Boo! Check Your Batteries

OEM recommends that New Yorkers change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors twice a year, like during daylight-saving times. This weekend brings the end of daylight-saving time along with Halloween: a certifiable double whammy. Check your batteries this weekend so you won't be haunted by disaster. Learn more about preventing fire Read more about carbon monoxide safety See OEM's Tip of the Week online

KNOCK PREPAREDNESS OUT OF THE PARK

As we head into the 2008 World Series, OEM asks New Yorkers to cover all of the preparedness bases. Be "safe at home" by following advice from some of New York's best emergency coaches. First Base: Learn about the hazards that affect New York City Second Base: Develop a household disaster plan Third Base: Gather supplies to stock emergency kits and Go Bags Home: Once you've hit all these marks, learn how you can get involved by educating your family and friends Learn more about Ready New York See OEM's Tip of the Week online

FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO STAY WARM

With home heating season officially underway, OEM reminds New Yorkers what to do if they lose heat. All residents are entitled by law to adequate heat and hot water. If you lose heat or hot water: First speak with your building owner, manager, or superintendent. If the problem is not addressed, tenants should call 311 to lodge a complaint. In the absence of adequate heat, insulate your home as much as possible by hanging blankets over windows and doorways and dress warmly. Learn more about what to do if you lose heat Review the City's cold weather heat requirements (from HPD) See OEM's Tip of the Week online

STOP STOVETOP FIRES

It's Fire Prevention Week and OEM reminds New Yorkers to brush up on fire safety techniques, especially in the kitchen. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, 40 percent of home fires start in the kitchen. Never leave a lit stove unattended and make sure you have a smoke detector in the kitchen. When cooking, clear stovetops and nearby counters to prevent rapid spread of fire. Learn more about preparing for fires in New York City Learn more about fire safety from the National Fire Protection Agency See OEM's Tip of the Week online

Watch Out For High Winds

As the season changes and cold fronts arrive, high winds can rip through New York City. The urban canyons, created by the City's high-rises, amplify the effects of these windstorms. Though high winds are generally associated with blizzards, thunderstorms, and nor'easters, they can also result from drops in temperature and air pressure differentials, both common in the fall. OEM urges New Yorkers to secure any patio or roof furniture in preparation for the blustery days ahead. Learn more about high winds See OEM's Tip of the Week Online

Stop Kidding Around, Get Prepared

Preparing for emergencies is a serious matter, but that doesn't mean it can't be fun. In this last week of National Preparedness Month, OEM encourages kids to prepare, and have fun while doing it. Ready New York for Kids has two tracks — one for elementary students and one for teenagers. Both offer games, checklists, and suggested teacher activities to help children get ready for the unexpected. Whether kids are at home, in school, or at play, they should know how to react when an emergency strikes. And remember, we're all kids at heart. Attend the Ready New York for Kids event on Saturday, September 27 Download Ready New York for Kids See OEM's Tip of the Week on the website

Seniority Makes Preparing a Priority

During this third week of National Preparedness Month, OEM encourages older adults to prepare for emergencies. Seniors should consider their specific needs when developing emergency plans. Take the first step toward creating a plan: establish a support network. This network should include a neighbor, friend, family member, and/or caregiver who can keep extra copies of plan information like numbers of healthcare providers and locations of meeting spots. This week, OEM gears up to introduce its revised Ready New York guide for seniors and people with disabilities. Talk to your favorite seniors about preparing for emergencies. Get a sneak peek of the guide (in PDF) See OEM's Tip of the Week on the website

Prepare in Many Languages

As National Preparedness Month in NYC continues, OEM reminds New Yorkers that its Ready New York preparedness guides are available in up to 14 lanugages. If you have non-English speaking friends, family, or neighbors, help them prepare for emergencies with a guide in their native language. Find a preparedness guide in your language See OEM's Tip of the Week on the website

September is National Preparedness Month

On Thursday, September 4, OEM and members of the Citizen Corps Council will kickoff National Preparedness Month by giving away preparedness guides and 1,000 Go Bags filled with emergency supplies. Stop by participating sites for your chance to win. Learn more about National Preparedness Month See OEM's Tip of the Week on the website

Buy All Your Supplies At One Time

It's time for school again and as parents and kids shop for supplies, OEM reminds New Yorkers to pick up some emergency supplies, like extra batteries for radios and flashlights. Also, old backpacks make great Go Bags. Visit OEM's website to find out how to pack them for an emergency. Learn more about what goes in a Go Bag Download a copy of Ready New York for Kids Read OEM's Tip of the Week on the website

A CERT Yourself

New York City Community Emergency Response Teams are community groups that undergo 11 weeks of training in basic emergency response, light search and rescue, first aid, and emergency preparedness. A new training cycle starts at the beginning of September. Call the CERT hotline at 718-422-8585 or e-mail CERT program managers to get involved. There are teams forming and training available for the following communities: The Bronx - Mott Haven, Port Morris, Melrose, Hunts Point, Longwood, Morrisania, Crotona Park, Claremont Village, Concourse Village, Woodstock, Edenwald, Wakefield, Williamsbridge, Woodlawn, Fishbay, Eastchester, Olinville, Baychester, Norwood, University Heights, Jerome Park, Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge Heights Brooklyn - East New York, Cypress Hills, Highland Park, New Lots, City Line, Starrett City, and other neighborhoods Manhattan Queens Learn more about CERT online Download a copy of the CERT brochure (in PDF) Read OEM's Tip of the Week on the website

No Lights? No Problem

In light of the five-year anniversary of the 2003 blackout, OEM encourages New Yorkers to be prepared for power outages. There are basic steps everyone can take to prepare for loss of power. Know your power provider and have the phone number handy in case you need to report an outage. Always keep a flashlight, water, and nonperishable foods in your home. Practice energy conservation by using the air conditioner only when you are home or by running your dishwasher late at night or early in the morning. Learn more about power outages Read about food safety during outages See OEM's Tip of the Week on the website