You never know what might happen on Halloween, but that doesn't mean you can't be prepared. In fact, preparing for something like a zombie attack requires the same planning as emergencies like natural disasters — from putting together a disaster kit to creating an emergency plan. A zombie emergency kit should includes things like water, food and other supplies to get you through the first couple of days before you can locate a zombie-free refugee camp. Or in the event of a natural disaster, it will buy you some time until you are able to make your way to an evacuation shelter or utility lines are restored.
As winter approaches in New York, temperatures drop and jackets, scarves, and hats reappear on city streets. In readying your wardrobe for the onset of cold weather, don't forget to update your emergency supplies. This week is Winter Weather Awareness Week in New York State. Prepare for winter's arrival by adding a blanket, some warm socks, and gloves to your Go Bag.
Tip of the Week 10/24/11: Use the Citizen Corps Community Webinar series to educate your staff and interns about all hazards. www.citizencorps.gov/news/webcasts.shtm.
Every year more than 1,000 New Yorkers die from flu-related complications. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against the flu. Flu season is around the corner and OEM encourages you to get a flu shot from your doctor, local pharmacy, or Health Department clinic. Many employers also offer free or low-cost flu shots. Use the Health Department's Flu Locator to find a flu clinic near you.
More than half of all home fire deaths occur between 10 PM and 6 AM, when most people are sleeping. This week is Fire Prevention Week, and OEM reminds New Yorkers to check their smoke detectors and make a fire escape plan. Map your escape, including two ways out of each room, and practice with a family fire drill.
FEMA Private Sector Tip of the Week 10/10/11: Share Fire Safety 101 for Colleges and Universities with students, staff and faculty to prepare for a safe semester. www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/college/.
October is Energy Awareness Month and OEM reminds New Yorkers that energy efficiency starts with simple choices. Traditional light bulbs burn out after a few years, but Energy Star-qualified bulbs last up to six times longer and use 75 percent less energy. Reducing the city's energy demand becomes especially important during an emergency when the supply may be strained or disrupted.
This blog and its author are in no (formal) way connected with the New York City Office of Emergency Management. The content has been pasted from the OEM "Tip of the Week" that can be subscribed to via the page http://www.nyc.gov/oemnews.
(This blog was created as an easy way for me to generate an RSS feed with the history of the tips, since I didn't see that anywhere on NYC.gov.)
September 2009 to June 2012, then occasionally: Also included FEMA "Tip of the Week" messages as they came through. I am not connected to FEMA or DHS in any way, either.