Don't Forget Your Pet

A year ago this week, OEM introduced Ready New York for Pets — a guide for pet owners on how to care for pets during an emergency. OEM encourages all pet owners to include pets in their disaster plans: Think about where you will go with your pet and how you will get there if you have to leave home during an emergency. Know what you will do if an emergency prevents you from returning home to your pet. Put together a pet Go Bag. This Saturday, September 15, stop by the Ready New York table at the American Kennel Club's Responsible Dog Ownership Day in Madison Square Park to pick up your free copy of the Ready New York for Pets guide and learn more about how to prepare your pets. Get more tips on how to prepare your pets Read the Tip of the Week online

Remember to Prepare This September

As National Preparedness Month gets underway this September, take time to make sure you and your family are ready for any emergency. Prepare by making a disaster plan, gathering emergency supplies, familiarizing yourself with hazards you may face in NYC, and getting involved in preparing your community. This Thursday, September 6, stop by one of seven sites throughout the five boroughs to pick up your free copy of the Ready New York preparedness guide and learn more about ways to get involved in preparing your fellow New Yorkers. Sites include: Bronx: South Bronx Hub (148th Street & Willis Avenue) Brooklyn: Borough Hall (Columbus Park) Manhattan: Foley Square (Worth and Centre Streets) Mitchel Square Park (168th Street & Broadway) Queens: Forest Hills-71st Avenue Station Jamaica Station (Parsons and Archer Avenues) Staten Island: Staten Island Ferry Terminal Learn more about National Preparedness Month Read the presidential declaration Read the Tip of the Week online

DON'T LET TORNADOES GET YOU TWISTED

Thanks to current events, New Yorkers know that tornadoes can impact New York City. But do YOU know what to do if a tornado approaches your home? Tornadoes are typically spawned by powerful thunderstorms, and most tornado-related damage results from sheer wind speed and wind-blown debris, as well as large hail. If you see an approaching tornado: Go to your basement or the lowest point of your residence. If an underground shelter is not available, move to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Stay away from windows. Do not try to outrun a tornado in a car. Instead, leave your vehicle and find shelter immediately. Learn more about tornado safety Read about New York City Hazards Read the Tip of the Week online

REVISE YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLIES

The summer break is almost over and children around the city will soon head back to school. Parents everywhere are rejoicing. As your family stocks up on school supplies, why not grab a few basic emergency supplies in the same trip?

The following may come in handy during an emergency:

• Flashlight
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Bottled water
• Non-perishable food
  

Every family should have an Emergency Supply Kit and Go Bags. You can never be too prepared!

What's a Go Bag?
Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit
Read the Tip of the Week online

WHEN THE POWER IS OUT YOU ARE NOT POWERLESS

In August 2003, a power outage spanning from New York to Michigan left over 50 million people without power for 29 hours. Power outages on this scale are extremely rare, but the city's high demand for energy on summer days can leave New Yorkers vulnerable to smaller disruptions. If your power fails:

• Call your power provider immediately to report the outage.
  o Con Edison 24-hour hotline: 1-800-75-CONED (752-6633)
  o KeySpan 24-hour hotline: 1-718-643-4050
• Disconnect appliances that will turn on automatically when service is restored. If several appliances start up at once, they may overload electrical circuits.
• Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Move milk, cheese, meats, and other perishables into the freezer. Keep all items close together and stacked on top of each other.

Learn more about what to do in a power outage

Read the Tip of the Week online

CELEBRATE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME

This Tuesday, August 7th, is the 24th annual National Night Out Against Crime and OEM reminds New Yorkers to get to know their local police precincts.

The Police Department and the National Association of Town Watch will host events all night throughout the five boroughs to generate interest in local crime-prevention programs and strengthen neighborhood relations. Call 311 to find out more about your local precinct and what's happening in your neighborhood.

Learn more about National Night Out Against Crime
Read NYPD's Crime Prevention Tips
Read the Tip of the Week online

NYC's (Unofficial) Hurricane Season is Here

While hurricane season in the U.S. officially begins June 1, the greatest potential for hurricanes in New York City occurs from August to October.

As August begins this week, take the time to make sure your family's hurricane plan is up to date.

• Find out if you live in one of the City's three evacuation zones by calling 311 or using the Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder on OEM's website.


• Know where you will go if you need to evacuate your home.


• Keep a Go Bag and Emergency Supply Kit ready.


• Make sure your plan accounts for people with special needs and pets.

Download a copy of OEM's Ready New York hurricane brochure
Learn more about hurricanes and NYC
Read the Tip of the Week online

STAY SAFE BY SHELTERING IN PLACE

In some emergencies, the best way to stay safe is to stay where you are or shelter in place. This could be as simple as remaining inside while officials clear hazards from the area, or it may require more active measures like closing windows and shutting down the ventilation system to block out contaminated air.

To shelter in place:

• Identify a room with few doors and windows. Ideally, the room should allow 10 square feet per person.
• Tune into local television or radio news and follow the updates from emergency officials.
• Make use of Emergency Supply Kits and Go Bags.

• Read more about sheltering in place
• Read the Tip of the Week on OEM's website

IN FLASH FLOODS BE HIGH AND DRY

Summer heat means summer storms. Even short thunderstorms can cause flash floods in New York City because much of New York's infrastructure particularly in low-lying and poor drainage areas cannot cope with rainfall of more than one inch per hour. Make sure you know how to recognize possible flash flooding, and seek high ground if you see or hear rapidly rising water.

Learn flash flood basics:

• Do not attempt to cross flowing water that may be more than knee deep. If you have doubts, don't cross.
• Never attempt to drive your vehicle through standing water. If your vehicle stalls, abandon it and seek higher ground immediately.
• During threatening weather, listen to the radio or television for weather bulletins.

• Read more about flash flooding
• Read the Tip of the Week on OEM's Web site

WHEN IT'S HOT, BE WATER-WISE

In this intense heat, it's important New Yorkers know the benefits of water. Understand how to use and conserve it.

• Drink water regularly, even if you are not thirsty. Avoid caffeinated, carbonated, and sugary beverages.
  
• Cool showers or baths may be helpful, but avoid extreme temperature changes, as they can make you nauseated or dizzy.
  
• Turn off faucets while washing dishes, shaving, and brushing teeth.
  
• Opening fire hydrants without spray caps is wasteful and dangerous. Contact your local firehouse to obtain a spray cap.

• Learn more Beat the Heat tips
• Read more about water conservation
• Download Ready New York: Beat the Heat
• Read the Tip of the Week on OEM's website

CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY THE SAFE WAY

Personal fireworks are illegal in New York City and over the last 12 years the number of fireworks-related fires has dropped by 78 percent. But, another fire hazard lurks in the traditions of the season. OEM encourages New Yorkers to practice safe grilling techniques while roasting their eats.

• Never use a propane grill on a balcony, roof, or terrace. It is both dangerous and illegal.
  
• Have a fire extinguisher, a garden hose attached to a water supply, or at least 16-quarts of water close by in case of a fire.
  
• Never pour or squirt starter fluid onto open flames. The flames can easily flashback along the fluid's path to the container in your hands.
  
• Finally, NEVER attempt to extinguish a grease fire with water. It will only cause the flames to flare up. Instead, use an approved portable fire extinguisher.

Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July.

• Read more BBQ safety tips from the Fire Department
• Read the Tip of the Week online

TAKE CHARGE OF LIGHTNING

Each year lightning claims an average of 62 lives in the United States. This week is Lightning Safety Awareness week and OEM reminds New Yorkers to take steps to keep safe indoors as well as out.

• Avoid bathing, washing dishes, or running water for any reason during a thunderstorm as lightning can travel through metal pipes and into the home.
  
• Unplug major appliances to protect them from power surges.
  
• Avoid landline telephones as these lines may also serve as conductors for lightning.

• Visit the National Weather Service's Lightning Awareness Week homepage
• Read more of OEM tips about preparing for thunderstorms
• Read the Tip of the Week online