November is Winter Weather Preparedness Month in Illinois SPRINGFIELD – While the official start of winter is not for several weeks, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL), Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the National Weather Service (NWS) are encouraging people to begin preparing now for extreme cold, snow and ice. “In Illinois, it’s not a question of if, but rather when will snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures occur,” said IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “Being unprepared for winter weather is not only inconvenient, but it can be dangerous. That’s why we are encouraging all Illinoisans to take a few minutes to put together your home and vehicle emergency supply kits and review the steps you should take to stay safe during hazardous winter weather.” When checking and restocking a vehicle’s emergency supply kit, make sure it contains items such as: Blankets or sleeping bags Flashlight with extra batteries First aid kit Non-perishable snack food Water Sand or cat litter Shovel Booster cables Cell phone charger “At the Illinois Department of Transportation, we spend the entire year planning and preparing to keep you safe during our challenging Illinois winters,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “The public plays an important part as well. Make sure your vehicle is in safe, working condition at all times. Pack an emergency kit to store in your vehicle. Don’t crowd the plow when you’re driving. Most important, during inclement weather, ask yourself if your trip is really necessary or can be postponed.” Winter Weather Health Hazards Prolonged exposure to the cold can cause serious problems including hypothermia, a drop in the body’s core temperature. It doesn’t require negative temperatures and can set in when you’re outdoors or in. Hypothermia is especially dangerous and can be deadly if not detected promptly and treated properly. Frostbite occurs when your extremities (fingers, toes, nose, and ears) are exposed to cold weather. The skin may become stiff and numb, leading to severe tissue damage. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation. “Workers in Illinois, including first responders, construction workers and public works crews brave the elements year-round. It’s critical these workers – and others – prepare for severe conditions. While it starts with dressing properly for the weather, it’s also important your body is prepared for additional stress,” said Illinois Department of Labor Director Michael Kleinik. Medical professionals encourage people who must work outside regularly in the winter weather consider scheduling a physical exam before that winter work begins. A study by the University of Illinois Chicago published in 2020 shows while there were more heat-related hospital admissions between 2011 and 2018, there were 1,935 cold-related deaths compared to 70 heat-related deaths. Recognize Home Heating Dangers According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Center for Health Statistics, in 2017, 399 people died of unintentional non-fire carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. In 2016, local fire departments in the U.S. responded to 79,600 carbon monoxide incidents, or an average of nine such calls per hour. In 2018 according to National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), Illinois Fire Departments responded to 8,965 incidents related to carbon monoxide. CO is found in fumes produced any time you burn fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, or furnaces. CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it. During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear of snow build-up. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from all heat sources including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, space heaters and candles. Create a kid-free zone around open fires and space heaters Never use an oven to heat your home Turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed. Remember...space heaters need space! Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before being placed into a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home. Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on each floor of your home and within 15 feet of each sleeping area. CO detectors have a limited life span, check the manufacturer’s instructions for information on replacement. Use portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas away from doors, windows and vents. “Home fires occur more during the winter months than any other time of the year. Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths in the U.S. which is why we stress the importance of maintaining heating equipment and having chimneys cleaned and inspected by a professional each year.” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. “It’s also important to make sure your smoke and CO alarms are working properly and are not expired. Test those alarms monthly and replace any broken or expired alarm.” Keep in mind, being prepared for winter doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or take a lot of time. It could be as simple as making sure your vehicle is in good winter driving condition, adding a winter survival kit to your car, changing your furnace filter at home and stocking or updating your family’s emergency supply kit. Take time now to prepare your family, home, vehicles and driving habits for everything from a dusting of snow to a major winter storm. For more information about winter weather preparedness, visit the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.
September is National Preparedness Month in Illinois Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love. SPRINGFIELD – This year marks the 20th anniversary of the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil. The events of that fateful day ignited a culture of preparedness which is now instilled in the fabric of our emergency response mechanism. National Preparedness Month is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster and emergency planning. Disasters don’t wait, and they can strike at anytime and anywhere. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), and local emergency managers, are encouraging Illinoisans to take time to prepare for potential emergencies at homes, at work, and in the community. “This is the perfect time to prepare yourself and those you love for unexpected emergencies or disasters,” said IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “Preparedness is more than building a kit, it’s about communication, mitigation and education. While being prepared will not prevent a disaster, it will provide the foundation for an expedited recovery and instill the confidence to meet challenges when they arise.” This year, residents are encouraged to consider COVID-19 guidelines when evaluating and improving their family emergency plan. Some things to consider include: Make a Plan for When a Disaster Strikes: Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters (tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, etc.) could affect your area, and know how you will contact one another or reconnect if separated. How will your family adjust its routine should a member of your family require quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19? Plan today for different scenarios that could impact your work, school or family routine. Build a Kit: Once a disaster strikes, you will not have time to shop or search for supplies, so it’s important to have supplies pre-assembled. A kit should contain basic survival items necessary during an emergency, such as food, water, weather radio, batteries, medication, supplies for each member of your family. It is also recommended that you include face masks, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes in your emergency supply kit to address the current COVID-19 environment. Because a disaster can strike anywhere, Emergency kits should be kept at home, at work and in your car. Prepare for Disasters: Limit the impacts that disasters have on you and your family. Learn how to make your home stronger in the wake of a storm or other hazards by implementing low-cost home improvement projects. Review your insurance policies to determine what would be covered in the event of a flood or storm. Also, practicing tornado drills and fire drills aren’t just for school. Walking through this procedure at home with your family, and at work with your co-workers, is a great way to prepare for a disaster. Teach Youth how to Prepare for Disasters: Disaster planning, response, and recovery efforts should take into account the unique needs of children, who make up roughly a quarter of the U.S. population. Get kids involved in building their own emergency kit. Make sure to include your child's favorite stuffed animals, board games, books or music in their emergency kit to comfort them in a disaster. Ready Kids website has a variety of tools and information that can be incorporated into lesson planning for educators statewide. IEMA offers disaster preparedness information on the Ready Illinois website (www.Ready.Illinois.gov), a one-stop resource for detailed information about what to do before, during and after disasters. During large-scale disasters, IEMA uses the Ready Illinois website, Facebook and Twitter pages to provide critical information about the incident, including shelter locations, road closures, safety information, photos and more.
For more information about emergency and disaster preparedness
Will You Be Prepared If a Disaster Strikes? July is financial preparedness month SPRINGFIELD, IL – Will you be prepared if a disaster strikes? Reports indicate 40-percent of adults are not financially prepared to cover an unexpected expense of $400. A disaster or emergency can strike anytime, anywhere. In these stressful times, having access to personal financial, insurance, medical and other records is crucial for starting the recovery process quickly and efficiently. Emergency Savings Start by taking small steps. The best way to be financially prepared for a disaster is by saving. A rainy-day fund will allow you to invest in your safety by setting aside monthly for emergencies. Operation HOPE can help strengthen your financial preparedness through the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK). The EFFAK can help you start to prepare by offering guidance on managing finances, offers insights on dealing with credit scores, and describes what to expect should a disaster strike your community. All of this will help families prepare for both the big incidents and minor emergencies. Insurance Before a disaster strikes, review your insurance coverage. Insurance is the fastest way to recover after a disaster. Review the hazards that exist in your community (flood, tornado, earthquake, etc.) to ensure proper coverage. Homeowners and renters insurance do not typically cover flood damage. Talk to your agent to find out what is covered in your existing policy and ask about the availability of flood insurance. It is also recommended that you document your personal property with photographs to expedite future insurance claims. Safeguard Critical Documents Save digital copies of your household identification, financial and legal documents, medical information and insurance policies in order to quickly and safely access them in the event of an emergency or disaster. If you cannot save them digitally, gather all the documents store them in a safety deposit box. For more information on how you can reduce the financial impact of a disaster or emergency, visit https://www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness.
IEMA Shares Heat Safety Tips, Resources During Summer Safety Month
Last year, 24 children died from heatstroke after being left in hot cars and already one toddler has died in 2021. Heat can be more severe on children because their bodies warm at a faster rate than adults. Parents should develop a routine that will ensure the backseat is always checked before the car is locked, such as putting a purse, cell phone or other needed item in the back seat or consider opening the car’s back door every time the car is parked. Summer’s extreme heat can also lead to heat-induced illnesses, including heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Remember to check in on family, friends, neighbors, the elderly and pets to ensure they are safe. When extreme heat strikes, limit your time outdoors, seek air conditioning and drink plenty of water. To protect yourself and others, familiarize yourself with the following heat safety tips: Know the terms used by the National Weather Service during extreme heat: Heat Wave, Excessive Heat Watch, Heat Advisory, Excessive Heat Warning, and Heat Index. Do not leave children or pets in a closed vehicle, even for a few minutes. On a hot day, temperatures inside a closed vehicle can reach 140ºF-190ºF within 30 minutes. Make a special effort to check on your neighbors during a heat wave, especially if they are seniors, families with young children, people with special needs, or living alone. Seniors and others who may be sensitive to extreme heat should contact friends, neighbors, or relatives periodically throughout the day. Seek help if you feel symptoms of heat-related illnesses. Stay out of the sun. If you must be in the sun, wear sunscreen (at least SPF 15) and a wide-brimmed hat. Stay in the shade or under awnings as much as possible. Avoid overexertion and strenuous outdoor activities. Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes that cover as much skin as possible to prevent sunburn. To learn more about how to stay safe during the summer heat and how to treat heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion, visit ready.illinois.gov.
April is Youth Preparedness Month IEMA, OSFM highlight ways to involve youth in disaster preparedness Emergencies and disasters can happen at any time and anywhere. Disaster planning, response and recovery efforts should always take into account the unique needs of children, who make up roughly a quarter of the United States population. That is why this month, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the Office of the State Fire Marshal Office (OSFM) are taking steps to promote youth preparedness. “Each year, millions of children are impacted by disasters,” said IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “Studies have shown, children are positive influencers in their households. Children can effectively bring the message of preparedness home to their families. Participating in youth preparedness programs empowers children to become leaders at home and in their schools and communities.” “Kids practice fire drills each year at school, and families should practice these drills at home too,” said Matt Perez, Illinois State Fire Marshal. “The Office of the State Fire Marshall encourages families to practice their home fire escape plan twice a year. Every home needs working smoke alarms and a well-thought-out fire escape plan. Make sure all members of your family can identify two ways out of each room and a family meeting spot outside the home.” Tips for incorporating children into disaster preparedness: Sparky the Fire Dog is mascot of The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Sparky is used to help educate kids and parents on fire prevention and safety. The NFPA has established a Sparky website and Facebook page that offers a wealth of age-appropriate games, videos, apps and other activities that make learning about fire safety easy and fun. Another great resource comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA and the American Red Cross offer a disaster preparedness activity book, Prepare with Pedro. This booklet is designed to encourage youth and their families to be better prepared for disasters by offering safety advice alongside crosswords, coloring pages, matching games and more. FEMA also offers a Youth Preparedness Council as an opportunity for teenagers and young adults to serve on a national council. During their two-year term, the youth leaders complete both a local and national-level project to share ideas regarding youth disaster preparedness. Children who are prepared experience less anxiety and feel more confident during actual emergencies and disasters. Use Youth Preparedness Month as an opportunity to promote interactive activities within your family. One way to do this is by involving children in the development of a family emergency plan. Use real world events to teach about emergency situations and disasters. Using media coverage of current disasters (Floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, power outages), talk to children about how your family would respond if this happened to you. Utilizing your family emergency plan, discuss where would you go, what would you do and how you will ensure their safety during an emergency. For more information about disaster preparedness, visit Ready.Illinois.gov. |
 
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