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September is National Preparedness Month

9/1/2015

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Today is the first day of meteorological fall! Can football season be far behind?

OK, I know it will be in the 90's the next few days, but after all, it is Fall at least by some measures.

September is National Preparedness Month, and fall weather preparations can take many different paths.

Many of us will be on the road this Labor Day week-end. Have you checked the air pressure in your tires? Summer heat can cause tire pressure to be elevated, check tires when cool. If your car has a spare tire be sure and check its pressure. In the trunk, it's easy to overlook. It's also a good time to check the lights on your car. With the change of season and the fact darkness will be occurring earlier, now is the time to get those lights fixed. We will need them more than during the summertime. Rain may be in the forecast, so don't neglect the windshield wipers either.

Around the house it's a good time to check the gutters to make sure they are cleaned out. The summertime can be hard on roofs, so don't forget to look up when cleaning. Look around the outside of the house for trees, shrubs and debris that needs to be removed. As our grass and shrubs begin to go dormant in the next few weeks, with the first frost/freeze not far away, what we clean up now, will not be fuel for wildfire later.

Keep in mind that with cooler weather, we will want to run our heaters. Be sure and have them checked by a licensed professional. Carbon Monoxide is a killer, and a good cleaning and check-up will help keep utility costs down and could prevent a tragedy.

There has been a tot of hurricane and tropical storm activity in both the Atlantic and Pacific basins this year. Even though we are about 700 miles inland, a strong storm with lots of precipitation ( think Tropical Storm Bill, June 26th) can still produce significant flooding. We need to be aware of those tropical systems as they can produce negative impacts in our back yard.

While we are talking backyard weather, fall can also produce severe thunderstorms and tornados. It is a good idea to remain weather aware when we are going to football games, camping or hunting. Lightning is a killer, remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!

The weather affects us all, in whatever we are doing. Let's all stay weather aware, and be safe!

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Spring Cleaning

2/7/2015

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Grandma always said, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness".
As we enter warmer spring weather days, now is a good time to think about that. Cleaning up winters clutter can help keep us safe! 
Winter was hard on our landscapes, broken tree limbs, leaves and pine needles on our roofs and in our gutters. Leaves and excessive left over yard growth from last year present a fire hazard. 
While we are at it, those broken limbs in the trees that Grandma called "widow-makers" present unusual hazards. While they could fall on you, they can also take down the utilities to your home. If you can not safely remove, contact a professional. 
Since we are outside, take a look around your foundation (or skirting if you are in a manufactured home). Are there holes or gaps where unwanted critters can get in? As the weather warms, they will be on the move. 
Do you feed the dog or cat outside? Keep a watch for uninvited dinner guests. While you're at it, shake out the bedding in the dog house. Remember, if you wouldn't want it in bed with you, your furry companion probably doesn't either. 
Be safe, and enjoy the weather! 


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SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

9/3/2014

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There is no time better to begin your disaster and emergency plan preparations than right now!  The thoughts and actions you take can make a big difference in you, and your families ability to survive and recover.

The basic necessities, food, clothing and shelter should be at the top of your list.

First lets talk about food.  High energy, high protein foods that do not require refrigeration are best.  In the event of power outage keeping food refrigerated for an extended period may be impossible.  Remember, if you have no electricity, the electric can opener that you used to open your canned vegetables tonight will not work.  Do you have a manual can opener?

What if you have no water.  One gallon, per person, per day is the minimum amount recommended.  You have to have water to drink, flush toilets and cook and clean with.

For those of us with electric stoves, we won't have a way to cook.  Again, do you have a plan.  If you try to charcoal, cook outside.  Charcoal can release toxic chemicals and smoke, which inside can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, and death.

Clothing is somewhat difficult.  If you can go to your closet jackets, coats and extra clothing are not an issue.  If you are in a shelter because your home is not habitable, then you might need a change of clothes, extra warm clothes and bedding.  Don't forget diapers for the little ones.

Shelter is the third priority.  If you can stay in your house, do so!  Don't venture out.  Downed power lines, trees, broken gas mains, washed out roads and debris may make it impossible to get from your house anywhere safely.

Some other important things to consider.  

How do I get information?  No power means no TV.  A battery operated radio to keep up with the situation and reports from your local area is vital.  If you have a cell phone, and almost everyone does, how are you going to recharge it when the battery goes down?  Car chargers and solar panel chargers are available, but do you have one?

Speaking of cell phones, teach members of your family how to text.  When the phone lines are clogged, many times text messages will get through.

Have a plan to call someone outside the area that is affected.  If you have a point of contact in another City or State, many times these calls can get through, when you can't make contact locally.

Your landline telephone (the kind grandma used) will still work, but your handheld phone that you can walk around the house won't.  It needs electricity.

Ways to Prepare.

Think like you are going on a campout, or to the lake for the week-end.  Plan accordingly.  Purchase items ahead of time.  If you get a few items each week, you won't break the budget.  If you wait, items may be in short supply, if you can find them at all.

Emergency Preparedness is not magic.  It is simply being prepared for the worst.  

Remember, NO PLACE IS IMMUNE FROM DISASTER!

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HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

7/3/2014

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The following information is a reprint from the FEMA National Preparedness Council.

As the Fourth of July quickly approaches, most of us are wrapped up with thinking about barbeques, parades, block parties, gathering with loved ones and obviously, fireworks! Who can say no to the loud flashes of brilliant color lighting up the night sky?

Unfortunately along with these beautiful displays, comes the danger. If not used properly, fireworks can be dangerous especially when fire conditions are extreme. As severe drought continues to plague many regions nationwide increasing the threat of wildfires, its important to celebrate the Fourth of July in the safest way possible.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 200 people on average go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday. Fireworks are dangerous! This Independence Day, protect your family from fireworks. Attend public displays and leave the lighting to the professionals. Additionally, don’t forget that Independence Day occurs during the hottest time of the year, so make sure you stay hydrated and keep out of the sun when the heat is most intense.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety offers these common sense safety tips for using consumer fireworks in the hopes that injuries to consumers can be greatly reduced this season. It is up to you to use fireworks in a safe and responsible manner:

Parents and caretakers should always closely supervise teens if they are using fireworks.

Parents should not allow young children to handle or use fireworks.

Know your fireworks; read the caution label before igniting.

Only light one firework at a time.

Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes, then soak it in a bucket of water.

Lastly, soak spent fireworks with water before placing them in an outdoor, fire resistant garbage can away from buildings and flammable materials.

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TIME TO PREPARE FOR HURRICANE SEASONĀ 

6/2/2014

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June 1st is the beginning of the Atlantic Hurricane season.  Even though we are about 600 miles inland, now is a good time to work on your hurricane preparedness plan.  

While we are not going to be directly impacted by a hurricane in Hominy, our friends and families could be.  

Many times when we are on the road, we are not listening to local radio. 

People  we know may well be traveling to the Gulf Coast this summer.  If we know of weather conditions that could impact them, we should have a way to alert them.

For family and friends traveling, we can be their Point of Contact.  They can call us while on the road to provide updates, letting us know where they are.  We can then let other family members know of their progress and safety.  We can also let them know of conditions that might impact them on their trip.

If something occurs it may well be easier for someone to call or text from an area that is impacted than make local contact.  Cell towers and systems may be over loaded, or fail completely.  An out of state contact may be your best bet.

Texting,  as opposed to trying a voice call may be a better option.  Text messages require less band-width and many times will go through, when a voice call will not.

Above all, plan ahead, be prepared and enjoy your trip!

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BE A FORCE OF NATURE

5/22/2014

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Each year, people in this country are killed or seriously injured by all types of extreme weather, despite advanced warning.

Hominy Emergency Management has partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to join the Weather Ready Nation initiative.  Along with the National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management we will be providing safety tips, working ideas and plan suggestions to help individual families be better prepared.  

You are the key to being prepared!  By knowing your risk, taking action and being an example you can “Be a Force of Nature”.


KNOW YOUR RISKS

Tornadoes, snow storms, flooding, wildfire and earth-quakes have impacted Oklahoma during the recent past.


TAKE ACTION

Have three ways to get weather and emergency information.


BE AN EXAMPLE

Make sure you have a Family Emergency Plan.

If you know of weather or an emergency situation that could effect members of your family, make sure they are aware of it.

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