Bum Knees, Bad Air, Burial Rites

* Caring for Sports Injuries
* Indoor Air Hazards You Should Know About
* Burial Guide For Arlington National Cemetery

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1. CARING FOR SPORTS INJURIES
If you want to dance like a star or shoot hoops like a pro, you need to be prepared for injuries. Don't take valuable time away from the dance floor or the court because you get hurt - learn how to recognize injuries and how to heal faster once they happen. Caring for Sports Injuries, a free package of brochures from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the Federal Citizen Information Center is just what you need to get yourself back in top form.

Sports injuries can hit anyone, even children.

Sprains, fractures, dislocations, shin splints - each one causes pain. And no matter whether you're young, old, male, female, often active, or exercise irregularly, you should be on the lookout for signs of an injury. Acute injuries, such as a sprain, strain, or fracture, happen suddenly: you may feel sudden pain, tenderness, swelling, or weakness. Chronic injuries stem from overuse over long periods of time. Bursitis and tendinitis are common chronic injuries.

You might feel pain, swelling, or a dull ache when you're at rest if you have one of these injuries. Learn more about the common types of injuries and how to recognize them with the Caring for Sports Injuries package.

If you are injured, take action immediately - STOP what you're doing! You have no reason to "work through" the pain, and it probably won't just "work itself out." If you have severe pain or swelling or if you can't put weight on the area, call a health professional right away. If you don't have those symptoms, use the RICE method to ease your discomfort: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. You may still want to consult a health care provider at some point, however; when you do, use the Caring for Sports Injuries package to learn more about which types of doctors can treat you.

Whether you regularly pick up a racket for the school team or occasionally play backyard games with your kids, sports injuries are a possibility. Be prepared with the information in this free package, and then get back to having fun! There are three easy ways to place your order:

* Send your name and address to Caring for Sports Injuries,
Pueblo, Colorado 81009.

* Visit www.pueblo.gsa.gov/rc/n77caringforsportsinjuries.htm to place your order online or to read or print these and hundreds of other Federal publications for free.

* Call toll-free 1 (888) 8 PUEBLO. That's 1 (888) 878-3256, weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, and ask for the Caring for Sports Injuries package.

2. INDOOR AIR HAZARDS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
As summer approaches, outdoor air quality starts to get more attention in the news. But indoor air quality affects you and your family every day. Mold, animal dander, and lead dust are familiar irritants, but air fresheners, dry cleaned clothing, and unvented gas stoves can also release compounds that can affect your health. Learn more with Indoor Air Hazards Every Homeowner Should Know About, a brochure from "Healthy Indoor Air for America's Homes," a program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency. You'll get a room-by-room checklist of products to watch out for, breakdowns of common health problems associated with different pollutants, and lots of tips to minimize your exposure.

Order this free, informative brochure by sending your name and address to the Federal Citizen Information Center,Dept. 632R, Pueblo, CO 81009. Or call toll-free 1 (888) 8 PUEBLO, that's 1 (888) 878-3256, and ask for Item 632R.

3. BURIAL GUIDE FOR ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
A lone bugle sounds "Taps" in solemn tones. The sun glints off clean, white headstones that dot the rolling green hills. Arlington National Cemetery is a place filled with moving images - a fitting tribute to America's men and women who served in the Armed Forces. It serves as a shrine to America's fallen, but it is also an active cemetery where an average of 28 burials take place each day. If you or a loved one are considering being buried at Arlington, you'll find the information in the Guide to Burial at Arlington National Cemetery to be very helpful.

This free brochure outlines eligibility requirements, contactinformation for officials at the cemetery, and answers to frequently asked questions. For a copy of this brochure, send your name and address to the Federal Citizen Information Center, Dept. 539P, Pueblo, CO 81009. Or call toll-free 1 (888) 8 PUEBLO, that's 1 (888) 878-3256, and ask for Item 539P.