Thursday, May 28, 2009

Is this for real?

Is this just the latest scam in products?

Does your dog really need a lifejacket?

Spend a few minutes and take a look at the following About.com article.

To many, pets are families members and these life jackets really can help save their life.

While you might think your pet can swim, so can you, but how long can you swim.

So, this is not a scam, and we recommend that everyone, including pets, wears a lifejacket.

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/summerheathhazards/a/FAQ_lifevests.htm

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Not into reading about boating safety, check out this informative video

About.com parenting provides a video that provides simple tips for boating safety with families.

Spending a few minutes going through this video can save a life.

http://video.about.com/childparenting/Boating-Safety.htm

Friday, May 22, 2009

How Boat Ready is your child?

Boating Safety should not solely about adult water safety.

The following website makes water safety fun for children, and even includes a contest

http://www.boatingsidekicks.com/kidsite/08contest-index1280.htm

The website is quite animated and great for all ages - from coloring pages to comics.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Wear It! Safe Boating

As folks get ready for Memorial Day weekend, they also get ready to hit the water.



Did you know that it is National Safe Boating Week?

Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a proud partner of the "Be A Survivor! Wear It!" Campaign.



The following website has some excellent tools and videos.



And if you don't believe that lifejackets save lives? Checkout the following results from prior year campaigns.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Are You Weather Ready?

We have seen quite a few new Ready websites over the past year.

But are you...

Weather Ready?

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Ready Classroom - Next Phase of Preparedness

"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Ad Council have joined with Discovery Education to announce Ready Classroom, an online educational program." (Source: FEMA.gov)

The complete announcement can be found at:


And the official website for Ready Classroom is:

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Congrats to Penny Kelly - Fairfax County Public School Press Release

"Penny Kelly Receives EMS Award

Penny Kelly, who teaches Fire and Emergency Medical Science (EMS) at Falls Church Academy, has been named the Outstanding Emergency Medical Services Pre-Hospital Educator of the Year by the Northern Virginia Emergency Medical Services Council, Inc. Falls Church Academy is one of six high school academies in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).

Kelly, who is the fire and EMS program’s first and only instructor, was praised by nominators for her dedication to the program and for enhancing the educational experience for her students. By networking with regional fire and rescue professionals, Kelly has facilitated flight medic helicopter visits to Falls Church Academy and field trips to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy and Northern Virginia Community College’s Medical Education Campus cadaver lab for students.

“Under her leadership, the enrollment has grown each year, and plans are under way to add an additional program,” says Diane Pruner, FCPS director of the Office of Career and Technical Education. Pruner adds that Kelly has continued to refine and enhance the curriculum in order to provide her students with the best instruction possible and is always looking for new experiences to keep her students engaged. She volunteers her time to accompany Falls Church Academy administrator Dave Tremaine on visits to area high school guidance departments to promote academy programs.Since 2004, 60 of Kelly’s students have received basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certifications; she works with students to find employment or select an institution for continued study at the postsecondary level.

“Penny is an influential communicator who possesses the gift of being able to make complex subjects understandable,” says Capt. David Tobin of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Kelly is a licensed EMT and EMT instructor and CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) trainer and is licensed to teach EMT and Fire Science in Virginia.

###

Note: For more information, contact Penny Kelly at 703-207-4000 or penny.kelly@fcps.edu.
"

Source: http://commweb.fcps.edu/newsreleases/newsrelease.cfm?newsid=1169

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Ask Liz - Counterfeit Electronics

With the current state of the economy more and more people are more likely to purchase batteries, extension cords, electronics, etc. at discount stores, such as your local Dollar Store.

Before you buy your next electronic there, see this response to Ask Liz, "Is It Worth It? Counterfeit Electronics If you like bargains it's easy to find them these days in many stores that sell electrical items such as extension cords, power strips, and chargers. But is it worth it?"

The video is actually pretty scarey and eye opening.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Is-It-Worth-It-Counterfeit-Electronics.html

Simulating "The Really Big One?"

What if...

"The magnitude-6.3 earthquake that struck villages in Italy was horrible enough, but can you imagine what would happen to a city like Seattle if it were hit by a magnitude-9 shocker? That's exactly what Caltech's Thomas Heaton and Jing Yang try to do in a new series of simulations - and the picture isn't pretty." (Source: MSNBC).

The complete article and information on research on this topic can be found at:

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/04/09/1886433.aspx

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Loads of Hope - Amazing Program for Basic Needs

The past few weeks, we looked at corporations providing help to those impacted by a disaster.

Tide Loads of Hope Program

"Nearly 30,000 loads of laundry cleaned for families affected by disasters, and counting….
In times of disaster people turn to the most basic of human needs—and one of those is clean clothes. The Tide Loads of Hope program provides relief by means of a mobile laundromat. One truck and a fleet of vans house over 32 energy-efficient washers and dryers that are capable of cleaning over 300 loads of laundry every day. We wash, dry and fold the clothes for these families for free. Because, as we’ve learned, sometimes even the littlest things can make a big, big difference." (Source: Tide.com)

To learn more about Loads of Hope, find out how you can help, and watch some videos, take a look at:

http://www.tide.com/en-US/loads-of-hope/about.jspx

Friday, May 8, 2009

Free Child's Make It Yourself Go-Kit


Looking at the current state of the economy, you might not put a children's Go-Kit on the top of your priority list.

Now you have no excuse. Lowe's is offering a free "Ready-To-Go Kit" that the children get to make themselves. What a great no cost activity.
"Safety month starts in June. Get prepared by building this Ready 2 Go kit!"
Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic
Saturday May 23, 2009
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

For additional information, visit:

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Sorry Folks, It looks like back to school.

Headlines read

"CDC Upsets Local Children, Sends Them Back to School

US pig flu cases prove to be as deadly as a stubbed ring finger"

The complete story can be found at:

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/CDC-Upsets-Children-Nationwide-Forces-Them-To-Go-To-School.html

Virginia's 2009 Sales Tax Holidays

"May 25-31, 2009: Hurricane and Emergency Preparedness Equipment.

During this seven-day period, purchases of items designated by the Department of Taxation as hurricane preparedness equipment, including portable generators, will be exempt from the Virginia sales tax. Portable generators must be priced at $1,000 or less, and other eligible items must be priced at $60 or less for each item. For details, visit our Hurricane Preparedness Equipment Holiday page." (Source: Virginia.gov)

There are other states like New York and Florida who have also offered tax holidays for emergency preparedness.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Today is May Day! Is your library or museum "Ready"?

FEMA and other agencies work with cultural institutions to prepare for emergencies.

"Libraries, museums, archives, and arts and historic preservation organizations across the nation will set aside May 1, 2009, to participate in MayDay, a national effort to prepare for disasters."

Additional information can be found at:

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=48125