Sign Up for Notify NYC

OEM and the NYC Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT) are testing an emergency messaging system for four sections of the City: lower Manhattan, the Rockaways, southwest Staten Island, and the northeast Bronx. Anyone can sign up to receive e-mail updates on emergency activity in any or all of these pilot areas. You may also be able to receive information via recorded voice and text messages. Visit Notify NYC online See OEM's Tip of the Week on the website

MAKE SURE YOUR NOSE KNOWS

Many New York City residences use natural gas to fuel stoves and furnaces. Because natural gas is odorless, distributors add mercaptan to gas so people can identify it. Mercaptan smells like sulfur, or rotten eggs, and residents should train themselves to recognize the odor so they can evacuate immediately if there is a leak. Learn more about natural gas safety Download Con Edison's Gas Safety brochure in (PDF) See OEM's Tip of the Week on the website

DON'T GO WITH THE FLOW

Did you know it only takes six inches of moving water to knock you off your feet during heavy rain? Just one to two feet of water is enough to carry away a vehicle. This week is Flood Safety Awareness Week and OEM reminds you to be flood smart. Learn more about New York City's flood risk, get the right insurance, and know what to do during a flood. Learn more about flooding and NYC Learn more about Flood Safety Awareness Week See OEM's Tip of the Week on the website

GET "CROSS" TRAINED IN MARCH

One of the best ways to prepare for the unknown is to learn skills that can be applied during any emergency. March is Red Cross Month and OEM urges New Yorkers to take advantage of the emergency preparedness and life-saving training courses the organization offers. Visit the Red Cross in Greater New York See OEM's Tip of the Week on the website

SAVE MORE THAN DAYLIGHT

After you turn the clocks forward this Sunday, remember to replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors and make sure they work properly. The New York City Fire Department and OEM recommend you do this at least twice a year, at Daylight Saving Times. Learn more about CO poisoning Find out about fire safety See OEM's Tip of the Week on the website