NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

You’ve learned ways to ensure you,your family and your pets are safe during a disaster , But what about  the structures you inhabit? is your home structurally sound and free of potential hazards?

Many of us fail to prepare our homes and businesses to be more resistant to disasters so they sustain as little damage as possible. along with preparing a disaster supplies kit and mapping out an evacuation plan, a critical part of disaster preparedness is to know which hazards are common in your location and inspect your property and address vulnerabilities to reduce potential property damage.

Prepare your property now for potential disasters:

• Inspect the roof. Have your roof inspected by a licensed, bonded roofing contractor to determine if there are any weaknesses and have them repaired.

• Trim trees. Cut weak branches that could easily be thrown against a structure or through a window during high winds. Remove branches that are positioned over a structure to help keep water out of the building.

• Seal cracks. Use a High-quality, waterproof caulk to seal gaps where pipes and electrical wires enter the structure to help keep water out of the building. 

• Pick up yard debris. Do you have lawn furniture or lightweight yard structures near your home or business? If so these items could easily become flying debris during high winds, and could cause substantial damage to your property or somebody else’s. 

• Create defensible space. If you are located in a wildfire-prone area, create a buffer zone around your home or business by removing weeds, brush and any combustible materials close to your building. This helps keep wildfire from getting too close, and reduces the threat from flying embers.

Visit DisasterSafety.org for more information about how to make your buildings more resistant to a variety of disasters,big and small.

 

SCHOOL SAFETY TIPS

SCHOOL SAFETY TIPS

School are generally considered to be safe havens for millions of students. However, recent natural disasters, in-school violence, acts of terrorism, and the threat of pandemic flu has demonstrated the need for schools to be prepared for a range of crises.

Learn your school’s emergency procedures. Emergency plans and phone numbers are usually included in school handbooks and posted in classrooms. Students are safer when they know what to do when an emergency occurs.

What can you do to keep your children safe? 

1. Know travel routes to and from the school.Make sure you and your child know both primary and alternate routes. 
2. talk with your child about safety.
3. Inform school staff about health and emotional concerns.
4. Get involved

 Learn which questions to as school staff.

1. How will school officials communicate with families during a crisis?
2. Does the school store  adequate food, water and other basic supplies?
3. Is the school prepared to “shelter-in-place” if need be, and where do they plan to go if they must evacuate.
4. Is your school addressing ways to prevent crises,as well as respond to them?
5. Has a school staff person been designated to coordinate activities to maintain a safe and healthy environment?
6. Are counselors and psychologists available to work with students?
7. Do school staff, and community members collaborate on school safety?

HEAT SAFETY TIPS

HEAT SAFETY TIPS

Extreme Heat

During the summer, unusually high temperatures (10◦ or more above the average high temperatures) can last for days or weeks. According to the National Weather Service, heat kills more people in the U.S. than tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and lightning combined.

• Elderly people (65 years and older), infants, children, people with chronic medical conditions and pets are more prone to heat stress.
• During extreme heat conditions spend time in air-conditioned locations such as shopping malls,public libraries, or heat-relief shelters in your area.
• listen to local news and weather channels for health and safety updates.
• Drink col, non-alcoholic beverages and increase your fluid intake.
• Know the symptoms and avoid heat stroke, heat exhaustion and sunburn.

Drought

Lake Mead’s water level has dropped more than 100 feet since 2000. The Colorado river system is facing the worst drought on record . As Lake Mead water levels decline, there is a possible reduction of available Colorado River water for the community’s use.

Families can prepare for droughts, by:

• Making sure that water is used wisely in the home and around the garden.

• Looking for dripping taps, leaky pipes and reducing wasted water. 

• Installing a rainwater tank and taking shorter showers.

• Flowing water restrictions.

ANIMALS IN DISASTERS

ANIMALS IN DISASTERS

Make a Plan

If you are like millions of animal owners nationwide, your pet is an important member of your family. Unfortunately, animals are also affected by disaster

Make sure you have a plan for taking care of your pets before, during and after an emergency.  For public health reasons, many emergency shelters do not accept pets. Do your research before disaster strikes.Find out which local hotels, motels and/or shelters allow pets.

• Make a plan (even for everyday emergencies) and identify a place to stay that will accept your pets and livestock.  

• Develop a checklist for all your pets’ supplies and medical information.

• identify a friend, neighbor or family member who can care for your pets while you are away.

Make a Kit

Create a pet disaster supply kit with supplies that your pet depends on every day .Include:

• Water

• Food

• Medications

• First aid kit

• A crate 

• A photo of you with your pet

To learn how, visit www.southernnevadahealthdistric.org/php/pets/php.

if you evacuate your home, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND! Pets most likely cannot survive on their own and if by some remote chance they do,you may not be able to find them when you return.

FIRE SAFETY

FIRE SAFETY

Protect Yourself from Wildfires

Wildland fires continue to be a threat to Nevada. During a fire emergency, safety  of lives is the number one priority.

• Preparation is key. Plan your evacuation route.Determine at least two routes out of your neighborhood. Have your "Go-Bag" ready to go.

• Wildfires can start and move very quickly. Listen to the radio or television for updates and be ready to leave if necessary. 

• Stay calm and do not panic; keep family members and pets together.

• If advised to evacuate, DO SO IMMEDIATELY. Drive slowly, turn on your vehicle headlights and stay as far to the right of the road as possible.

Prevent a House Fire

House fires kill thousands  of people annually in the United States. There are a few simple things you should do to prevent a fire in your house.

• Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children. 

• Clean clothes dryer vents. 

• Keep kitchen towels and oven mitts away from stoves while cooking. 

• Examine electrical wiring in your home.

• Repair or replace any faulty appliances. 

• Test smoke alarm monthly . Replace batteries annually and smoke alarm every 10 years. 

•  Install fire extinguishers close to an exit and only use on small fires. 

• Check a gas furnace before use every year.  

• Create a home escape plan and include at least two escape routes from each room and safe meeting place.

FLOOD SAFETY TIPS

FLOOD SAFETY TIPS

Flash flood season is in  July through September but flash floods can happen at any time of the year without warning. Since 1960, the southern Nevada area has experienced at least 11 floods costing more than $1 million each . In that same period, 31 lives were lost in 21 separate flash flood events.

• Never drive across flooded roadways or around barricades.Plan alternate routes to get to and from your destination.

• Most flash fllod deaths occur in automobiles. If you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and take another route. Never drive through floodwater.

• Only a few inches of floodwater can wash your car off the road.

• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recongnize the danger of flash floods.

•  Do not walk though moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you. 

• Do not let children or pets play near flood control channels or detention channels. 

• Do not camp or park your vehicle near washes or channels. 

• Listen to radio or television for the latest weather updates.

 Check the Regional Flood Control District's website at www.ccrfcd.org for real time rainfall information at more than 100  locations around the valley. The site also includes current weather and flood zone information.

PREPAREDNESS TIPS FOR PEOPLE WITH FUNCTIONAL AND/OR ACCESS NEDS

Do you need extra help to live independently? Learn the best ways to continue your independence during an emergency.

Create a Support Team 

• "Buddy up" with family and friends to help each other in an emergency.

• Give team members a spare key to your home. 

• Show team members how to operate and safely move any special equipment.

• Make sure your service animal is friendly with everyone in your team.

Create a Disaster Supplies Kit   

• Get a medical alert tag or bracelet to identify your medical condition/allergies.

• Include your medical provider's contact information, medication dosage and schedule, copies of insurance, Medicare card and other important documents.

• Keep at least one weeks supply of important medication available.

• If you need life-sustaining treatment, know the location of more than one facility. 

• Keep equipment in good working order and stock extra supplies (batteries, chargers, patch kits, oxygen tanks, etc). include extra  magnifiers, eyeglasses, pads of paper and pencils to communicate.

Personal Training and Education

• Know what assistance you my need before, during and after a disaster. 

• Know what to do and safe places to go during disasters. 

• Identify which exit routes are best for people with mobility restrictions.