September Is National Preparedness Month

In recognition of National Preparedness Month, OEM and the Citizen Corps Council will host events throughout the City in September to teach New Yorkers about preparing for all types of emergencies. The celebration kicks off on September 2 in all five boroughs. Stop by a kick-off event near you to learn how you can take control in an emergency. Find out how to get involved Learn more about National Preparedness Month Visit OEM online

Limit the Pain of a Hurricane

Just because New York City escaped its first real hurricane threat doesn't mean that future storms will also miss the city. OEM reminds New Yorkers to prepare for hurricane hazards now. Find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone. If you do, know where you'll go if you have to evacuate. Family and friends' homes will be more comfortable than shelters. Call 311 to get a hard copy of Ready New York: Hurricanes and NYC and learn more ways to prepare for coastal storms. Find out if your home is in a hurricane evacuation zone Download a copy of Ready New York: Hurricanes and NYC Visit OEM online

It's Cool to Be Cool

The National Weather Service has forecasted temperatures above 90 degrees for NYC on Monday and Tuesday of this week. In response to the extreme heat, the City has opened cooling centers for today, Monday, August 17. You can find a cooling center near you online or by calling 311. You can also consider going to a public pool, air-conditioned store, museum, or movie theater to escape the heat. You may also want to check on your neighbors, family, and friends, especially if they are seniors or people with special needs. Find a cooling center near you Learn more about extreme heat Visit OEM online

Keep Your Cool Conservatively

New York City will be hot this week, and OEM encourages New Yorkers to avoid heat exhaustion or other heat-related illnesses by keeping rooms well-ventilated with open windows and fans or using an air conditioner. Help prevent power outages, which can be common on very hot days, by keeping your air conditioner thermostat around 78 degrees and running washing machines and dishwashers early in the morning or late at night. Learn more about power outages Learn more about extreme heat See OEM's Tip of the Week on the website

High Temperatures Expected This Week in NYC

The National Weather Service is predicting temperatures above 90 degrees on Monday, August 10. OEM reminds New Yorkers to take steps to stay cool: If you do not have an air conditioner, consider going to a public pool, air-conditioned store, mall, movie theater, library during the hottest part of the day. Drink fluids, particularly water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid beverages containing alcohol, caffeine, or high amounts of sugar. Cool showers or baths may be helpful, but avoid extreme temperature changes as they can cause nausea or dizziness. Check on your neighbors, family, and friends, especially if they are seniors, young children, or people special needs. Learn more about extreme heat Download Ready New York’s Beat the Heat guide Visit OEM online

Shelter in Place in a Safe Space

On August 8, 2007, a tornado ripped through Brooklyn uprooting trees and causing severe damage to buildings. This week, OEM reminds New Yorkers to find a safe spot in a basement or a small interior room or hallway with no windows to shelter in place during a disaster. Some emergencies, like tornadoes, happen quickly and the best plan is to wait them out some place safe. Learn more about tornado safety See OEM's Tip of the Week on the website