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TextHealth and Safety Podcast Transcript: August 8, 2012
Hello, and welcome to the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast
for August 8, 2012. I’m Jim Person, Fairfax County emergency
information officer. Coming up, learn about National Preparedness Month,
a new hurricane app from the American Red Cross, summertime grilling
safety and a new independent study course on community preparednessg.
Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
September is National Preparedness Month. It’s not too early to start preparing. Visit www.Ready.gov for more information and tips on how to prepare your family or your business.
Be ready for severe weather with the “Hurricane by American Red Cross” app. It lets you monitor conditions in your area or throughout the storm track, prepare your family and home, find help and let others know you are safe even if the power is out – a must have for anyone who lives in an area where a hurricane may strike or has loved ones who do. Get the app for iPhone or Android devices or search the iTunes or Google Play app store for “Hurricane by American Red Cross.” Visit www.redcross.org/hurricaneappfor more information.
Summertime is a great time for outdoor grilling. The Fairfax County Fire
Department wants to make sure it’s also a safe time.
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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. 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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Use Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved electrical starters in
place of lighter fluid.
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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 against the
law.
Find more information online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr.
Finally, Are you looking for great, engaging and short preparedness activities? If so, we encourage you to take the independent study course, “Community Preparedness: Implementing Simple Activities for Everyone” (IS-909). The course is composed of 16 preparedness modules on topics ranging from preparedness on a budget to fire extinguisher operation and includes specific topics such as disaster planning for a pet or service animal. Among other materials available, is a comprehensive program leaders guide for those just starting a neighborhood preparedness effort, as well as a free online training developed with the Emergency Management Institute. Learn more at training.fema.gov/.
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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