Save Lives by Giving Blood

Close to 2,000 donations are needed every day in the NYC area for blood tranfusions. If you are at least 17 years old and weigh more than 110 pounds, you can safely donate blood. Donate during National Blood Donor Month this January, and continue to donate regularly throughout the year.

Find out where to donate blood in NYC
Read OEM's Tip of the Week online

Prove You're Ready. Take The Challenge.

New Yorkers like to think they are ready for anything, but no one really knows what will happen next. Take the NYC Readiness Challenge to practice thinking through some of the decisions you may face during an emergency. You might not be as ready as you think you are.

Take the NYC Readiness Challenge
Read OEM's Tip of the Week online

Earthquake Mitigation

FEMA Private Sector Tip of the Week 1/9/12: Learn about earthquake mitigation during the upcoming National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program E-74 Earthquake Webinars.   www.fema.gov/pdf/privatesector/E_74_privatesector.pdf

Update Communications Plan

Happy New Year Private Sector:

FEMA Private Sector Tip of the Week 1/3/12:  Winterize your crisis communications plan by updating your employee and supplier emergency contact lists. www.ready.gov/business/implementation/crisis.

Don't Drop the Ball on Preparedness

Last year New York was hit by snowstorms, an earthquake, and even a hurricane. Who knows what 2012 will bring! Start making your plan today by downloading OEM's Resolve to be Ready 2012 calendar. Filled with regular reminders that break planning into small, quick steps, the calendar can help you work preparedness into your schedule in 2012.

Download the Resolve to be Ready 2012 calendar
Read OEM's Tip of the Week online

Teach Your Kids to be Emergency Experts

With schools closed for the holidays, winter break is the perfect time to talk to your kids about your family's emergency plan. Show your family that preparing can be fun with OEM's kid-created emergency preparedness cartoons. OEM teamed up with campers at the Goldie Maple Academy in the Rockaways to create the short cartoons about the importance of having a plan.
Watch the Ready Kids cartoons
Learn more about preparedness from Ready New York for Kids
Read OEM's Tip of the Week online

Winter Road Trips

FEMA Private Sector Tip of the Week 12/19/11: Pack extra blankets, food, first aid kits, flares and water for long road trips in severe cold weather. http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTExMjIwLjQ1NTAzNDEmbWVzc2FnZWlkPU1EQi1QUkQtQlVMLTIwMTExMjIwLjQ1NTAzNDEmZGF0YWJhc2VpZD0xMDAxJnNlcmlhbD0xNjc5OTEwNCZlbWFpbGlkPW1hcmsuZWxzZW5oZWltZXJAZ21haWwuY29tJnVzZXJpZD1tYXJrLmVsc2VuaGVpbWVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbSZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&&&100&&&http://www.ready.gov/winter.
Also check out the FEMA Private Sector academia resources on the new School and Campus Awareness and Preparedness Web Page: http://www.fema.gov/privatesector/school_campus_awareness.shtm

Frayed Wires Cause Fires

More than one-third of all home fires occur between December and February, and most of those are caused by worn, damaged, or improperly used electrical cords. Carefully inspect new and used holiday lights for cracked or frayed wires. Do not use broken bulbs on Christmas trees.

Learn more holiday fire safety safety tips from the NYC Fire Department
Read OEM's Tip of the Week online

Bake Cookies, Not Your Home

As cozy as your home may get when you're baking for the holidays, remember to turn the oven off once those cookies are done. Never use your oven to warm up your home: doing so could lead to fire or dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

Read more about carbon monoxide
Learn more about carbon monoxide safety (NYC Fire Department)
Read OEM's Tip of the Week online

School Emergency Pack

FEMA Private Sector Tip  of the Week 12/12/11: Restock your kid's school emergency pack with healthy snacks, water and clothing. tinyurl.com/3g8gwhb.

Get Your Car Ready to Go Go Go

Before you take any holiday road trips this month, it's a good idea to make sure your car is stocked for emergencies. Assemble an emergency supply kit for your vehicle that includes water, non-perishable foods, a flashlight, and batteries. And before colder weather arrives, add antifreeze, a blanket, and have a mechanic check your exhaust system, heater, brakes, and defroster.

Learn more about winterizing your car
Read OEM's Tip of the Week online

Flood Awareness, Insurance, and Maps

FEMA Private Sector Tip of the Week 11/28/11: Add the latest flood awareness, insurance and flood maps data to your organization’s emergency plan. www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/info.shtm.