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IEMA, National Weather Service Remind People,
When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors”
Lightning Safety Awareness Week is June 22-28
SPRINGFIELD – “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors” is a good phase to remember this summer while you’re enjoying outdoor activities. The catchy phrase is intended to remind people that hearing thunder means you’re close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the National Weather Service (NWS) and local emergency management agencies are joining forces to promote lightning safety during Lightning Safety Awareness Week June 22-28.
“More than 70 percent of lightning strike deaths occur during June, July and August, when people are enjoying more outdoor activities,” said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. “Don’t take a chance with lightning. If you hear thunder, that’s your cue to take shelter immediately.”
Monken said some people still rely on outdated lightning safety rules, such as taking shelter only if you can’t count to 30 between seeing the lightning strike and hearing thunder. People are now urged to take shelter in a substantial building or hard-topped car as soon as they hear thunder.
According to the NWS, on average around 50 people are killed and 1,000 people injured by lightning in the U.S. each year. A majority of victims were either outdoors in an open area or taking part in an activity near the water, such as fishing, boating or swimming.
To date in 2014, the NWS reports seven lightning-related deaths nationwide, none of those in Illinois.
“The past several years there has been an increasing trend across the U.S. in lightning injuries and fatalities while people are taking part in outdoor activities, such as fishing, walking or sports events,” said Chris Miller, warning coordination meteorologist for the NWS Lincoln Office. “Simply put - there is no safe place outside in a thunderstorm. You must take shelter in a substantial building or hard-topped vehicle to stay safe.”
While less than 10 percent of people who are struck by lightning are killed, many lightning strike survivors suffer various degrees of disability. Only a few lightning strike victims actually suffer burns, and these are usually minor. However, many lightning strike survivors are left with debilitating life-long effects, including memory loss, personality changes, fatigue, irreparable nerve damage, chronic pain and/or headaches, difficulty sleeping and dizziness.
IEMA and the NWS offer the following tips for staying safe when thunderstorms approach:
Outdoor lightning safety tips:
• No place outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area.
• If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you.
• When you hear thunder, immediately move to a safe shelter.
• Safe shelter is a substantial building or inside an enclosed, hard-topped vehicle.
• Stay in the safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last clap of thunder.
If there is no safe shelter anywhere nearby:
• Seek lower elevation areas.
• Never use a tree for shelter.
• Immediately get out and away from pools, lakes and other bodies of water.
• Stay away from all metallic objects (fences, power lines, poles, etc.).
• Do not raise umbrellas or golf clubs above you.
People shouldn’t hesitate to help someone who has been struck by lightning since victims do not carry an electrical charge. The surge of electricity through a lightning victim’s body causes cardiac arrest in most fatalities, so immediate medical attention is critical. If the victim doesn’t have a pulse and isn’t breathing, CPR should be administered immediately.
For additional tips on lightning safety visit the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov or contact IEMA at 217-785-9925.
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IEMA Offers Tips for Summertime Safety
June 1, 2014
Vacation safety first of four topics to be highlighted during June
SPRINGFIELD – After a long, brutal winter, Illinois residents are embracing the return of balmy weather by spending more time in the great outdoors. Throughout June, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies throughout the state will offer tips to help people stay safe while enjoying this summer.
Each week during the month, IEMA will focus on a summertime safety topic, beginning with vacation safety (June 1-7), heat safety (June 8-14), outdoor activities safety (June 15-21) and lightning safety (June 22-30). Safety tips also will be posted on the state’s Ready Illinois Facebook (www.Facebook.com/ReadyIllinois) and Twitter (twitter.com/ReadyIllinois) pages.
“Many people are planning summer vacations right now,” said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. “Whether you’re checking out some of the great sites in Illinois or traveling far from home, I encourage you to spend a few minutes learning about weather or other disasters possible for your vacation spot. A little advanced planning literally could be a lifesaver if disaster strikes during your vacation.”
Monken said if you’re not sure how to prepare for hazards not experienced in Illinois, such as hurricanes, tsunamis or wildfires, you can find information on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) website at www.fema.gov. Even if your vacation spot is prone to dangers you’re already familiar with, dealing with those emergencies can be challenging in a new environment.
When you arrive at your destination, identify safe locations to go to when severe weather approaches and find out how weather warnings are communicated in the area (Are there outdoor warning sirens? Does your hotel or resort have a public address system?).
Other vacation tips include:
•Pack a travel-size emergency supply kit with water, snacks, a first-aid kit, flashlight, small battery-operated radio, extra batteries and an emergency contact card with names and phone numbers you’d need if disaster strikes.
•Pack extra supplies of critical items, such as prescription medications and baby formula, in case your return is delayed by a disaster.
•If traveling internationally, register with the U.S. Department of State through a free online service at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) allows travelers to enter information about upcoming trips abroad so that the State Department can better assist them in an emergency.
•If traveling by car, check the forecast for your entire route before and during your trip. Weather conditions can change drastically, especially if thunderstorms are expected.
•Become familiar with the names of the counties you are traveling through because hazardous weather warnings are issued by county.
•If you have a newer smartphone, check to ensure the ‘Emergency Alerts’ option is enabled in your ‘Settings’ notification center. This will allow you to receive geographically-targeted, text-like Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) messages about imminent safety threats in your current location.
More preparedness information is available on the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.
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IEMA Releases Disaster Preparedness Radio Spots Featuring Alan Kalter
‘Late Show with David Letterman’ announcer is ‘voice of reason’
as he encourages people to prepare for disasters
SPRINGFIELD – A voice familiar to many late-night TV fans is now promoting disaster preparedness to radio listeners across Illinois. Alan Kalter, widely known as the “announcer” and for his comedic sketches on “Late Show with David Letterman,” recently recorded two radio spots for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency’s (IEMA) statewide preparedness campaign.
“These new radio spots featuring Alan Kalter are an exciting addition to our Ready Illinois preparedness campaign,” said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. “"His recognizable voice and trademark delivery will capture listeners' attention and help us reach more people with our message about personal disaster preparedness."
In 30- and 60-second radio spots, Kalter encourages people to use common sense, especially when planning for disasters. Referring to himself as “the voice of reason,” Kalter stresses the importance of not only having an emergency supply kit and a disaster plan, but also practicing that plan. Both spots direct listeners to the Ready Illinois website (www.Ready.Illinois.gov) for disaster preparedness information.
The new spots started airing recently as part of the Ready Illinois broadcast preparedness campaign, which is aired in cooperation with the Illinois Broadcasters Association (IBA) Public Education Partnership (PEP) program. The spots will air on more than 200 Illinois radio stations.
“We’re thrilled Alan agreed to participate in the on-going Ready Illinois campaign promoting emergency preparedness and the Ready Illinois website,” said Dennis Lyle, President and CEO of the Illinois Broadcasters Association. “Kalter provides the listener with just a hint of his trademark sarcasm while delivering a very serious message regarding the use of common sense when it comes to planning emergency preparedness for the home, work, car, and yes, even for pets.”
IEMA’s partnership with the IBA’s PEP program also features radio spots recorded by actress Marion Ross of TV’s “Happy Days” fame; TV and radio personality Steve Harvey; the late Larry Lujack and Tommy Edwards (reprising their roles as “Uncle Lar’ and Li’l Tommy” from the WGN ‘Animal Stories’ vignettes); as well as TV spots written and/or produced by Illinois high school and college students.
All of the preparedness radio and TV ads can be found on the Ready Illinois website (www.Ready.Illinois.gov).
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IEMA Encourages People to Include Pets
in Disaster Preparedness Plans
“Animal Stories” radio spots to be featured as part of Pet Preparedness Month in May
SPRINGFIELD – While every household should have a disaster supply kit stocked with food, water, flashlights and batteries, homes with pets need to take additional steps when planning for disasters. Whether an emergency forces people to seek shelter within the home or evacuate, advanced planning can ensure the safety of pets.
Throughout May, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies throughout the state will be working to increase awareness of pet preparedness.
“The recent deadly tornadoes across the South are a grim reminder that disasters can happen with little warning,” said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. “The better you’ve prepared in advance for the needs of everyone in your family, including your pets, the better chance you all have of weathering any disaster.”
Monken said pet owners should stock a pet preparedness kit with items such as:
• At least a three-day supply of food and water
• Extra supplies of pet medicines
• Copies of pet registration, vaccinations and other important documents
• Photo of your pet in case you are separated during an emergency
• Pet first-aid kit, including cotton bandage rolls, tape, antibiotic ointment, flea and tick prevention and isopropyl alcohol
• Collar with ID tag, harness or leash
• Crate or other pet carrier in case of evacuation
• Pet litter and box, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach for pet’s sanitation needs
• Toys, treats or other familiar items to help lessen your pet’s stress during the emergency
As part of pet preparedness month, IEMA and the Illinois Broadcasters Association (IBA) are reintroducing a series of radio spots based on the classic “Animal Stories” vignettes from WLS radio in the 1970s. The humorous spots feature the late Larry Lujack and Tommy Edwards reprising their roles as “Uncle Lar’ and Li’l Tommy” to highlight the importance of pet emergency preparedness. The seven spots were first released in 2012 and played on more than 200 IBA member stations throughout Illinois.
The “Animal Stories” pet preparedness spots and additional emergency preparedness information are available on the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.
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America's PrepareAthon!
America’s PrepareAthon! is a nationwide, community-based campaign for action to increase emergency preparedness and resilience through hazard-specific drills, group discussions and exercises conducted at the national level every fall and spring.
http://community.fema.gov/connect.ti/AmericasPrepareathon/groupHome
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