Emergency Plans for Holiday Guests, Travel Preparedness, Community Evacuation Routes

Individual and Community Preparedness eBrief

u s d h s f e m a

November 15, 2018

In this issue:

Celebrate Safely With Your Family this Holiday Season

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is almost here! If you’re traveling to see family or hosting guests at your home, it is important that everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency. Use these tips to have a safe holiday:

  • Decide on a family emergency meeting spot and make sure your guests know how to get there.
  • Make sure you have working smoke alarms in any rooms where guests are sleeping.
  • Know two ways out of a room in case of a fire, even if you’re staying in someone else’s home.

For more tips on staying safe this holiday season, visit https://www.ready.gov/holiday-toolkit.

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Kitchen Safety Tips

Turkey and Thanksgiving fixings

Did you know most home fires start in the kitchen? Whether you’re making turkey or pie this holiday season, it is important to be careful when you’re cooking. Use these tips to make sure your Thanksgiving is safe and delicious:

  • Keep an eye on food when cooking.
  • Wear short sleeves or roll them up. Long sleeves can catch on fire.
  • Never leave frying food alone. Most home cooking fires start when food is left unattended.

To learn more about staying safe over the holidays, visit https://www.ready.gov/holiday-toolkit. Join the conversation on social media by following @Citizen_Corps and @Prepareathon. Share your holiday safety tips with #HolidaySafety!

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Winter Care for Seniors

Image of older woman shoveling snow

During winter, it’s important to look out for seniors in your family and neighborhood. Older adults are at higher risk in cold weather. Here are some tips to ensure older adults are prepared for winter weather:

 

  • Make sure to prepare an emergency kit before winter arrives. Include medication.
  • Connect with your family, friends, and neighbors to make sure you (and they) have a strong support system in case of an emergency.
  • Check on your neighbors after any disaster or emergency, including when it’s freezing.

Be careful after a storm. Limit your time outside in the cold. Reduce the risk of heart attack by making sure you don’t overexert yourself when shoveling snow.

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Important Dates to Remember

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Disclaimer: The reader recognizes that the federal government provides links and informational data on various disaster preparedness resources and events and does not endorse any non-federal events, entities, organizations, services, or products. Please let us know about other events and services for individual and community preparedness that could be included in future newsletters by contacting FEMA-prepare@fema.dhs.gov.