http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/rss/npm07.xml NPM Updates will be distributed periodically to provide critical information and helpful tips to the public for emergency preparedness. Sunday, 30 September 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/rss clutch incorporated ready@dhs.gov en-us Unlike an explosion, a biological attack may or may not be immediately obvious. Most likely local health care workers will report a pattern of unusual illness or a wave of sick people seeking medical attention. The best source of information will be radio or television reports. To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/093007.html Sunday, 30 Sept 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/093007.html If there is an explosion, take shelter against your desk or a sturdy table. Exit the building immediately. Do not use the elevators. Check for fire and other hazards. To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092907.html Saturday, 29 Sept 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092907.html When there is concern about a potential exposure to a chemical or other airborne hazard, local officials may advise you to "shelter-in-place" and "seal the room." This is different from taking shelter on the lowest level of your home in case of a natural disaster like a tornado. To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092807.html Friday, 28 Sept 2007 09:15:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092807.html Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters in terms of human hardship and economic loss. As much as 90 percent of the damage related to all natural disasters (excluding draught) is caused by floods and associated debris flow. To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092707.html Thursday, 27 Sept 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092707.html Learn if earthquakes are a risk in your area by contacting your local emergency management office, local American Red Cross chapter, state geological survey or department of natural resources. To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092607.html Wednesday, 26 Sept 2007 08:50:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092607.html A disaster can cause significant financial loss. Your apartment or home may be severely damaged or destroyed. You may be forced to live in temporary housing. Income may be cut off or significantly reduced. Important financial records could be destroyed. To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092507.html Tuesday, 25 Sept 2007 08:30:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092507.html Understand that during an emergency you may be asked to "shelter-in-place" or evacuate. Plan for both possibilities and be prepared to listen to instructions from your local emergency management officials. To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092407.html Monday, 24 Sept 2007 08:40:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092407.html In some emergencies you may be required to turn off your utilities. To prepare for this type of event: Locate the electric, gas and water shut-off valves. Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves. Teach adult family members how to turn off utilities. To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092307.html Sunday, 23 Sept 2007 09:20:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092307.html When water is of questionable purity, it is easiest to use bottled water for drinking and cooking if it is available. When it's not available, it is important to know how to treat contaminated water. In addition to having a bad odor and taste, water from questionable sources may be contaminated by a variety of microorganisms - including bacteria and parasites that cause diseases such as dysentery, cholera, typhoid and hepatitis. To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092207.html Saturday, 22 Sept 2007 09:20:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092207.html Read the information on your city, county and/or state government Web sites as well as the Be Prepared section of www.redcross.org or www.ready.gov and print emergency preparedness information. Be sure to keep a copy with your disaster supplies kit. It can provide telephone numbers, addresses and other information you need when electronic connections are not available options for obtaining the information. To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092107.html Friday, 21 Sept 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092107.html Teach children how to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. Review emergency action steps with all family members: Check the scene and the victim. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number posted by the telephone. Care for the victim. Help your children learn more about emergencies. To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092007.html Thursday, 20 Sept 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/092007.html You should also keep a smaller version of your emergency supply kit in your vehicle, in case you are commuting or traveling when disaster strikes. Emergency Kit For Your Vehicle: Bottled water and non-perishable high energy foods, such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter - Flashlight and extra batteries - Blanket... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091907.html Wednesday, 19 Sept 2007 09:30:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091907.html Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person in your emergency supply kit. We suggest long pants and long sleeves for additional protection after a disaster. Clothing and Bedding - Sturdy shoes or work boots - Rain gear... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091807.html Tuesday, 18 Sept 2007 09:30:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091807.html Also include items for sanitation in your emergency supply kit. Consider the following: Toilet paper, towelettes - Soap, liquid detergent - Feminine supplies... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091707.html Monday, 17 Sept 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091707.html One of the easiest ways you can prepare for emergencies is to keep some supplies readily available. Every kit is unique and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your family, but below is a general list of supplies you may want to consider: Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils - Emergency preparedness manual and a copy of your disaster plan, including your emergency contacts list - Battery-operated radio and extra batteries - Flashlight and extra batteries - Cash or traveler's checks, change... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091607.html Sunday, 16 Sept 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091607.html Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person. Store a minimum of one gallon of water per person per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation and sanitation). Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091507.html Saturday, 15 Sept 2007 08:30:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091507.html Take a minute to check your family's first aid kit and note any depleted items - then, add them to your shopping list. Don't have a first aid kit? Add that to the list or build a kit yourself... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091407.html Friday, 14 Sept 2007 08:40:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091407.html Take a minute to check your family's first aid kit and note any depleted items - then, add them to your shopping list. Don't have a first aid kit? Add that to the list or build a kit yourself... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091307.html Thursday, 13 Sept 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091307.html You should keep enough supplies in your home to meet the needs of you and your family for at least three days. Build an emergency supply kit to take with you in an evacuation. The basics to stock in your portable kit include: water, food, battery-powered radio and flashlight with extra batteries, first aid supplies, change of clothing, blanket or sleeping bag, wrench or pliers, whistle, dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape, trash bags, map, a manual can opener for canned food and special items for infants, elderly, the sick or people with disabilities... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091207.html Wednesday, 12 Sept 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091207.html What if disaster strikes while you're at work? Do you know the emergency preparedness plan for your workplace? While many companies have been more alert and pro-active in preparing for disasters of all types since the September 11, 2001 attacks, a national survey indicates that many employees still don't know what their workplace plan is for major or minor disasters... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091107.html Tuesday, 11 Sept 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091107.html A community working together during an emergency makes sense. Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together during an emergency. - Find out if anyone has specialized equipment like a power generator, or expertise such as medical knowledge, that might help in a crisis. - Decide who will check on elderly or disabled neighbors... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091007.html Monday, 10 Sept 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/091007.html Practice - Conduct fire drills and practice evacuating your home twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternate routes on a map in case main roads are blocked or gridlocked. Practice earthquake and tornado drills at home, school and work... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/090907.html Sunday, 9 Sept 2007 08:30:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/090907.html Teach your children how and when to call 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical Services number for help. Post these and other emergency telephone numbers by telephones... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/090807.html Saturday, 8 Sept 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/090807.html Check your child's school Web site or call the school office to request a copy of the school's emergency plan. Keep a copy at home and work or other places where you spend a lot of your time and make sure the school's plan is incorporated into your family's emergency plan. Also, learn about the disaster plans at your workplace or other places where you and your family spend time... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/090707.html Friday, 7 Sept 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/090707.html Go through your calendar now, and put a reminder on it - every six months - to review your plan, update numbers and check supplies to be sure nothing has expired, spoiled or changed. Also remember to practice your tornado, fire escape or other disaster plans... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/090607.html Thursday, 6 Sept 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/090607.html Dogs may be man's best friend, but due to health regulations, most emergency shelters cannot house animals. Find out in advance how to care for your pets and working animals when disaster strikes. Pets should not be left behind, but could be taken to a veterinary office, family member's home or animal shelter during an emergency. Also be sure to store extra food and water for pets... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/090507.html Wednesday, 5 Sept 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/090507.html Complete an emergency contact card and make copies for each member of your family to carry with them. Be sure to include an out-of-town contact on your contact card. It may be easier to reach someone out of town if local phone lines are out of service or overloaded. You should also have at least one traditionally wired landline phone, as cordless or cellular phones may not work in an emergency... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/090407.html Tuesday, 4 Sept 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/090407.html Choose an emergency contact person outside your area because it may be easier to call long distance than locally after a local/regional disaster. Take a minute now to call or e-mail an out-of-town friend or family member to ask him or her to be your family's designated contact in the event of an emergency. Be sure to share the contact's phone number with everyone in the family... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/090307.html Monday, 3 Sept 2007 08:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/090307.html Pick a place to meet after a disaster. Designate two meeting places. Choose one right outside your home, in case of a sudden household emergency, such as a fire. The second place you choose needs to be outside your neighborhood, in the event that it is not safe to stay near or return to your home. Statistic, Fact or Story? According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2005, 82.4% of all fires fatalities occurred at home, resulting in 3,028 fire deaths... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/090207.html Sunday, 2 Sept 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/090207.html Take a moment to imagine that there is an emergency, like a fire in your home, and you need to leave quickly. What are the best escape routes from your home? Find at least two ways out of each room. Now, write it down - you've got the beginning of a plan... To learn more... http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/090107.html Saturday, 1 Sept 2007 09:00:00 EDT http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/tips/090107.html