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TextHealth and Safety Podcast Transcript: Sept. 21, 2011
Hello, and welcome to the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast for
September 21, 2011. I’m Jim Person, Fairfax County emergency information
officer. National Preparedness Month continues; learn how to better
prepare yourself and your family. Also on this edition, learn about
keeping food safe, grilling safety tips and how to schedule a
presentation about emergency preparedness. Links to topics mentioned in
this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
Although National Preparedness Month is winding down, it is always time
to take a moment to think emergency preparedness. Take these three simple
steps to be better prepared:
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Get a kit.
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Make a plan.
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Stay informed.
For more information on emergency preparedness, contact the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management at 571-350-1000. You also can visit www.Ready.gov or www.Listo.gov; call 1-800-BE-READY, or text “PREPARE” to 43362 – that’s 4FEMA – to sign up to receive monthly disaster safety tips on your mobile phone.
Fairfax County residents – and businesses – are encouraged to make a
family or business emergency plan at www.ReadyNOVA.org. Both planners
provide an easy-to-use tool for developing your emergency plan.
CDC, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, and the Fairfax County Health Department remind residents
that after flooding, you need to get rid of food that may not be safe to
eat. Throw away food that may have come in contact with flood or storm
water; food that has an unusual odor, color or texture; perishable foods
in your refrigerator if the power has been off for four hours or more;
and canned foods that are bulging, opened or damaged. Thawed food that
contains ice crystals can be refrozen or cooked. Freezers, if left
unopened and full, will keep food safe for 48 hours (24 hours if
half-full). For more information, visit the Fairfax County Health
Department online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd.
Many residents love to cook out and grill, especially with the approach of fall, cooler weather and tailgating at sporting events. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department offers these reminders to keep your next barbecue safe:
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Grills should be placed at least 15 feet from any home, building, or
combustibles to ensure adequate air circulation.
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Charcoal must be kept dry. Wet charcoal can spontaneously ignite.
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Spare propane bottles should be stored outside away from the home. A
backyard shed is a good place.
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Keep children and pets away from the grill. Grills continue to give off
heat long after cooking has stopped.
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Never place hot ashes in paper or plastic bags or containers.
Only use metal containers for hot ashes.
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Never use a grill on apartment or condominium balconies. This practice
is one of the biggest dangers with grills, it is unsafe and it is
against the law.
More life safety information is available online from the Fire Department at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr.
Finally, the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management is available
to deliver emergency preparedness presentations to community
organizations and homeowners associations. If interested, contact Marcelo
Ferreira at 571-350-1000.
That’s it for this edition of the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast, produced by the Fairfax County, Virginia government. Thanks for listening. Additional information about health and safety topics and emergency preparedness may be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov. And remember, if you have a police, fire or medical emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency needs, call 703-691-2131.
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