Flooding - Be Prepared

According to the National Weather Service, there were 53 fatalities and 26 injuries caused by flooding in the U.S. in 2009. In order to be prepared both at work and at home, be sure to do the following:

• Get an Emergency Supply Kit which includes items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. You may want to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car.
• Make a Family Emergency 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.
• Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a flood hazard:
• Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information
• Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
• Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.

Be Safe,
Julie

Drive Safely: School's in Session

All public and private schools are finally back in session after a warm, fun-filled summer. Did you know that 10-25% of the more than 14 million unintentional injuries sustained by children 14 and under each year occur in and around school*? My oldest started first grade last week, and like all of us with kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, and young neighbors, I have a vested interest in seeing him arrive home safely. With that in mind, here are some reminders:

• Anticipate more traffic congestion if you drive early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Allow extra time to get to work, appointments, etc.
• Obey bus laws! if you are not sure you know them check online for a refresher. The most important rule is do not pass a school bus in either direction until red (or yellow - which is signaling it is about to turn red) lights and signals are turned off.
• Anticipate sudden stops and children behaving unpredictably at school bus stops. Slow down in these areas and around schools, keep alert, and watch for kids darting into traffic
• Speed limits may change in school zones while school is in session. Be aware.
• Keep your cool! There will be more inexperienced drivers on the road and traffic conditions in general will be less predictable at certain times of the day.

Be safe,
Julie