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Tornado Preparedness

         Tornadoes can occur with little or no warning. Taking precautions in advance of the storms, such as developing an emergency plan, learning the warning signs, and monitoring tornado watches and warnings, can help you stay safe if a tornado occurs in your area.

Please read the attached file at your leisure to help you and your family prepare for a Tornado.

 

For more information please see the links below.

http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4340177_Tornado.pdf

https://www.osha.gov/dts/weather/tornado/preparedness.html

http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes http://www.quakekare.com/emergency-preparedness/tornado-preparedness.html

Tornado

 

 

 

Hurricane Preparedness

            Hurricane forecasting methods and tools have improved from year after year. However, people are still at great risk from tropical storms and hurricanes because they continue to build along coastlines. Here are some helpful hints that you can use before, during and after a tropical storm or hurricane strikes your area.
When a watch or warning is issued

•Leave low lying areas

•Protect windows with plywood boards, duct tape, or storm shutters

•Secure outside objects•Make sure you have plenty of fuel and water

•Have several days supply of food and water for each family member

•If called to evacuate, do so immediately

Before the Storm
•Be ready to put your plan and preparation into action
•Pay attention to local weather reports on radio, television, or internet
•Have house boarded up, or have storm shutters in place
•Make sure all your tools, supplies, and first aid kit available for use
•Have a secure room available (Make sure safe area is well above any expected high water level)

During the storm
•Stay in secure room
•Stay away from windows
•Monitor weather
After the Storm
•Make sure the danger has passed and all is clear outside
•Report downed power lines, and stay away from them
•Inventory the damage to your home
•If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open the window, get everyone out of the building quickly and call the gas company or fire department (Do not light a flame)
•Take pictures of damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims.
•Keep all of your animals under your direct control
•Clean up all flammable liquids that could become a fire hazard
•Check for injuries. If you are trained, provide first aid to persons in need until emergency responders arrive

For more information: www.ready.gov/hurricanes| www.hurrricanes.gov| http://1.usa.gov/1sVepZl

Hurricane

Neighborhood Preparedness

             Emergencies/Disasters are major events that can strike anywhere, at any time. When a wide spread emergency strikes, traditional 9-1-1 or First Responder capabilities such as fire, police, medics, and utility personnel will be overwhelmed and might not be immediately available.
Preparing your neighborhood for mutual support is vital. In a serious emergency, neighbors will likely be the first ones to offer you assistance. Neighbors that are prepared are more effective in their response to a disaster and have an increased capacity to be self-sufficient for the first 72 hours after a disaster.

 

Build a Neighborhood Emergency Plan in just 5 steps:
1.Scout your Area -Get to know the lay of the land: What resources you have, what the landscape is, and what disasters or emergencies are common in your area.
2.Define your Area -Identify a manageable area: Your apartment building, your block, your street, etc. that can be easily organized for mutual support.
3.Build your Team -Find out who lives in your area, how they can help in a emergency, and who may need extra help.
4.Recruit Leaders -Develop a team of leaders who can build the plan and carry out emergency support activities when the need arises.
5.Plan your Approach -Create a plan that outlines what your neighborhood will do before, during and after an emergency.

 

For more information: www.ready.gov/citizen-corps| www.fema.gov| www.nationalservice.gov

Neighborhood

 Workplace Preparedness

Preparing an emergency plan now provides you with your best chance of survival in the event of an unexpected situation. Awareness of your surroundings should always be a consideration in case of any unexpected event. Here are some tips that will help you in case of a workplace emergency

 

  1. Be familiar with your building emergency plan.

  2. Know the evacuation plans for your building. Know at least two ways out of the building from where you sit.

  3. Memorize the layout of your surroundings. Ensure you can escape in the dark or from a smoke filled room via the two nearest exits.

  4. Know the location of fire extinguishers. Familiarize yourself with the type and how to use.

  5. Know your designated “Rally Point” and the best way to get there once you exit the building.

  6. Support your coworkers in an emergency. Be ready to help the handicapped navigate the stairs, if necessary.

  7. Make sure you practice emergency plans for workers who are disable or may require assistance.

  8. Keep your own personal emergency supplies in a desk drawer. Consider a flashlight, walking shoes, water bottle, and nonperishable food.

  9. Have a printed list of important phone numbers (e.g; your spouses number at work, your children’s school numbers) at your desk.

 

For more information:
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/areyouready/basic_preparedness

 

 

Workplace

        

Back-To-School Safety


   Tips for back-to-school traffic safety: ✓ Young and experienced drivers DON'T talk or send text messages on your phone while driving — It's against the LAW ✓ Be mindful of school zones and areas where children gather — playgrounds, school bus and neighborhood bus stops, play grounds, bike paths, etc. ✓ Obey state laws governing school bus loading and unloading — STOP for red flashing lights ✓ Expect the unexpected. Children dart out in the roadway unexpectedly. Follow the speed limit, yield to crossing guards — REMAIN ALERT ✓ Adjust your schedule to avoid rushing to/from work and activities -- school areas are congested! ✓ Exercise crosswalk safety. Instruct your children to cross streets only at crosswalks or stoplights and to always look both ways before entering the road ✓ Use the buddy system. Ensure you have the contact information of your child's walking buddy and know their routes. Younger children may require an adult chaperone ✓ Avoid danger zones. Avoid walking or riding bikes behind school buses and other dangerous blind spots ✓ Wear bike safety equipment. Children who bike to/from school should wear helmets, light-colored clothing, and reflective devices to increase their visibility
    As we embark on another school year, please make these SAFETY Tips part of your everyday routine — Our goal is NOT to become an accident statistic! Drive with care —Schools are in session!

 

Back To School
Power Outage

        

Power Outage Safety

To prepare for a power outage you should do the following:
•You should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
•Follow energy conservation measures to keep use of electricity low as possible.
•Fill plastic containers with water and place them in the refrigerator and freezer. The chill or frozen water will keep food coldduring outages.
•Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep your food fresh
•Medication that requires refrigeration can be kept in a closed refrigerator for several hours without a problem.
•Keep your car tank at least half full because gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.
•Turn off or disconnect appliances or electronics in use when the power goes out. Power may return with “surges” or “spikes” thatmight damage equipment and appliances.
•Do not run a generator inside your home or garage. If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to run directly into outlets on the generator.
•Leave on one light so that you will know when power returns.
•Eliminate unnecessary travel by car. Traffic signals will not be working during an outage.
For more information: www.redcross.org/ http://emergency.cdc.gov/ http://www.all-things-emergency-prepared.com/power-outage.html

 

10 Disaster Preparedness Tips You Can Really Use

1.Know what you’ll face: The goal of emergency preparedness is to keep the whole family safe. Be familiar with the kinds of emergency situations that might affect your area and know what you will do for each situation.
2.Learn your area’s evacuation routes and shelter locations: Know where to go and how to get there. Decide ahead of time where you would go in case of an evacuation, whether its a friend’s or relative’s house or a Red Cross shelter.
3.Know how to reconnect with the people who matter: Consider how you will contact your family or friends and let them know you are safe. Recommend using an out of area emergency contact point to have friends and family members check in with.
4.Sign up for emergency alerts and know how officials will communicate with you during an emergency: You can get alerts on your cell phone, the emergency alert broadcast system on radio and television, or a NOAA capable weather radio.
5.Learn what to do if you’re caught away from home: Emergency situations will most likely be unexpected. Be prepared to react from different locations, including your workplace or car.
6.Have a kit and know how to use it: We’re talking about some basic necessities. This includes food, water, basic first aid supplies and other emergency equipment that you might already have (think flashlights and duct tape). Check out a full list by visiting the FEMA website for tips. The key is to have the ‘Get Away’ kit assembled beforehand and ready to use.
7.Keep in mind people who may need special preparation or assistance: Infants, children, people with disabilities and seniors need special consideration when planning for an emergency. If you or a family member needs medication or special equipment, make sure you plan to bring it with you or know where you can get backup.
8.Prepare your pets: If you need to evacuate, you should never leave your pet behind. You should check in advance, but it might be necessary to evacuate to a friend or family member’s house, as pets may not be allowed inside public shelters.
9.Learning emergency skills can always come in handy: Get trained in CPR, learn basic first aid, also learn where and how to shut off utilities in your house.
10.Find out how to help your community during a disaster: Learn how you can be a community leader during a disaster or teach others how to prepare. Volunteer positions with local emergency response agencies or nonprofits are always available.
For more information:
http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster| www.ready.gov| http://www.fema.gov/community-emergency-response-teams

Disaster Prep

When trick-or-treating with the kids

•If you are dispensing candy on tick or treat night be sure to turn on your exterior lightsso folks don't trip on the steps leading to your house.

•Choose costumes that are age/weather appropriate. Halloween is chilly, costumes thatwill not keep your kids ware are ill advised.

•Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct child's vision.

•Put reflective tape on your kids costumes to help them be more visible to motorist and others.

•Escort your kids when they go trick or treating.

•Carry a flash light and cell phone when trick or treating. The flashlight will help you light your kids pathand avoid any trip hazards. It will also help motorist and others see you while in the process. Cell phonewill be useful if you encounter emergencies issues while trick or treating.

•Reinforce traffic safety rules looking both ways before crossing the street and follow traffic signs.

•Once home, review the candy that was given to your kids.

For the Halloween Party Crowd

•If intending to drink alcohol, plan ahead by selecting a designated driver or obtain a taxi ride home.

•If attending a party at a friend’s home, consider staying overnight or look into hotel s in the area.

For Motorist

•Exercise extreme caution when driving a vehicle.

•Be aware of children darting out between parked automobiles.

•Use caution while entering and exiting driveways.

•Be mindful during twilight and evening hours of children in dark costumes.

•When driving through residential areas where trick-or treating may occur, consider driving under the speedlimit.

 

Halloween is a fun-filled holiday.Follow these safety tips to avoid any unwanted Halloween scares. Make Halloween a safe and fun time that is enjoyed by all!.

Halloween
Autumn Safety Tips
Colder Weather
As autumn comes into full swing, the temperatures may lower in your area, which can lead to several safety issues.
* Have your chimney and furnace cleaned and inspected on a regular basis. This helps prevent chimney fires and carbon monoxide buildup.
* Keep your fireplace hearth free of newspapers, magazines, toys, or anything combustible.
* Do not burn cardboard boxes of trash in your fireplace, as they can cause chimney fires.
* Be sure the house is well ventilated when painting or using other chemicals.
* Leave at least three feet of space around your space heater. Remember to unplug it when it's not in use.
* Use candles with care. Keep them away from flammable objects. Never leave them unattended and always extinguish them before leaving the room.
Fall Driving
There are multiple autumn safety issues that relate to the road.
* Since days are getting shorter during the fall, more driving will occur when it is dark out. This can lead to drowsiness while, which leads to more accidents. Plan for more rest throughout the season.
* School buses will now be present in the morning and small children walking to the bus.
* Leaves may cover the road and become slippery with weather. This requires careful road travel, especially for bicycles and motorcycles.
* Tire pressure can be affected by the cool nights and warm days of autumn. Make sure to check on tire pressure throughout the season.
Staying Healthy
One of the downsides of fall is that with it comes cold and flu season.
Some recommendations to keep in mind:
* Always get a flu vaccination. While it's not pleasant, it's much better than coming down with the flu, which can linger for weeks, and in some cases it can even be fatal.
* If you do get sick, don't go to work unless you absolutely have to. A cold or flu can spread around an office quickly, ruining productivity.
* Always wash your hands carefully. One of the best ways to avoid a cold or the flu is to wash your hands regularly. Make sure the water is hot, use plenty of soap, and keep the hands under the water for at least 30 seconds.
 
Autumn
How to Save Money by Making Your Own Disaster Supply Kit

Being prepared is the first step in weathering a disaster. A disaster might be a hurricane, tornado, flood, or fire, among other things. No matter what the disaster, emergency supplies are essential and by making your own disaster supply kit, you’ll have everything you need. Already assembled disaster kits are available for purchase, but they can be made more economically and personally if you do it yourself. Disaster supply kits include emergency food, water, first aid materials, and extra things that you may need in the event of a natural disaster. Many items included in a supply kit may already be found around your home; you use these items every day. Stocked with items essential to our well-being, these supply kits ensure that whatever happens and wherever you are, your most basic needs can be met.

Building Your Disaster Supply Kit on a Budget

Before heading to the store, look around your home for extras of essential items that could be included in your disaster supply kit. You might already have an extra package of batteries, a spare flashlight, an unopened package of garbage bags. Prepackaged dry goods and bottled water may also be in your pantry. For items that you may not have on hand, you’ll likely be able to find them at your local drug store and most big box stores. Remember, you don’t have to get all of your supplies at one time; you may save money if you keep an eye out for coupons or deals on emergency essentials. You can also take advantage of buy-one-get-one (BOGO) sales on everyday items; add the free one to your emergency kit and you’re all set. Dollar stores or similarly prices stores are also great options when buying items for your supply kit.

What is a Disaster Kit?

Items commonly found in a disaster preparedness or emergency kit include:

  • non-perishable, dry and canned foods

  • Manual can opener

  • Mess kits (plate, bowl, utensils)

  • Water – either by the gallon or in single-serve bottles.

  • First aid kit

  • Prescription medication

  • Flashlight with backup batteries

  • Extra batteries in a variety of sizes

  • A signal whistle

  • Matches in a waterproof match container

  • Dust masks or medical-grade face masks

  • Duct tape

  • Emergency blankets

  • Wet wipes

  • Plastic tarp

  • Rope

  • Pliers or a wrench

  • Local maps

  • A cell phone with at least one backup battery, fully charged.

  • Copies or vital documents: insurance policies, IDs, etc.

  • Cash

For more info: https://dealhack.com/how-to-save-money-by-making-your-own-disaster-supply-kit
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