National Preparedness Month - Week 5

Week 5 (September 27-30) of National Preparedness Month focuses leads up to the National PrepareAthon! Day on September 30. One thing each week in NPM had in common, despite being different types of events, is that they all require preparation.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides useful resources to use for National PrepareAthon! Day.

You can take part in the PrepareAthon by:

• Learning about your hazards and how to prepare
• Create your account and register your preparedness activities
• Download resources to help you plan and promote your preparedness activities

All this can be done by visiting http://community.fema.gov/

National Preparedness Month - Week 4

Week 4 (September 20-26) of National Preparedness Month focuses on Power Outages. Power Outages are common in California due to our concentrated population. Long beach alone has seen multiple power outages in only the past couple months.

Photo Credit: jennifer helen via Compfight cc

The California Energy Commission provides tips to prepare for power outages:

• Know where your circuit breakers are located and how to check if a breaker switch is tripped
• Have a number of flashlights with fresh batteries around your home
• Have a battery powered or hand-cranked generator radio
• Post the emergency number for your electric utility
• Have a regular, hard-wired telephone, not just a cordless model, and a fully charged cell phone.
• Have a household first aid kit
• Have a household disaster plan that you and your family can follow if something occurs

For the complete detailed list, go to http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/tips/beprepared.html

National Preparedness Month - Week 3

Week 3 (September 13-19) of National Preparedness Month focuses on Hurricanes. Although California almost never experiences hurricanes, this may be helpful with all the El Nino forecasts. This week alone, the forecast for Long Beach has rain tonight and tomorrow.

Here are 3 quick tips to prepare for hurricanes:

• Make a plan – specific meeting locations, emergency contacts, and procedures
• Make a kit – organize a supply kit with basic survival items
• Protect your home – secure items and make sure insurance is up to date

For the complete detailed list, go to http://www.mnn.com/family/protection-safety/sponsorstory/6-tips-to-prepare-for-a-hurricane and http://www.coastalliving.com/lifestyle/preparing-for-hurricane-irene

Feel free to contact Kaplan Construction at 562-495-0483 or via email  for any renovations or remodeling so your home is ready for El Nino.

National Preparedness Month - Week 2

Week 2 (September 6-12) of National Preparedness Month focuses on Wildfires. Although not all of California experiences wildfires, this may be helpful to those who live near wildfire prone areas.

Photo Credit: Kfal! via Compfight cc

Here are 4 tips from Cal Fire to prepare for wildfires:

• Trim trees regularly to keep branches a minimum of 10 feet from other trees.
• Remove dead or dry leaves and pine needles from your yard, roof, and rain gutters.
• Remove all dead plants, grass, and weeds.
• Remove all dead branches that hang from your roof.

For the complete list and information on creating your own wildfire action plan and emergency supply kit, go to www.readyforwildfire.org.