USA.gov
July 2012
76 posts
Swimming Safety Tips for You and Your Family
Whether you plan to swim at a pool, the beach, or a lake or river, know how to stay safe in the water.
Drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death in the U.S., and many of these victims are children under the age of 15. Review some tips to help you and your family stay safe in the water.
Find additional information about water safety:
Summer Food Service Program Helps Feed Kids →
summerfood.usda.gov
Many children receive free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch at school, but what happens when school lets out? The Summer Food Service Program helps fill that nutrition gap and make sure children can get the nutritious meals they need.
what form we needs to fill up in the airplane?
Asked by an anonymous Tumblr user.
If you are flying within the U.S., you do not need to fill out any forms. There are forms that apply to international travel.
Each individual traveling to the U.S. from another country must complete a customs declaration form. If you’re traveling with immediate family members, then you only need to fill out one form per family.
If you are not a citizen or permanent resident and are traveling with a Visa, then you will also need to fill out an Arrival/Departure Record (Form I-94). Travelers who obtained authorization to enter the U.S. via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization do not need to complete the Arrival/Departure Record. Learn more about entering the U.S. as an international visitor.
After your flight lands in the U.S., you will present the form(s) and be inspected by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer. They prevent terrorists, people with outstanding criminal warrants, narcotics, agricultural pests, and smuggled goods from entering the United States.
Plan For Your Pet's Needs In a Disaster
As with the rest of your family, it’s important to plan for your pet before, during and after a natural disaster. While making emergency plans for your family, make sure you know of the pet friendly hotels and shelters in your area, so that if a disaster does occur, you know which places will accept your pet.
You should have an emergency kit planned and ready to go for your family that also includes important things for your pet, like food, medications, veterinary records and other supplies that may not be available later.
If you are evacuated from your home, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) suggests that you take your pets with you. Most pets cannot survive on their own if left behind, and if they do, they are often lost after you return to your home.
Making sure your pet has a secure tag with up-to-date information could help your pet be returned to you if you get separated later on.
Learn more about what to do with your pets during and after a disaster.
How to Find Government Help After a Disaster
If you’ve been affected by natural disasters, resources are available to help you recover. Visit USA.gov for current disaster recovery information, like how to apply for disaster assistance, and information to help you recover and rebuild.
American Beaches Receive Ratings on Cleanliness and Safety
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) rated 200 popular beaches across the United States on a 5 star scale. Criteria for the NRDC’s rating scale include testing the water weekly, notifying the public promptly when tests reveal unsafe bacteria levels, and posting closings and advisories both online and at the beach.
Beaches that achieved 5 stars had exceptionally low violation rates and strong testing and safety practices. Of the 200 beaches, only 13 were given the highest possible rating of 5 stars.
Visit NRDC to see the full ratings report and to search for beaches near you.
Check If Your State Has a Sales Tax Holiday →
bit.ly
Some states offer a sales tax holiday when you can save on clothing, school supplies, and more. Check your state.
Learn about the ADA and Other Protections for People with Disabilities
Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – landmark legislation that advanced the civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the nation.
However, the ADA is only one of many laws that ensure equal access for everyone. Other examples include the Assistive Technology Act, Fair Housing Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
More than 54 million people in the United States live with a disability of some kind, be it sensory, physical, intellectual, developmental, emotional or mental.
Disability.gov, the federal government website for comprehensive information on disability programs and services in communities nationwide, offer hundreds of resources on protecting your civil rights.
Learn about your rights on the job, different types of discrimination, how to file a complaint and what the federal government is doing to enforce the ADA and other laws. The site also covers topics such as applying for benefits, getting health care, finding a job, and paying for housing.
Know How to Make Water Safe to Drink in an Emergency →
1.usa.gov
Make sure you have bottled water on hand for an emergency, and know how to make water safe to drink if you run out.
How Can the Government Help You?
Six weeks ago, we launched Help for Difficult Financial Times to highlight government resources that can make your life easier during tough times.
As part of this effort, we ran a poll asking: What helps you most when money is tight? 5,352 of you responded:
- Savings 44%
- Family 21%
- Credit cards/loans 20%
- Government assistance 15%
With 64 percent of you stating that savings, credit cards, and loans are the resources you turn to in tough times, we know we need to continue providing information on those topics.
Given that only 15 percent of you turn to government assistance in tough times, we want to make sure you know about benefits that could help you.
Government assistance comes in different forms—from unemployment checks and food assistance to credit counseling and medical treatment. The resources we’ve highlighted on our Help for Difficult Financial Times page are meant to guide you in finding such assistance. These are some of the most popular resources:
- Government Benefits and Financial Assistance – Get information about grants, loans, financial aid, and other assistance.
- Mortgage Payment Assistance – Learn about mortgage relief, housing counseling, foreclosure, and more.
- Low-Cost or Free Health Insurance Options – Get the information you need to choose the health insurance plan that’s right for you and your family.
- Find a Job – Find a resume builder, get employment assistance, and search for jobs.
- Manage Your Debt – Learn about the steps you can take to get debt under control.
Although our six-week campaign to highlight Help for Difficult Financial Times has ended, we know that your struggles may continue. We will keep updating the tools and information we provide to help you get back on your feet.
Olympic Fun Day Meetup →
meetup.com
While hundreds of Olympic athletes are representing America in the 2012 Olympics in London this summer, the White House is sponsoring a “Let’s Move! Olympic Fun Day Meetup” all across America.
On Saturday, July 28th, the first day of the summer Olympics, communities across the country will participate in Olympic-inspired games and activities that promote the 2012 events as well as get people active. The Lets Move! campaign wants to help get Americans moving and having fun in honor of the Olympics kick off.
Find Answers to Your Questions About Dealing with Difficult Times
If you’re looking for answers or resources to help in times of need, the Ask program from USDA eXtension may be able to help.
The Ask program lets you submit a specific question and then find answers that could help. If you can’t find an answer in the extensive database of frequently asked questions, you can submit your question to an expert and receive an answer within 48 hours.
Experts are available to answer your questions on a variety of topics including:
- Financial issues
- Childcare
- Military families needs
- Personal finance and more
See all the topics eXtension experts can help you with or submit your own questions.
To learn about other free resources to help you no matter what your financial situation, visit our page.
Moving This Summer? →
1.usa.gov
Use these tips to choose the right moving company and protect your belongings.
