DHS Encourages Americans to Resolve to be Ready in 2008

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reminds Americans that te New Year is a perfect time to Resolve to be Ready.  The department's Ready campaign has outlined the top ten items for a basic Emergency Supply kit so that every American can keep their preparedness resolutions next year.

"We cannot stress enough the importance of being prepared for all types of emergencies, from natural disasters to terrorist attacks," said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.  'Having a plan can make all the difference, as the recent flooding and ice storms across the country have shown.  The time for individuals, families and businesses to plan is now, and to resolve to make readiness a priority for 2008."

Keeping New Year's resolutions is challenging, but making resolutions that are simple and realistic is the key to success.  Americans can successfully prepare for emergencies by following the Ready Campaign's three easy steps.

• Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit
• Make a Family Emergency Plan
• Be informed about the kinds of emergencies that can happen in your area and their appropriate responses.

To help get started, the Ready Campaign is issuing a checklist of the leading items needed in a basic emergency supply kit for the home or business.  These items include: water, food, radio, flashlight, first aid kit, whistle, moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties, wrench or pliers, local maps and personal items.

For the complete list see below or visit the www.ready.gov. Ready also suggests creating a smaller, portable kit for your home or office in case you need to evacuate immediately.  The Website includes free information, checklists and guidelines about the two other key components of preparedness - developing a family emergency plan and being informed.

DHS reminds Americans to get involved in neighborhood and community preparedness efforts once their families are prepared.  A good way to start is by reaching out to a local Citizens Corp Council to learn about hands-on training opportunities to get involved with a local CERT Organization.

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September is National Preparedness Month - September 18th, items to include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit

• Water, one gallon of water person per day for at least three days for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three day supply of non-perishable food
• battery powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries
• First Aid Kit
• Whistle to Signal for help
• Dust Mask to help filter contaminated air
• Plastic Sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench, pliers or utility tool to turn off utilities
• Portable can opener for food
• Local Maps

Additional items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Important family documents in a water proof container
• Cash or travelers checks and change
• Emergency reference material such as first aid information & www.ready.gov info
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt,long pants & shoes
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper 
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a water proof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and Pencils
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

September 2nd 

FEMA along with the Department of Homeland Security are sponsoring the fourth annual National Preparedness month in September 2007.  This is a nationwide effort to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies.  Throughout September, Homeland Security is working with over 1000 organizations to highlight these issues and promote events throughout the United States.

This year's slogan "Get a kit, make a plan, be informed and get involve," is bein brought to life by focusing on four areas of preparedness throughout September.  FEMA  is encouraging people to get involved in preparation at work, in schools and in your homes, using these themes as inspiration.

• September  1  -  8              Back to School
• September  9  - 15             Business Preparedness
• September 16 - 22             Multicultural Preparedness
• September 23 - 30             Home and Family Preparedness

During back to school week, the Community Preparedness Division's Citizen Corp program is leveraging its Citizen Corps Councils nationwide to promote National Preparedness Month (NPM) and offer information to students and educational institutions.  For example, Parma CERT will be working with Cuyahoga County Citizens Corp on Thursday, September 6th, providing informational packets  to school children at Green Valley Elementary School on Pleasant Valley.

Over the next four weeks this website will address each of the four programs.

Please check back to see the information

Extreme Heat

Heat kills by pushing the human body beyond its limits.  In extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature.

Most heat disorders occur because the victim has been overexposed to heat or has over-exercised for his or her age and physical condition.  Older adults, young children and those who are sick or overweight are more likely to succumb to extreme heat. 

Conditions that can induce heat related illnesses include stagnant atmospheric conditions and poor air quality.  Consequently, people living in urban areas may be at greater risk from the effects of a prolonged heat wave than those living in rural areas.  Also, asphalt and concrete store heat longer and gradually release heat at night, which can produce higher nighttime temperatures know as the "urban heat island effect."

Extreme Heat: Know the Terms

Heat wave -  Prolonged period of excessive heat, often combined with excessive humidity

Heat Index - A number in degrees Fahrenheit (F) that tells how hot it feels when relative humidity is added to the air temperature.  Exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by fifteen degrees.

Heat Cramps -  Muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion.  Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are often the first signal that the body is having trouble with the heat. 

Heat exhaustion - Typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating.  Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs.  This results in a form of mild shock.  If not treated, the victims's condition will worsen.  Body temperature will keep rising and the victim may suffer heat stroke.

Heat stroke - A life threatening condition.  The victim;s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working.  the body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cool quickly.

Sun stroke - Another term for heat stroke.

Before Extreme Heat

To prepare for extreme heat you should:

Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate if necessary

Check air conditioning ducts for proper insulation

Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum      foil-covered cardboard to reflect heat back outside.

Weather strip doors and sills to keep cool air in.

Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers.  (outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by 80%.)

Keep storm windows up all year.

During a Heat Emergency

What you should do if the weather is EXTREMELY HOT:

Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.

Stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available.

Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls and other community facilities.  Circulating air can cool the body by increasing the perspiration rate of evaporation.

Eat well balanced, light and regular meals.  Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.

Drink plenty of water.  Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney or liver disease; are on a fluid restricted diet or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intakes.

Limit intake of alcoholic beverages.

Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible.

Protect face and head by wearing a wide brimmed hat.

Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.

Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.

Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day.  Use a buddy systen when working in extreme heat and take frequent breaks.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

An emergency water shortage can be caused by prolonged drought, poor water supply management or contamination of a surface water supply source or aquifier.

Drought can affect vast territorial regions and large population numbers.  Drought also creates environmental conditions that increase the risk of other hazard such as fire, flash flood and possible landslides and debris flow 

Tornado     (July 6th)

Tornadoes are nature's most violent storms.  Spawned from powerful thunderstorms, tornadoes can cause fatalities and devastate a neighborhood in seconds.  A Tornado appears as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground with whirling winds that can reach 300 miles per hour.  Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and fifty miles long.  Every state is at some risk from this hazard.

Some tornadoes are clearly visible, while rain or nearby low-hanging clouds obscure others.  Occasionally tornadoes develop so rapidly that little, if any, advance warning is possible.

Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still.  A cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible.  Tornadoes generally occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm.  It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.

The following are facts about tornadoes:

-They may strike quickly with little, or no warning.

-They may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel.

-The average tornado moves Southwest to Northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.

-The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 miles per hour, but may vary from stationary to 70 miles per hour.

Tornadoes can accompany tropical storms and hurricanes as they move on land.  

-Waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water.

-Tornadoes are most frequently reported east of the Rocky Mountains, during spring and summer months.

-Peak tornado season in the southern states is March through May; in the Northern states it is late spring through late summer.  

-Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 P.M. and 9 P.M. but can occur at any time.

Tornado Watch - Tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ) Weather Radio, commercial radio, or watch television for more information.

Tornado Warning - A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.  Take Shelter immediately.

What to do before a tornado

-Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or to commercial radio or television for the latest information.

-Look for approaching storms

-Look for the following danger signs

               Dark, often greenish sky

               Large hail

               A large, dark, low lying cloud (particularly if rotating)

               Loud roar, similar to a freight train

If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately!

What to do during a tornado

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June 24 - 30 is National Lightning Safety Awareness Week      (June 23rd, 2007)

All thunderstorms are dangerous.  Every thunderstorm produces lightning.  In the United States, an average of 300 people are injured and 80 people are killed each year by lightning.  Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long term debilitating symptoms,  Other associated dangers of thunderstorms include tornadoes, strong winds, hail and flash flooding.  Flash flooding is responsible for more fatalities - more than 140 annually - than any other thunderstorm associated hazard.

Dry thunderstorms that do not produce rain that reaches the ground are most prevalent in the western United States.  Falling raindrops evaporate, but lightning can still reach the ground and can start wildfires.

Facts About Lightning

     Lightning's unpredictability increases the risk to individuals and property.

     Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rain.

     "Heat Lightning" is actually lightning from a storm too far away for thunder to be heard.  However, the storm may be moving in your  direction.

     Most lightning deaths and injuries occur when people are caught outdoors in the summer months during the afternoons and evening.

     Your chances of being struck by lightning are estimated to be 1 in 600,000, but could be reduced even further by following safety precautions.

     Lightning strike victims carry no electrical charge and should be attended to immediately.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE A THUNDERSTORM

     Postpone outdoor activities

     Get inside a home, building, or hard top automobile (not a convertible).  Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside.

     Remember, rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide NO PROTECTION from lightning.  However, the steel frame of a hard topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal.

     Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.

     Shutter windows and secure outside doors.  If shutters are not available, close window blinds, shades and curtains.

     Avoid showering or bathing.  Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity.

     Use a corded telephone only for emergencies.  Cordless and cellular phones are safe to use.

     Unplug appliances and other electrical items such as computers and turn off air conditioners.  Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage.

     Use a battery powered NOAA weather Radio for updates from local officials.

AVOID THE FOLLOWING

     Natural lightning rods such as a tall isolated tree in an open area.

     Hilltops, open fields, the beach or a boat on the water.

     Isolated sheds or other small structures in open areas.

     Anythin metal - tractors, farm equipment, motorcycles, golf carts and clubs and  bicycles.

WHAT TO DO DURING A THUNDERSTORM

If you are in a forest seek shelter in a low area under a thick growth of small trees.

If you are in an open area go to a low place such as a ravine or valley.  Be alert for flash floods.

If you are on open water get to land and find shelter immediately.

If you are anywhere you feel your hair stand on end (which indicates lightning is about to strike) squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet.  Place your hands over your ears and your head between your knees.  Make yourself the smallest target possible and minimize your contact with the ground.  DO NOT LIE FLAT ON THE GROUND!!