principal and interest, and you may lose tax benefits.
7. Ask your employer to start a plan if one is not currently offered.
8. Put money into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). These also provide tax advantages.
9. Find out about your social security benefits (as described above).
10. Ask questions of your employer, your bank or credit union, and your financial adviser...and make sure you understand the answers.
Brochures and other resources about retirement are available from the Social Security Administration.
The following Web sites can also be helpful:- AARP
- American Savings Education Council
- Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards
- Consumer Federation of America
- The Investor's Clearinghouse
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Information provided by the SSA and DOL. more -
Florida KidCare health insurance
Child Health Insurance You Can Afford
Through Florida KidCare, the state of Florida offers health insurance for children from birth through age 18, even if one or both parents are working. It includes four different parts. When you apply for the insurance, Florida KidCare will check which part your child may qualify for based on age and family income.- MEDIKIDS: children ages 1 through 4.
- HEALTHY KIDS: children ages 5 through 18.
- CHILDREN’S MEDICAL SERVICES NETWORK: children birth through 18 who have special health care needs.
- MEDICAID: children birth through 18. A child who has other health insurance may still qualify for Medicaid.
Some of the services Florida KidCare covers are:- Doctor visits
- Check-ups and shots
- Hospital
- Surgery
- Prescriptions
- Emergencies
- Vision and hearing
- Dental
- Mental health
Follow this link for information on eligibility and cost.
There are several ways to apply for Florida KidCare:- Apply online or
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
