PLANT A TREE AND REDUCE YOUR FLOOD RISK

Celebrate Earth Day this week by planting a tree. In addition to helping slow climate change and improve air quality, trees absorb stormwater, which helps to reduce flooding. Get more information about tree planting through the City's MillionTreesNYC project, which offers NYC residents free street trees and promotes urban forest expansion. Learn more about flooding in NYC Learn more about the benefits of planting trees from NYC Parks & Recreation Read OEM Tip of the Week online

UPDATE YOUR SAFE PLACE

During the Cold War era, New York City designated thousands of buildings in the metropolitan area as fallout shelters in preparation for a nuclear attack. As international relations calmed and public anxiety shifted, the City abandoned this sheltering system. Today, many of these buildings still have the fallout shelter emblem on their walls. Do not be misled by these signs. The historic fallout shelters are no longer maintained by City officials or stocked with emergency supplies. New York City has updated its sheltering plan. In case of an emergency evacuation, tune into local media and follow instructions. Take a battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries with you to receive updates. Learn more about sheltering during an emergency Read OEM Tip of the Week online

RECORD YOUR RETURN

Taxes are due in a week and OEM reminds New Yorkers to make extra copies of their returns to assist them in an emergency. After a disaster, insurance providers may request up to three years of tax returns in support of a claim. Store an extra copy of your tax returns in your Emergency Financial First Aid Kit while finances are still fresh on your mind. Read more financial preparedness tips Read OEM Tip of the Week online

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

Take One Giant Leap for Preparedness

Dedicate a portion of your extra day this Friday to getting ready for all types of emergencies. Take a few moments to print and fill out the new Ready New York Emergency Reference Card. Every family should have a plan for how they will communicate with each other during or after an emergency. In case you need to reach doctors, insurance professionals, or even your family members, have all of these important numbers easily accessible, in one place. Learn more about Ready New York See OEM's Tip of the Week on the website

ENSURE YOU ARE INSURED

Did you know a basic homeowner's policy does not cover flood damage? That is why homeowners and renters should consider getting flood insurance. New Yorkers who have below-sea-level dwellings or live in areas susceptible to sewer back-ups are not the only ones who can suffer expensive damage from flood waters. The good news is you cannot be denied insurance based on where you live or your home's history of flooding. Most insurance is provided through the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and goes into effect 30 days after purchase. To determine your risk of flooding, visit www.Floodsmart.gov Visit NFIP online or call (888) 379-9531 See OEM's Tip of the Week on the website

Quench the Fire in Your Heart (and Home)

Some of you struck by Cupid's bow may be lucky enough to find love this Valentine's Day. But if you can't quench the fire in your heart this Thursday, at least make sure you have the right tools to handle a small fire in your home. Keep a portable ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher in your home in the event of a small, contained fire. Wet Class K extinguishers are recommended for stove-top fires. Notify the Fire Department any time a fire breaks out in your home and never try to fight a major fire. Learn more about fire extinguishers from the Fire Department See OEM's Tip of the Week on the website

Always Have an Exit Strategy

Can you move like Eli Manning? In a crisis, pressure can come from every direction. To make the right play, it is important to know all possible exit routes from your home, school, or business. If one route is blocked, a secondary exit route can keep your drive alive. Learn more about what your disaster plan should cover See OEM's Tip of the Week on the website