• Hurricane Matthew Expected to Impact Atlantic States
• Fire Prevention Week
• The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is Coming
• The Flu and You
• National Cyber Security Awareness Month
• Dates for Your Calendar

Hurricane Matthew Expected to Impact Atlantic States

• Know your community’s local hurricane evacuation plan and identify several escape routes from your location in case roads are blocked;
• If you plan to evacuate by car, keep your car fueled and in good condition and be sure to keep emergency supplies and a change of clothes in your vehicle;
• If you will need to use public transportation, contact your local government emergency management agency to ask how an evacuation will work, how you will get current information during an evacuation, and the location of staging areas;
• Stay away from water, shorelines, areas that are prone to flooding, and low land  areas that may be dry but prone to  flash flooding;
• Listen to alerts and warnings and be prepared to get to high ground immediately if there is a flash flood;
• Never walk or drive through floodwaters: Turn Around, Don’t Drown!;
• If you are not in an evacuation zone or flood area, know where to shelter for high winds and be prepared with sufficient supplies to remain on high ground until flooding in nearby areas subsides;
• Waterproof your home’s basement and elevate critical utilities such as electrical panels and heating systems; and
• If it’s safe to do, plan to bring inside or anchor any items that might be blown away and become projectiles in high winds. Anchor outdoor grills, fuel tanks, and other items that are not safe to bring inside.

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Fire Prevention Week

October 9-15, 2016 is Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait – Check the Date! Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.” According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), it’s important to remember that smoke alarms do not last forever. Check the manufacture date on the back of your alarms. If it is older than 10 years, replace the alarm because the sensors become less sensitive.   Take the time during Fire Prevention Week to test your smoke alarms. Make sure you have an alarm on every level of your home, inside and outside each sleeping area, and in the basement.   Sit down with everyone in your home and discuss your home fire escape plan. As you make this plan, consider the following questions: Does everyone know two ways out of each room, in case one way is blocked by fire? Can everyone get themselves out alone? Does anyone in your home need assistance to get out quickly? If so, who will help them? Do you have a meeting place outside your home? Once you have developed a home fire escape plan, practice it to be sure everyone can get out safely! The USFA recommends everyone have working smoke alarms, practice a home fire escape plan and consider installing home fire sprinklers in their home. Find more information about smoke alarms, escape plans, and home fire sprinklers as well as other fire safety topics at www.usfa.fema.gov.

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The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is Coming

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The Flu and You

• Cough;
• Sore throat;
• Runny or stuffy nose;
• Muscle or body aches;
• Headaches;
• Fatigue; or
• Fever (It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.)

• Get a flu vaccine. The CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. Everyone 6 months of age or older should get a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible. Vaccination of high-risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness; and 
• Take daily actions to stop the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu-like illness, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands often with soap and water.

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National Cyber Security Awareness Month

• Week 1 (October 3 –7): Every Day Steps Towards Online Safety with Stop.Think.Connect.
• Week 2 (October 10 – 14): Cyber from the Break Room to the Board Room
• Week 3 (October 17 – 21): Recognizing and Combatting Cybercrime
• Week 4 (October 24 – 28): Our Continuously Connected Lives: What’s Your ‘App’-titude?
• Week 5 (October 31): Building Resilience in Critical Infrastructure

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Dates for Your Calendar

• Oct 9 – 15: Fire Prevention Week
• Oct 11: National Fire Protection Association Firewise Communities Virtual Workshop
• Oct 11: Webinar - Fire Prevention Activities and Resources for Faith-based and Community based organizations
• Oct 14 – 19: International Association of Emergency Managers 64th Annual Conference – Savannah, GA
• Oct 20: The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill
• Nov 17: National Fire Protection Association Firewise Communities Virtual Workshop

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