Schools might be out for the summer, but that doesn't mean kids have to stop learning. Make sure your kids are Ready New Yorkers: be the teacher by making a plan, and be sure they know it as well as you do. Don't forget to keep it fun by quizzing them about the family emergency plan, and have them practice getting to the family meeting places and putting a Go Bag together. Learn more about preparing kids for emergencies Read the Tip of the Week online
Ever think the possibility of being struck by lightning is so slim you aren't in danger? Think again! If you hear thunder, it's your roof you want to be under. The easiest way to remember what to do is following the 30/30 rule: if you see lightning, count 30 seconds before you hear thunder. If it's less than 30 seconds, take cover. Once indoors, if you don't hear thunder for 30 minutes, it's safe to go back outside. Learn more about thunder and lightning safety Read the Tip of the Week online
Struggling to figure out what to get the dad who has everything? This Father's Day, show how much you care by updating his Go Bag with supplies and gadgets he may need in an emergency, like a flashlight, radio, a hand crank cell phone charger, and a flash drive to hold important documents. If your dad doesn't have a Go Bag, that's okay: make him one! Emergencies can happen at any moment, so make sure your loved ones - dad included - are ready with the right supplies. Learn more about Go Bags Read the Tip of the Week online
You already know the difference between hurricanes and floods, but it's important not to confuse flood zones and hurricane evacuation zones. Flood zones are used to determine a property's risk of flooding and are used to set flood insurance rates and building regulations. Hurricane evacuation zones, on the other hand, are areas of the city that may be ordered to evacuate if a hurricane or tropical storm occurs. Spread the word and share the difference. Find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone Get more information on flood zones in New York City Read the Tip of the Week online
As you head to the beach this summer, make sure you pack some knowledge about rip currents; don't dive in without knowing what to do. Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water. If you encounter choppy water in a churning motion or a disrupted pattern of waves, make sure to swim parallel to the beach. Also, make sure you only swim where a lifeguard is present. Learn more about rip currents and stay safe with additional tips from NOAA Read the Tip of the Week online
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.