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Two-time Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank has committed to grow, cut and share her long hair with Pantene Beautiful Lengths. This incredibly personal donation will be part of a year-long association between leading actress Swank and Pantene's unique charitable campaign.

In her new role, Swank will star in a Pantene Beautiful Lengths print public service announcement (PSA) and encourage people across the United States and Canada to follow her example.

Pantene is a brand that knows the importance of healthy, beautiful hair and the impact that it has on a women's sense of self. That's why, one year ago, Pantene partnered with the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) to create Pantene Beautiful Lengths, a campaign that inspires people to grow, cut and donate their healthy hair to make free real-hair wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment.

"I have lost multiple family members to cancer and witnessed their struggle firsthand," Swank says. "I've never heard of anything quite like Pantene Beautiful Lengths, and I'm proud to be asked to promote the goals of such a unique and heartfelt program. It's an honor to be associated with Pantene's campaign, and I just hope that my contribution will help to inspire others to get involved in whatever way they can."

Since its launch in July 2006, Pantene Beautiful Lengths has attracted the hearts and the hair of women, men and children across the continent. Regardless of whether individuals donate in a private gesture at their local salon or join others in the growing phenomenon of community cutting events, their generosity has already resulted in more than 17,000 ponytail donations overall, a Guinness World Record and the distribution of 2,000 free, real-hair wigs.

For more information about Pantene Beautiful Lengths and ways to participate, visit www.beautifullengths.com. (7-31-07)

Nearly 10,000 youth ice hockey injuries were reported among 10- to 15-years-olds by the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) and the Hockey Canada Insurance Database (HCID), according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Results from a study published in Pediatrics found that older players in a certain age cohort (i.e. those born from January to March) were at increased risk of injury than their younger peers (those born from October to December).

The increased risk of injury for relatively older players was greatest for those playing at the highest levels of competition. Increased susceptibility to injury could be because these players are playing longer and more often. Ultimately, however, future research is required to find out the reason for this increased risk of injury. The type and severity of injuries did not change from one age group to another.

(7-31-07)

A new survey sponsored by LYSOL brand products reveals Americans are ignorant to the potential germ hazards threatening their children. Only 5 percent identify the home as the place where children are most likely to catch an infection when, in fact, studies show that there is a greater risk of transmission within the home than outside.

The survey, part of a global effort by the Hygiene Council to educate the public about the importance of hygiene for family wellness, also found a mere 3 percent of Americans believe the bathtub poses the greatest risk of transmitting germs to themselves or their children. However, the bathtub is one of the germiest surfaces in the home. A recent study found staph aureus, the most common cause of serious staph infections, in 26 percent of bathtubs tested, versus only 6 percent of garbage cans.

The Hygiene Council survey also found that four out of 10 Americans admit they most regularly clean their kitchen surfaces with a dishtowel or sponge, both of which can harbor and spread dangerous bacteria. When asked how long they believe germs can survive on surfaces, only 13 percent were aware that some viruses can live on common surfaces, such as countertops and door handles, for up to a full month. The majority, 33 percent, believe the lifespan to be only days.

These surfaces can contain up to the following number of bacteria:

Bathtub: Up to 250,000 total bacteria per square inch
Sponge: Up to 250,000 total bacteria per square inch
Kitchen Faucet Handle: Up to 25,000 total bacteria per square inch
Kitchen Floor: Up to 3,500 total bacteria per square inch
Kitchen Counter Top: Up to 2,500 total bacteria per square inch
Bathroom Sink: Up to 2,500 total bacteria per square inch
Pet Food Dish: Up to 2,500 total bacteria per square inch

The survey solicited data from more than 10,000 people in 10 countries. The Hygiene Council, comprised of leading scientists from around the globe, works to dispel myths about germs and educate consumers about basic hygiene practices, such as proper hand washing, food handling and regular surface disinfection.

For further information, visit www.lysol.com.

(7-24-07)

A revised American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) clinical report urges pediatricians to be especially alert to the signs or symptoms of abuse in children with disabilities. These children – diagnosed with mental retardation, emotional disturbance, visual impairment, learning or physical disabilities, behavioral and/or medical problems – accounted for at least 7.3 percent of the 872,000 reported child abuse victims in 2004.

Children with disabilities face a greater risk of abuse, as they often place higher emotional, physical, economic and social demands on their families and caregivers. This may be difficult, as some children may be unable to verbalize their abuse or understand that what took place was wrong. Pediatricians also should be aware that some child disabilities may cause injury or mimic abuse. (6-05-07)

June is Potty Training Awareness Month, the most popular time of year to embark upon potty training. As approximately four million toddlers get ready to potty train in America this year, PULL-UPS helps make the transition to training pants from diapers easier with Easy Open Sides on all its Training Pants. The sides eliminate tearing and allow for quick and easy removal by Mom or Dad for those times when it is needed, just in case.

New this year, one lucky potty training (or soon-to-be potty training) family will have a chance to win a visit from the PTP Patrol, a one-on-one, one-day, at-home session with a PTP expert. The PTP will share advice on how potty training can be made easier, including whether your child is showing signs of readiness, how to start training, tracking your tot's success and rewarding. The PTP will also leave behind all the potty training essentials including a potty seat, reward stickers and a supply of PULL-UPS Training Pants.

To enter to win a visit from a potty training expert and for the full official rules, parents can call the PULL-UPS Totline at 1-877-4BIG-KID, or visit www.pull-ups.com.

(6-05-07)

Beginning May 1, consumers across the United States and Canada can put their culinary skills to the test by entering the Vidalia Onion Committee's first-ever national recipe contest.

Hosted by celebrity chef and television personality Jon Ashton, the Very Vidalia® Recipe Contest is a summertime-themed promotion encouraging Vidalia onion lovers to submit their favorite original recipe featuring Vidalia onions.

"Delicious rings of love come to my mind when I hear the word Vidalia," says Jon Ashton. "I love cooking with Vidalia onions because they are absolutely delicious, sweet and juicy. I'm also very excited about meeting the winner of our first-ever Very Vidalia Recipe Contest."

For contest details, visit www.vidaliaonion.org. (5-22-07)

Parents can relieve a child's immunization anxiety by bringing a favorite toy, telling a joke or reading a favorite book, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics. Tactics that worked for babies 6 months and younger were bubble blowing and a pacifier sweetened with sugar water. Researchers also encourage parents to have a matter-of-fact attitude toward shots, as parents who come across as feeling bad tend to make the child more distressed. (5-22-07)

According to information released by The College Board, the number of 12th grade students taking AP exams nationwide has increased nearly 35 percent since 1999. Kids are also taking more courses per person, starting them earlier – in middle school, instead of just high school – and scoring better on them than in the past: 15 percent of students in the Class of 2006 who took the exams scored 3 or better, up from 10 percent for the Class of 2000.

What are the keys to AP success? Sylvan Learning Center has created a list of test-taking tips to help kids increase their scores. The company has nearly 1,200 centers located across the United States and Canada and delivers personalized tutoring programs in reading, writing, mathematics, study skills and test-prep for students of all ages and skill levels.

• Don't try to cram for the AP overnight. Proper preparation takes weeks, even months, of review.
• If you don't know an answer to a question, and can't eliminate any bad answer choices, skip the question and only go back if time permits.
• Trust yourself. Rely on your instincts.
• Never leave an easy question blank. Easy questions have easy answers.
• Read, read, read. Read the questions and answers critically.
• Eliminate answers. If you can eliminate at least two incorrect answers, you generally increase the probability of guessing correctly.
• Save your time. Don't spend too much time on any single question. Make sure you have enough time to answer as many questions as possible, in order to rack up as many points as possible.
• Focus on what the question is really asking. If you don't fully understand the question, finding the correct answer is going to be tough.
• Rushing only hurts you. Work at a good pace and keep track of the time remaining for each section.
• Enter the exam with confidence. If you know the instructions for each section before you begin the test, you won't have to waste time reading them during the exam.
• End each section by reviewing. If time permits, revisit the questions you didn't answer.

(5-15-07)

The travel season is here and with it might come sitting in a stationary position for long car travel, extended flights or train rides. As travel becomes more popular and affordable, public concern has increased about the possible connection between long-haul travel and developing potentially-fatal deep vein thromboses (DVT) – formation of blood clots in the veins.

A number of factors in aircraft cabins have been reported to increase the risk of air travelers developing DVT or PE (clots passing to the lungs where they may obstruct the blood flow and could result in death). These include immobility due to cramped seating positions, possible dehydration due to consumption of alcoholic drinks and other diuretics such as tea and coffee and the low humidity of the aircraft cabin, relative hypoxia and reduced barometric pressure.

The overall risk of thrombosis after a long-haul flight is estimated to be about one in 2,000. For people with known risk factors the risk may be higher. A few of the risk factors are people over 40 years old; those who have already had blood clots; family history; cancer patients; pregnancy; new mothers; and people taking contraceptive pills or on hormone replacement therapy.

Consider the following risk-reduction strategies:

• Wear loose clothing.
• Find a comfortable position in your seat and recline if possible.
• Do not cross your legs when sitting (doing so compresses blood vessels).
• At stopovers and refueling points, leave the plane and walk as much as possible.
• Move at regular intervals to increase blood flow through the veins.
• Walk around on long flights (when permitted).
• Drink plenty of water.
• Avoid excessive alcohol, as it has dehydrating effects.
• Postpone long-haul flights for three months after hip or knee replacement surgery.
• Learn and apply in-seat exercises to ensure circulation is kept active with no blood stasis. Exercises can be found on APTA's Consumer Web page at www.apta.org/consumer.
• Use of elastic/compression stockings has been recommended.
• Women taking contraceptive pills or hormone replacement therapy should regularly do the exercises described on APTA's Web site to help reduce the risk, as well as consider the use of elastic/compression stockings.
• Obtain additional information from your physical therapist or gynecologist if pregnant or nursing.
• Take along current prescriptions for all essential medicines.
• Ensure that there is adequate medical insurance for your trip.

(5-15-07)

Life on the farm can pose many risks to children. So with summer approaching, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff is offering tips to help parents and farmers enjoy an injury-free season.

Children under the age of 14 are the most susceptible to injury and death on the farm. They face the same hazards as adults but are unable to understand those hazards. Adults must be aware of children's limitations and attempt to keep the farm as safe as possible for them, particularly around farm machinery, which causes the most youth fatalities.

Wolff offers the following 10 tips to guard children from potential disasters:

• No seat, no rider. Do not allow children to be extra riders on farm equipment, even if they are helping with chores.
• Keep small children from playing on, in or under machinery or equipment. Provide an alternate safe-play area.
• Know where children are before starting machinery and farm vehicles.
• Train and closely supervise youth who will be operating farm machinery and equipment.
• Keep ladders out of reach.
• Keep small children away from large animals, particularly animals that have recently given birth.
• Do not let children under age 12 operate an all-terrain vehicle.
• Keep children from playing on, or in, silos and grain bins or wagons.
• Do not leave children unsupervised around farm ponds or manure pits.
• Hold monthly family farm safety review sessions.

(5-15-07)