Preparedness 101 - Prepare for Disaster and Emergencies in Your Area

House Fires

Each year more than 2,500 people die and 12,600 are injured in home fires in the United States, with direct property loss due to home fires estimated at $7.3 billion annually. Home fires can be prevented.

To protect yourself, it is important to understand basic characteristics of fire. Fire and smoke are:

• Fast

• Hot

• Dark

• Deadly

Create and practice a fire escape plan. Twice each year, practice your home fire escape plan and change the batteries in your smoke detectors. Remember to:

• Find two ways to get out of each room.

• Practice crawling in the dark or with your eyes closed.

• Make sure everyone in the family practices how to open locked doors and windows.

• Teach children not to hide from firefighters.

• Dial 911 from another location.

Prevent Home Fires

Most home fires occur in the kitchen but other common causes of fires are discarded cigarettes, fireplaces without screens or doors, and heating appliances left too close to furniture or other combustibles. Teach children the dangers of fire and risks that matches and lighters pose. Store your fire tools in a safe and secure place away from small children.

Other Prevention Tips

• Avoid lighting candles.

• Maintain your electrical appliances, cords, and wires.

• Keep combustible and flammable liquids away from heat sources.

• Dispose of unused chemicals and other combustibles.

• Always refuel portable generators outdoors.

Incidents of terrorism are of great concern to local public safety agencies throughout the United States. The intent of terrorist groups is to intimidate or coerce through violence, or the threat of violence, against governments and the general population in order to further a political, social, religious or other agenda.

The goals of terrorism are to inflict a maximum amount of fear through large-scale loss of life, destruction of property, spreading illness or disease, disruption of regular government or economic functions, and the displacement of the civilian population.

TERRORISM HAZARDS TYPICALLY INCLUDE ASPECTS OF FIVE MAJOR THREATS:

• Chemical

• Biological

• Radiological Dispersion

• Nuclear

• Explosive

Tips for preparing yourself, your homes and businesses can be found here. 

Crime Prevention

In neighborhoods both large and small, people are very interested in maintaining safe communities. Whether at home or at the workplace, safety and security is a basic need and is best maintained through a cooperative effort between local authorities, residents and business owners. Here are just a few helpful tips for improving the safety in your neighborhood:

• Get to know and work with neighbors.

• Keep the property clean and orderly.

• Set timers on lights when away from the home or office.

• Illuminate or eliminate hiding places such as bushes, alleys, stairwells, etc.

• Keep spare keys with a trusted friend or neighbor, not under the mat, in the mailbox, or ledge.

• Report suspicious people, vehicles, or situations. Remember, if it seems out of place, it probably is.

• Establish and maintain a Neighborhood Watch group.

For more tips and resources on preventing crime in your community, contact your local law enforcement agency or visit the National Crime Prevention Council.