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News You Can Use February 16, 2007 PennDOT Releases 2007 Holiday Closing Schedule The arrival of President's Day in February is accompanied by a complete list of holiday closings for 2007 for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. PennDOT's Riverfront Office Center and other Driver License and Photo License Centers will be closed on both Saturday, February 17 and Monday, February 19, 2007. Future 2007 holiday closings will include the following:
Note the closings on your calendar or download and print a copy of the 2007 schedule for future reference. For your convenience, a host of online services may help you avoid that trip to a Licensing Center . Among the online services are organ donations, address changes and renewals. LIHEAP Deadline Quickly Approaching The application deadline for Pennsylvania's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is little more than a month away as cold temperatures continue to cover the state. The program helps income-eligible energy consumers to pay their heating bills through energy assistance grants. Consumers are not required to have an unpaid bill or be a welfare recipient to receive energy assistance. Additionally, no lien is placed on the recipient's property and the monies do not have to be repaid. To apply before the March 22, 2007 deadline, you will need a recent heating bill and the following information relating to the individuals residing in your home:
Download and print the LIHEAP brochure with the telephone number and address of your local County Assistance Office and eligibility details. You may also call the LIHEAP statewide toll-free hotline at 1-866-857-7095. Consult DPW's Energy Assistance webpage for related information including an application for the program. Power Failures and You If extreme temperatures and weather conditions find you in a winter-time power failure, locating the necessary telephone numbers may become a daunting task. The Office of the Consumer Advocate (OCA) for the PA Public Utility Commission (PUC) recommends that a list of emergency numbers be prepared and centrally located for the benefit of all family members in the event of a crisis. Obtain emergency numbers now to report future disruptions in energy, water and communications by visiting the OCA's Consumer Corner. Link to the utilities that serve you — electric, gas, telecommunications, and water -- and take a few moments to explore your company's webpage. Along with the important emergency numbers you will encounter tips on energy efficiency, an energy calculator, landscape lighting, tree trimming, and more. During bouts of extreme weather, the PA Department of Aging urges contact with our older neighbors, friends, and family members, particularly those living alone. A quick call with a few simple questions will help ensure a senior's safety:
Find more on cold weather, senior citizens and those living alone. National Weather Service Advisories Were you caught off-guard by the ice and snow storm that blanketed the Commonwealth as Pennsylvanians were preparing to celebrate Valentine's Day 2007? The National Weather Service (NWS) continues to offer sophisticated tools for all, from the professional meteorologist to children fascinated with what will next fall from the sky. Have you sorted out those terms that come along with a winter weather advisory? There's the winter storm watch, the winter storm warning, a heavy snow warning and last, but not least, the blizzard warning. Warm up to the NWS's " Winter Weather Safety & Awareness" webpage. Download and print a copy of " Winter Storms: The Deceptive Killers" as a guide to your future winter weather preparedness: The colorful, 12-page flyer considers your needs at work, in your vehicle, and at home with reminders for pets and farm animals. Emergency Road Conditions When snow is falling and numerous roads become impassable you may have no recourse but to brave the elements. Whether you are essential personnel or perhaps a business owner, sometimes you can't let the weather keep you away from work. When you need accurate, updated interstate road conditions contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's (PennDOT) 24-hour toll free road hotline at 1-888-783-6783 or 1-717-783-5186 (out-of-state callers) and the Turnpike Commission at 1-800-331-3414. Visit the Turnpike's website for traffic advisories and an interactive travel conditions map. Click on the speaker symbol displayed within each of the state's three regions for recorded alerts. Other tools include the PennDOT "Road Weather Information System" offering a clickable map and a list of problem areas. A quick check of PennDOT's Highway Construction Advisory interactive map can clue you in to any additional delays you may experience on the highways located within the Commonwealth: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Workzone_map/map.html Tips to Prevent Wintertime Fires Bitter cold temperatures require special attention to a few details to avoid potentially deadly fires, according to the Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC). Alternative forms of heating and the use of candles are the leading causes of wintertime fires. Burning trash or combustibles in a fireplace; leaving space heaters unattended; filling a kerosene heater indoors; and, relying on an oven or range to heat your home, are a just a few of the surefire ways of requiring an otherwise unnecessary visit from the local fire company. The OSFC recommends your family develop and practice a home-escape plan in the event of a fire. The Office emphasizes never to re-enter a burning building for any reason. Print the Fire Commissioner's checklist and recruit the whole family into safe practices.
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