Week 2 of NCSAM – Cybersecurity in the Workplace is Everyone’s Business

This month marks the 14th annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month and the 7th anniversary of the STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ campaign! 

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month which is an annual campaign to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. The Internet touches almost all aspects of everyone’s daily life, whether we realize it or not. National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) is designed to engage and educate public and private sector partners through events and initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity, provide them with tools and resources needed to stay safe online, and increase the resiliency of the Nation in the event of a cyber incident.

Weekly Themes

NCSAM 2017 will focus on a different cybersecurity issue for each week in October. 

• Week 1: October 2-6 – STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Simple Steps to Online Safety.
• Week 2: October 9-13 – Cybersecurity in the Workplace is Everyone’s Business
  This week's focus: Whatever your place of business ‒ whether it’s a large or small organization, healthcare provider, academic institution or government agency – creating a culture of cybersecurity from the breakroom to the board room is essential and a shared responsibility among all employees.
  
  (We'll expand on these next few weeks' themes in upcoming blogs.)
• Week 3: October 16-20 – Today’s Predictions for Tomorrow’s Internet
• Week 4: October 23-27 – The Internet Wants YOU: Consider a Career in Cybersecurity
• Week 5: October 30-31 – Protecting Critical Infrastructure from Cyber Threats

REMEMBER: All of us have a role in securing our part of cyberspace, including the devices and networks we use. Use this month's focus on cyber security to jump-start your efforts at keeping our cyberspace safe and secure all year long.

Visit these cyber resources for comprehensive guidance on maintaining your personal and business cyber security:

• StaySafeOnline.Org
   - https://staysafeonline.org/resources/
• StopThinkConnect.Org
• United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team
• DHS: National Cyber Security Awareness Month Site

Image credit: https://staysafeonline.org/ncsam/

October is the 14th National Cyber Security Awareness Month

This month marks the 14th annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month and the 7th anniversary of the STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ campaign! 

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month which is an annual campaign to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. The Internet touches almost all aspects of everyone’s daily life, whether we realize it or not. National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) is designed to engage and educate public and private sector partners through events and initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity, provide them with tools and resources needed to stay safe online, and increase the resiliency of the Nation in the event of a cyber incident.

Weekly Themes

NCSAM 2017 will focus on a different cybersecurity issue for each week in October. 

• Week 1: October 2-6 – STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Simple Steps to Online Safety.
  This week's focus: All members of the public can take some simple actions to protect themselves online and to recover in the event a cyber incident occurs.  Week 1 will address the top consumer cybersecurity concerns, provide simple steps to protect against these concerns, and help the public understand what to do if they fall victim to cybercrime.
  
  (We'll expand on these next few weeks' themes in upcoming blogs.)
• Week 2: October 9-13 – Cybersecurity in the Workplace is Everyone’s Business
• Week 3: October 16-20 – Today’s Predictions for Tomorrow’s Internet
• Week 4: October 23-27 – The Internet Wants YOU: Consider a Career in Cybersecurity
• Week 5: October 30-31 – Protecting Critical Infrastructure from Cyber Threats

REMEMBER: All of us have a role in securing our part of cyberspace, including the devices and networks we use. Use this month's focus on cyber security to jump-start your efforts at keeping our cyberspace safe and secure all year long.

Visit these cyber resources for comprehensive guidance on maintaining your personal and business cyber security:

• StaySafeOnline.Org
   - https://staysafeonline.org/resources/
• StopThinkConnect.Org
• United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team
• DHS: National Cyber Security Awareness Month Site

Image credit: https://staysafeonline.org/ncsam/

October: National Cyber Security Awareness Month

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month!

This October marks the 13th annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month! 

National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) is designed to engage and educate public and private sector partners through events and initiatives to raise awareness about cyber security, provide them with tools and resources needed to stay safe online, and increase the resiliency of the Nation in the event of a cyber incident.

Weekly Themes

NCSAM 2016 will focus on a different cybersecurity issue for each week in October. 

• Week 1: Oct. 3-7: STOP. THINK. CONNECT.: The Basic Steps to Online Safety and Security
• Week 2: Oct. 10-14: From the Break Room to the Boardroom: Creating a Culture of Cybersecurity in the Workplace
• Week 3: Oct. 17-21: Recognizing and Combating Cybercrime
• Week 4: Oct. 24-28: Our Continuously Connected Lives: What’s Your “Apptitude”?
• Week 5: Oct. 31: Building Resilience in Critical Systems

REMEMBER: All of us have a role in securing our part of cyberspace, including the devices and networks we use. Use this month's focus on cyber security to jump-start your efforts at keeping our cyberspace safe and secure all year long.

Visit these cyber resources for comprehensive guidance on maintaining your personal and business cyber security:

• StaySafeOnline.Org
   - staysafeonline.org/ncsam/resources/
• StopThinkConnect.Org
• United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team
• DHS: National Cyber Security Awareness Month Site
• National Cyber Security Awareness Month article by www.business2community.com

Image credit: http://staysafeonline.org/ 

Emergency Tips: Catching up with Do1Thing.com's Prep Tasks

Being prepared for disasters and emergencies can seem like a big job. Many people don't know where to start, so they never start at all. With Do 1 Thing you can take small steps that make a big difference in an emergency.

Unfortunately, I've been so focused on my Air National Guard responsibilities over the summer that I've neglected this blog. This post will catch us up on all the outstanding monthly tips from Do1Thing.Com. I promise to post much more frequently going forward!

Here are the recent monthly Do1Thing.Com topic pages that I recommend you review:

• July: Family Communication Plan
   - Make sure you have multiple ways to communicate with your family and friends. Let your family know your plans for staying in touch during an event. See my previous post on this topic.
• August: Get Involved
   - Connect with your neighbors and look to volunteer in your community.
• September: Be Informed
   - Be aware of upcoming emergencies and know how to gather information during an event.
• October: Power
   - How to better prepare for power loss and how to safely deal with power loss when it occurs.

Be sure to visit all the monthly Do 1 Thing topic pages for fact sheets, videos and additional resources on ensuring your family gets the correct emergency information.

Background

Do 1 Thing is a web-based, twelve-month preparedness program that focuses on a different area of emergency preparedness each month. Remember: emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.

It’s as easy as:

1. Click on this month’s topic
2. Select one of the easy “Tasks”
3. Do that one thing!

So visit http://do1thing.com/ today and get started preparing yourself, your family, and your community right now!

Please see my January 2015 post about the entire Do 1 Thing program for additional information.

Image credit: Do1Thing.Com

Emergency Tip: June's Do1Thing.com Prep Task - Unique Family Needs

GOAL FOR JUNE: Be aware of and prepare for your family’s unique needs.

Do1Thing.Com's Goal for June: Make sure your family's unique medical, physical and pet needs are covered during a possible emergency.

Below is a list of things the Do1Thing team recommends you can do to achieve your goal this month.
Choose at least one, and complete it!

• Talk with family members to identify your household’s unique needs.
• Make a plan to make sure pets are taken care of in a disaster.
• If you or someone in your household has a disability, create an evacuation plan that works for them.

Visit this month’s Do 1 Thing topic page for fact sheets, videos and additional resources on ensuring your family gets the correct emergency information.


Background

Do 1 Thing is a web-based, twelve-month preparedness program that focuses on a different area of emergency preparedness each month. Remember: emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.

It’s as easy as:

1. Click on this month’s topic
2. Select one of the easy “Tasks”
3. Do that one thing!

So visit http://do1thing.com/ today and get started preparing yourself, your family, and your community right now!

Please see my January 2015 post about the entire Do 1 Thing program for additional information.

Image credit: Do1Thing.Com

Emergency Tip: May's Do1Thing.com Prep Task - Work, School and Community

Do1Thing.Com's Goal for May: Make sure your Work, School and Community are prepared for emergencies.

Below is a list of things the Do1Thing team recommends you can do to achieve your goal this month.
Choose at least one, and complete it!

• Make sure emergency procedures are in place for your workplace or school.
• Give emergency kits to people who count on you (college students, elderly parents, etc.).
• Know how others in your community will respond in a disaster.

Visit this month’s Do 1 Thing topic page for fact sheets, videos and additional resources on ensuring your family gets the correct emergency information.


Background

Do 1 Thing is a web-based, twelve-month preparedness program that focuses on a different area of emergency preparedness each month. Remember: emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.

It’s as easy as:

1. Click on this month’s topic
2. Select one of the easy “Tasks”
3. Do that one thing!

So visit http://do1thing.com/ today and get started preparing yourself, your family, and your community right now!

Please see my January 2015 post about the entire Do 1 Thing program for additional information.

Image credit: Do1Thing.Com

Emergency Tip: April's Do1Thing.com Prep Task - Food

Do1Thing.Com's Goal for April: Make sure your family has enough food on hand for an emergency.

Below is a list of things the Do1Thing team recommends you can do to achieve your goal this month.
Choose at least one, and complete it!

• Buy a three-day emergency food supply for your household. You don't have to buy an extra three-day supply all at once - buy a little extra each week and shortly you'll have enough! (Also don't forget extra food for your pets.)
• Take steps to make sure food in your refrigerator and freezer will stay safe. Really watch the temperature of your refrigerator and freezer during a power outage. Cook and eat perishable foods first, saving the canned and dry food for later during an emergency.
• Make sure you can meet any special dietary needs in your household. If your family members need special foods or have food allergies, make sure you have enough of the proper ingredients and take the required preparation equipment if you have to evacuate.

Visit this month’s Do 1 Thing topic page for fact sheets, videos and additional resources on ensuring your family gets the correct emergency information.


Background

Do 1 Thing is a web-based, twelve-month preparedness program that focuses on a different area of emergency preparedness each month. Remember: emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.

It’s as easy as:

1. Click on this month’s topic
2. Select one of the easy “Tasks”
3. Do that one thing!

So visit http://do1thing.com/ today and get started preparing yourself, your family, and your community right now!

Please see my January 2015 post about the entire Do 1 Thing program for additional information.

Image credit: Do1Thing.Com

Emergency Tip: March's Do1Thing.com Prep Task - Shelter

Do1Thing.Com's Goal for March: Practice what your family would do if they needed to evacuate or shelter-in-place.

Below is a list of things the Do1Thing team recommends you can do to achieve your goal this month.
Choose at least one, and complete it!

• Identify the best storm shelter in your home and practice getting to the shelter with your family.
• Learn how to safely shelter in place.
• Make a Go Bag for emergency sheltering.

Visit this month’s Do 1 Thing topic page for fact sheets, videos and additional resources on ensuring your family gets the correct emergency information.


Background

Do 1 Thing is a web-based, twelve-month preparedness program that focuses on a different area of emergency preparedness each month. Remember: emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.

It’s as easy as:

1. Click on this month’s topic
2. Select one of the easy “Tasks”
3. Do that one thing!

So visit http://do1thing.com/ today and get started preparing yourself, your family, and your community right now!

Please see my January 2015 post about the entire Do 1 Thing program for additional information.

Image credit: Do1Thing.Com

Note: The March emergency planning post unfortunately slipped to April. Look for the actual April article soon along with even more frequent postings in the coming months!

Emergency Tip: February's Do1Thing.com Prep Task - Water

Do1Thing.Com's Goal for February: Prepare sources of drinking water for your family if an emergency occurs.

Below is a list of things the Do1Thing team recommends you can do to achieve your goal this month.
Choose at least one, and complete it!

• Purchase and store a 72-hour supply of commercially bottled water (or more - up to two weeks).
• Bottle a 72-hour supply of water at home.
• Learn how to provide a safe supply of drinking water for your household in a disaster.

Visit this month’s Do 1 Thing topic page for fact sheets, videos and additional resources on ensuring your family gets the correct emergency information.

The LifeStraw Family 1.0 Water Purifier is one example of
a water filter that can take almost any source of fresh water
and make it drinkable.

Portable Water Filters: Another method for families during an emergency is to filter water from sources such as lakes, ponds and streams using a camping water filter (see Amazon for examples). These filters come in all forms: personal straws, hand-held pumps, and family-size models. Most filter systems will produce hundreds of gallons of drinkable water before needing to be serviced.

Background

Do 1 Thing is a web-based, twelve-month preparedness program that focuses on a different area of emergency preparedness each month. Remember: emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.

It’s as easy as:

1. Click on this month’s topic
2. Select one of the easy “Tasks”
3. Do that one thing!

So visit http://do1thing.com/ today and get started preparing yourself, your family, and your community right now!

Please see my January 2015 post about the entire Do 1 Thing program for additional information.

Image credit: Do1Thing.Com

Emergency Tip: January's Do1Thing.com Prep Task - Make A Plan

Do1Thing.Com's Goal for January: Plan ahead for emergencies that may affect your family.

Below is a list of things the Do1Thing team recommends you can do to achieve your goal this month.
Choose at least one, and complete it!

• Make a Plan : Plan what to do if you have to evacuate. 
• Make a Plan : Take steps now to prevent damage to your home in a disaster.
• Make a Plan : Learn what disasters can happen in your area and decide what you will do in a disaster.

Visit this month’s Do 1 Thing topic page for fact sheets, videos and additional resources on ensuring your family gets the correct emergency information.

Background

Do 1 Thing is a web-based, twelve-month preparedness program that focuses on a different area of emergency preparedness each month. Remember: emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.

It’s as easy as:

1. Click on this month’s topic
2. Select one of the easy “Tasks”
3. Do that one thing!

So visit http://do1thing.com/ today and get started preparing yourself, your family, and your community right now!

Please see my January 2015 post about the entire Do 1 Thing program for additional information.

Image credit: Do1Thing.Com

Emergency Tip: December's Do1Thing.com Prep Task - First Aid

Do1Thing.Com's Goal for Decmber: Make sure your family knows what to do while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

Below is a list of things the Do1Thing team recommends you can do to achieve your goal this month.
Choose at least one, and complete it!

• Know what to do while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. Tip: Don't be afraid to call 911 in a medical emergency. Use the speaker-phone mode so that you can help the person in need while at the same time talking to the 911 operator.
• Make or buy first aid kits for your home and car. Tip: When you buy a kit for your home or car, go through it so that you are familiar with all the contents. Don't be afraid to add items if needed. Example: in my car kit, I've added more large gauge bandages, medical tape and more gloves. In a car accident, you're going to need those more than "paper-cut-sized" bandages.
• Take training in first aid, CPR, AED, or pet first aid. Tip: The American Red Cross and many other organizations offer classes that are either free or very low cost. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training also includes first aid training.

Visit this month’s Do 1 Thing topic page for fact sheets, videos and additional resources on ensuring your family gets the correct emergency information.

Background

Do 1 Thing is a web-based, twelve-month preparedness program that focuses on a different area of emergency preparedness each month. Remember: emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.

It’s as easy as:

1. Click on this month’s topic
2. Select one of the easy “Tasks”
3. Do that one thing!

So visit http://do1thing.com/ today and get started preparing yourself, your family, and your community right now!

Please see my January 2015 post about the entire Do 1 Thing program for additional information.

Image credit: Do1Thing.Com

Emergency Tip: November's Do1Thing.com Prep Task - Emergency Supplies

Do1Thing.Com's Goal for November: Make sure your family has the important items that it needs when leaving your home in a disaster.

Below is a list of things the Do1Thing team recommends you can do to achieve your goal this month.
Choose at least one, and complete it!

• Gather your emergency supplies in an accessible place.
• Create an emergency supply kit for your pet, your car, and your workplace or school.
• Stash some cash in case ATMs and credit card machines are not usable in a disaster. 

Visit this month’s Do 1 Thing topic page for fact sheets, videos and additional resources on ensuring your family gets the correct emergency information.

Background

Do 1 Thing is a web-based, twelve-month preparedness program that focuses on a different area of emergency preparedness each month. Remember: emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.

It’s as easy as:

1. Click on this month’s topic
2. Select one of the easy “Tasks”
3. Do that one thing!

So visit http://do1thing.com/ today and get started preparing yourself, your family, and your community right now!

Please see my January 2015 post about the entire Do 1 Thing program for additional information.

Image credit: Do1Thing.Com

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) - Learn What You Can Do to Help Keep Our Internet Secure

National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) is every October and is a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure every American has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online. 2015 marks the 12th year of National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

This year also marks the fifth anniversary of the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. campaign. NCSAM 2015 will highlight the overall message of STOP. THINK. CONNECT. plus the major concepts: “Keep a Clean Machine,” “Protect Your Personal Information,” “Connect with Care,” “Be Web Wise” and “Be a Good Online Citizen.”

Weekly Themes
NCSAM focuses on a different cybersecurity issue for each week in October.

• Week 1: October 1-2 (Materials)
  Five Years of STOP. THINK. CONNECT. – Best Practices for All Digital Citizens
   
• Week 2: October 5-9 (Materials)
  Creating a Culture of Cybersecurity at Work
   
• Week 3: October 12-16 (Materials)
  Connected Communities and Families: Staying Protected While We Are Always Connected
   
• Week 4: October 19-23 
  Your Evolving Digital Life
   
• Week 5: October 26-30Building the Next Generation of Cyber Professionals

Remember, we are all responsible for our cyber security. Visit www.staysafeonline.org/ and their blog @ www.staysafeonline.org/blog/ to learn how you can help your family, community, and business stay safer online.


Image credit: www.staysafeonline.org

Emergency Tip: October's Do1Thing.com Prep Task - Power

Do1Thing.Com's Goal for October: Make sure your family is able to safely meet its basic needs during an electrical outage.

Below is a list of things the Do1Thing team recommends you can do to achieve your goal this month.
Choose at least one, and complete it!

• Have flashlights ready in an easily accessible place and check batteries in flashlights and radios.
• Acquire and learn how to safely use a portable generator.
• Create a power outage plan and decide what you can do before, during and after a power outage to minimize the effect on your household.

Visit this month’s Do 1 Thing topic page for fact sheets, videos and additional resources on ensuring your family gets the correct emergency information.

Background

Do 1 Thing is a web-based, twelve-month preparedness program that focuses on a different area of emergency preparedness each month. Remember: emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.

It’s as easy as:

1. Click on this month’s topic
2. Select one of the easy “Tasks”
3. Do that one thing!

So visit http://do1thing.com/ today and get started preparing yourself, your family, and your community right now!

Please see my January 2015 post about the entire Do 1 Thing program for additional information.

Image credit: Do1Thing.Com

Emergency Tip: September 30th is National PrepareAthon! Day!

September is National Preparedness Month 

 - And today, September 30th, is National PrepareAthon! Day!

From Ready.gov/prepare:

OVERVIEW OF AMERICA’S PREPAREATHON!

America’s PrepareAthon! is a nationwide, community-based campaign for action to increase emergency preparedness and resilience. Each spring and fall, America’s PrepareAthon! will provide a national focus for individuals, organizations, and communities to participate through drills, group discussions, and exercises to practice for local hazards.

Campaign Goals
Increase the number of individuals who:

• Understand which disasters could happen in their community;
• Know what to do to be safe and mitigate damage;
• Take action to increase their preparedness; and
• Participate in community resilience planning.

To learn more about how you can play a role in your community’s preparedness, visit www.ready.gov/prepare. 

For more information on National Preparedness Month, visit Ready.gov/September or follow the campaign on Facebook, at https://www.facebook.com/readygov, on Twitter, at https://twitter.com/Readygov,

Images credit: FEMA.gov

Emergency Tip: Make a Plan for Power Outages during this Fourth Week of National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month 

 - This week's theme from FEMA is Planning for Power Outages!

From Ready.gov:

Before a Power Outage

• Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
• Make sure you have alternative charging methods for your phone or any device that requires power.For more information visit: Get Tech Ready
• Charge cell phones and any battery powered devices.
• Know where the manual release lever of your electric garage door opener is located and how to operate it.
• Purchase ice or freeze water-filled plastic containers to help keep food cold during a temporary power outage.
• Keep your car’s gas tank full-gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.If you use your car to re-charge devices, do NOT keep the car running in a garage, partially enclosed space, or close to a home, this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by visiting your state’s or local website so you can locate the closest cooling and warming shelters.
• If you rely on anything that is battery-operated or power dependent like a medical device determine a back-up plan.For more planning information tips visit: Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities and Others with Access and Functional Needs.

During a Power Outage: Safety Tips

• Only use flashlights for emergency lighting, candles can cause fires.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Most food requiring refrigeration can be kept safely in a closed refrigerator for several hours. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours.For more information about food safety visit our food page.
• Take steps to remain cool if it is hot outside. In intense heat when the power may be off for a long time, consider going to a movie theater, shopping mall or “cooling shelter” that may be open in your community. If you remain at home, move to the lowest level of your home, since cool air falls. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Put on layers of warm clothing if it is cold outside. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors. Never use your oven as a source of heat. If the power may be out for a prolonged period, plan to go to another location (the home of a relative or friend, or a public facility) that has heat to keep warm.
• Turn off or disconnect appliances and other equipment in case of a momentary power “surge” that can damage computers and other devices. Consider adding surge protectors.
• If you are considering purchasing a generator for your home, consult an electrician or engineer before purchasing and installing.
• Only use generators away from your home and NEVER run a generator inside a home or garage, or connect it to your home's electrical system. 

After a Power Outage

• Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or more or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!
• If food in the freezer is colder than 40° F and has ice crystals on it, you can refreeze it.
• Contact your doctor if you’re concerned about medications having spoiled.
• Restock your emergency kit with fresh batteries, canned foods and other supplies.

IMPORTANT: See my post from last year: "It's 9/11 - Do You Have a Family Communications Plan?" for great advice on simple ways your family can stay in touch during an emergency.

For more information visit Ready.gov/September or follow the campaign on Facebook, at https://www.facebook.com/readygov, on Twitter, at https://twitter.com/Readygov,  or for FEMA Region VII, www.twitter.com/femaregion7. For more information about events for America's PrepareAthon throughout September, and for National PrepareAthon! Day information, visit www.ready.gov/prepare.

Images credit: FEMA.gov

Emergency Tip: September's Do1Thing.com Prep Task - Be Informed

Do1Thing.Com's Goal for September: Make sure your family is able to access important information in a timely manner before and during an emergency.

Below is a list of things the Do1Thing team recommends you can do to achieve your goal this month.
Choose at least one, and complete it!

• Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do when they hear emergency warnings.
• Get a NOAA Emergency Alert Radio.
• Make sure everyone in your household can communicate in a disaster.

Visit this month’s Do 1 Thing topic page for fact sheets, videos and additional resources on ensuring your family gets the correct emergency information.

Background

Do 1 Thing is a web-based, twelve-month preparedness program that focuses on a different area of emergency preparedness each month. Remember: emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.

It’s as easy as:

1. Click on this month’s topic
2. Select one of the easy “Tasks”
3. Do that one thing!

So visit http://do1thing.com/ today and get started preparing yourself, your family, and your community right now!

Please see my January 2015 post about the entire Do 1 Thing program for additional information.

Image credit: Do1Thing.Com

Emergency Tip: Make a Plan for Hurricanes during this Third Week of National Preparedness Month

This week's theme from FEMA is Hurricane Prep. 

September is National Preparedness Month 

 - This week's theme from FEMA is Hurricane Preparation and it's hurricane season in the North East!

From FEMA.gov:

What is a hurricane?
Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, and tornadoes. These large storms are called typhoons in the North Pacific Ocean and cyclones in other parts of the world.

Which parts of the U.S. are threatened by hurricanes?
Each year, many parts of the United States experience heavy rains, strong winds, floods, and coastal storm surges from tropical storms and hurricanes. Affected areas include all Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, parts of the Southwest, the Pacific Coast, and the U.S. territories in the Pacific.

When is hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak occurring between mid-August and late October. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season begins May 15 and ends November 30.

Know your risk: 
Do you want to have a better understanding of the hurricane risk you and your community face? Below is a map of the United States and the frequency of hurricane and tropical storm activity by county. Atlantic data dates back to 1851, while Pacific data includes storms since 1949.

See the complete list of hurricane tips at http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

IMPORTANT: See my post from last year: "It's 9/11 - Do You Have a Family Communications Plan?" for great advice on simple ways your family can stay in touch during an emergency.

For more information visit Ready.gov/September or follow the campaign on Facebook, at https://www.facebook.com/readygov, on Twitter, at https://twitter.com/Readygov,  or for FEMA Region VII, www.twitter.com/femaregion7. For more information about events for America's PrepareAthon throughout September, and for National PrepareAthon! Day information, visit www.ready.gov/prepare.

Images credit: FEMA.gov

Emergency Tip: Make a Plan for Wildfires during this Second Week of National Preparedness Month

This week's theme from FEMA is Wildfire Prep. 

September is National Preparedness Month 

 - This week's theme from FEMA is Wildfire Preparation and very timely - see the latest California Wildfires news.

From Ready.gov:

Basic Safety Tips 

• If you see a wildfire and haven't received evacuation orders yet, call 9-1-1. Don't assume that someone else has already called.
• If ordered to evacuate during a wildfire, do it immediately- make sure and tell someone where you are going and when you have arrived.
• Many communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications.To find out what alerts are available in your area, search the Internet with your town, city, or county name and the word “alerts.”
• If you or someone you are with has been burned, call 9-1-1 or seek help immediately; cool and cover burns to reduce chance of further injury or infection.
  

Prepare Your Home

• Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
• Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
• Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
• Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.
  

Before Wildfire season- Make a Wildfire plan

• Know your wildfire risk.
• Make a wildfire emergency plan.
• Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
• Familiarize yourself with local emergency plans. Know where to go and how to get there should you need to get to higher ground, the highest level of a building or to evacuate.
• Stay tuned to your phone alerts, TV, or radio, for weather updates, emergency instructions or evacuation orders.

See the complete list of wildfire tips at http://www.ready.gov/wildfires.

IMPORTANT: See my post from last year: "It's 9/11 - Do You Have a Family Communications Plan?" for great advice on simple ways your family can stay in touch during an emergency.

For more information visit Ready.gov/September or follow the campaign on Facebook, at https://www.facebook.com/readygov, on Twitter, at https://twitter.com/Readygov,  or for FEMA Region VII, www.twitter.com/femaregion7. For more information about events for America's PrepareAthon throughout September, and for National PrepareAthon! Day information, visit www.ready.gov/prepare.

Images credit: FEMA.gov

Emergency Tip: Make a Plan for Floods during this First Week of National Preparedness Month

This week's theme from FEMA is Flood Prep. 

September is National Preparedness Month 

 - This week's theme from FEMA is Flood Preparation. 

Did you know flooding is the most common and costly disaster in the United States? Even here in the NorthEast, flooding is a significant problem, especially during hurricane season and our winter months.

Quoting FEMA:
“Flooding is fresh on the minds of many people in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. With so much flooding during the past few months, it’s a good time to consider the true risk,” said FEMA Region VII Regional Administrator Beth Freeman. “But it’s not enough to simply realize flooding is a real threat for us all. This month, this week, today, we hope everyone will take action to develop and practice a family emergency communication plan for hazards like flooding. This year our theme is, 'Don’t wait. Communicate. Make your emergency plan today.'”

Fewer than half of Americans have taken the time to plan what they will do if there is an emergency. Sitting down and developing a communication plan with loved ones doesn’t cost a thing, but can save a lot if a flood or another disaster impacts you and your family.

IMPORTANT: See my post from last year: "It's 9/11 - Do You Have a Family Communications Plan?" for excellent advice on simple ways for your family to stay in touch during an emergency.

For more information visit Ready.gov/September or follow the campaign on Facebook, at https://www.facebook.com/readygov, on Twitter, at https://twitter.com/Readygov,  or for FEMA Region VII, www.twitter.com/femaregion7. For more information about events for America's PrepareAthon throughout September, and for National PrepareAthon! Day information, visit www.ready.gov/prepare.

Images credit: FEMA.gov