Richland County Emergency Management

4th of July Holiday: Play It safe!

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4th of July Holiday: Play It SafeFireworks
Injuries from fireworks a major concern

(MADISON) – The 4th of July and fireworks just go together. With the holiday approaching, this is a great time to remember the dangers of fireworks which can cause serious injuries and death if not properly used.

-In 2013 (latest available statistics), U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 11,400 people for fireworks related injuries.
-55% of emergency room fireworks-related injuries were to the extremities and 38% were to the head.
-The risk of fireworks injury was highest for children ages 0-4, followed by children 10-14.
-On Independence Day in a typical year, far more U.S. fires are reported than on any other day, and fireworks account for two out of five of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.

“We all like to celebrate the 4th of July, but mishandling fireworks could cause a tragic end to the festivities,” said Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Brian Satula. “Make sure you purchase only legal fireworks, follow the manufacturer’s directions on storing and lighting fireworks and NEVER have a child light them.”

Here are more tips to protect yourself and your family:

-Adults igniting the fireworks should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework.
-Only buy fireworks from reliable sellers.
-Use fireworks only outdoors.
-Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
-Always have water handy (a garden hose or a bucket).
-Light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from buildings, dry leaves and flammable materials.
-Light only one firework at a time.
-Never throw or point fireworks at other people or animals.
-Keep your pets indoors to reduce the risk that they will run loose and get injured. Many animals have very sensitive ears and can
be stressed or frightened by fireworks.
-Sparklers are the #1 cause of burns around the 4th of July. Consider alternatives such as “glow sticks”.

Also remember to play it safe when traveling over the holiday:
-Make sure you drink plenty of water and limit your alcohol and caffeine intake.

-When traveling to and from a holiday destination, never leave people or pets inside a parked car. Even with the windows cracked open, temperatures inside a vehicle can reach 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes

-Make sure your car is in shape to make the trip. Having a first-aid kit, bottled water and some energy bars is a good idea in case you get stranded. A car adaptor for your cell phone is also a good idea in case you need to call for help.

-We want everyone to come home safely. If you’re feeling tired, drank alcohol, or feel ill, either let someone else drive or postpone the trip.

-Check 511wi.gov or call 511 for the latest traffic and road information on your route.

For more information go to readywisconsin.wi.gov. For daily safety tips, follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/readywisconsin) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/readywisconsin).

Red Cross Pillowcase Project held at Ithaca Schools

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A sincere THANK YOU to Mrs. Wallace, Ithaca School’s Guidance Counselor for assisting in scheduling with the Pillowcase Project presentations, along with taking the photos of the students/staff with the decorated pillowcases.

Mr. Meixelsperger's 5th Grade Ithaca

Mr. Meixelsperger’s 5th Grade Ithaca

Mrs. Huffar's 4th Grade Ithaca

Mrs. Huffar’s 4th Grade Ithaca

Mrs. Wobschall's 3rd Grade Ithaca

Mrs. Wobschall’s 3rd Grade Ithaca

3rd Grade Ithaca

3rd Grade Ithaca

4th Grade Ithaca

4th Grade Ithaca

Mrs. Clary's 5th Grade Ithaca

Mrs. Clary’s 5th Grade Ithaca

Mrs. Schoen's 4th Grade Ithaca

Mrs. Schoen’s 4th Grade Ithaca

Ms. Grassman's 3rd Grade Ithaca

Ms. Grassman’s 3rd Grade Ithaca

3rd Grade Ithaca

3rd Grade Ithaca

5th Grade Ithaca

5th Grade Ithaca

Ben Hein, American Red Cross Disaster Services Program Manager and Connie Studnicka, AmeriCorps/Red Cross Disaster Services member, facilitated the program.

FBI Releases New Version of Child ID App

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ChildIDAppThe FBI today is announcing a reboot of its popular Child ID App, which provides parents with an easy way to electronically store their children’s pictures and vital information to have on hand in case their kids go missing.

The application, which works on most Apple and Android smartphones and tablets, allows users to store up-to-date images and physical descriptions—like height, weight, birthmarks, etc.—that could help responders in the event of an emergency. The information is stored only on your device—not with your mobile provider or the FBI.

The latest version of the Child ID App contains updated features, including high-resolution image capability, a default recipient field (where you can enter your local police department’s e-mail address, for example), and optional automatic reminders to update your children’s profiles.

Current users of the Child ID App are encouraged to download the latest version for improved performance and capabilities. Please note that if you had been using an older version of the app (prior to 2.0), you will need to re-enter all relevant information after installing the update.

The app has been downloaded more than 250,000 times since it was released, first on iTunes in 2011 and then for the Android operating system in 2012. The current version, released in April, has been downloaded more than 50,000 times onto devices around the world.

The Child ID App also includes tips on keeping children safe as well as specific guidance on what to do in those first few crucial hours after a child goes missing.

For more information and to download:

Red Cross Pillowcase Project held at Doudna Elementary

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On Tuesday, May 5th Ben Hein, American Red Cross Disaster Program Manager, along with Connie Studnicka AmeriCorps/Red Cross Disaster Services Member had the pleasure of presenting the Pillowcase Project to the 3rd graders at Doudna Elementary. The Pillowcase Project was implemented from Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, Louisiana. This devastating hurricane struck New Orleans in 2005. At that time, college students carried their valuables in pillowcases when they were evacuated.

Pillowcase Project

This inspired the American Red Cross to work with an art therapist to create a program around decorating pillowcases for the children living in makeshift communities across New Orleans during the Katrina recovery. Soon the Pillowcase Project became a preparedness education program for elementary grades 3-5. In 2013, Walt Disney sponsored the design and development phase of a multi-year effort to build upon this success.

The vision of this program is to create a generation of children who understand the science of hazards and are empowered to take action by practicing how to prepare for emergencies then share what they have learned with family and friends. In return, this will help create a BETTER PREPARED COMMUNITY! The motto for this program is LEARN, PRACTICE and SHARE.

 

NOAA Emergency Radios Save Lives

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emergencyRadio(MADISON) –  The recent tornadoes in Illinois remind us that it is time to prepare for possible tornadoes here in Wisconsin.

May 6, 2015 is NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Awareness Day. The campaign encourages Wisconsin residents to own a NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio, a 24-hour source of weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and non-weather emergency information provided by the National Weather Service and its parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“NOAA All Hazards Weather Radios save lives”, says Brian Satula, Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator. “The early warning of possible danger gives you and your family time to act and stay safe.” Satula adds this reminder, “Listen, Act and Live! Listen to the weather radio warnings and take action right away. You’ll have a much better chance of surviving disaster.”

NOAA All Hazards Weather Radios are “smoke detectors for severe weather.” A NOAA Weather Radio with an alarm and battery back-up is one of the best ways to protect your family, especially at night when the alarm feature can wake you up during severe weather and give you and your family time to seek appropriate shelter. If there is no severe weather or emergency your radio can be switched to a silent, stand-by mode.

ReadyWisconsin profiles people who survived tornadoes thanks to an emergency weather radio. You can see there stories at http://readywisconsin.wi.gov

The NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards network started in 1972 and is the sole government-operated radio system to provide direct warnings for all hazardous conditions that pose a threat to lives and property. There are 37 stations that broadcast weather and hazards information to the residents of Wisconsin, and over 1,000 stations nationwide.

Weather radios come in many sizes, with a variety of functions and costs. They can be purchased at most electronic stores. Most weather radio receivers are either battery-operated portables or AC-powered desktop models with battery backup. The portable weather radios are an important item to take along when you are enjoying the outdoors such as camping and boating. Many receivers have digital technology called Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) that allows users to program their radios to alarm only for hazardous conditions that affect their county.

For additional information about weather radios including real life stories of Wisconsin residents who survived a tornado thanks to the early warning from a NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio, go to http://readywisconsin.wi.gov.  You’ll also find a Q & A section with the most asked questions about emergency weather radios.

https://em.co.richland.wi.us/