2015 National Preparedness Month

Before a Fire

Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan

In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so you and your family must always be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly.

Twice each year, practice your home fire escape plan.  Some tips to consider when preparing this plan include:

·         Find two ways to get out of each room.

·         If the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke, you will need a second way out. A secondary route might be a window onto a neighboring roof or a collapsible ladder for escape from upper story windows.

·         Only purchase collapsible ladders evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL).

·         Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly, and that security bars can be properly opened.

·         Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.

·         Windows and doors with security bars must have quick release devices to allow them to be opened immediately in an emergency. Make sure everyone in the family understands and practices how to properly operate and open locked or barred doors and windows.

·         Teach children not to hide from firefighters.

2015 National Preparedness Month

During a Drought

Always observe state and local restrictions on water use during a drought. If restricted, for example, do not water your lawn, wash your car, or other non-essential uses, to help ensure there is enough water for essential uses. Contact your state or local government for current information and suggestions.

Indoor Water Conservation Tips While in a Drought

BATHROOM

·         Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects, and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.

·         Avoid taking baths—take short showers—turn on water only to get wet and lather and then again to rinse off.

·         Avoid letting the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving.

·         Place a bucket in the shower to catch excess water for watering plants.

KITCHEN

·         Operate automatic dishwashers only when they are fully loaded. Use the "light wash" feature, if available, to use less water.

·         Hand wash dishes by filling two containers—one with soapy water and the other with rinse water containing a small amount of chlorine bleach.

·         Clean vegetables in a pan filled with water rather than running water from the tap.

·         Store drinking water in the refrigerator. Do not let the tap run while you are waiting for water to cool.

·         Avoid wasting water waiting for it to get hot. Capture it for other uses such as plant watering or heat it on the stove or in a microwave.

·         Avoid rinsing dishes before placing them in the dishwasher; just remove large particles of food. (Most dishwashers can clean soiled dishes very well, so dishes do not have to be rinsed before washing)

·         Avoid using running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave oven.

LAUNDRY

·         Operate automatic clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or set the water level for the size of your load.

Outdoor Water Conservation Tips While in a Drought

CAR WASHING

·         Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.

·         If you wash your own car, use a shut-off nozzle that can be adjusted down to a fine spray on your hose.

LAWN CARE

·         Avoid over watering your lawn and water only when needed:

·         A heavy rain eliminates the need for watering for up to two weeks. Most of the year, lawns only need one inch of water per week.

·         Check the soil moisture levels with a soil probe, spade or large screwdriver. You don't need to water if the soil is still moist. If your grass springs back when you step on it, it doesn't need water yet.

·         If your lawn does require watering, do so early in the morning or later in the evening, when temperatures are cooler.

·         Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.

·         Water in several short sessions rather than one long one, in order for your lawn to better absorb moisture and avoid runoff.

·         Use a broom or blower instead of a hose to clean leaves and other debris from your driveway or sidewalk.

·         Avoid leaving sprinklers or hoses unattended. A garden hose can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours.

·         In extreme drought, allow lawns to die in favor of preserving trees and large shrubs.

2015 National Preparedness Month

Before a Drought

 

Strategies for drought preparedness focus mainly on water conservation. Make these practices a part of your daily life and help preserve this essential resource.

Indoor Water Conservation Tips Prior to a Drought

GENERAL

·         Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it. For example, use it to water your indoor plants or garden.

·         Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. One drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons of water per year.

·         Check all plumbing for leaks and have any leaks repaired by a plumber.

·         Retrofit all household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors.

·         Install an instant hot water heater on your sink.

·         Insulate your water pipes to reduce heat loss and prevent them from breaking.

·         Install a water-softening system only when the minerals in the water would damage your pipes. Turn the softener off while on vacation.

·         Choose appliances that are more energy and water efficient.

BATHROOM

·         Consider purchasing a low-volume toilet that uses less than half the water of older models. Note: In many areas, low-volume units are required by law.

·         Install a toilet displacement device to cut down on the amount of water needed to flush. Place a one-gallon plastic jug of water into the tank to displace toilet flow (do not use a brick, it may dissolve and loose pieces may cause damage to the internal parts). Be sure installation does not interfere with the operating parts.

·         Replace your showerhead with an ultra-low-flow version.

KITCHEN

·         Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing of food waste or simply dispose of food in the garbage. (Kitchen sink disposals require a lot of water to operate properly).

Outdoor Water Conservation Tips Prior to a Drought

GENERAL

·         Check your well pump periodically. If the automatic pump turns on and off while water is not being used, you have a leak.

·         Plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs, and trees. Once established, plants adapted to your local climate do not need water as frequently and usually will survive a dry period without watering. Small plants require less water to become established. Group plants together based on similar water needs.

·         Install irrigation devices that are the most water efficient for each use, such as micro and drip irrigation, and soaker hoses.

·         Use mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulch also helps control weeds that compete with landscape plants for water.

·         Avoid purchasing recreational water toys that require a constant stream of water.

·         Avoid installing ornamental water features (such as fountains) unless they use re-circulated water.

·         Consider rainwater harvesting where practical.

·         Contact your local water provider for information and assistance.

LAWN CARE

·         Position sprinklers so water lands on the lawn and shrubs and not on paved areas.

·         Repair sprinklers that spray a fine mist. Most misting issues result from a pressure problem, properly regulating pressure in an irrigation system will prevent misting.

·         Check sprinkler systems and timing devices regularly to be sure they operate properly.

·         Raise the lawn mower blade to at least three inches or to its highest level. A higher cut encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system, and holds soil moisture.

·         Plant drought-resistant lawn seed. Reduce or eliminate lawn areas that are not used frequently.

·         Avoid over-fertilizing your lawn. Applying fertilizer increases the need for water. Apply fertilizers that contain slow-release, water-insoluble forms of nitrogen.

·         Choose a water-efficient irrigation system such as drip irrigation for your trees, shrubs, and flowers.

·         Turn irrigation down in fall and off in winter. Water manually in winter only if needed.

·         Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation and keep the soil cool. Organic mulch also improves the soil and prevents weeds.

·         Invest in a weather-based irrigation controller—or a smart controller. These devices will automatically adjust the watering time and frequency based on soil moisture, rain, wind, and evaporation and transpiration rates. Check with your local water agency to see if there is a rebate available for the purchase of a smart controller.

POOL

·         Install a new water-saving pool filter. A single back flushing with a traditional filter uses 180 to 250 gallons of water.

·         Cover pools and spas to reduce evaporation of water.

2015 National Preparedness Month

Dealing with High Wind from Ready.gov

Injuries from High Wind in the News
A nine-year-old boy was playing goalie during soccer practice when a large wind gust blew the soccer goal on top of him. The soccer goal had been moved recently and was not re-staked into the ground to safely anchor it. The falling goalpost fractured the young boy’s leg and resulted in six months of hospitalization and over four months of therapy before he regained left leg function.
Upredictable: The Dangers of High Winds
The incident with the soccer goal is just one of the many accidents caused by wind gusts. Failure to monitor the weather and prepare for high winds can result in both severe injury and property damage. Severe winds can cause tree branches and limbs to fall, knock over structures like soccer goals and playground equipment, and affect a wide variety of temporary outdoor structures. Recently, extremely high winds during the Indiana State Fair resulted in the collapse of a large outdoor stage that claimed the lives of five people and injured many more. Read more about these 5 Avoidable Deaths at the Indiana State Fair.
Preparing for Strong Wind Gusts
Severe wind storms are dangerous and difficult to predict with some gusts coming with little or no warning, but if you follow a few simple safety tips you can greatly reduce the amount of damage a wind storm can cause.
Monitor the Weather for Severe Storms
The best way to keep up-to-date on weather activity in your area is to monitor a battery powered (in case of power loss) NOAA Weather Radio. These radios continually broadcast weather information pertaining to your specific area. If a NOAA Weather Radio is not available, the weather can also easily be monitored through television, radio, or even cell phones. If there are thunderstorm warnings or if the sky looks ominous, it is important to immediately check the weather. Responding quickly to warnings is the most important step in keeping people and property safe.
Bring Loose Items Indoors
If the forecast calls for high winds in your area it is important to gather loose objects and safely store them indoors. Objects left outside in wind storms can pose two dangers. They can either become projectiles and potentially injure people and property, or the objects themselves can be lost, damaged, or ruined. It is important to remember that nothing is more important than the safety of people so objects should only be brought indoors if it is safe to do so.
Secure Large Outdoor Objects
Some objects will simply be too big to safely bring indoors in the event of high winds, but even if they are too large to bring in they can still be affected by wind. As seen in the Reality Alert, the soccer goal could not have realistically been brought inside, but someone should have anchored and secured them properly. Other objects to consider include signs, tables, chairs, large umbrellas, play structures, watercrafts, garbage cans, and much more. There are many ways to safely secure these objects including weights, ropes, chains, and stakes.
Close and Secure Doors and Windows
Closing windows and doors is a simple step that can be easily forgotten while everyone is securing objects, collecting their belongings, and heading indoors. Open windows can result in water damage or broken glass. If there are shutters it is important to close them. Also, close and secure doors since strong winds can easily rip them from hinges.
Make Sure All Vendors are Responsible for their Property
It is easy to make sure you and your staff safely get everyone indoors or to a shelter and secure all of your things, but what happens when rented equipment is left unattended by its operators? It is important to only work with reputable vendors who operate their own equipment and have certificates of insurance. Consider the following real-life story:
Inflatable Bounce House Blows Away
An inflatables vendor recently set up a bounce house for an organization even though forecasts called for winds of 35 mph and the manufacturer’s manual stated to not use in winds over 25 mph. The high winds resulted in the structures becoming airborne with several children inside and then being dragged along the ground severely injuring over a dozen people.

KLAMATH COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION WILFIRE SEASON DAILY UPDATE/FORECAST FOR AIR QUALITY

 

The Air Quality outlook for today Thursday  September 10, 2015, from 8:00 am until 8:00 am Friday September 10, 2015 is forecasted to be “Good to Low Moderate””, meaning good air quality, however some people may be unusually sensitive to particle pollution and may need to take precautions if the air quality reaches moderate levels. After 5:00 pm today moderate levels of smoke are forecasted to come into Klamath County from several Northern California Fires and the Crater Lake Fires in Oregon. Our forecasted mixing heights after 5:00 pm are expected to drop down to low levels. This may result in an inversion, and bring our Air Quality to Moderate levels of pollution in the evening and through early morning hours.

Weather conditions and smoke levels can vary dramatically during wildfires, not only from one day to the next but on an hourly basis. Smoke may also impact one portion of a community but not another.

2015 National Preparedness Month

Before Winter Storms and Extreme Cold

To prepare for a winter storm you should do the following:

·         Before winter approaches, add the following supplies to your emergency kit:

o    Rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency for a complete list of recommended products.

o    Sand to improve traction.

o    Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.

o    Sufficient heating fuel. You may become isolated in your home and regular fuel sources may be cut off. Store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.

o    Adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm.

·         Make a Family Communications Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency.

·         A NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts alerts and warnings directly from the NWS for all hazards. You may also sign up in advance to receive notifications from your local emergency services.
Download FEMA’s Be Smart. Know Your Alerts and Warnings for a summary of notifications at: www.ready.gov/prepare. Free smart phone apps, such as those available from FEMA and the American Red Cross, provide information about finding shelters, providing first aid, and seeking assistance for recovery.

·         Minimize travel. If travel is necessary, keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle.

·         Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water.

Extreme Heat

Heat kills by pushing the human body beyond its limits. In extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature.

Most heat disorders occur because the victim has been overexposed to heat or has over-exercised for his or her age and physical condition. Older adults, young children and those who are sick or overweight are more likely to succumb to extreme heat.

Conditions that can induce heat-related illnesses include stagnant atmospheric conditions and poor air quality. Consequently, people living in urban areas may be at greater risk from the effects of a prolonged heat wave than those living in rural areas. Also, asphalt and concrete store heat longer and gradually release heat at night, which can produce higher nighttime temperatures known as the "urban heat island effect."

A heat wave is an extended period of extreme heat, and is often accompanied by high humidity. These conditions can be dangerous and even life-threatening for humans who don't take the proper precautions.

 

Before Extreme Heat

To prepare for extreme heat, you should:

·         To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.

·         Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate if necessary.

·         Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.

·         Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.

·         Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in.

·         Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. (Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.)

·         Keep storm windows up all year.

·         Listen to local weather forecasts and stay aware of upcoming temperature changes.

·         Know those in your neighborhood who are elderly, young, sick or overweight. They are more likely to become victims of excessive heat and may need help.

·         Be aware that people living in urban areas may be at greater risk from the effects of a prolonged heat wave than are people living in rural areas.

Get trained in first aid to learn how to treat heat-related emergencies