9/30 Tip Of The Day - Get involved
Citizen Corps works hard to help people prepare, train and volunteer in their communities. They provide a variety of opportunities for you to get involved. Citizen Corps programs build on the successful efforts that are in place in many communities around the country to prevent crime and respond to emergencies. Contact your local council by going to www.citizencorps.gov.

9/29 Tip Of The Day - Local alerts
Many local emergency management officials deliver important emergency alerts, notifications and updates during a major crisis or emergency via an e-mail/text-message alert system. Contact your local Office of Emergency Management to see if they use an alert system.

9/28 Tip Of The Day - Older Americans and individuals with disabilities or special needs
If there is an older individual or someone with a disability or special needs in your home, be sure to account for their needs. These may include medication, eye glasses, oxygen and wheelchairs. Be sure to keep extra batteries for items such as hearing aids. Keep a copy of any medical documents you may need in your supply kit. Make sure your plan accommodates special needs in events such as evacuations and shelter-in-place.

9/27 Tip Of The Day - Explosions and fire
If there is an explosion:

Take shelter against your desk or a sturdy table.
Exit the building immediately.
Do not use elevators.
Check for fire and other hazards.
Take your emergency supply kit if time allows.

If there is a fire:

Exit the building immediately.
If there is smoke, crawl under the smoke to the nearest exit and use a cloth, if possible, to cover your nose and mouth.
Use the back of your hand to feel the upper, lower, and middle parts of closed doors.
If the door is not hot, brace yourself against it and open slowly.
If the door is hot, do not open it. Look for another way out.
Do not use elevators.
If your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop and roll to put out the fire. Do not run.
If you are at home, go to your previously designated outside meeting place.
Account for your family members and carefully supervise small children.
GET OUT and STAY OUT. Never go back into a burning building.
Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.

9/24 Tip Of The Day - Floods - even shallow water - can be deadly
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 drought) is caused by floods and associated debris flow.

Regardless of how a flood occurs, the rule for being safe is simple: Head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater. Even a shallow depth of fast-moving floodwater produces more force than most people think.

9/25 Tip Of The Day - Chemical hazards
When there is concern about potential exposure to a chemical or other airborne hazard, local officials may advise you to “shelter-in-place” and “seal the room.” If you believe the air may be badly contaminated or if you are instructed by local officials, follow the instructions below to create a temporary barrier between you and the contaminated air outside.

To shelter-in-place and seal the room:

Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems.
Close the fireplace damper.
Get your disaster supplies kit and turn on your battery-powered radio.
Go to an interior room that is above ground level and without windows, if possible. In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed
If directed by local authorities on the radio, use duct tape to seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room. Tape plastic sheeting, such as heavy-duty plastic garbage bags, over any windows.
Listen to your radio or television for further instructions. Local officials will tell you when you can leave the room in which you are sheltering, or they may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.

9/26 Tip Of The Day - Be a survivor
Businesses can be greatly affected by disasters and many will have a hard time reopening and getting back on their feet. Don’t let this happen to you!

Plan to stay in business.
Talk to your employees.
Protect your investment.
For more information about business preparedness, please visit http://www.ready.gov/business/index.html.

9/23 Tip Of The Day - Earthquake Readiness 101
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. Information about earthquake risk is also available from the U.S. Geological Survey National Seismic Hazards project at: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/hazmaps/.

9/19 Tip Of The Day - Know how to treat contaminated water
Always use bottled water for drinking and cooking if it is available. Unsanitary water can be very dangerous to your health. If you don’t know the level of purity of the water, it should always be treated.

Use one or a combination of these treatments:

Boil
Boiling is the safest method of treating water. Bring water to a rolling boil for 3-5 minutes, keeping in mind that some water will evaporate. Let the water cool before drinking.
Chlorinate
You can use household liquid bleach to kill microorganisms. Use only regular household liquid bleach that contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. Do not use scented bleaches, color-safe bleaches or bleaches with added cleaners. Add 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water stir and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water does not have a slight bleach odor, repeat the dosage and let stand another 15 minutes.

Flood water can also be contaminated by toxic chemicals. Do NOT try to treat flood water.

9/20 Tip Of The Day - Know how to turn off utilities
In some emergencies, you may be required to turn off your utilities so it is important to learn how and when to turn off 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.
If you turn off the gas, a professional must turn it back on. Do not attempt to do this yourself.