December Holidays Helps

The holiday shopping season is under way. Malls, shopping centers, highways and homes are bustling with activities. Below are links to information on sensible shopping, travel conditions, home safety and events in Kansas during December.

The staff of the State Library of Kansas wish you all a safe and happy holidays season.

SHOPPING TIPS

Holiday Shopping on a Budget
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt082.shtm
(Helpful suggestions from the Federal Trade Commission)

Online Holiday Shopping Tips
http://www.dis.arkansas.gov/security/pdf/November%202009%20-%20Online%20Holiday%20Shopping%20Tips.pdf
(From the Arkansas Dept. of Information Services)

Preventing Holiday Shopping Headaches
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cfocus/cfholidayshopping02/focus.htm
(Online pamphlet from the Federal Citizen Information Center)

Online Secure Shopping
http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/online-shopping.aspx
(From OnGuardOnline.gov)

HOLIDAY PERSONAL SAFETY

Holiday Safety
http://www.sedgwickcounty.org/fire/holiday_safety.htm
(Shopping, at home, Christmas trees and decorations, kitchen safety)

Mall Safety
http://kevincoffee.com/mall/mall_safety_tips_for_the_holiday_season.htm

Personal Security Tips
http://www.kumc.edu/police/crime_prev_crime_shop.html
(University of Kansas Police Department)

Helpful Advice from
the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's
SAFE KIDS KANSAS program
http://www.kdheks.gov/safekids/media_news.html
--Toy Safety
http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2009/11232009.htm
--Kitchen Safety for the Holiday Season
http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2009/11162009.htm
--Decorate Safely for the Holidays
http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2008/12012008.htm
--Remember the Recalls When Toy Shopping
http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2008/11262008.htm

EVENTS AROUND THE STATE

Kansas Local Chambers of Commerce
http://www.kansaschamber.org/mx/hm.asp?id=LocalChamberDirectory
(Check town websites for local events calendars)

Travel Kansas
http://www.travelks.com/
(Check under Events and Things to Do for events, activities and displays)

TRAVEL

Flight Delay Information
http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/usmap.jsp
(Federal Aviation Administration)

National Traffic and Road Closure Information
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/Trafficinfo/
(State links from the US Federal Highway Administration)

The National Weather Service in Kansas
---Dodge City NWS
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ddc/
---Goodland NWS
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/gld/
---Kansas City NWS
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/eax/
---Topeka NWS
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/top/
---Wichita NWS
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ict/

Current Kansas Road Conditions
http://511.ksdot.org/KanRoadPublic_VE/Default.aspx
(Or just call 511 on your phone from anywhere in Kansas. From: Kansas Department of Transportation)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection here)