For every season, there is an issue that, if not addressed, can result in a disaster of small or huge proportions. Preparation tips useful across business, community, farm, and home lines are linked here.

Disasters: Human Health News  

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Be prepared for Floods

StormReady (EDEN)

Tornado  Issue Page (EDEN)

Flood: History and Causes (.pdf)

Flooding: What to know and do (.pdf)

Information on topics from preparing for flooding to risk management is available on eXtension.

Other documents you may find helpful:

 

A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home(.pdf)

Cleaning clothing and textiles (.pdf)

Disinfecting Wells Following an Emergency

Drinking Water Wells

Esure Safe Drinking Water After a Flood

Flooded Wells Need to be Cleaned

Flood Recovery: Water(.pdf)

Food and Water Safety When the Power Goes Out (.pdf)

Food Safety: It's in Your Hands! (.pdf)

Livestock Carcass Disposal (.pdf)

Restoring Electrical Service after Flooding (.pdf)

What to Do After the Flood

 

Summertime and the living is—HOT—especially for outside workers.  Summer is also hurricane season.

Coping with Hot Work Environments (Extensión en Español publication, available in English and Spanish)

Heat Stress: Hazards and Possible Solutions (A collection of fact sheets on the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA Web site)

Heat Stress Card (OSHA publication)

Heat Stress Card (OSHA publication, Spanish version)

Skin Cancer: Protect Yourself (ACES brochure)

Sports Nutrition for Young Adults: Hydration (ACES publication)

Sun Safe (ACES brochure)

Your Dog in Your Community (ACES publication)

Reducing Damage in Future Storms Issue Page (EDEN, hurricane-resistant building tips)

Fall means back to school and national disaster preparedness month.

Citizen Corps (Citizen Corps Councils)

Creating a Culture of Preparedness Among Schools (U.S. DHS fact sheet)

September is National Disaster Preparedness Month (EDEN)

Be Prepared for a Winter Storm and Power Outage

Imagine this. You’re minding your own business getting ready for school and work when suddenly the radio, lights, heat, and everything else electrical stops working. Just like that, you find yourself in the dark and wondering how long the power will be out. Are you paralyzed or prepared?

What you can do to be prepared for a winter storm and power outage:

• Know where your flashlight and batteries are—and be able to easily access them. Consider purchasing battery operated lanterns for additional light sources.
• Decide which room of the house is easiest to keep warm, plan to close doors to other rooms in the house. When the power goes out, keep outside doors closed, and close window drapes or curtains at night to retain heat. If you don’t have drapes, hang blankets over windows.  Stuff cracks around doors with rugs, newspapers, or towels.
• If you have a gas heater, ensure it is in good working order. Be sure you know how to safely use the heater. If you have a gas or wood burning fireplace or a wood burning stove, be sure it is in good working condition. Maintain a distance of three feet between your heat source and flammable objects. Have a supply of wood on hand.
• If you have a generator, ensure it is in good working order. Be sure you have a supply of fuel on hand. Keep generators outside. Their use in an enclosed space can kill you.
• Check for easy access to your gas or charcoal grill if you’ve stored it for the season. Check your fuel supplies. Gas and charcoal grills are intended for outdoor use: do not use them indoors!
• Prevent frozen or broken pipes by insulating exposed pipes.  During a power outage, open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the pipes.
• Check insulation in attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Adequate insulation helps maintain your home’s heat.
• Make sure you can access your first aid kit and fire extinguisher.
• Restock food and water supplies, especially items that require no cooking or refrigeration.
• Keep your car’s fuel tank full.

For more information on winter storm preparedness, check these resources:

Before Winter Storms and Extreme Cold (FEMA)

Extreme Cold and Winter Storms (The Disaster Handbook)

Food and Water Safety When the Power Goes Out (ACES)

Generator Safety (video, MU Extension)

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: Responding to Electrical Power Outages and Floods (TAMU)

Opere los generadores con el cuidado apropriado (MSU)

Snow/Ice (EDEN)

Winter Power Outages (Acreage Living newsletter, IAState)

Winter Storm (American Red Cross, also available in Spanish)

Winter Storm Facts (CDC, www.bt.cdc.gov site is available in several languages)

Winter Storms…the Deceptive Killers (NOAA)

 

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