Consumer Traps & Tips # 52 - Toy Safety Tips for Holiday Shoppers

For immediate release: November 23, 2009
Contact: Dennis Moore, 561-712-6600 • PBC Consumer Affairs Division
A weekly service of the Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division
Trap

Susan remembers when lawn darts, trampolines, Pogo balls and air rifles were popular holiday gifts for kids. Today, she wonders how she survived her childhood! Susan plans to begin shopping for toys and take advantage of the sales. She wants to save money but also wants to buy toys that will be safe for her kids.

Tips

Along with being fun, toys should be safe. Here are some tips for a happier holiday:

Consider the child’s age, interest and skill level. Look for labels that give age recommendations as a guide. The Child Safety Protection Act requires choking hazard warning labels on toys containing small parts. Remember a toy intended for an older child may be dangerous in the hands of a younger child. Information on age-appropriate toys can be found at http://www.usa.safekids.org and http://www.cpsc.gov.
Buy from a reputable retailer, and ask if they have removed all recalled toys from the shelves. Get a receipt for your purchase and verify the store’s return policy.
Be extra cautious when buying second-hand or used toys. Look for signs that state all sales are final. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act also prohibits thrift shops, garage sales, consignment and online stores from selling recalled toys. Toys can be recalled for reasons such as toxic levels of lead in the paint or a strangulation risk (cords) or a choking hazard (small parts).
You can see the recalled toys list and sign up for e-mail alerts at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site (http://www.cpsc.gov).
If you decide to buy your child’s first big bicycle, remember it’s not a toy. That big bike is now considered a vehicle, and your next purchase should be a helmet!
Call Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs at 561-712-6600 (Boca/Delray 888-852-7362 toll free) or visit http://www.pbcgov.com/consumer for more information.

Boca Raton Board meetings and Events for the Week of Nov. 23, 2009

City facilities will be closed on Thanksgiving Day,

Thursday, November 26.

Board Meetings November 23 – November 27

Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) – Monday, November 23, 1:30 pm – Agenda

City Council Workshop – Monday, November 23, following CRA meeting – Agenda

Education Advisory Board – Monday, November 23, 6:00 pm – City Hall

City Council Meeting – Tuesday, November 24, 6:00 pm – Agenda

Community Appearance Board – Tuesday, November 24, 7:00 pm – Agenda

Holiday Tree Lighting – Friday, November 27, 5:00 pm, Mizner Park Amphitheater

Boca Raton Green Market – Saturday, November 28, 8:00 am, Royal Palm Plaza

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

Daily Tank Feedings – Sunday through Friday, 2:30 pm – Saturday, 11:30 am

Boca Beach Kids – Wednesday, November 25, 10:30 am

Guided Hammock Walk – Wednesday, November 25, 10:00 am

Sugar Sand Park

Tech City exhibit – through January 2010, Children’s Science Explorium

Multi-Media art exhibition through November 29, Community Center

The Brave Tin Soldier – Saturday, November 28, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, Willow Theatre

Libraries

Downtown Drop-In Story Time – Monday, 7:00 pm; Thursday and Saturday, 10:00 am

The Swim Center

Patch Reef Tennis Center

H1N1 FLU UPDATE PALM BEACH COUNTY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA ONLY: TIM O’CONNOR
November 20, 2009 561-671-4013 FAX 837-5197


PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL— Palm Beach County Health Department continues to make the H1N1 vaccine available through its health centers in Delray Beach, Lantana, West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and Belle Glade by appointment and on a limited availability walk-in basis. Also the following public vaccination free clinics are scheduled on a first come first serve basis. PLEASE NOTE: THESE OUTREACHES PRIMARILY FEATURE THE MIST VERSION, OF THE H1N1 VACCINE AND IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO THOSE IN THE PRIORITY GROUPS LISTED. If you need the injectable version, please schedule an appointment at one of our Health Centers by calling 1-888-411-4FLU (4358).

As vaccine supply increases, more outreaches will be scheduled. Please be patient and allow those most at risk to receive the H1N1 Vaccine first. The mist is for healthy children 2 years to 24 years, care givers who are healthy up to age 49 of babies under six months old, and health care workers with direct patient contact. Those over 50 are less susceptible to the H1N1 virus and therefore are not eligible at this time.

November 21st - Saturday C.L. Brumback Heath Center 38754 State Road 80 Belle Glade 9am -12:30pm

November 23rd - Monday Jupiter Preschool 17593 Cinquez Park Road West Jupiter 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM (H1N1 Only)

November 25th - Wednesday Forest Park Beacon Center 1201 SW 3rd Street Boynton Beach 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM (H1N1 Only)

December 5th - Saturday Riviera Beach Health Center 7289 Garden Road Riviera Beach 9am-1pm NOTE DATE CHANGED FROM NOVEMBER 21ST

As always practice flu prevention:
• Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover your cough and sneezes
• Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness.
• Stay home if you are sick.

For further information about H1N1 Swine Flu vaccinations call the Palm Beach County Flu Information line at Toll Free at 1- 888-411-4FLU (4358), or the Florida Flu Information Line at 877-352-3581. Two websites are also updated regularly www.FightFluFlorida.com or www.myflusafety.com or locally information can be also obtained by calling 211. ####

BCC Briefs for Nov. 17, 2009 Meeting

At the November 17, 2009, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action:

Reorganization – named Commissioners Burt Aaronson and Karen Marcus chair and vice chair, respectively, until November 2010; also thanked Commissioner Jeff Koons for his year of service as chairman of the BCC.

Affordable Housing – agreed to appropriate up to $1.03 million in next year’s budget for affordable housing and approved a funding plan for affordable housing that would set aside half the interest earned from developer fees on for-profit projects, beginning in 2014.

Municipal Marina – approved a design concept by the City of Riviera Beach for a $5 million grant awarded in February 2007 for renovations to the city’s marina.

Landscape Irrigation - opted not to file an administrative challenge to the South Florida Water Management District’s (SFWMD) proposed year-round landscape irrigation rule.

Reclaimed Water – approved a revised rate schedule for reclaimed water services. Water restrictions imposed by SFWMD have caused a significant increase in the number of reclaimed water users who previously paid no connection fees. Under the revised rates, new reclaimed water customers will pay a connection fee, but lower monthly base facility fees than existing customers who paid no a connection fee.

Roads - approved an ordinance establishing an amended five-year road program. Changes include delaying construction of Jog Road from Roebuck Road to 45th Street; Okeechobee Blvd. from Australian Ave. to Tamarind Ave./Parker Ave.; Roebuck Road from State Road 7 to Jog Road; Silver Beach Road from Congress Ave. to Old Dixie Hwy.; and Boca Rio Road from Palmetto Park Road to Boca Lago Blvd.

Transit Oriented Development – postponed to December 15 discussion of minimum requirements for a request for proposals (RFP) for development of the Wedge, a county-owned parcel within the West Palm Beach transit-oriented development (TOD) zone.

Palm Tran Earns Awards at FPTA Conference

For immediate release: November 18, 2009
Contact: Jessica Dumars, 561-841-4245
Palm Tran, Palm Beach County’s public transportation agency, was the recipient of several honors at the 2009 annual conference of the Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA) held October 25-27 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Palm Tran’s Marketing Department received first-place Awards of Excellence in the special events category for the Commuter Express ribbon-cutting event and in the signage category for the design of Palm Tran’s Intermodal Transit Center bus stop signs. An Award of Honor was earned in the electronic media category for Transit Works, Palm Tran’s half-hour television show produced in partnership with Palm Beach County’s Channel 20.

Palm Tran Mechanic Francisco Santana was recognized as second runner-up for 2009 FPTA Mechanic of the Year. Santana has been with Palm Tran for 11 years and consistently places in the top 10 on Palm Tran’s monthly employee production reports.

For more information about Palm Tran, please call the customer service department at 561-841-4287.

Consumer Traps & Tips # 51 - Airline Baggage Fees

For immediate release: November 16, 2009
Contact: Dennis Moore, 561-712-6600 • PBC Consumer Affairs Division
A weekly service of the Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division
Trap

Due to a family emergency, Bill and Linda Barker had to get the next flight to Denver. Bill checked the airline’s Web site and booked two seats but failed to review four pages of information regarding baggage fees. Since they were only taking a carry-on and one large suitcase Bill wasn’t concerned. The next morning, while checking in, their large suitcase weighed 72 pounds. The ticket agent asked them for the normal $20 checked baggage fee plus an additional $50 overweight fee. Seventy dollars for one suitcase?

Tips

Airlines are finding new and creative ways to increase their bottom line. Charging for baggage is just one of them. Before packing your suitcase, consider these tips:

Checked baggage fees vary from airline to airline. European carriers allow up to 45 pounds and North American airlines up to 70 pounds (although many domestic carriers have a 50 pound limit). Take your time before booking your flight to avoid problems at the gate by reading the disclosures carefully.
Use your bathroom scales to weigh your bag before heading to the airport.
If you are told your bag is overweight, offer to quickly repack some items into your carry-on or travel partner’s bag. Take a coat out and carry it over your arm.
Along with the weight of your bag, make sure the suitcase dimensions do not exceed the airline’s limitations. Check with the airline for specifications.
With some airlines, it can actually cost less to check in an additional piece of luggage than to pay for one that is overweight. If this is the case, bring a collapsible “soft bag” or ask the agent for a box.
Plan/Pack carefully and get to the ticket counter one hour before your flight.
Call Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs at 561-712-6600 (Boca/Delray 888-852-7362 toll free) or visit http://www.pbcgov.com/consumer for more information.

Holiday Pet Portraits Help Support County’s Spay/Neuter Programs

For immediate release: November 17, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth Harfmann, 561-233-1222
Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control is hosting a fundraiser for the holidays! Pet owners can help by scheduling an appointment to have their family and pets professionally photographed by The Top Room Studio for the holiday season. The cost is $20 for two 5” x 7” portraits. All proceeds will help to support Animal Care and Control’s low-cost dog and cat spay/neuter services.

Pet owners can call 561-233-1222 to book an appointment for any of the following portrait dates: Friday, Nov. 20; Sunday, Nov. 22; or Saturday, Dec. 5. The portrait location is Animal Care and Control, 7100 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach.

All pets must be current on their rabies vaccinations and wearing current rabies license tags. For more information on getting your pet vaccinated, call 561-233-1272. Visit www.pbcgov.com/animal for more information about the holiday pet portraits.