Tompkins Ready

September is National Preparedness Month:

FEMA has observed National Preparedness Month since 2004 to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies. The month is a great time to take small steps to make a big difference in being prepared. When Americans take steps to prepare for disasters and keep their families safe, every neighborhood and community is more resilient. Learn more at the Ready.gov National Preparedness Month website.

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Fall Safety:

Fall is a wonderful time of year, but it does have its share of hazards. Fall safety focuses on preparing for varying temperatures, driving hazards like wet leaves and fog, potential for wildfires, home safety with heating systems and fireplaces, and protecting against flu and pests. Be ready by maintaining your heating and cooling systems, clearing debris, practicing safe driving (see below), checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and being aware of increased wildlife activity and back-to-school traffic. Check out the National Weather Service Weather Hazards page. For additional autumn safety tips, visit the National Safety Council.

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Sunrise/Sunset Glares:

* Remember that the sun rising and setting typically occurs during rush hour commutes, making it more difficult to see due to glare. Keep a pair of sunglasses in your car and the inside of your windshield streak-free to minimize sun glare.

Dawn/Dusk Lighting:

* Turn your headlights on earlier to help other cars and pedestrians see you better.

* Be alert for pedestrians, especially children getting on/off school buses.

* If you are walking or riding, always walk facing the traffic and in light colored or reflective clothing. A walker who is looking at the oncoming traffic is better able to move out of a vehicles path.

Deer:

* Be extra cautious during dusk and early evening hours when deer are more active.

* Deer travel in herds. If you see one, expect more to follow.

Leaves:

* Increase the distance between you and the car in front of you, wet leaves are as slippery as ice.

* Slow down on roads covered in leaves. They can hide potholes and street markings.

Drowsy Driving:

* Stay Alert: When daylight savings ends, we spend more time driving at night when it’s more dangerous.

* Take care to be well rested and if you experience any signs of drowsy driving, pull over safely and take a break.

Fog and Frost:

* Be careful of morning frost on roads as temperatures drop overnight.

* Use low beams in fog.

 (SOURCE - Stony Brook Trauma Center)

Stay Safe on the Water or Hiking Trails:

Stay safe on the water by being prepared and using the appropriate equipment, whether boating, kayaking, or wakeboarding. Learn more on water safety from the National Safety Council and download the What3words app onto your smartphone. It utilizes the phone's GPS and provides three unique words to assist emergency responders in pinpointing your location, whether on the water or on our many local hiking trails.

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Read the 14850.com article on how what3words helped first responders reach an individual with a medical emergency on Connecticut Hill. 

Read how "What3words” helped rescue a group of hikers from Watkins Glen State Park.

Community Preparedness:

Homeland Security and Emergency Services Banner

Register to attend a Citizen Preparedness Corps training near you and learn how to prepare for any type of disaster or emergency, respond accordingly and recover. Learn more at the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services page. The next scheduled training in Tompkins County will be on Saturday, September 19th at 10:00am at the Airport Day & Preparedness Expo, 62 Brown Road. 

Topics include how to develop a family emergency plan, how to prepare your family and home for a potential emergency such as fire, what to do in specific situations such as active shooter, and covers evacuation or sheltering-in-place due to a life-threatening event, and much more. The training also discusses what to do when returning home after an emergency, including re-entry procedures, checking for and documenting damage safely, addressing emotional and other personal needs in the aftermath of a catastrophic event, and being wary of post-disaster scams.

Additional Preparedness Checklists:         

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Tune In:

Disaster and emergency information will broadcast from these local radio stations:

  • 870AM WHCU
  • 97.3FM WYXL
  • 91.7FM WICB

If your TV is working, monitor a regional all-news channel, such as Spectrum News, or the Weather Channel. A weather radio will also provide accurate and current information.

National Weather Service in Binghamton

What types of emergencies can happen in Tompkins County?

There are certain basic concepts of preparedness that apply to any type of situation:

  • Be Informed
  • Make a Plan
  • Build a Kit
  • Get Involved

Learn more at www.ready.gov.

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