Viewer Tip: This is the perfect time to make a family disaster plan. NOAA’s National Hurricane Center offers these tips for creating your family disaster plan:

• Discuss the types of hazards that could affect your home and check your insurance coverage. Many home insurance policies do not cover flood damage.
• Learn evacuation routes for your community and choose a meeting place for family members. Designate an out-of-state friend or family member as a point of contact for all family members in case you are separated.
• Choose a safe room in your home in case you have to shelter in place. Put together a disaster supply kit. For a list of items to include in your kit, visit www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/prepare/supply_kit.shtml.
• Make a plan for pets in the event of evacuation. Most shelters will not allow pets.
• Have a NOAA Weather Radio handy to listen for weather information and warnings.

Learn more about National Hurricane Preparedness Week at www.nhc.noaa.gov/outreach/prepared_week.shtml.

Viewer Tip: The best way to stay safe during extremely cold weather is to limit your time outdoors and dress appropriately. Adults and kids should wear a hat, gloves or mittens, layered, long-sleeved clothing, and a water-resistant, warm jacket. Use a scarf or knit mask to cover your face and mouth. When you’re outside, watch for signals of heat-loss – persistent shivering is a sign that you should head inside. Don’t forget to bring pets inside, too.

Season: Winter

(Sources: NOAA National Weather Service. “Wind Chill Terms and Definitions.” http://www.weather.gov/os/windchill/windchillglossary.shtml; NOAA NWS. “NWS Windchill Chart.” http://www.weather.gov/os/windchill/index.shtml; Centers for Disease Control. “Extreme Cold: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety.” http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/pdf/cold_guide.pdf)

Viewer Tip: According to the Institute for Business and Home Safety, pruning trees on your property can go a long way in preventing future damage.  It also helps to keep trees disease-free and healthy.  You can ask a professional to prune trees or you can do it yourself.  Visit www.disastersafety.org/projects/?id=1255&category=1068 for tips on properly pruning trees.  You’ll also find tips for caring for damaged trees after a storm.

Season: Winter

(Source: Institute for Business and Home Safety. “Severe Winter Weather – Tree Damage: Trim Your Risk.” http://www.disastersafety.org/projects/?id=1255&category=1068)

Viewer Tip: You can protect your home and property from wind damage with these simple tips:

• Bring backyard items, like patio furniture, garbage cans and children’s toys, inside when high winds are in the forecast.
• Keep trees and shrubs trimmed. Remove dead, diseased or damaged branches.
• If you live an in area that frequently experiences high winds, consider replacing rock and gravel landscaping with shredded materials, like wood mulch.

Find more tips for protecting your property from wind damage at the Institute for Business and Home Safety’s DisasterSafety.org: www.disastersafety.org/main.asp?id=1187

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(Source: Institute for Business and Home Safety. “High Winds: Surroundings – Protect Your Yard.” http://www.disastersafety.org/projects/?id=1901&category=1187)

Viewer Tip: Prepare your property for high winds by making sure your home and belongings are secure.

• Bring lawn furniture, outdoor decorations, trash cans, potted and hanging plants, and any other items that might be picked up by wind inside.
• Secure your home by closing windows and doors.  Close hurricane shutters if you have them.
• Be prepared for power outages – have a flash light, water and non-perishable food on hand.
• If you live in a mobile home, consider moving to a more substantial shelter to stay safe.

Seasons: Summer, Fall

(Sources: American Red Cross. “Talking about Disaster: Guide for Standarad Messages.” Available from: www.redcross.org. National Weather Service, www.nws.noaa.gov)

Viewer Tip: This is the perfect time to make a family disaster plan. NOAA’s National Hurricane Center offers these tips for creating your family disaster plan:

• Discuss the types of hazards that could affect your home and check your insurance coverage. Many home insurance policies do not cover flood damage.
• Learn evacuation routes for your community and choose a meeting place for family members. Designate an out-of-state friend or family member as a point of contact for all family members in case you are separated.
• Choose a safe room in your home in case you have to shelter in place. Put together a disaster supply kit. For a list of items to include inyour kit, visit www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/prepare/supply_kit.shtml.
• Make a plan for pets in the event of evacuation. Most shelters will not allow pets.
• Have a NOAA Weather Radio handy to listen for weather information and warnings.

Find these and additional preparedness tips at www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/disaster_prevention.shtml.

Learn more about National Hurricane Preparedness Week at www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml.

Viewer Tip: Consider building or updating your family emergency preparedness kit this week.  Having supplies set aside will help ensure you and your family stay safe should severe weather occur in your community. Some of the items that should be included in an emergency kit are:

• First-aid kit
• Extra prescription medications, glasses, hearing aids and other important medical supplies
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Battery-operated radio and NOAA Weather Radio
• A 3-day supply of non-perishable food and one gallon of bottled water per person per day
• Coolers for food/ice, paper plates, plastic utensils, a can opener and a knife
• Tools such as a fire extinguisher, duct tape and rope
• Blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and extra clothing
• Toiletries and personal hygiene supplies
• Don’t forget to plan for pets! They will need food, water and medication, too.

Find a family emergency kit checklist and other Severe Weather Awareness resources at http://www.mcready.org/info.html and http://www.srh.weather.gov/oun/?n=swaw.

Season: Winter

(Source: Norman, OK National Weather Service Forecast Office.  “Oklahoma Severe Weather Awareness.” http://www.srh.weather.gov/oun/?n=swaw)

Viewer Tip: Consider building or updating your family emergency preparedness kit this week.  Having supplies set aside will help ensure you and your family stay safe should severe weather occur in your community. Some of the items that should be included in an emergency kit are:

• First-aid kit
• Extra prescription medications, glasses, hearing aids and other important medical supplies
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Battery-operated radio and NOAA Weather Radio
• A 3-day supply of non-perishable food and one gallon of bottled water per person per day
• Coolers for food/ice, paper plates, plastic utensils, a can opener and a knife
• Tools such as a fire extinguisher, duct tape and rope
• Blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and extra clothing
• Toiletries and personal hygiene supplies
• Don’t forget to plan for pets! They will need food, water and medication, too.

Find a family emergency kit checklist and other Severe Weather Awareness resources at http://gohsep.la.gov/.

Season: Winter

(Source: Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness. “Emergency Kit.” http://www.getagameplan.org/planFamily.htm)

Viewer Tip: Consider building or updating your family emergency preparedness kit this week.  Having supplies set aside will help ensure you and your family stay safe should severe weather occur in your community. Some of the items that should be included in an emergency kit are:

• First-aid kit
• Extra prescription medications, glasses, hearing aids and other important medical supplies
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Battery-operated radio and NOAA Weather Radio
• A 3-day supply of non-perishable food and one gallon of bottled water per person per day
• Coolers for food/ice, paper plates, plastic utensils, a can opener and a knife
• Tools such as a fire extinguisher, duct tape and rope
• Blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and extra clothing
• Toiletries and personal hygiene supplies
• Don’t forget to plan for pets! They will need food, water and medication, too.

Find a family emergency kit checklist from the American Red Cross at: http://6l3zyr.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_3_,00.html.

Season: Winter

(Sources: NOAA National Weather Service, Office of Climate, Water and Weather Services. “Severe Weather Events Calendar.” http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/severeweather/severewxcal.shtml; American Red Cross. “Disaster Supplies Kit.” http://6l3zyr.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_3_,00.html)

Viewer Tip: Consider building or updating your family emergency preparedness kit this week.  Having supplies set aside will help ensure you and your family stay safe should severe weather occur in your community. Some of the items that should be included in an emergency kit are:

• First-aid kit
• Extra prescription medications, glasses, hearing aids and other important medical supplies
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Battery-operated radio and NOAA Weather Radio
• A 3-day supply of non-perishable food and one gallon of bottled water per person per day
• Coolers for food/ice, paper plates, plastic utensils, a can opener and a knife
• Tools such as a fire extinguisher, duct tape and rope
• Blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and extra clothing
• Toiletries and personal hygiene supplies
• Don’t forget to plan for pets! They will need food, water and medication, too.

Find a family emergency kit checklist from the American Red Cross at: http://6l3zyr.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_3_,00.html.

Season: Winter

(Sources: NOAA National Weather Service, Office of Climate, Water and Weather Services. “Severe Weather Events Calendar.” http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/severeweather/severewxcal.shtml; American Red Cross. “Disaster Supplies Kit.” http://6l3zyr.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_3_,00.html

Viewer Tip: Consider building or updating your family emergency preparedness kit this week.  Having supplies set aside will help ensure you and your family stay safe should severe weather occur in your community. Some of the items that should be included in an emergency kit are:

• First-aid kit
• Extra prescription medications, glasses, hearing aids and other important medical supplies
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Battery-operated radio and NOAA Weather Radio
• A 3-day supply of non-perishable food and one gallon of bottled water per person per day
• Coolers for food/ice, paper plates, plastic utensils, a can opener and a knife
• Tools such as a fire extinguisher, duct tape and rope
• Blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and extra clothing
• Toiletries and personal hygiene supplies
• Don’t forget to plan for pets! They will need food, water and medication, too.

Find a family emergency kit checklist from the American Red Cross at: http://6l3zyr.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_3_,00.html.

Season: Winter

(Sources: NOAA National Weather Service, Office of Climate, Water and Weather Services. “Severe Weather Events Calendar.” http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/severeweather/severewxcal.shtml; American Red Cross. “Disaster Supplies Kit.” http://6l3zyr.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_3_,00.html)

Viewer Tip: Consider building or updating your family emergency preparedness kit this week.  Having supplies set aside will help ensure you and your family stay safe should severe weather occur in your community. Some of the items that should be included in an emergency kit are:

• First-aid kit
• Extra prescription medications, glasses, hearing aids and other important medical supplies
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Battery-operated radio and NOAA Weather Radio
• A 3-day supply of non-perishable food and one gallon of bottled water per person per day
• Coolers for food/ice, paper plates, plastic utensils, a can opener and a knife
• Tools such as a fire extinguisher, duct tape and rope
• Blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and extra clothing
• Toiletries and personal hygiene supplies
• Don’t forget to plan for pets! They will need food, water and medication, too.

Find a family emergency kit checklist and other Severe Weather Awareness resources at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/pages/weather_aware_severe.htm.

Season: Winter

(Source: Texas Department of Public Safety. “Severe Weather Awareness.” http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/pages/weather_aware_severe.htm)

Viewer Tip: Luckily, there are some easy ways to keep your garden plants from getting “blown away.” One way is to install a fence around your garden.  Lattice fences allow sunlight to pass through but offer protection by breaking-down wind that passes through the openings.  Living fences, made up of shrubs, brush or trees, can also work as attractive wind breaks.  You may also want to apply mulch in garden beds and around trees to prevent wind and rain erosion.  Straw mulch and netting can reduce soil erosion and keep seeds in place.

Seasons: Spring, Summer

(Sources: Woodson, M. Gomestic. “Garden by the Elements: Wind.” 2009. http://www.gomestic.com/Gardening/Garden-by-the-Elements-Wind.588267; Nabhan, Gary P. Lisarayner.com. “Growing Food in the Southwest Mountains: Table of Contents.” 2009. http://www.lisarayner.com/grow_%20food_bk/GFcontents.htm; USDA National Research Conservation Service. “Straw Mulching.” 2000. http://lamar.colostate.edu/~rmoench/mulch.pdf)

Viewer Tip: National Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 24-30, 2009.  Be prepared before hurricane season arrives.

• Make an emergency evacuation plan prior to June 1.
• Find out if your home meets current building code requirements for high winds.  If not, consider making some improvements to your home.  Visit the National Hurricane Center’s “Retrofitting Your Home” Web site for more information: www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/retrofit/secure_home.shtml.
• Determine if you live in a flood zone.  Visit www.floodsmart.gov for more information.

Learn more about National Hurricane Preparedness Week: www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml.

Seasons: Summer, Fall

(Source: National Hurricane Preparedness Week:  http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml)

Viewer Tip: These simple tips can help you protect your health and air quality when a dust storm occurs.

• Avoid outdoor physical activity during a dust storm if you can.  If you must go outside, cover your nose and mouth with a wet face cloth, bandanna or other material to prevent inhaling dust.
• Close windows and doors to keep dust out of your home.  In the car, switch the air conditioning mode to “recirculate” to minimize the amount of dust entering your vehicle.
• Avoid activities that may release additional air pollutants in your area, such as running gas-powered lawn equipment, using a fireplace or burning trash.

Seasons: Spring, Summer

(Sources: NOAA National Weather Service. Phoenix forecast, April 3, 2009. www.nws.noaa.gov; Pinal County. “Dust Storms and Monsoon Season.” http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/AirQuality/Pages/DustStorms.aspx)

Viewer Tip: Protect your home from wind damage. Keeping large, healthy trees can increase home protection by almost 40 percent, compared to a home with no trees around it. Check roof tiles and shingles, air conditioners and other fixtures attached to the home to ensure that they are well attached and not in danger of becoming wind-blown hazards. All vents on your home roof should be sealed and properly bolted down. A roofing consultant can help you evaluate the condition of your roof.

Outside, swing sets and children’s play equipment should be properly secured so they are not at risk of being damaged or blown away. Keeping your yard picked up will decrease the chance of your home being struck by flying debris.

Season: Spring

(Sources: New Mexico State University Weather Center, weather.nmsu.edu; New Mexico State University’s Agricultural Science Centers at Clovis and Tucumcari NMSU Science Center tracks potential for wind energy generation, www.nmsu.edu/news.html; Property Protection Checklist, emd.wa.gov/about/documents/Business_PropProtect_Checklist.doc)

Viewer Tip: As you clean up and rebuild, remember that there are ways to retrofit your property so that it will better withstand hurricane conditions, should they occur again.

• Roof: Bracing gabled roofs will prevent collapse or significant damage.  Replace missing shingles, and make sure that roof shingles are properly bonded together.
• Shutters: Installing impact-resistant shutters over large windows and glass doors can protect from wind-borne objects and reduce damage.  If you are installing new windows, laminated window systems, which are made of plastic bonded to glass, are a good choice.
• Garage Door: Double-wide garage doors are more susceptible to damage from wind than single-sized doors.  You can check with your local government building official to see if there are code requirements for your garage door.  Your local home improvement store or garage door retailer may be able to provide you with a retrofit kit for your garage door model.  Adding bracing and heavier hinges to your garage door can help prevent damage.

Find more information about these topics and other retrofitting ideas from NOAA’s National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/retrofit/secure_home.shtml.

Seasons: Summer, Fall
 
(Sources: NOAA National Hurricane Center. “Secure Your Home: Retrofitting Your Home.” http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/retrofit/secure_home.shtml)

Viewer Tip: Are you prepared. Taking a few simple steps now can help you and your family members stay safe if a natural disaster or other emergency occurs in your area.

• Make an Emergency Kit.  Gather enough supplies for at least three days. Some things to include are water, non-perishable food and can opener, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight, and first aid kit.  Find a complete list of items for your kit: www.ready.gov/america/npm08/getakit.html.
• Make a Family Emergency Plan.  Make sure every family member knows who to contact in an emergency.  Make sure you have planned for older and disabled family members, and pets.  Download a family emergency planner: www.ready.gov/america/makeaplan/index.html.
• Know Your Stuff.  Find out what kinds of natural disasters are likely to occur in your area.  Know evacuation routes and learn about emergency plans developed by your local or state government.

Season: Fall

(Sources: Department of Homeland Security. November 14, 2006. “Homeland Security Launches New Ads to Demonstrate Importance of Family Emergency Planning.”http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1163518483290.shtm; National Preparedness Month 2008. http://www.ready.gov/america/npm08/intro.html)

Viewer Tip: When the water goes down, keep these tips in mind to assess damage and begin clean-up activities safely:

• Pay close attention to your local media for information on areas of your community that are not safe. Do not enter any neighborhood or building that officials have deemed unsafe.
• Use Common Sense. Flood waters can weaken building foundations, damage electrical systems, and may contain bacteria or viruses that can make you sick.  Winds have downed power lines, and broken trees and windows.  If you have technical questions or are not sure about the safety of your home or building, call a professional for help.  Many cities impacted by storms will set up help lines for residents.
• When you enter any area affected by the storm, use extreme caution.
  • Wear sturdy shoes to avoid cut feet – a common injury during clean-up activities. 
  • Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights.  Check for fire hazards, such as broken gas lines or damaged electrical wires and appliances.
  • Check walls, stairs, doors, windows, and foundation for damage, and leave immediately if the building appears unstable.
  • Check for sewage or water line damage.  If you suspect damage, avoid using the plumbing, and do not use tap water.
  • Keep an eye out for animals, who have also been displaced from their homes.  Snakes and rodents may be hiding in flood waters or confined areas.
    Learn more about flood clean-up and safety from the American Red Cross.  Visit www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_570_,00.html.

Seasons: Summer, Fall

(Sources: The American Red Cross and National Disaster Coalition. “Repairing Your Flooded Home.” http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_570_,00.html)

Viewer Tip: Keep these tips in mind to stay safe after tornado damage has occurred.

• Listen to your local media or NOAA Weather Radio for updates and information about storm impacts, road closures, and safety instructions.
• If you left your home, listen to instructions from local authorities.  Only return when they say it is safe.
• Watch for fallen power lines or broken gas lines – don’t touch them, and report them to your local utility immediately.
• Stay away from damaged buildings, which may not be safe.
• When performing clean-up activities, wear long sleeves and pants, and sturdy shoes.  One of the most common injuries after a disaster is cut feet.
• Check walls, floors, staircases, doors, and windows for damage to make sure your home or building is not in danger of collapsing.  Use a flashlight to inspect your home, never use candles.
• Check for fire hazards (damage to electrical systems, spilled flammable liquids) and gas leaks.

Learn more about tornados, preparedness, and clean-up in the National Disaster Education Coalition’s “Talking About Disaster” Guide: www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/code/tornadoes.pdf.  

Season: Spring

(Sources: National Disaster Education Coalition, Washington, DC. 2004. “Talking About Disaster: Guide for Standard Messages.” http://www.disastereducation.org/)