Tompkins Ready
Winter Weather Safety:
Whether it be exposure to the cold, vehicle accidents caused by slick roads, or fires resulting from the improper use of heaters, hundreds of people are injured or killed each year as a direct result of winter weather. Winter storms range from a moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind-driven snow. High winds, freezing rain or sleet, heavy snowfall, and dangerously cold temperatures are the main hazards associated with winter storms. Check out the National Weather Service Weather Safety page for more information. Be sure you are #WinterReady and know how to prepare for and stay safe during winter weather.
Holiday Fire Safety:
By taking some basic precautions, you can help ensure your family and guests remain safe and injury-free throughout the holiday season:
- Only use holiday decorations that are flame-retardant or not flammable.
- Check holiday lights each year for frayed wires or excessive wear.
- Only use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors.
- Don’t link together more than three strands of holiday lights.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended. Better yet, consider using battery-operated flameless candles.
- Keep your live Christmas tree away from heat sources and room exits.
- Water your live Christmas tree daily to keep it from becoming dry.
- Use a screen on your fireplace at all times when a fire is burning.
- Develop and practice a fire escape plan. Know where to meet outside your home.
- Make sure you have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home, and outside all sleeping areas.
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. When preparing your holiday meals, stay in the kitchen when cooking at high temperature, like frying, broiling or boiling. If you see any smoke or the grease starts to boil, turn the burner off. Turkey fryers can tip over easily. Make sure they are on a sturdy, level surface and DO NOT move once in use.
What3Words:
What3words is a geocode system for the communication of locations with a resolution of three meters. What3words encodes geographic coordinates into three dictionary words; the encoding is permanently fixed. If help is needed, providing a what3words address on a 9-1-1 call can pinpoint your location quickly. Learn more and download the What3words app here.
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:
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.
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:
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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