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News You Can Use

April 11, 2008

In Case Of Emergency 

Every year, hundreds of thousands of emergency room patients are incapacitated and unable to provide contact information.  More than 75 percent of people carry no details of who they would like phoned following a serious accident, according to research conducted by Vodafone.   

This vital information can prevent medical problems and save a life, according to police, paramedics, and other medical personnel.  The Senate of Pennsylvania has adopted Senate Resolution 252 of 2008 urging citizens to participate in the ICE (In Case of Emergency) Campaign with their cell phones.   

By entering “ICE” into your cell phone address book along with the number of your emergency contact, you may help save your own life.  For more than one contact, information may be listed as ICE1, ICE2, ICE3, etc.   

ICE requires no geographically-bound system or infrastructure.  It works wherever it is adopted and publicized.  Reports of a virus attached to the use of “ICE” are false and it does not drain pay-as-you-go phones.   

The measure was adopted by the Senate within weeks of its introduction.  Access the text and history of Senate Resolution 252 here.

Avoid Buying a Flood Damaged Vehicle 

Major hurricanes and flooding across the country and within Pennsylvania are estimated to have damaged at least a half a million vehicles in recent years.  Following cosmetic repairs, the damaged vehicles end up on the auction block or are registered in another state without disclosure of the damage, according to the PA Office of Attorney General (OAG).   

An OAG consumer advisory offers a list of clues that may indicate prior flood damage:

• Look inside the trunk and spare tire for evidence of moisture, silt or corrosion. 
• Check the engine for moisture damage or water or grit in the engine compartment. 
• Inspect for dirt or dried mud under the dashboard or in air vents. 
• Ensure there is no damp or musty smell. 
• Examine under the floorboard carpet for water residue, or stain marks. 

View the complete list of potential indicators before sinking money into a potentially flood damaged vehicle.

Three free services can assist consumers in purchasing a vehicle free of flood damage.  The National Insurance Crime Bureau is a nonprofit that works with insurers, law enforcement, and the public to fight insurance fraud and vehicle theft.  This group compiles a list of such vehicles with information supplied by insurance companies, state and local governments, and salvage yards.  Carfax, another free resource, allows consumers to check vehicles by VIN.  Carfax also sells a more detailed vehicle history.   

AutoCheck provides a free "storm damage scan" service for consumers to check vehicles using the VIN.  Enter a VIN and the service indicates whether the vehicle was reported as storm damaged or was registered or titled within 12 months prior to a storm in counties affected by recent disasters.  AutoCheck also sells a more detailed vehicle history.   

If you suspect someone of knowingly selling a flood-damaged vehicle without disclosing the damage, file a complaint with the OAG’s Bureau of Consumer Protection or call 717-787-9707 or 800-441-2555.   

PFBC Wants Your Opinion 

The PA Fish & Boat Commission (PF&BC) is seeking public input regarding the format and function of its website with an eye to making improvements.  A usability survey is being employed to assess the interests of its website users. 

The voluntary survey will measure frequency of website use, inquire about fishing and boating activities, and determine users’ other recreational interests.  Anglers and boaters will be asked about their interest in camping, hiking, biking, hunting, swimming, skiing, running, walking, ATVing, and snowmobiling.   

Access and complete the PF&BC Web Usability Survey to help the Commission better assist you in the future.   

Donate Life 

Are you among the 4 million Pennsylvanians registered to donate life?  Forty-four percent of driver’s license and identification (ID) card holders are registered organ donors, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).   

If you are among those who would like to register as an organ donor, you no longer have to wait as much as four years for licensing renewal time to roll around.  The PennDOT website offers licensed drivers and ID card holders the option of registering online to become an organ donor.   

Since the service was made available in 2006, more than 1,400 individuals have used the online service to become organ donors.  Online registrants receive a confirmation card to carry along with their driver’s license or ID card until renewal time.   

Access the PennDOT organ donor designation webpage.  For more information on organ donation in PA click here.  Access frequently asked questions and dispel any myths and misconceptions related to organ donation.    

PA Flourishes with Flowers 

Spring has sprung and the flowers are beginning to pop across the Commonwealth.  VisitPA.com stands ready to guide you through a breath-taking horticultural journey.   

Gardens, preserves, arboretums, conservatories, and flower shows are available in every region of the state.  Pittsburgh is home to the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, one of the nation’s oldest and largest Victorian glasshouses featuring lush plants, seasonal flower shows, and butterflies.  Longwood Gardens near Philadelphia is home to over 11,000 types of plants, including orchids, roses, and water lilies on display around fountains and tucked into gardens and conservatories.   

Whether you are looking for a road trip to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, or one of the other 5 regions of the state, VisitPA.com provides a tool to locate gardens situated in an area of your choosing.  The state’s official tourism website can also help you locate food, lodging, and other activities in your region of choice.   

Credit Card Hangover 

If you are experiencing a 3-month credit card hangover from all that holiday gift-giving, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking (DOB) is offering a treatment.   

At the first sign of trouble, the DOB recommends contacting your creditors rather than missing a payment.  Focus on working out a modified payment plan and requesting a lower interest rate.  

Credit counseling is advocated for those struggling with debt.  A reputable credit counselor can help assess the consumer’s financial situation, provide money management advice, and assist in setting up a budget.   

Locate a qualified credit counselor through the DOB website.  Find helpful advice choosing a credit counselor and spotting credit repair scams and link to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling to access a directory of over 1,300 credit counselors searchable by state and zip code.