Summer Preparedness Tips
"Please remember that public locations, such as the Hangar at Town Square in Kenmore and Town Center at Lake Forest Park, are open and can provide an air-conditioned break from the heat. Also take extra precautions when working outside, such as scheduling outdoor activities in the early morning or evening, wearing lightweight and loose-fitting clothing, as well as taking frequent breaks in the shade or air-conditioned environments. Anyone who feels overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. If you are experiencing signs of heat stroke, it is an emergency, and you should call 911."
Provided by: Kevin Lowery, NEMCo Emergency Manager
Prepare for the summer heat
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Check that air-conditioners, fans, refrigerators, and freezers are working properly.
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Learn about safe food and medicine storage during hot weather, and especially during and after a power outage.
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Make sure you have the contact details for people who may be able to help if you are in need.
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Make a plan with family, friends and neighbours to keep in contact during hot weather.
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Make sure you have contact details for your general practitioner, pharmacist, or other source of good health advice such as healthdirect.
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Speak to your doctor if you have chronic health conditions or are on regular medications to discuss what to do during hot weather.
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Know where in your local area you may be able to go to get relief from the heat. Places that may be cooler than your home include:
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air-conditioned public buildings such as libraries and shopping centres
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parks with plenty of vegetation and shade.
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If you can, consider any changes you might make to your home to help keep it cooler in hot weather. More information is available at AdaptNSW and Your Home. Changes you can make include:
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installing curtains or blinds on the side of your home that faces the sun to keep it cooler during hot weather
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considering external awnings, shutters or other shading to prevent sun shining on windows
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insulating your home to help reduce the indoor temperature when weather is hot and to maintain warmer temperature when cold.
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During the Summer
Medication can be affected by heat
Any medication that's kept outside of its recommended temperature range can potentially be affected.
Here are some resources:
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Doctors at Baylor College of Medicine say leaving your prescriptions or over-the-counter pain killers in your car can damage their effectiveness.
Heat, medications don't mix - Baylor
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Heat Exhaustion - Heat Stroke
What to know to stay safe, it’s a good idea to be able to recognize the health risks that come along with extreme heat and what you can do to help others who may be affected. Read more at MLive.com
Indoor Air - Wildfire Smoke
As wildfire smoke fills the sky up and down the west coast, experts advise people to stay inside to avoid the health effects of smoke exposure. But how clean is your indoor air?
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Power Outage - Extreme Heat
Heat waves bring increased electricity demand for cooling, which can overload the system.
Prevent Wildfires
By: Region 2 FEMA National Preparedness Division
Only you can prevent wildfires. While at home or on camping trips, follow these important safety tips.
CAMPING
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DO NOT build a campfire in hazardous, dry conditions.
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If there is not an existing fire pit, and pits are allowed, choose a site at least 15 feet from tent walls, shrubs, trees or other flammable objects. Beware of low-hanging branches.
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Choose an open, level location away from heavy fuels such as logs, brush or decaying leaves.
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Take wind, and its direction, into account when choosing the site. Choose a spot that’s protected from gusts.
Backyard Debris Burning
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Check the conditions. Don’t burn when it’s windy or when vegetation is very dry.
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You can burn dry, natural vegetation, grown on the property, unless prohibited by local ordinances. Household trash, plastic or tires are not good to burn and are illegal to burn in some areas. Check your local ordinances.
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Choose a safe burning site away from powerlines, overhanging limbs, buildings, vehicles, and equipment. You’ll need at least three times the height of the pile of vertical clearance. The site should be surrounded by gravel or mineral soil (dirt) at least 10 feet in all directions. Keep the surroundings watered down during the burn and have a shovel close by.
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Keep your piles small and manageable. Add additional debris as the fire burns down.
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Always stay with your fire until it is completely out. Drown the fire with water, turn over the ashes with a shovel and drown it again. Repeat several times.
Prepare Your Home
More and more people make their homes in areas that are prone to wildfires. You can take steps to be ready for a wildfire and prepare your home and landscaping to reduce your risk from a wildfire. Help protect your home and stop the spread of wildland fires by following these steps:
Keep flammable objects (lawn mowers, oil or gas cans, propane tanks and wood piles) at least 30 feet away from the home at all times. Move flammables, such as lawn furniture and toys, during wildfire activity.
Keep roofs, gutters, decks and patios clear of leaves, pine needles or other flammables at all times.
Remove flammable mulch and vegetation within 5 feet of the home and replace with nonflammable material.
Remove tree or shrub branches that overhang within 10 feet of your house, roof or chimney.
Keep lawns watered and mowed, or if water-conserving, make sure debris is removed within 30 feet of home.
Trim tree limbs 10 feet above the ground (these are called ladder fuels).
Install 1/8-inch metal mesh screens over vents and under decks to prevent ember intrusion.