Ready Georgia Pet Caption Contest

FROM READY GEORGIA:

Think you’re witty when it comes to our waggy-tailed companions? If so, put on your thinking cap, brush up on your emergency preparedness knowledge and participate in Ready Georgia’s, “Ready, Pet…Caption!” contest.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

To coincide with National Preparedness Month, we will post a different image of a pet each Wednesday in September – and we need your help coming up with an appropriate caption. Be creative, but the theme must relate to disaster readiness. Winners get bragging rights and prizes.

Take a look at our first image below. How would you caption these weather-ready cuties?

ENTER ON READY GEORGIA'S FACEBOOK PAGE!

Disaster Preparedness Quiz

1.  How much water per person per day should your disaster supply kit have?

A. One gallon
B. One liter
C. Two gallons
D. Twelve ounces

The answer is A - one gallon per person per day for at least three days.
  
2. Which of the following is not a safe water source in the home?

A. Melted ice cubes
B. Water beds
C. Toilet tank
D. Hot water tank

The answer is B - water beds.  Water from water beds should be avoided because pesticidal chemicals are in the plastic casing of the bed and chemicals have probably been added to the water to prevent the growth of algae, fungi, and bacteria. This water is only safe for hand-washing and laundering. The water from the toilet tank (not the bowl) is safe to drink unless chemical treatments have been added.

3. True or False: When you evacuate, you should leave your pets because they will be safer in your home with food and water than traveling.

The answer is False - the single most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to take them with you when you evacuate. Animals left behind in a disaster can easily be injured, lost or killed. Animals left inside your home can escape through storm damaged areas, such as broken windows. Animals turned loose to fend for themselves are likely to become victims of exposure, starvation, predators, contaminated food or water, or accidents. Leaving dogs tied or chained outside in a disaster is a death sentence.

4. If there is a chance that the water you drink might be contaminated, you should:

A. Drink it anyway
B. Add 16 drops of chlorine per gallon to disinfect it
C. Don’t drink it no matter what

The answer is B - Add 16 drops of chlorine per gallon to disinfect it.

5. What is the number one disaster-related killer in the United States?

A. Flood
B. Fire
C. Tornado
D. Earthquake

The answer is A - flood.

6. Why is it important to have enough emergency supplies to last you 72 hours?

A. Most of the immediate effects of disasters will cede within this time
B. 72 hours should give you enough time to figure out how to evacuate on your own
C. Most families do not have the space to store more supplies than will last 72 hours
D. It often takes emergency personnel 72 hours to reach you in the case of a disaster

The answer is D - it often takes emergency personnel 72 hours to reach you in the case of a disaster.

7. Where is the worst place to be during a tornado?

A. Outside
B. In a basement
C. In a mobile home
D. In a vehicle

The answer is C - the majority of tornado deaths are mobile home fatalities. FEMA recommends that mobile home residents evacuate immediately and seek the lowest floor of a nearby building or shelter. If no buildings are available, lie flat in a ditch, covering your head with your hands. Do not seek shelter under a bridge or overpass or in a car, and watch for flying debris.

8. If your car breaks down during a snowstorm or extreme cold, what should you do?

A. Bundle up and go look for help
B. Raise your hood to attract attention, crack the window and warm the engine
C. Put your hazard lights on and avoid running the engine to preserve gas
D. Roll up all the windows, bundle up and turn the heat on as high as it will go

The answer is B - leaving your car during a storm can be dangerous, so only leave if you can see help. Otherwise, raise the hood to attract attention and run the car's engine for 10 minutes each hour to keep warm, making sure to clear the exhaust pipe of snow to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Conserve battery power by turning on the lights only when the engine is running.

9. True or False: To keep cool in excessive heat, you should drink very cold water.

The answer is False - drinking chilled water in excessive heat can lead to stomach cramps. Instead, drink room temperature water before you're thirsty, and steer clear of liquids that contain alcohol and large amounts of sugar. Sport drinks will keep you hydrated and replenish salt and minerals that you lose when you sweat.

10. In the event of an emergency, which agencies will accept your pets?

A. The Red Cross and the Humane Society of the United States
B. FEMA and The Humane Society of the United States
C. FEMA and The Red Cross
D. Your local animal shelter

The answer is A - although you can't take your pets with you to Red Cross shelters, the Red Cross and Humane Society will set up places where you can keep your pets. Make sure to pack an emergency kit for them similar to the one you've packed for yourself, including food, ID and any medications.

11. What are the signs of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning?

A. There are no symptoms
B. A rash and sore throat
C.  Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea and vomiting
D. Loss of appetite and constipation

The answer is C - accidental CO poisoning kills 500 people each year. If you are experiencing headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion, you should seek help immediately. Never use generators, grills, camp stoves or other gasoline or charcoal-burning devices inside your home or garage, and make sure to have at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home.

12. How many gallons of water will fit in the average bathtub?

A. 24
B. 36
C. 42
D. 50

The answer is B - a bathtub can hold 36 or more gallons of water, depending on its size.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS ON A BUDGET

National Preparedness Month 2013

PREPAREDNESS ON  A BUDGET

It Doesn’t Cost a lot to be Prepared

It is no secret that many families and individuals are looking to cut back on spending. But with the frequency of disasters, both natural and manmade, can you afford not to be prepared? Preparedness doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

September is National Preparedness Month, and we are asking you to help your family and friends prepare for whatever may come. Here are a few tips on how you can protect those that matter to you without spending a fortune.

Make a Plan. Work with you family and neighbors to make an emergency plan for the types of disasters that affect your area. Make sure everyone in your family understands where to go and what to do in case of an emergency. You can download Family Emergency Plan templates  Ready.gov/make-a-plan.

Update Contact Information. Having accurate records for family, friends and neighbors will help you stay in contact and possibly help those in need. Make sure updated contact information is posted in visible places throughout your house and workplace. Family Emergency Plan

Check Your Policy. Review your insurance policy annually and make any necessary changes- and renters, do the same too! When a disaster strikes, you want to know that your coverage will get you back on your feet.

Make a Ready List. You may not need all of the items in ready-made preparedness kits. Choose the essentials that fit your needs and budget. Don’t forget to keep supplies at work and in your car. Sample Ready Lists can be found at  Ready.gov/build-a-kit.

Plan Your Purchases. You can save money by thinking ahead. Don’t buy preparedness items just before
a storm when they’re expensive and supplies will be in high  demand. Buy items at the end of the season when you can get good deals.

Shop Sales. Shop at sales and used goods stores. Buy preparedness items throughout the year, instead of all at once, and you won’t notice the cost as much.

Make Sure it Keeps. Store water in safe, containers. You don’t need to buy expensive bottled water, just make sure your water containers are disinfected and airtight.

Request a Gift. We all get things we don’t need. Suggest preparedness supplies as gifts from your friends and family. It just might save your life.

Trade a Night Out. Trade one night out to fund your 72-hour kit. Taking a family of four to the movies can cost upwards of $80. Just one night staying in could fund your Ready kit.

Start now! Take small steps toward preparedness and before you know it, you will be Ready!
For more information, check out:

Emergency Financial First Aid Kit
Follow us: @Readygov
Email us: ready@fema.gov or citizencorps@dhs.gov
Order publications: call 1-800-BE-READY, 1-888-SE-LISTO, and TTY 1-800-462-7585
Monthly Preparedness text messages: Text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) to receive monthly preparedness tips. (msg/data rates apply)

NFPA Safety Tips: Public Assembly Safety

People entering any building of public assembly need to be prepared in case of an emergency. It's important to know what precautions to take before entering a building, while you are there and during an emergency.

Home Insurance Made Simple Video by Allstate

To learn about homeowners coverage in your state, visit http://al.st/172OiGU
Allstate helps explain home insurance and the different types of coverage available so you can better understand what you need in your policy.

Preparing Pets for Disasters Video from FEMA

A unique instructional video containing information for pet owners and suggestions for proactive pet emergency preparedness.

Call Champion if You "Ain't Got Time for That" Fire Damage

National Preparedness Month 2013: PREPAREDNESS FOR PET OWNERS

National Preparedness Month 2013

PREPAREDNESS FOR PET OWNERS

Emergencies Affect All of Us, Including Our Pets

If you are like millions of animal owners nationwide, your pet is an important member of your household. When planning your family for disaster, don’t overlook the needs of your cherished family pets. The likelihood that you and your animals will survive an emergency such as a fire or flood, tornado or any of the all hazards depends largely on emergency planning done today.

September is National Preparedness Month (NPM); while you make a plan to prepare your families also consider your family pet. Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling an animal emergency supply kit and developing a pet care buddy system, are the same for any emergency. Whether you decide to stay put in an emergency or evacuate to a safer location, you will need to make plans in advance for your pets. Keep in mind that what's best for you is typically what's best for your animals

If you evacuate your home, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND! Pets most likely cannot survive alone and if by some remote chance they do, you may not be able to find them when you return.

If you are going to a public shelter, it is important to understand that animals may not be allowed inside. Plan in advance for shelter alternatives that will work for both you and your pets; consider loved ones or friends outside of your immediate area who would be willing to host you and your pets in an emergency. Make a back-up emergency plan in case you can't care for your animals yourself. Develop a buddy system with neighbors, friends, and relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for your pets, if you are unable to do so.

For more information, check out: Ready.gov/caring-animals
“Preparing Makes Sense for Pet Owners” Video- (closed captioning & ASL)

http://youtu.be/aUbSF_S20bE Follow us: @Readygov
Email us: ready@fema.gov  or citizencorps@dhs.gov

Order publications: call 1-800-BE-READY, 1-888-SE-LISTO, and TTY 1-800-462-7585
Monthly Preparedness text messages: Text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) to receive monthly preparedness tips. (msg/data rates apply)

Atlanta Area Events for September 2013

September 10th: Mumford and Sons at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta

September 12th: Depeche Mode at Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood in Atlanta

September 13th - 15th: Sesame Street Live: Can't Stop Singing at Phillips Arena in Atlanta

September 19th: Miranda Lambert: Locked and Loaded Tour at Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood in Atlanta

September 20th and 21st: Music Midtown Festival at Piedmont Park

September 27th: John Mayer: Born & Raised World Tour at Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood in Atlanta

A Happy Water Damage Client in Douglasville, GA

"Patrick Mangione and his team were extremely responsive and always available when I had questions. Excellent service and performance. First RATE organization!!!"

-A USSA Water Damage Client in Douglasville. GA